Could a common painkiller gel soothe your itch?
NCT ID NCT03997851
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This small study tested whether a gel made from acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) can relieve itching. Seventeen healthy volunteers received different strengths of the gel or a placebo on their skin, then had itch triggered by two different methods. The goal was to see if the gel reduced itch intensity compared to placebo.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- acetaminophen gel
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new over-the-counter option for itch relief, especially for types of itch that antihistamines don't help.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early proof-of-concept study in only 17 healthy people, not patients with chronic itch. The results may not apply to real-world itching conditions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Miami
Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
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