Itching is an irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch your skin. Sometimes it can feel like pain, but it is different. Often, you feel itchy in one area in your body, but sometimes you may feel itching all over. Along with the itching, you may also have a rash or hives. Itchy skin, also known as pruritus, is an irritating and uncontrollable sensation that makes you want to scratch the skin to relieve the feeling. The possible causes for itchiness include internal illnesses and skin conditions. When your skin itches, you may have a rash; however, you can have intensely itchy skin and see nothing on your skin.
Itchy skin that is severe or lasts more than six weeks (chronic pruritus) can affect the quality of your life. It might interrupt your sleep or cause anxiety or depression. Prolonged itching and scratching can increase the intensity of the itch, possibly leading to skin injury, infection and scarring.
Causes of Itching
Following are some of the common causes, itching is a symptom of many health condition:
- Allergic reactions to food, medicines, insect bites and pollen
- Skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, dry skin (xerosis), scabies, parasites, burns, scars, insect bites and hives.
- Irritating chemicals, cosmetics, and other substances
- Parasites such as pinworms, scabies, head and body lice
- Pregnancy
- Internal diseases such as Kidney, liver or thyroid diseases. Itching on the whole body might be a symptom of an underlying illness, such as liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems, multiple myeloma or lymphoma.
- Certain cancers or cancer treatments
- Diseases that can affect the nervous system, such as diabetes and shingles
- Nerve disorders. Examples include multiple sclerosis, pinched nerves and shingles (herpes zoster).
- Psychiatric conditions. Examples include anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.
- Irritation and allergic reactions. Wool, chemicals, soaps and other substances can irritate the skin and cause rashes and itching. Sometimes the substance, such as poison ivy or cosmetics, causes an allergic reaction. Also, reactions to certain drugs, such as narcotic pain medications (opioids) can cause itchy skin.
Signs and Symptoms of Itching
Itchy skin can affect small areas, such as the scalp, an arm or a leg, or the whole body. Itchy skin can occur without any other noticeable changes on the skin. Or it may be associated with:
- Redness
- Scratch marks
- Bumps, spots or blisters
- Dry, cracked skin
- Leathery or scaly patches
Sometimes itchiness lasts a long time and can be intense. As you rub or scratch the area, it gets itchier. And the more it itches, the more you scratch. Breaking this itch-scratch cycle can be difficult.
Diagnosis of Itching
Tracking down the cause of the itch can take time and involve a physical exam and questions about your medical history. If your doctor thinks your itchy skin is the result of a medical condition, you might have tests, including:
- Blood test. A complete blood count can provide evidence of an internal condition causing your itch, such as anemia.
- Tests of thyroid, liver and kidney function. Liver or kidney disorders and thyroid abnormalities, such as hyperthyroidism, may cause itching.
- Chest X-rays. A chest X-ray can show if you have enlarged lymph nodes, which can go along with itchy skin.
Treatment of Itching
Itchy skin treatment focuses on removing the cause of the itch. If home remedies don’t ease the itchy skin, your doctor may recommend prescription medications or other treatments. Controlling itchy skin symptoms can be challenging and may require long-term therapy. Following are some of the treatment options for itchy skin:
- Corticosteroid creams and ointments: If your skin is itchy and red, your doctor may suggest applying a medicated cream or ointment to the affected areas. You might then cover the treated skin with damp cotton material. Moisture helps the skin absorb the medication and has a cooling effect. If you have severe itching or a chronic condition, your doctor might recommend this bedtime routine: Bathe in plain lukewarm water for 20 minutes, and apply triamcinolone .025% to 0.1% ointment to the wet skin. This traps the moisture and helps the medication absorb. Then put on a pair of old pajamas. Repeat this routine at bedtime for several nights.
- Other creams and ointments: Other treatments that you apply to your skin include calcineurin inhibitors, such as triamcinolone (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). Or you may find some relief with topical anesthetics, capsaicin or doxepin.
- Oral medications: Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAS), such as doxepin, may be helpful in easing some types of chronic itch. You may not feel the full benefit of some of these drugs for 8 to 12 weeks after starting treatment.
- Light therapy (phototherapy): Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to a specific type of light. This can be a good option for people who can’t take oral drugs. You’ll likely need multiple phototherapy sessions, until the itching is under control.
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