5 Options for Treating Itchy Skin. When you don’t know what is causing it or how to treat itchy skin, it may be frustrating. Pruritus is the medical name for itching. It may only affect one part of the body, or it may affect the entire body (generalized).
The cause of an itch that is connected to a rash is typically simple to identify. However, occurrences of itchy skin without a rash are the most challenging. This makes locating the cause of the itch more challenging.
This article addresses the many causes of itchy skin, how your healthcare professional may assist in identifying the source, and the various therapies that may be able to help you feel better.
What Goes On Inside Your Body If You Have Itchy, Irritated Skin
The brain receives a signal from the skin’s nerve fibers that causes itching.
A systemic illness or a localized reaction to a drug may be to blame for the broad (generalized) itching. The root cause may occasionally be psychological or even unidentified (idiopathic).
Whatever the reason, itching brings on an urge to scratch, which frequently makes it worse (and leads to more scratching). The itch-scratch cycle is a crucial factor to take into account while treating pruritis.
Itching and pain are two very similar emotions. Actually, both signals are sent to the brain by the same nerves. Actually, the need to scratch is a reaction to this signal.
Localized Skin Itchiness
An issue in or on the skin is typically to blame when only one area of your body itches.
The location of your itching may help your doctor determine why.
Although contact dermatitis and allergic dermatitis can affect any region of your body, they are only possible on the skin that has recently come into contact with an allergen (such as poison ivy) or irritating material (like wool). Localized itching in distinct body areas can also be brought on by other illnesses, including eczema and psoriasis.
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The following body part-specific causes of localized pruritus:
- Scalp: seborrheic dermatitis and head lice.
- Allergic conjunctivitis, eyelids.
- Allergy rhinitis in the nose (hay fever).
- Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear) in the ears
- Trunk: scabies and foliculitis.
- Brachioradialis pruritis in the arms.
- Legs: Xerosis (excessively dry skin), herpes simplex.
- Scabies, ringworm, and pompholyx on the hands and feet.
- Tinea cruris (jock itch), yeast infections in the groin or armpits
- Hemorrhoids, pinworms, and pruritus anus.
Generalized Skin Itchiness
While skin disorders like eczema or psoriasis can contribute to widespread itching, 10% to 50% of cases with an underlying systemic illness have been documented.
In some cases, the irritation of these disorders will not be obvious by a characteristic rash.
The following are a few of the ailments that might produce general itching:
- Drug allergies, urticaria (“hives”), anaphylaxis, and systemic dermatitis are examples of allergic responses.
- Demyelination (a kind of nerve injury) (a type of nerve damage).
- viral illnesses such as chickenpox, shingles, or mononucleosis.
- liver illness.
- iron deficiency
- Neuropathic itch brought on by degeneration or entrapment of the nerve
- Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are two forms of thyroid illness.
- kidney illness, particularly after undergoing dialysis.
- cancers, such as lymphomas and leukemias.
- parasitic diseases.
- both the early and late phases of HIV.
- Pregnancy.
Treatment for itchy skin
Treating the underlying problem is the best method to reduce itching. However, sometimes it takes time. You may require medication to manage the itching and reduce the itch-scratch cycle until the underlying problem is resolved.
Avoid scratching at all costs.
You can find some comfort and prevent creating cracks in the skin that can become infected by gently tapping your skin, covering the itch with cold cloths, or using ice packs.
Topical steroid creams, oral antihistamines (like Benadryl), and modifications to your skincare routine are non-specific therapies for itching.
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Home treatment for relief of itchy skin
Whatever the cause of your itchy skin, doing a few easy actions at home can help you manage your symptoms, avoid dry skin, and reduce the temptation to scratch.
These consist of:
Avoiding hot showers
Showers that are cooler and shorter are preferable.
Use only a little soap.
The groin, armpits, anal area, beneath the breasts, and other greasy or unclean areas are the only places that should be cleaned with soap.
Moisturize.
After taking a bath, use a moisturizing moisturizer right away.
Avoid the dry air.
During the drier, colder months, especially, humidify your house to at least 40%.
Prevent irritants.
Itchy skin can be brought on by wool, fiberglass, detergents, or other topical irritants.
Summary
When you don’t know why or how to manage an overwhelming itch, it may be quite frustrating. Understanding the origin of your desire to scratch is vital since there are many different reasons for itchy skin, or pruritus, ranging from contact with a skin irritant (like wool) to a more serious problem.
Consult your doctor if you experience an itch or rash that interferes with your regular activities, doesn’t go away, becomes worse over time, or exhibits indications of infection. Your doctor will be able to advise you on how to handle your symptoms and prevent them from recurring.
