Comprehensive medication guide to Itch-X including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$10 copay when written as a prescription; most standard insurance plans do not cover OTC purchases; FSA and HSA funds can be used without a prescription.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$8–$15 retail for the 1.25 oz brand-name tube; as low as $0.62 for generic pramoxine/benzyl alcohol with SingleCare or GoodRx discount cards.
Medfinder Findability Score
82/100
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Itch-X is an over-the-counter topical anti-itch medication manufactured by B.F. Ascher & Company, Inc. It is available as a gel (1.25 oz tube) and a spray. The product contains two active ingredients: pramoxine hydrochloride 1% (a topical local anesthetic) and benzyl alcohol 10% (a topical analgesic), along with soothing aloe vera.
Itch-X is used for temporary relief of pain and itching from insect bites, minor burns, sunburn, minor cuts and scrapes, hives, and rashes from poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. It is steroid-free and antihistamine-free, making it a popular choice for targeted numbing relief without the concerns associated with corticosteroids.
Pramoxine hydrochloride has been FDA-approved as an OTC ingredient since 1953. Itch-X is not a controlled substance and does not require a prescription for purchase.
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Itch-X works through the mechanism of topical local anesthesia. Pramoxine hydrochloride stabilizes neuronal membranes in the skin's sensory nerve endings, blocking the generation and conduction of nerve impulses by reducing sodium permeability and raising the action potential threshold.
In plain terms: itching and pain are electrical signals sent from nerve endings in your skin to your brain. Pramoxine blocks these signals at the source by physically preventing the sodium channel activity that generates the signal. The result is temporary numbness and relief at the application site.
Benzyl alcohol 10% provides complementary analgesic activity and has mild antimicrobial properties. Pramoxine is structurally unique among local anesthetics — it belongs to a different chemical class (morpholino ether) than aminoesters (benzocaine) or aminoamides (lidocaine), which means patients with known sensitivities to those classes can often use pramoxine without cross-reactivity.
1% / 10% — gel
Pramoxine HCl 1% / Benzyl Alcohol 10% — 1.25 oz tube
1% / 10% — spray
Pramoxine HCl 1% / Benzyl Alcohol 10% — topical spray
Itch-X has a findability score of 82/100 — meaning it's generally available but may not be stocked at every pharmacy location. The product is made by a specialty manufacturer (B.F. Ascher) with a more limited retail footprint than mass-market OTC brands. Major chains like CVS and Walgreens may or may not carry it depending on their regional inventory decisions.
Itch-X is NOT on the FDA's official drug shortage list. However, patients frequently report difficulty finding it at their usual pharmacy, particularly during spring and summer months when demand for anti-itch products spikes due to insect bites, poison ivy, and sunburn. Stock gaps are typically localized rather than national.
If you're having trouble locating Itch-X, medfinder can call pharmacies in your area to check which ones have it in stock and text you the results. Medical supply retailers and online platforms like Amazon often carry it when pharmacy chains don't.
Itch-X does not require a prescription — it is an over-the-counter medication available to any adult without a doctor's order. Because it is not a controlled substance, no DEA scheduling restrictions apply. However, a healthcare provider can write a prescription for the generic equivalent (pramoxine HCl / benzyl alcohol) if insurance coverage or FSA/HSA documentation is needed.
The following types of healthcare providers may recommend or prescribe pramoxine-based products:
Dermatologists (specialists in skin conditions)
Primary care physicians (PCPs)
Pediatricians (for appropriate pediatric use in children 2+)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs)
Urgent care providers
Telehealth providers can also evaluate skin conditions remotely and recommend or prescribe pramoxine-based products. Services like Teladoc, MDLive, and Sesame offer convenient access to providers via photo consultation for many skin irritation conditions, making it easy to get guidance quickly without an in-person visit.
No. Itch-X is not a controlled substance. Neither pramoxine hydrochloride nor benzyl alcohol is scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by the DEA. There are no restrictions on purchasing, possessing, or using Itch-X beyond the standard OTC labeling guidelines.
Because it's an OTC product, Itch-X can be purchased at any age without a prescription. No special pharmacy controls, purchase limits, or ID requirements apply to Itch-X or its generic equivalent (pramoxine HCl / benzyl alcohol).
Itch-X is generally well tolerated when used as directed. Common local side effects include:
Temporary stinging or burning sensation at the application site
Mild redness or skin flushing at the application site
Brief mild irritation before the numbing effect takes hold
Allergic reaction: hives, swelling of face/lips/throat, difficulty breathing
Increased swelling, warmth, or worsening pain at application site (possible infection)
Blurred or double vision (rare — suggests systemic absorption)
Confusion, dizziness, or lightheadedness
Irregular heartbeat or chest pain (seek emergency care immediately)
Trembling or shaking
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CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream
Contains pramoxine HCl 1% (same active) plus ceramides; widely available; great for dry or eczema-prone skin
Sarna Sensitive Anti-Itch Lotion
Pramoxine HCl 1%; fragrance-free; widely available at major pharmacy chains
Hydrocortisone 1% Cream (Cortizone-10)
Topical corticosteroid; reduces inflammation-driven itch; available everywhere; different mechanism from pramoxine
Benadryl Extra Strength Anti-Itch Cream
Diphenhydramine 2% topical antihistamine; best for allergic itch and hives
Prefer Itch-X? We can find it.
Other Topical Local Anesthetics (benzocaine, lidocaine, dibucaine)
moderateAdditive anesthetic burden if used simultaneously on the same or adjacent areas. Risk is low with normal OTC use on small areas of intact skin.
Class I Antiarrhythmic Drugs (flecainide, mexiletine)
minorTheoretical additive sodium channel blockade if significant systemic absorption of pramoxine occurs (unlikely with normal OTC use on intact skin).
Itch-X is a well-established, steroid-free, antihistamine-free OTC topical product that provides fast numbing relief for a wide range of minor skin irritations. Its dual active ingredients — pramoxine HCl 1% and benzyl alcohol 10% — work together to block nerve signals at the skin surface, delivering targeted relief for insect bites, sunburn, poison ivy rashes, hives, and more.
The main challenge with Itch-X in 2026 is findability — not safety or efficacy. Because it's made by a specialty manufacturer with a smaller retail footprint, stock varies widely by location. The generic version (pramoxine HCl / benzyl alcohol) and pramoxine-based alternatives like CeraVe Itch Relief and Sarna Sensitive are excellent options when the brand-name product isn't available.
If you're struggling to find Itch-X at your local pharmacy, medfinder calls pharmacies near you and texts you which ones have it in stock — taking the frustration out of the search.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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