止痒 (zhǐ yǎng) literally means 'to stop itching' — the character 止 means 'to stop, to cease', and 痒 means 'itching, itch'. Together, they form a compound verb meaning 'to relieve itching' or 'to alleviate itchiness'. It is commonly used in medical, pharmaceutical, and everyday health contexts, especially when describing the function of creams, ointments, medications, or natural remedies.

This term is functional and neutral in register — appropriate for both spoken and written Chinese. It rarely appears as a standalone noun; instead, it most often functions as a verb (e.g., 这药能止痒) or as part of a noun phrase like 止痒膏 ('anti-itch ointment'). While it can describe actions taken by people (e.g., 他用手止痒), it's far more frequent in descriptions of treatments designed specifically to reduce itch sensations caused by insect bites, allergies, eczema, or dry skin.