The Ultimate Guide To Itchy Skin: Symptoms, Causes And What To Do About It

This can be a tricky question to answer because there isn’t a single cause for itchy skin. Many itchy skin conditions can create this signature annoyance that gets under your skin and makes you want to crawl out of it.

This article will explore the causes of itchy, irritated skin and suggest the most effective ways of easing your suffering. As always, it’s good to have a doctor look at the affected area to be sure your itch isn’t part of something more serious.

What is Itchy Skin?

Itchy skin, also called pruritus, is an irritating sensation that urges you to scratch your skin and not want to stop. It may appear on a small part of the body or on your entire body. Sometimes, it causes other visible symptoms like red rashes and blisters, and sometimes, it doesn’t.

The severity and appearance of itchy skin all depend upon its root cause. It can be caused by various reasons, from common skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, or just from the natural process of aging and for females–menopause. 

One can easily soothe the itching and irritation with self-care and making a few lifestyle changes. 

Symptoms of Itchy Skin

Itchy skin conditions cause — well, itchy skin. Duh! But that’s only a part of it. Along with the uncomfortable buzz, you might find localized. 

• Rough patches
• Inflamed skin
• Scaly skin
• Redness
• Welts (Hives)
• Raised bumps
• Burning or tingling sensation
• Swelling
• Flaking skin
• Skin discoloration
• Blisters

If you’re scratching the area a lot, you might also find breaks in the skin accompanied by oozing, weeping, or bleeding. Most of these symptoms are a natural reaction to internal or external stressors. 

Why is My Skin So Itchy?

Histamines are the most common cause of itchy skin conditions. When our body is exposed to an antigen — a substance that can provoke an immune response — like an allergen, pathogen, or synthetic chemical, our body releases histamines. 

These compounds help the body shed whatever’s not agreeing with it, inducing a runny nose, watery eyes, swelling, and, of course, itchy skin. That bothersome itch that’s keeping you up at night, forcing you to buy terrible products you don’t need from bad infomercials at 3:00 AM, could have a range of causes. Some of these include:

Allergens and Irritants

• Wool
• Perfume
• Poison ivy
• Nickel and metals
• Chemicals in skincare products
• Extreme weather conditions
• Certain foods
• Bug or insect bites

Medical Conditions

• Liver disease
• Kidney failure
• Diabetes
• Thyroid
• Lymphoma
• HIV
• Leukemia
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Anemia
• Cancer

Skin Conditions

• Dry skin
• Allergic Contact Dermatitis
• Irritant Contact Dermatitis
• Eczema (Atopic dermatitis)
• Psoriasis
• Ringworm (tinea capitis)
• Shingles
• Diaper rash
• Hives
• Lichen planus
• Scleroderma
• Scabies
• Hand, foot and mouth disease

Certain Medications

• Antibiotics
• Nitrates
• Anticonvulsant medications
• Quinidine
• Rifampin
• Vancomycin 

Some of these causes require a doctor’s visit to diagnose correctly while others can be easily managed by taking proper care of your body and skin. 

Diagnosis

Even though itching skin is something that you obviously feel–you know that you are having it. It’s still important for you to consult your pediatrician, family doctor, or dermatologist to diagnose its root cause, especially if it has been persistent for more than a few weeks or shows signs of infection.

The doctor will ask you a few questions about your symptoms and your and your family’s health history, and then do a physical exam. If they suspect your condition is caused by a skin condition or disease, they may prescribe certain tests like blood tests, liver and kidney tests, X-rays, patch tests, and rarely skin biopsies. 

Learn more about Itchy Skin from Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

• Itchy Skin Causes
• how to prevent itching
• Itchy Skin Treatment
• Relief for Itchy Skin
• Chronic Itching
• Skin Allergies
• Itching skin cream
• Itchy bumps on skin
• Itchy skin Rash
• Dry skin and itching

Itchy Skin Treatment

If you are wondering how to alleviate itchy skin, the best way to do it is to avoid the triggers and soothe the skin. 

Avoiding the Triggers

Itchy skin is often the skin’s reaction towards a certain irritant or allergen. This happens when the skin comes in contact with the irritant and the immune system triggers an immune response that leads to itching and irritation which leads to dryness. 

If you know of a certain trigger for your itchy skin, then try to stay away from it as much as possible.

Soothe Your Skin

You can soothe your itchy skin by cleaning it with a gentle body wash and face wash at least twice daily. 

• Make sure that you also moisturize your skin with a cream for itchy skin twice a day.
• Especially before going to bed because the itching tends to become worse at night. 
• Do not rub the moisturizer on your skin; instead, massage it in soft back-and-forth motions.
• Use a moisturizer that contains natural ingredients like glycerin, licorice root extracts, to help soothe the itching. 
• Ensure that the moisturizer you are using is fragrance-free, dye-free, and lacks many other irritating ingredients–covered below.
• Remember to moisturize your skin every time you wash it or when you feel it’s becoming dry.

