An itch is a skin sensation. The other skin sensations are touch, pain, heat, and cold. An itch leads to a desire to scratch. Itching has many causes from simple dryness of the skin to serious systemic diseases.
The combination of pain and stiffness in the shoulders and upper arms and in the hips and thighs occurs in a disease called polymyalgia rheumatica. This disease usually affects people over age 50. This pain is persistent and progressive and can cause substantial disability. Weight loss and fever also may occur. There may be limitation of motion of involved muscles and joints. Involved shoulder and thigh muscles may be tender.
