Approach to managing undifferentiated or other causes of itch in palliative care

For patients with palliative care needs who have undifferentiated or other causes of itch, in addition to general skincare measures, options include an antihistamine or an antidepressant.

For sleep disturbance caused by itch not resolved by the use of a sedating antihistamine or antidepressant, consider a short-acting benzodiazepine (eg temazepam). For further information on managing sleep disturbance, see Sleep disturbance in palliative care.

If itch persists despite the above therapy, seek specialist advice.