What can cause widespread body itching that has lasted two months?

If any of the following occur, seek emergency care immediately: breathing difficulty, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, rapidly spreading rash with high fever, or signs of skin infection such as increasing redness, pus, warmth or severe pain. These symptoms require immediate evaluation rather than routine outpatient care.

• Breathing difficulty or difficulty swallowing
• Swelling of face, lips or tongue
• Rapidly spreading rash with high fever
• Skin infection signs: pus, growing redness, warmth, severe pain

Good skin care and small lifestyle changes often help reduce itching. Avoid long or hot baths; prefer short lukewarm showers. Use fragrance‑free gentle cleansers and, within minutes after showering, apply a thick fragrance‑free emollient (cream or ointment). Choose loose cotton clothing and avoid irritating fabrics or scented products. Keep nails short to limit skin damage from scratching; cool compresses can give temporary relief during flare‑ups. These measures ease symptoms but do not identify an underlying cause.

• Short lukewarm showers; fragrance‑free cleansers
• Apply a fragrance‑free moisturizer soon after bathing
• Loose cotton clothing; avoid irritants and fragranced products
• Keep nails short; use cool compresses for relief

Supportive measures reduce discomfort; a lasting solution usually requires medical evaluation.

If itching persists for more than two months or does not respond to home measures, a dermatology assessment (Dermatology and Venereal Diseases) is a reasonable next step. A dermatologist can examine the skin and, if needed, perform dermoscopy or skin scraping. Widespread itch can also come from systemic problems; Family Medicine or Internal Medicine clinicians can evaluate and order blood tests and refer to other specialties. If an infectious or parasitic cause is suspected, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology input may be helpful.

• Dermatology and Venereal Diseases: skin exam, photos, dermoscopy or scraping
• Family Medicine / Internal Medicine: assess for systemic causes and order tests
• Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology: if infection or parasitic cause suspected

Which tests or referrals are needed will depend on the clinical examination and history.

For widespread itch lasting two months, clinicians may order blood tests such as a complete blood count (CBC), ferritin (iron stores), TSH (thyroid), kidney and liver function tests, and fasting blood glucose when indicated. If scabies is suspected, dermatology evaluation and assessment of household contacts is important. Make a note for your clinician of whether others in your home have symptoms, any recent changes in soaps, shampoos, detergents, creams or medications, presence of pets, and whether itching worsens at night. Clear photos taken in good light from different angles can assist the clinician.

• Possible tests (by clinician): CBC, ferritin, TSH, kidney and liver tests, fasting glucose
• Consider household contacts, recent product or medication changes, pets
• Take and share good‑quality photos and note symptom timing (night vs day)

Individual test choices are made by the treating clinician based on the examination and history.