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For several weeks, Laura G\u00f3mez, a 32-year-old young mother, began experiencing intense itching. At first, she thought it was a simple allergy. She changed her soap, avoided certain foods, and even visited a dermatologist,<\/p>\n
who prescribed creams and antihistamines. Nothing worked. The itching intensified every day, affecting her sleep, mood, and daily routine.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was desperate,\u201d Laura says. \u201cI felt like something was moving inside me, I scratched myself until I bled, and nothing could relieve me. But I never imagined what was coming.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pruritus is another name for itchy skin. There are many possible causes, ranging from eczema and dry skin to bed bugs, fungal infections, liver disease, and anxiety.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Itchy skin can be the result of a rash or another skin condition. It can also be a symptom of a more serious condition such as liver disease or kidney failure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
It is important to identify the problem and treat the underlying cause to get relief.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
This article examines the potential causes of itchy skin and suggests how to ease the itching and treat the underlying condition.<\/p>\n
Skin\u00a0serves a vital purpose as the barrier that protects the inside of the body. It is filled with special cells of the immune system that can protect the body and skin from viruses, bacteria, and other hidden threats.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Once the skin cells detect any type of suspicious substance, they trigger a reaction that causes the area to become inflamed. Medical professionals refer to this\u00a0inflammation\u00a0as a rash or dermatitis. This can lead to itching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Immune cells can react to something that touches the skin, a whole-body infection, or an illness. Some rashes are inflamed, painful, and irritated, while others can lead to blisters or patches of raw skin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Itching is a symptom common to many skin complaints. Skin can itch all over the body or only in specific areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Here are some specific causes of pruritus:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
When the skin loses too much water, it can become dry. Those with excessively dry skin can experience a\u00a0nearly constant\u00a0itch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Common signs and symptoms of dry skin include:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Environmental factors leading to dry skin include excessively hot or cold weather with low humidity. Washing too much can also cause dry skin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
A good moisturizer can usually help relieve symptoms of dry skin. Extremely dry skin can be a warning sign of dermatitis, so it may be necessary to see a\u00a0dermatologist\u00a0to help get relief and keep the condition from worsening.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
It is important to seek help to treat very dry skin because cracks in the skin\u00a0can allow\u00a0germs to enter and lead to an infection. Inflamed, sore spots on the skin are often an early sign of a potential infection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
A skin specialist may prescribe a special moisturizer to apply throughout the day or a topical medication to apply directly to the skin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Learn about\u00a0what causes patches of dry skin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common cause of skin rash in children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The\u00a0American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI)\u00a0reports that eczema affects 10\u201320% of children but only 1\u20133% of adults.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
A person\u2019s genes and immune system may play a role in the development of eczema.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
With eczema, there are gaps in the skin barrier. These gaps in the skin barrier\u00a0allow:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
A person can work with a dermatologist to develop a treatment plan to control eczema. A treatment plan will involve a skin care plan and ways to manage triggers. Treating eczema can help to:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Learn more<\/strong>Learn more about how to treat eczema:<\/p>\n
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- How to treat atopic dermatitis<\/li>\n
- Top 16 natural remedies for eczema<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\nAllergies<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\nIrritation and\u00a0allergic reactions\u00a0can also cause itchy skin.\u00a0Allergic contact dermatitis\u00a0occurs when the skin directly comes into contact with an allergen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nA person with irritant or allergic contact dermatitis will develop an inflamed, itchy rash that can include small blisters or bumps. The rash arises whenever the skin comes into contact with the allergen, a substance the immune system attacks. There can be a time delay between exposure to the allergen and when the rash occurs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nTouching clothing, pets, chemicals, soaps, and substances such as\u00a0poison ivy\u00a0or cosmetics can trigger allergic reactions.\u00a0Food allergies\u00a0can also cause the skin to itch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nNickel allergies\u00a0are quite common. When someone comes into contact with jewelry that contains even a small amount of nickel, they can develop inflamed, bumpy, itchy, and swollen skin at the point of contact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nFor a person with an allergic reaction to a particular substance, one of the easiest things to do is to avoid that product or substance. Over-the-counter creams or medicated creams can help clear up a rash.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nLearn about\u00a0how allergies develop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nDehydration<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\nNot getting enough fluids puts the body in a state of dehydration. Dehydration can result in dry skin, which can lead to itching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nA dehydrated person\u2019s skin may look\u00a0dry, dull, or sunken. Other symptoms of dehydration include headaches, fatigue, and muscle cramps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nA dehydrated person will also notice a reduced amount of urine that might also be darker yellow and stronger smelling. Their mouth will feel dry, and their skin will not bounce back as well when squeezed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nA person can treat mild cases of\u00a0dehydration\u00a0by drinking more fluids, especially water. Serious cases require medical attention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nHives<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\nHives\u00a0are a type of skin inflammation caused by the release of a chemical in the body called histamine. This release causes small blood vessels to leak, which causes the skin to swell. Hives can cause uncomfortable itching and be painful. However, they are not contagious.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nWhile hives are not typically dangerous, swelling reactions affecting the lips, tongue, throat, or breathing require emergency medical attention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nThere are two kinds of hives:<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
- Acute hives:<\/strong>\u00a0These can occur after coming into contact with an allergic trigger, such as a particular food or medication. Non-allergic causes, such as excessively hot or cold weather, sun exposure, or exercise, can also serve as a trigger.<\/li>\n
- Chronic hives:<\/strong>\u00a0Some long-term conditions are associated with hives. In other cases, knowing what is causing a person\u2019s hives is difficult. They can come back regularly for months or even years. Even when a doctor cannot determine the cause, the condition often improves over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\nThe ACAAI says that hives affect about 20% of people at some point in their life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nBug bites<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\nBug bites often cause a person\u2019s skin to flare up, resulting in itchiness. Mosquito and spider bites will often produce an inflamed, swollen bite mark.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nBites from\u00a0bed bugs\u00a0and scabies may be grouped across larger areas of skin and can cause itchiness all over the body. If a person suspects they have scabies, they should contact a doctor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nBed bugs are difficult to eliminate. If a person suspects a bed bug infestation, they should consult a pest control professional.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nLearn more<\/strong>Learn more about bug bites:<\/p>\n
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- Bed bug bites: What you need to know<\/li>\n
- Why do mosquito bites itch and swell up?<\/li>\n
- All you need to know about spider bites<\/li>\n
- Insect and spider bites and how to deal with them<\/li>\n
- Everything you need to know about scabies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\nPsychological<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\nPeople may experience an itching feeling that has no physical cause. Some\u00a0mental health\u00a0conditions have associations with itching. Excessive scratching can lead to skin damage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nCompulsive scratching may be the result of conditions\u00a0such asTrusted Source<\/span><\/span>:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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- depression<\/li>\n
- anxiety<\/li>\n
- obsessive-compulsive disorder<\/li>\n
- stress<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\nOther causes<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\nItching can also result from conditions caused by parasites, such as\u00a0pinworms\u00a0or\u00a0lice. Fungal infections, such as\u00a0athlete\u2019s foot, can also cause itching between and around the toes. Tinea, or\u00a0ringworm, can also cause an itchy red rash.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nItchy skin could also be due to more serious medical conditions. Nerve conditions caused by\u00a0diabetes,\u00a0pinched nerves, and\u00a0shingles\u00a0can cause severe itching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nPsoriasis, a skin condition, causes changes to the skin that can also produce itching and discomfort.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nChronic kidney disease\u00a0can also cause itching. Doctors refer to this condition as uremic pruritus, renal itch, or chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nUremia\u00a0is a broad syndrome that occurs when the kidneys are severely damaged and cannot filter toxins from the body.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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