Itching
Itching is not usually serious. But occasionally it can be a sign of leukaemia or other types of blood cancer. Here, we cover signs that should prompt you to contact your GP.
Summary
- Itching is extremely common. Most of the time, it’s not serious.
- But occasionally itching can be a symptom of leukaemia or other types of blood cancer.
- If you have itchy skin and other symptoms of blood cancer, or itching that lasts longer than 6 weeks or is getting worse, make an appointment with your GP.
About itching
Itching is extremely common. It affects up to 1 in 4 people overall and it’s the most common symptom in people referred to a skin specialist. Most of the time, itching is not serious. It often gets better on its own or with simple treatments from a pharmacy.
But itching could be a sign of leukaemia and other types of blood cancer if it lasts a long time or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms of blood cancer.
Overall, fewer than 5 in 100 people with leukaemia have itching as a symptom. More than 95 in 100 do not. Itching is more common in people with a type of blood cancer called polycythaemia vera. But even then, itching only affects around 50 in 100 people.
Like all symptoms of leukaemia, itching can be caused by many things. Having it does not mean you definitely have leukaemia. But if you’re worried about your symptoms, it’s a good idea to see your GP.
Why do people with blood cancer get itchy skin?
- Cancer can activate an inflammatory response in your body. This helps your immune system fight the cancer. But the inflammatory proteins can irritate nerve endings in your skin, which causes itching.
- Blood cancer can also lower your white blood cell count, which makes it harder for your body to fight infections. Some infections, like chickenpox or scabies, cause itching.
Some treatments for blood cancer can cause itching as a side effect. We have separate information about treatments for people who already have a diagnosis.
What else can cause itching?
Itching can be caused by lots of things. Most people who have itchy skin do not have blood cancer.
Other things that can cause itching include:
- Dry skin
- Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis
- Infections like chickenpox or scabies
- Insect bites
- Allergies
- Some medicines
- Some mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety
- Pregnancy
- Iron deficiency
- Overactive or underactive thyroid
- Diabetes
- Kidney or liver problems
- Some autoimmune conditions
- Other types of cancer
When to seek help
If you have itchy skin and other symptoms of blood cancer, or itching that lasts longer than 6 weeks or is getting worse, contact your GP.
Nearly 4 in 10 people with leukaemia wait 3 months or more before contacting a GP about their symptoms.
Some signs that you should contact your GP include itching that:
- Affects your whole body
- Is severe
- Wakes you at night
- Affects your day-to-day life
- Is triggered by contact with water
- Is accompanied by other symptoms of leukaemia
- Lasts longer than 6 weeks or keeps coming back
- Is getting worse
If you have itching along with other symptoms of blood cancer, your GP should offer you a blood test. If they don’t, ask them about it. They may refer you urgently.
If you are struggling to get help
Nearly 3 in 10 people with leukaemia have to speak to their GP three or more times before getting a diagnosis.
There may be many possible explanations for your symptoms for a GP to consider.
If you have to go back to your GP three or more times about the same symptom, remind them about Jess’ rule. This encourages GPs to ‘reflect, review and rethink’, particularly if:
- You still have the symptoms
- They have got worse
- They are unexplained
Take a look at our Spot Leukaemia campaign to find out what we’re doing to help the public and GPs spot the signs of leukaemia sooner.
Sources
We used an AI tool to help identify relevant evidence sources for this webpage, such as scientific journals and clinical guidelines. A human checked the reliability of these sources.
Sources we used to develop this information
Black GB, Boswell L, Harris J, Whitaker KL. What causes delays in diagnosing blood cancers? A rapid review of the evidence. Primary Health Care Research & Development. 2023 Jan;24:e26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423623000129
Clarke RT, Jones CH, Mitchell CD, Thompson MJ. ‘Shouting from the roof tops’: a qualitative study of how children with leukaemia are diagnosed in primary care. BMJ Open. 2014 Feb;4(2):e004640. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004640
Clarke RT, Van den Bruel A, Bankhead C, Mitchell CD, Phillips B, Thompson MJ. Clinical presentation of childhood leukaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2016 Oct 1;101(10):894-901. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2016-311251
Criado PR, Criado RF, Ianhez M, Miot HA. Chronic pruritus: a narrative review. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia. 2025 Aug 18;100(3):202409008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abd.2024.09.008
Howell DA, Smith AG, Jack A, Patmore R, Macleod U, Mironska E, Roman E. Time-to-diagnosis and symptoms of myeloma, lymphomas and leukaemias: a report from the Haematological Malignancy Research Network. BMC Blood Disorders. 2013 Oct 31;13(1):9. DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-1839-13-9
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical Knowledge Summary: Haematological cancers - recognition and referral. Revised 2025. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/haematological-cancers-recognition-referral/ [Accessed May 2026]
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Suspected cancer: recognition and referral. NICE guideline NG12. 23 June 2015; updated 25 April 2026. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12 [Accessed May 2026]
NHS cancer programme: faster diagnosis framework. November 2022. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cancer-programme-faster-diagnosis-framework/ [Accessed May 2026]
NHS England. National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2024. Available at: https://www.ncpes.co.uk/latest-national-results/ [Accessed May 2026]
NHS Scotland. Scottish referral guidelines (SRGs) for suspected cancer: Haematological cancers. Available at: https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/scottish-referral-guidelines-srgs-for-suspected-cancer/haematological-cancers/ [Accessed May 2026]
PDQ Supportive and Palliative Care Editorial Board. Pruritus (PDQ®): Health Professional Version. 2025 Jan 17. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65789/ [Accessed August 2026]
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Page last reviewed: 10 September 2026
Updated September 2026
Next review due: 30 September 2029
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