Don’t Scratch

We know that the itch leads to the urge to scratch your skin, and it’s really hard to keep yourself away from it. But no matter what happens, try not to scratch your skin. Scratching can trigger a never-ending itch-scratch cycle that can lead to other complications like permanent scratch marks.

Scratching will damage your skin and make it easier for bacteria and viruses to penetrate the skin barrier, potentially leading to skin infections, skin discoloration, and severe rashes that may bleed. 

Trim the nails! It’s amazing how much damage the nails can do, and how much less the damage will be if we just keep those nails nice and short.

Medications

Itchy skin treatment focuses on removing what might be causing it and soothing the sensation. Doctors usually prescribe medications when itching persists for several weeks, becomes worse, or is caused by a medical condition. 

Some of the most common medications prescribed are

• Corticosteroid creams: Applying these creams, especially at night, can soothe the itching and help you sleep better. 
• Calcineurin inhibitors: These block a certain protein in the body that causes inflammation and relieves itching. Its two common types are tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. These are non-steroids. 
• Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE-4) inhibitor: crisaborole is a another type of topical non-steroidal prescription that has anti-inflammatory activity
• Oral medicines: For chronic itching, oral medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Prozac, Zoloft, and doxepin may be advised. 
• Light therapy: also known as phototherapy, in this the skin is exposed to UV light to help ameliorate the condition.
• Wet wrap therapy: In this therapy, topical corticosteroid cream is applied to the skin, which is then covered with damp gauze or clothing, followed by a dry cloth to soothe intense itching, especially during an eczema flare-up–this should only be done if advised by your physician.

Remember, the more you think about it, the more it will itch. Try to forget about it. Sometimes, that’s enough to reduce itchy skin conditions.

How to Prevent Itchy Skin

Preventing itchy skin can be easy. You can do this by making a few changes in your lifestyle. However, if a disease or skin condition causes your itching, then it is important that you address the underlying problem.

Here are a few things that can help you prevent the condition from worsening.

• Use lukewarm or cool water to take baths.
• Limit your bathing time to 5 to 10 minutes, especially if you take a bath daily.
• Use fragrance-free lotion, soap, and body wash to cleanse and moisturize your skin.
• Avoid wearing clothes made with irritating material such as wool and synthetic, instead go for loose-fitting, breathable clothing. 
• Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight and extreme temperatures for prolonged periods of time.
• Use a humidifier in your house to keep the air moist.
• Reduce stress with the help of breathing techniques, yoga, and meditation.
• Keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

These are a few simple things that you should adopt in your life to not only prevent itching but also irritated, dry skin. 

Skincare Products for Itchy Skin

If you are already experiencing skin itching, you must stay away from any skincare products that will further irritate your skin. If you have sensitive itchy skin, a few chemicals that you should avoid in your face wash, moisturizer, and body wash for itchy skin are.

• Fragrances
• Sulfate
• Paraben
• Phthalates
• Lanolin
• Soy
• Artificial dyes

Itchy skin leads to dry skin, sensitive skin, and irritation. So, when buying skin products, make sure that you get the ones that will not only soothe your itching but also hydrate your skin. 

If you are searching for itchy skin-friendly products, then you must try Dr. Eddie’s specially formulated range of Happy Cappy skincare products for sensitive, dry, itchy, and irritated skin. 

These products are free from skin-irritating chemicals and contain natural ingredients that help hydrate your skin and Licorice root extract as an active ingredient that soothes itching.

Can Itchy Skin be a Sign of Something Serious?

If you are wondering if itchy skin can be a sign of something serious, the answer is both yes and no. Usually, itchy skin is not very serious, especially if it’s caused by a certain irritant or allergen. Your condition will improve once you remove or avoid the irritant.

However, sometimes skin itching can indicate that you may be experiencing a more complicated skin condition or disease such as psoriasis, scabies, or skin cancer. It all depends on the root cause that is triggering your itching.

Itchy skin can lead to other complications, such as scratch marks, skin infections, and hyperpigmentation. If you are experiencing severe itching at night, it can disrupt your sleep and make you even the most mundane things during the day seem difficult. 

This lack of sleep can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression. Constant itching in front of other people can make many folks lose their confidence. This is why providing rapid medical treatment is essential.

Key Takeaways

• Itchy skin is also called pruritus.
• It can irritate, causing a burning and stinging sensation on the skin.
• It is usually caused due to common irritants and allergens found in our environment.
• Certain skin and medical conditions can also lead to itching skin.
• Itching can be soothed at home by always keeping the skin moisturized.
• However, if it’s a symptom of another medical issue, the condition will improve once you treat the root cause.
• Consult your physician or a dermatologist if unsure about anything and to get the right treatment plan. 

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