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HEALTH FAMILY PROBLEMS RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION & CAREER Dear What's The Problem, For the last two years I have had a burning sensation all over my skin, except on my face and the soles of my feet. I feel this sensation in small circular areas on different parts of my body. Although the burning does not normally last for very long, it soon moves on to another part of my body. I have consulted two different doctors both of whom have prescribed Piriton, but it just doesn't seem to work. Nil Aku, Ghana Advice: Dr Mark Hamilton *The burning sensation and itchiness of the skin can be caused by so many reasons for problems with the liver and gall bladder. Certain types of drugs can make it very itchy but, it can also be a problem with the skin itself such as psoriasis or eczema or even a parasite infestation such as scabies. Then again it can be a psychological thing where people feel they have an itch in their skin and there is no actual physical cause for it, so it really is impossible to say what is causing Nil's itchiness. *Piriton is an anti-histamine used to treat so many different things such as travel sickness, rashes, allergies and it is just a basic way of treating the itch, which is just a symptom, and it doesn't look at what the cause is - which is probably why Nil is having no success with these two doctors. I'm worried by the fact it has been going on for two years so I think that it's reasonable to ask one of those doctors to look into the cause. *I think Nil would also benefit from going to see a dermatologist - a skin specialist. Dermatologists are very good at understanding that an itch can be part of a deeper problem. The What's the Problem? website is providing general information only. It should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. The BBC is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of the What's the Problem? website. Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.		FURTHER INFORMATION   Dry skin? *Moisturize your skin every day, particularly immediately after a shower or bath to help keep moisture in the skin. * Apply a topical anaesthetic cream/lotion, to affected areas to quickly relieve the pain and itching of dry skin. This will help stop the "itch/scratch" cycle. * Use mild soaps and laundry detergents, especially those without added fragrances. * People with hypersensitive skin should be extra careful and use milder detergents or soaps. Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes or doing housecleaning. Wear cotton fabrics and keep homes free of potential irritants, such as animal hairs and dust. * Reduce the frequency of baths or showers. It's best to shower and/or sponge bathe: showering is far less drying to the skin than bathing. If you must have your baths, limit them to one or two a week and limit your time in the bath. Shower or bathe in lukewarm, not hot, water.    INTERNET LINKS Go ask Alice: Itchy skin   Dermguide.com   The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites