Itchy skin
Itchy skin (pruritus) is often due to dryness, eczema, allergic reactions or heat. Widespread itch without a rash can be due to liver, kidney or thyroid disease, iron deficiency, or blood disorders and deserves blood tests. Persistent itch for more than 6 weeks needs medical assessment.
Key information
- Symptom
- Itchy skin
- Category
- Skin
- Common possible causes
- Dry skin (very common in Dubai air conditioning), Eczema, Allergic or contact dermatitis, Insect bites
- Tests that may be considered
- Full blood count, Ferritin, Kidney and liver function, TSH
- Clinic assessment
- Available same day
- Home doctor visit
- Available across Dubai
- Home blood test
- Available across Dubai
- Date reviewed
- 2026-07-01
What this symptom means
Pruritus is the unpleasant sensation that provokes scratching. It may be localised or generalised.
Common possible causes
- · Dry skin (very common in Dubai air conditioning)
- · Eczema
- · Allergic or contact dermatitis
- · Insect bites
- · Fungal infection
- · Menopause-related itch
Less common possible causes
- · Iron deficiency
- · Thyroid disease
- · Liver disease (cholestasis)
- · Kidney disease
- · Diabetes
- · Scabies
Serious causes that must not be missed
- · Lymphoma
- · Polycythaemia
- · Advanced liver or kidney failure
- · Itch with unexplained weight loss or night sweats
- · Itch with jaundice
- · Itch with widespread rash and fever
- · Progressive persistent itch over 6 weeks without cause
Call 998 (UAE ambulance) or attend the nearest emergency department for any of the above.
When a same-day GP is appropriate
- · Itch with jaundice or systemic illness
When a routine GP appointment is fine
- · Chronic dry skin or eczema
- · Suspected allergy
- · Persistent itch for investigation
Questions a doctor may ask
- · How long has the itch been present?
- · Is it localised or all over?
- · Any visible rash?
- · Any new products, medications or exposures?
- · Any weight loss, night sweats or jaundice?
History factors that may matter
- · Atopy (eczema, asthma, hay fever)
- · Chronic kidney or liver disease
- · Menopause
Medicines that may contribute
- · Opioids
- · Some antibiotics
- · ACE inhibitors
Never stop a prescribed medication without discussing it with a clinician.
What may happen during the examination
- · Full skin examination
- · Examination for scratch marks and secondary infection
- · Systemic examination if generalised itch
Tests that may be considered
Blood tests
- · Full blood count
- · Ferritin
- · Kidney and liver function
- · TSH
- · HbA1c
- · Bile acids where cholestasis suspected
Other tests
- · Skin scraping where fungal or scabies suspected
When a specialist referral may be considered
- · Dermatology for persistent unexplained itch
- · Haematology if abnormal blood counts
Possible treatment approaches
- · Regular emollients
- · Topical steroids for inflammatory skin conditions
- · Antihistamines for allergic itch
- · Treatment of underlying cause
Safe self-care
- · Fragrance-free emollients twice daily
- · Lukewarm showers, not hot
- · Humidifier in air-conditioned rooms
- · Cotton clothing
Best avoided
- · Hot showers and harsh soaps
- · Ignoring persistent itch without a cause
- · Long-term antihistamine use without diagnosis
How Aafiyah can help
- · GP assessment in clinic or at home
- · Blood testing at home to exclude systemic causes
- · Dermatology referral where required
Related tests
Related conditions
- Eczema
- Hypothyroidism
- Iron deficiency anaemia
Frequently asked questions
Why is my skin so itchy in Dubai?+
Air conditioning, low humidity and hot showers strip the skin barrier. Regular fragrance-free emollients and shorter, cooler showers usually help.
Can itchy skin mean something serious?+
Yes — widespread persistent itch without a rash can rarely indicate liver, kidney, thyroid or blood problems. Blood tests can screen for these.
Should I take antihistamines every day?+
Antihistamines can help allergic itch but should not be used long-term without a diagnosis. A GP can identify the cause.
Medical references
- · NICE CKS — Itch (generalised) — cks.nice.org.uk
- · NHS — Itchy skin — nhs.uk
Medically reviewed by: Dr Shahbaz Afzal — British-trained Family Medicine Consultant, DHA-licensed
Written: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed: 2026-07-01 · Next review: 2027-01-01
This page provides general medical information for people in Dubai and the UAE. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified clinician about any medical concern.
Concerned about itchy skin?
Book a same-day British-trained GP — in clinic, at home or online.
Catch issues early in Dubai — doctor-led screening, bloods & longevity baseline.
Same-day appointments across Dubai and neighbouring communities. Home or clinic visits. WhatsApp us — the message is pre-filled with your area so our team can route you to the closest available slot.
Flagship clinic: Unit G09, Churchill Executive Towers, Business Bay · Home visits 24/7.
Trusted by families and professionals across Dubai.
"Called at 8am with a fever, had a British-trained doctor at my door by 11. He sat with me for 45 minutes — not the 5 minutes I'm used to. Prescription delivered same day. Felt like having a proper GP again."
"We finally have one doctor who knows all of us. The kids actually like going. Follow-up calls happen without us chasing. Worth every dirham."
"The 40+ marker report came back with a real conversation, not a PDF dumped in my inbox. Caught a vitamin deficiency I'd been ignoring for years."
"After surgery I dreaded going back to a hospital for dressings. Their nurse came every other day, the doctor checked in by WhatsApp. Healed faster than I expected."
"Fell ill on day two of our trip. Doctor in the suite within 90 minutes, full assessment, prescription to the hotel pharmacy. Genuinely NHS-standard care in Dubai."
"My father refuses to leave the house. Aafiyah's team comes monthly, manages his medication, and treats him with such dignity. It changed everything for our family."
"Called at 8am with a fever, had a British-trained doctor at my door by 11. He sat with me for 45 minutes — not the 5 minutes I'm used to. Prescription delivered same day. Felt like having a proper GP again."
"We finally have one doctor who knows all of us. The kids actually like going. Follow-up calls happen without us chasing. Worth every dirham."
"The 40+ marker report came back with a real conversation, not a PDF dumped in my inbox. Caught a vitamin deficiency I'd been ignoring for years."
"After surgery I dreaded going back to a hospital for dressings. Their nurse came every other day, the doctor checked in by WhatsApp. Healed faster than I expected."
"Fell ill on day two of our trip. Doctor in the suite within 90 minutes, full assessment, prescription to the hotel pharmacy. Genuinely NHS-standard care in Dubai."
"My father refuses to leave the house. Aafiyah's team comes monthly, manages his medication, and treats him with such dignity. It changed everything for our family."
Start where you're comfortable.
Read first, talk to a doctor, or book in — whichever stage you're at, there's a no-pressure way in.
Free Primary Care Guide
What proper primary care should look like — a short, honest PDF written by our British-trained team. Read it before you decide on a clinic.
Free 15-Minute Doctor Call
Not sure if we're the right fit? Book a free discovery call with one of our GPs. No commitment, no sales — just a clinician answering your questions.
20% Off Your First Appointment
First-time patients save 20% on any first consultation, home visit or blood test. Mention this offer when you enquire — it's our welcome to the clinic.