Causes and treatmentBody itchingWhat is it?
Do you always feel like your skin is itching?Skin itchingis a common problem affecting many people and can cause severe discomfort in daily activities and sleep, depending on its intensity. Itching is a symptom of an underlying condition that can vary from mild to severe.
Itching can manifest as issues like insect bites, eczema, and allergic dermatitis. Insect or mosquito bites cause a skin reaction that results in redness and swelling accompanied by intense itching in the affected area.
Similarly, individuals with eczema or allergic contact dermatitis are prone to flare-ups, which are marked by escalating itching in the affected area. Because itching symptoms are often long-term, those with such skin conditions learn to cope with itching using creams and ointments; however, the cause of itching may remain entirely unclear.
If you experience itching alongside a rash or any visible symptoms of skin irritation, diagnosing the issue becomes difficult in the absence of physical symptoms. Similarly, without an accurate diagnosis, a physician may not identify which treatment option is suitable.
What exactly is this itch?
Skin itching is a relatively common complaint that can vary in intensity, duration, and frequency. Itching typically serves as a natural defensive response to any type of skin irritation.
This irritating sensation can either be localized or affect a specific area of the skin, or it can be experienced throughout the entire body. The epidermis, or the outer layer of the skin, acts as a protective barrier against environmental triggers.
Even the smallest disturbance or breach in this protective covering can stimulate our immune system. To counter the source of irritation, skin cells release a chemical called histamine that leads to the onset of itching.
As a result, our skin receptors send a message to the brain that prompts us to scratch.
What does body itching indicate??
Causes of body itching:
The skin serves as a barrier protecting the inside of the body, filled with special immune system cells that can guard against viruses, bacteria, and other hidden threats. As explained in the health section of SelMagz, when skin cells detect any suspicious substance, they trigger a reaction that causes inflammation in the area.Medical specialists refer to this inflammation as dermatitis, which can lead to itching. Immune cells can react to anything that touches the skin, a full-body infection, or a disease.
Some rashes are red, painful, and irritating, while others can result in blisters or peeling skin.
Itching is a common symptom of many skin complaints. The skin can itch on the body or only in specific areas.
Here are some specific causes of body itching:
Dry skin:
Dry skin is one of the most common causes of skin itching. If someone does not see bright red rashes or notice sudden changes in their skin, dry skin could be a potential factor.
Environmental factors that can lead to dry skin include hot and cold weather with low humidity. Excessive washing can also cause dry skin.
This issue can affect any age group, but as people get older, their skin becomes thinner and drier. Using a good moisturizer can usually help restore dry skin.
Severely dry skin can be a warning sign for dermatitis, so it is essential to consult a dermatologist to help prevent and manage worsening conditions.
Common signs and symptoms of dry skin include:
- Rough, scaly, and flaky skin
- Severe itching
- Gray or purple skin appearance in individuals with darker skin
- Cracked skinThat may be prone to bleeding
- Peeling or chapped lips
It is important to seek help for treating dry skin, as cracked skin can allow microbes to enter. The presence of these microbes within the skin can lead to infections.
Red spots and sores on the skin are often early signs of a potential infection.
A dermatologist may prescribe a special moisturizer for daytime application or a topical medication to apply directly to the skin.
Eczema:
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is the most common cause of skin rashes in children. Eczema affects one in every five infants but only one in every 50 adults.
Its cause relates to skin barrier dysfunction, leading to dry areas susceptible to irritation and inflammation. In such cases, maintaining skin moisture is crucial.
Eczema often improves over time. Individuals with eczema should be cautious, as they are more vulnerable to skin infections.
Allergies:
Irritation and allergic reactions can cause itching. Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an allergen.
ConclusionAllergiescause red rashes that can include small blisters or bumps. A rash occurs when the skin is in contact with an allergen, a substance that the immune system reacts against.
Often, there is a delay between contact with the allergen and the appearance of the rash. Touching clothes, pets, chemicals,soapsand substances such asfood poisoningor cosmetics can trigger allergic reactions.
Nickel allergy is very common. When a person comes into contact with jewelry containing small amounts of nickel, they may develop red skin, bumps, itching, and swelling at the contact site.
For a person with an allergic reaction to a specific substance, one of the simplest actions is to avoid that product or material. Over-the-counter creams or medical creams can help eliminate a rash.
Hives::
Hives, a type of skin inflammation, is triggered by the release of a chemical in the body called histamine. This release causes the small blood vessels to leak, resulting in skin swelling.
There are two types of hives:
Acute hives:
This issue usually occurs after contact with an allergic trigger, such as food or medication. Non-allergic factors, like hot or cold weather, sun exposure, or exercise, can also act as triggers.
Chronic hives:
A specific trigger does not cause these, which can help in allergy testing. They can last for months or even years. Hives can cause uncomfortable itching and may be painful, but they are not contagious. Hives occur in about 20 percent of people at some points in their lives.
Insect bites:
Insect bites often cause skin flare-ups, leading to inflammation. A mosquito or spider bite creates a small, itchy mark surrounded by redness on the skin. This bite should go away within 7-14 days.
