Pramoxine
Hydrochloride

Itchy skin has many possible causes. Some potential triggers include dry skin, age, stress, sunburn, certain medications, and exposure to skin irritants or allergens, such as fragrance, harsh chemicals, or rough fabrics. Your skin may also feel itchy during the cold, dry winter months (when there’s less moisture in the air), as well as after bug bites or contact with rash-inducing poison ivy or poison oak.

In some cases, itchy skin can be caused by an underlying skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis. For this reason, it’s essential to consult with your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist if your itchy skin feels painful or persists for more than six weeks—this is known as “chronic itch.” Your dermatologist can assess your skin and offer the appropriate over-the-counter anti-itch products and tips to help you find relief. In the meantime, it’s generally best to avoid scratching itchy skin, as this can worsen itchiness and potentially cause skin injury.

Pramoxine hydrochloride is a local anesthetic, which means it numbs the skin where it’s applied. By temporarily numbing the skin, pramoxine hydrochloride can help minimize the sensation of itching and discomfort. Applying this ingredient topically has been shown to provide temporary relief from itching caused by insect bites, minor skin irritations, sunburn, and more. It’s typically applied as a cream onto affected areas a few times per day.

Pramoxine hydrochloride is a widely used OTC treatment for itchy skin. Studies have shown that it’s effective at reducing the intensity of itch without unwanted side effects, particularly when used as a cream (rather than a gel formula).¹ CeraVe’s Itch Relief Lotion and Cream with 1% pramoxine hydrochloride are both clinically tested to begin working in as little as two minutes, with effects lasting up to eight hours.³ According to another clinical study, 100% of users experienced relief when using these products.*

However, in order for pramoxine creams to be effective, they must be applied correctly per the instructions on the product label (or as suggested by your doctor or dermatologist). The ideal product for itchy skin may also vary depending on the root cause of your itch. We recommend working with a board-certified dermatologist to find the right anti-itch medication for you while also addressing the underlying causes of your itchy skin.

Pramoxine hydrochloride is FDA-approved for use in over-the-counter itch-relief products.¹ You can find pramoxine lotions and creams over the counter in concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 1%. Higher-strength formulas will require a prescription from your doctor or dermatologist, but you can find CeraVe’s anti-itch cream and lotion with 1% pramoxine hydrochloride online, at your local drugstore, or at most major retailers (such as Target and Walmart). These products can be applied as needed up to four times per day to help reduce itching in adults and children two years of age and older.

This ingredient can be beneficial for anyone experiencing mild to moderate itching. Pramoxine cream may be a good option if your itchy skin is due to minor irritations, insect bites, sunburn, or rashes (such as poison ivy or poison oak rashes). CeraVe’s pramoxine hydrochloride products are also accepted by the National Eczema Association (NEA). If you have any questions about whether or not pramoxine hydrochloride is right for your skin’s needs, consult a board-certified dermatologist.

Note: CeraVe’s products with pramoxine hydrochloride are recommended for adults and children older than two years old. Do not use our pramoxine lotion or cream on children under the age of two unless directed by a physician or pediatric dermatologist.

Studies show that pramoxine hydrochloride is safe, effective, and well-tolerated when used as directed.^1,2 It’s generally best to avoid applying this ingredient near the eyes and nose to help avoid potential skin irritation in these areas. If you experience ongoing symptoms that do not subside, it’s best to stop use and contact your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist.

This will depend on the product you choose. Pramoxine hydrochloride can be found in a variety of anti-itch lotions, creams, and foams, each with their own application instructions. Always read the product label carefully and apply per the instructions (or as directed by your doctor or dermatologist). CeraVe’s anti-itch lotion and cream with pramoxine hydrochloride can be applied every day (up to four times per day) to help soothe itchy, uncomfortable-feeling skin.

When choosing pramoxine products, it can be helpful to look for formulas that incorporate beneficial ingredients for dry, itchy skin, such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid. According to research, pramoxine hydrochloride products with ceramides and other beneficial ingredients can provide helpful moisturization benefits.³ CeraVe’s pramoxine hydrochloride formulas contain three essential ceramides, along with hyaluronic acid and other carefully-selected ingredients. Our formulas are developed with dermatologists to help maintain the skin’s moisture and comfort and help restore the skin barrier. CeraVe’s Itch Relief lotion and cream also feature MVE Delivery Technology, which continually releases moisturizing ingredients for all-day hydration.

Pramoxine hydrochloride is sometimes confused with hydrocortisone, a popular steroid medication that can also be found in over-the-counter products, such as CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream. However, these two anti-itch ingredients work in different ways, and therefore, one is not necessarily “better” than the other. Hydrocortisone works to help reduce inflammation, whereas pramoxine hydrochloride works to temporarily numb the skin’s surface. Research shows that steroid-based creams, such as hydrocortisone, are typically not recommended for long-term use (more than two to four weeks).⁴

Both of these ingredients are effective options that are FDA-approved for use in over-the-counter products.^1,4 When in doubt, seek the help of a board-certified dermatologist—they can help you choose the ideal treatment option for your itchy skin’s needs. In some cases, your dermatologist may prescribe an anti-itch cream that contains both hydrocortisone and pramoxine hydrochloride.

Although they are both used to help manage itchy skin, pramoxine hydrochloride is not an antihistamine. As mentioned above, pramoxine hydrochloride is a local anesthetic that temporarily numbs the skin to minimize itching from minor skin irritations, insect bites, poison ivy, and sunburn. Antihistamines, on the other hand, are used to help relieve itchy skin caused by allergic reactions. These medications help block histamine, a substance produced by your immune system that can trigger allergy symptoms, such as itchy skin and hives.

Calamine lotion is another popular over-the-counter treatment for itchy skin. Like pramoxine hydrochloride, calamine can offer soothing benefits and help temporarily reduce itch. But these two itch-relieving options also have some key differences. Whereas pramoxine hydrochloride temporarily numbs the skin, calamine lotion works by producing a cooling effect on the skin. Calamine lotion contains two active ingredients: zinc oxide and iron oxide. The iron oxide in calamine lotion gives it a distinct pink color that easily sets it apart from pramoxine hydrochloride. And, unlike many pramoxine products, calamine lotions need to be shaken well before application.

This depends on the product you choose. Many pramoxine hydrochloride products can be used to help relieve itching on the face and body. However, it’s essential to read the product label carefully before applying. The label will tell you how to use the product correctly, as well as which area it’s intended for. CeraVe’s Itch Relief products with pramoxine hydrochloride can be used on the face and body (on affected areas only) up to four times per day. If you have additional questions about how to use pramoxine hydrochloride for itchy skin, consult a board-certified dermatologist for personalized guidance.