What is the medical term for "itching"?

The medical term for itching is pruritus, according to WebMD. Pruritus signals several conditions from allergies and eczema to diabetes and liver disease. Other symptoms might also be present in the area of itchy skin.

Determining the root cause of the itching is the first thing that must be done to ensure an effective treatment, according to WebMD. Itching that has gone on for two weeks or itching that is associated with a rash, hives or blisters might require medical care. Doctors examine all factors of the patient's current health to determine the cause of the itching. The itching is then treated using topical or oral medications to help stop the itch and treat the underlying cause.