Does graft-versus-host disease cause persistent itching?

Graft-versus-host disease happens when donated immune cells recognize the recipient's tissues as unfamiliar. Skin involvement may cause itching, dryness, a rash, redness, scaling, or changes in sensitivity. It can begin in a limited area or become more widespread. Itching may continue even when the visible rash is subtle, so describe both the sensation and any skin changes to the transplant team.

Contact your transplant or oncology team about new, persistent, or worsening itching. They may examine your skin, review medicines, and decide whether testing or treatment for graft-versus-host disease is needed. Use gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser if your team agrees, keep showers lukewarm, and avoid scratching because broken skin can become infected. Do not start steroid creams, antihistamines, or supplements without checking first.

Seek urgent medical advice for rapidly spreading rash, blistering, peeling skin, sores, facial swelling, fever, breathing difficulty, or signs of infection such as increasing warmth, pus, or severe pain. Report new mouth soreness, trouble swallowing, yellowing of the eyes, persistent diarrhoea, or reduced urine promptly, because graft-versus-host disease can affect organs beyond the skin.

Could this itching be skin graft-versus-host disease or another medicine-related problem? Which products are safe for my skin? What changes should I report the same day?