Bites from insects and ticks may cause larger welts and can trigger itching throughout the body. If a person is experiencing an insect infestation, all their furniture should be disposed of and the room thoroughly cleaned.
Psychological Factors:
Individuals may experience itching that has no physical cause. Some mental health issues can make a person feel that their skin is crawling, creating a need to scratch. Excessive scratching can result in skin damage.
Compulsive itching can be a result of the following conditions:
- Depression
- Stress
- DisorderObsessiveCompulsive
The reason for body itching and how to treat it
Other causes of body itching:
Itching can also be attributed toparasitessuch as harmful worms, insects like bedbugs, mosquitoes, orliceas well. Fungal infections like athlete’s foot can also cause itching between and around the toes.
Itchy skin can also be a result of more serious medical issues. Neurological disorders caused bydiabetespinched nerves, andshinglescan lead to severe itching.
Doctors may refer to uremic itching as kidney itching or chronic kidney disease-associated itching. As discussed in the health section of SelMagz, uremia is a syndrome that occurs when the kidneys are severely damaged and cannot filter and remove toxins from the body.
With uremia, itching worsens at night. This condition generally affects the back, arms, and abdomen.
Psoriasis:
A skin disease that leads to red patches, dry and flaky skin covered with a silver appearance.
Dandruff:
A common skin condition that causes flakes of white or gray skin to dry out and appear on the scalp or hair.
Folliculitis:
A skin condition caused by inflamed hair follicles.
Itching may sometimes be triggered by an irritating factor or other environmental causes, including:
- Cosmetics such as preservatives, fragrances, hair dyes, andnail polish,
- some metals, such as nickel or cobalt in jewelry
- Rubber, including latex, especially the color and resin in it
- Some plants – like daisies, sunflowers, yellow daffodils, tulips, and primroses
- Food allergies or certain types of medication (for example,aspirinand a group of medications called opioids)
Heat rash::
A rash that occurs in hot and humid weather.
Sunburn:Damage to the skin caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays
Thread worms:
Small worms that infect human intestines and can cause itching at the bottom.
Trichomonas vaginalis:
A small parasite that causes sexually transmitted infections (STIs) known as trichomoniasis.
Infection:
Itching may be a sign of an infection, such as:
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- or another viral infectionAthlete’s foot – a fungal infection that causes itching between the toes.
- Fungal infection: A fungal infection that causes ring-shaped rashes on the skin and can lead to itching of the scalp.
- Vaginal infection or thrush that can lead to itching in and around the genital area.
- Body skin itching disease:
Itching can be a sign of an underlying condition that may affect the inside of the body without producing clear outward symptoms.Itching can indicate the following:
Hemorrhoids:
Swollen and inflamed blood vessels inside or around the lower rectum.
Overactive or underactive thyroid:The thyroid gland in the neck exists and produces too much or too little thyroid hormone.
Anemia:
Caused by
iron deficiency:which results in a decrease in the number of red blood cells.Polycythemia:
Where there is a high concentration of red blood cells in your blood.Liver issues:Liver diseases likeprimary biliary cirrhosis
and
hepatitis
.
Causes of body itching during
pregnancyand menopause:In women, itching may sometimes result fromhormonal changesduring
pregnancyand after menopause.Body itching during
pregnancy:Itching often affects pregnant women and usually disappears after childbirth, and several skin conditions can arise during pregnancy leading to itchy skin, as mentioned in the health section of SelMagz, including:Papules and plaques in pregnancy (PUPPP) is a common skin condition that causes itching and red bulges on the thighs and abdomen.Why does the body itch during pregnancy?Advertisement
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Body itching in women
Itching during pregnancy:
Skin itching that appears as red patches, primarily affects the hands and feet.
Itching is a common symptom after menopause, in which women undergo natural hormonal changes. Changes in hormone levels, such as estrogen occurring during menopause, are responsible for itching.
Depression
Anxiety
Disorder
Obsessive thoughts
Psychosis
Trichotillomania
- Unlikely, but possible. Itching usually has a simple and common cause. However, in some cases, it does not and can be a sign of a serious illness, such as:
- Kidney disease
- Liver diseaseThyroid issues
- Certain cancers, especially Hodgkin’s disease
- Diabetes
Iron deficiency
- HIV
- You may also experience itching after treatment for some of these diseases. Kidney dialysis
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- When to see a doctor for body itching?
- Many cases of itching will resolve over a short period. However, if your itching meets the following criteria, you should see your general practitioner:
- Severe
Lasts for a long time
- Returns frequently
- Accompanied by other symptoms – such as redness and swelling or jaundice (
yellowing of the skin
and the whites of the eyes)
- Unusual burning sensations or numbness could indicate a nervous system disorder.
- Excessive thirst,
- weight loss
- and frequent urination may be signs of diabetes.Weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats could indicate a serious infection or tumor.Your general practitioner will ask you about your symptoms – for example, do you know what triggers your itching, or what relieves it. They will also examine your skin.
