Having itchy skin at night can occur naturally due to changes in body temperature and water loss. Sometimes, it may be a symptom of an underlying condition.

Itchy skin at night, called nocturnal pruritus, can be severe enough to disrupt sleep regularly. Why this happens can range from natural causes to more serious health concerns.

You may experience itchy sensations when trying to go to sleep, or it may be severe enough to wake you up during the night. Some people may scratch these itches unconsciously while asleep.

Causes of itchy skin at night can range from changes in skin function as part of the natural circadian rhythm, bug infestations, or underlying health conditions.

This article discusses the potential causes and available treatments for itchy skin at night.

For most people, natural mechanisms could be behind nighttime itch. Your body’s natural circadian rhythms, or daily cycles, influence skin functions like temperature regulation, fluid balance, and barrier protection.

Circadian rhythm

These skin functions change at night. For example, your body temperature and the blood flow to your skin both increase in the evening, warming your skin. A rise in skin temperature can make you feel itchy.

Your body’s release of certain substances also varies by time of day. At night, you release more cytokines, which increase inflammation. Meanwhile, the production of corticosteroids — hormones that reduce inflammation — slows.

Hydration

On top of these factors, your skin loses more water at night. As you might have noticed, during the dry winter months, parched skin itches.

When itchiness hits during the day, work and other activities distract you from the annoying sensation. At night there are fewer distractions, which can make the itch feel even more intense.

Insects

bugs like scabies, lice, bedbugs, and pinworms are often more active at night. Bug bites, feces, and movements can all irritate the skin, causing itching sensations.

Along with your body’s natural circadian rhythms, a number of different health conditions can cause itchy skin to become worse at night. These include:

Here are a few medicines and home remedies to relieve itchy skin at night.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications

If a condition like a nerve disorder or RLS is causing the itch, talk with your doctor to get it treated. To treat nighttime itch yourself, you can try an over-the-counter or prescription medicine. Some of these medicines relieve just the itch. Others help you sleep. A few do both.

  • Older antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Vistaril), and promethazine (Phenergan), relieve the itch and make you sleepy.
  • Newer antihistamines, such as fexofenadine (Allegra) or cetirizine (Zyrtec), are also helpful and may be taken at night or during the day.
  • Steroid creams stop the itch at the source.
  • Antidepressants like mirtazapine (Remeron) and doxepin (Silenor) have an anti-itch and sedative effect.

Be sure to check with your doctor before trying any new medications or treatments, and exercise caution if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Alternative treatments

To help you sleep, you could try melatonin. This natural hormone helps regulate sleep. When you take it nightly, it has a sedative effect that can help you sleep through the itch.

Home remedies and lifestyle changes

If stress aggravates your skin, try techniques like meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation to calm your mind.

You can also meet with a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This program helps reverse some of the negative or inaccurate thoughts and actions that aggravate your stress.

You can also try these home remedies:

  • Apply a lubricating, alcohol-free moisturizer to your skin during the day and before bed.
  • Apply cool, wet compresses to soothe the itch.
  • Take a bath in lukewarm water and colloidal oatmeal or baking soda.
  • Turn on a humidifier. It will add moisture to the air in your bedroom while you sleep.

If your skin itches at night, here are a few triggers to avoid:

  • Try not to go to bed in anything itchy. You can wear pajamas made from soft, natural fibers like cotton or silk.
  • Keep the temperature in your room cool — around 60 to 65°F. Overheating can make you itch.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed. They widen blood vessels and send more blood to warm your skin.
  • Try not to use any cosmetics, perfumed creams, scented soaps, or other products that might irritate your skin.
  • Try not to scratch. You can irritate your skin even more. Try to keep your fingernails short if you feel the urge to scratch at night.

Talk with your primary care doctor or a dermatologist if:

  • The itching doesn’t improve within 2 weeks.
  • You can’t sleep because the itch is so intense.
  • You have other symptoms, such as weight loss, fever, weakness, or a rash.

If you don’t already have a primary care doctor or a dermatologist, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find a healthcare professional in your area.

You may experience itchy skin at night for various reasons. These can range from changes in skin hydration due to the natural circadian rhythm to bug infestations and underlying health conditions.

This itching can often be severe enough to affect your sleep cycle, impacting your quality of life.

The treatments for itchy skin at night will vary depending on the cause.