Itching in active patients: causes and cures.

The cause of pruritus can be as benign as dry skin or as serious as liver disease. A variety of other conditions may trigger itching in active people, including eczema, heat rash, Grover's disease, sunburn, cholinergic urticaria, exercise-induced anaphylaxis, contact and systemic allergic reactions, infections, parasites, and several systemic diseases. Most of these conditions can be effectively managed with treatments that range from avoidance of environmental irritants to the use of topical agents, antihistamines, systemic corticosteroids, or antibiotics.