Causes for Itchy Skin, Itching Skin, Skin Itch Pruritus Symptoms for Relief Treatment
Pruritus is the medical term for skin itchiness. It’s both a symptom and a health condition, as your skin can itch without an apparent cause. Just some nerve endings gone wild.
Perhaps the most common cause of itchy skin is dry skin. Dry skin is particularly prevalent when it’s cold and dry outdoors, and warm and dry indoors.
It’s annoying when your skin itches because this irritating sensation makes you want to scratch. But scratching an itch can lead to further skin problems.
Pruritus sensation might occur in just one area or your whole body can feel itchy. Skin that itches may last a long time and as time goes by it can grow in its intensity. And in some cases,the more you scratch the itch gets itchier.
Skin itching is often accompanied by other skin changes or conditions, such as:
- redness
- scaly texture
- dry, cracked skin
- bumps, spots, blisters
The possible causes of pruritus are numerous. Itchiness can be caused by another skin conditions, such as:
- rash
- hives
- sunburn
- intertrigo
- psoriasis
- folliculitis
- dermatitis
- poison ivy
- skin cancer
- healing skin
- hemorrhoids
- anal fissures
- lichen planus
- neurodermatitis
- dermatographism
- skin inflammation
- perioral dermatitis
- insect bites, stings
- epidermolysis bullosa
- diarrhea caused skin irritation
Skin itch may be a symptom of a disease, disorder or health condition, such as:
- jaundice
- hepatitis
- leukemia
- lymphoma
- food allergy
- liver disease
- scleroderma
- kidney failure
- celiac disease
- cancer ~ rarely
- allergic reaction
- diabetes mellitus
- iron deficiency anemia
- thyroid disorders ~ hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism
These causes for skin itching usually affect your whole body.
Itching may be caused by these infectious diseases, skin infections and infestations:
- lice
- HIV
- herpes
- scabies
- filariasis
- pinworms
- trichinosis
- ascariasis
- candidiasis
- river blindness
- yeast infection
- H. pylori ~ causes ulcer, gastritis
- schistosomiasis ~ swimmer’s itch
- viral skin infections ~ chickenpox, shingles
- fungal skin infections ~ athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm
Certain medications have the side affect of pruritus, for instance:
Areas of your skin may itch due to contact with:
- wool
- soaps
- ointments
- detergents
- deodorants
- vaginal contraceptives
It’s also common for the elderly to suffer from dry, itchy pruritus skin condition. And itching is a frequent complaint during pregnancy.
Skin itch treatment usually depends on your specific cause. For instance, treating the disease causing pruritus often relieves the itch symptom.
Although they may only offer temporary relief, here are some quick itch treatment measures for your pruritus symptom:
- lanolin
- alcohol rub
- cold compress
- cortisone cream
- antifungal cream
- lotion for dry skin
- lidocaine, benzocaine
- paste of baking soda & water
- antihistamine for hives, allergy
- apply menthol, camphor, calamine lotion
- baking soda, uncooked oatmeal, colloidal oatmeal bath
- applying a warm diluted herbal vinegar compress ~ plantain, violet, lavender
Also, here are some suggested topical herbal relief remedies to soothe your pruritus skin itch:
Taking flaxseed oil and vitamin E orally can help to rehydrate skin, thus reducing dry skin itch. And stress can make your itching worse, so chill.