- Advertisement
- Safely buy Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra from Digikala!Shop nowIn some cases, they may take a skin sample or skin swab to determine the cause of the itching. A
- blood test
may be conducted to check for underlying issues like thyroid or kidney disease.
You may be asked about:How long has the skin irritation lasted?Are you experiencing persistent itching, or do you have intermittent itching?
Do you suffer from severe allergies?
Which part of your skin is itching?
Are you currently taking any medication, or have you recently started any medication? How so?
Have you been exposed to any irritants?
Home remedies for relieving body itching:
In the health section of SelMagz, there are several tested and natural methods to eliminate skin itching. As long as you need enough relaxation, use these remedies.
1. Baking soda:
Add one cup of baking soda to a bathtub filled with cool water. Stir well until
baking soda
is dissolved. Stay in this water for half an hour. Instead of rubbing your skin with a rough towel, gently pat dry. Repeat this daily.
For more localized itching, prepare a paste by mixing 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon
soup
spoon of water. Apply the paste to the affected areas and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Repeat this daily.
Note: Never use baking soda on cracked or open wounds on the skin.2. Oatmeal:Add 1-2 cups of oatmeal to a bathtub with
warm waterand soak for at least 15-20 minutes. Never use hot water, as it may further irritate your skin.You can have an oatmeal bath up to three times a day, depending on the severity of your condition. Mix some water with 2 tablespoons of oatmeal until it forms a stiff paste. Apply this mixture to your itchy skin and cover it with a cloth for half an hour. Repeat this treatment once daily.
Home remedy for body itching
3. Gentle cold therapy:
Apply cold tap water on the affected skin as needed. Apply a wrapped piece of ice on your affected area. Take a cool shower or bath. Place a cold towel or a wet cloth on the affected area.Advertisement⭕ Buy the best-selling Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro at a special price from Digikala
Shop now4.Olive oil:
Olive oil helps soothe and rejuvenate the skin. It also relieves skin irritation and reduces itching. Apply olive oil or a mixture of olive oil and
honey
several times a day until healed.
You can also add a little turmeric powder to the olive oil and mix and apply two or three times a day for several days. Turmeric has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve itching.
coconut oilare also helpful for naturally healing rashes. A combination of vitamin E oil andfish oil
is also used for the treatment mix.Treating body itching with herbal medicinesThe best remedy for body itching
5.
Apple cider vinegar:Apple cider vinegar, antiseptic, anti-itch, antifungal, and antibacterial helps relieve itching. Mix 1-2 cups ofapple cider vinegarwith the warm bath water. Soak in the bath for 15-30 minutes. Then dry your skin and use a mild moisturizer. Do this daily.For more localized itching relief, mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water and apply to the affected areas using a cotton ball. Leave it for a few minutes and then rinse with warm water. Do this once or twice a day for several days.6. Juniper berry and clove healing paste:In a pot, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter. In another pot, melt two tablespoons of wax. Add the melted butter to the melted wax and mix well.
Add 5 tablespoons of juniper berries and 3 tablespoons of
clove
and let the mixture cool. Apply the mixture to the affected skin and leave it on overnight. In the morning,take a cool shower.Do this daily.
7.Aloe vera: Extract the gel from one aloe vera leaf. Apply the gel to the affected area. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Follow this simple remedy once a day.Alternatively, you can make a paste by adding 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel to 2 tablespoons of green clay. Apply the paste to the affected area and let it dry on its own. Wash it off with warm water. Repeat this once.
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8. Basil:Add 1 tablespoon of dried basil leaves to 2 cups of boiling water. Cover the pot for a few minutes. Allow the mixture to cool, then apply it to the affected area using a cotton cloth.Store the remaining mixture in a jar for later use. Repeat this process as often as needed. Alternatively, you can chop a few basil leaves and apply them directly to the affected skin.Leave it on for a while before washing it off with warm water. Do this as needed.9. Peppermint oil:
Add a few drops of peppermint oil to a bathtub filled with warm water. Soak for half an hour. Dry your skin and then apply a moisturizing lotion. Do this once a day.Add 3 or 4 drops of peppermint oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil such ascoconut
olive, andalmond oil
and apply the diluted peppermint oil to the affected skin. Gently
A few more tips regarding body itching:
To prevent self-harm during sleep, wear cotton gloves.Place a cold compress on your hand to cool it down.Use mild lotions after bathing to help prevent your skin from drying out.
Use mild laundry detergents, which are less likely to irritate your skin.
Some lotions, creams, and over-the-counter medications from your doctor can help reduce itching.
Standard recommended treatments for body itching include:Menthol-containing creams for cooling your skin are beneficial.Some antihistamine pills may cause you to feel sleepy.
If taken at night, they can aid your sleep, but it is essential not to drive, use power tools, or work with heavy machinery after taking them.
If you have itching in hairy areas like your scalp, special lotions for these areas are available, so you do not have to use sticky creams.There are also stronger medications like antidepressants that are suggested if the above treatments do not help, and itching persists specifically.Travel tours by List Secondyn-adItching skinWhat causes body itching in autumnSneakers only 639 thousand Toman 🔥
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