What Is The Cause Of Itchy Skin – Medical Review by Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD — By Mary Ellen Ellis — Updated October 18, 2023

Itchy skin or pruritus can be the result of conditions such as eczema or dermatitis. Less commonly, it can result from more serious conditions, including kidney failure and liver disease.

What Is The Cause Of Itchy Skin

Itchy skin is an irritating and uncontrollable sensation that makes you want to scratch to relieve the sensation. Possible causes of itching include internal diseases and skin diseases.

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Some causes of itching affect just one area, while others can make you feel like your whole body itches. In some cases, the itching may worsen at night.

Many causes of itching are nothing to worry about and respond to over-the-counter treatments, moisturizers, or home remedies.

However, it is best to contact a doctor if the cause is not obvious, if the itching is severe or persistent, or if you are concerned about it. They can treat any underlying ailments and provide medication to ease discomfort.

The possible reasons are many and varied. Itching can be the result of something very serious, such as:

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Many common skin conditions can cause itchy skin. The following can affect any area of ​​the skin on the body:

Some internal diseases, which can be very serious, cause itching. The following diseases can cause generalized itching, but the skin usually looks typical:

Some pregnant people experience itching during pregnancy. The National Health Service (NHS) says it usually appears on the abdomen. Sometimes this is due to an existing condition, such as eczema, that is made worse by pregnancy.

Red rash with scaly skin and maceration of the skin between the toes caused by tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) Zay Nyi Nyi/Shutterstock

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Flea bites on the lower leg causing red bumps and scabs. Angela Hampton Photo Library / Alamy Photo

Created by Dr. Samuel Freire da Silva as a tribute to Master and Professor Delso Bringel Caleiros. Image courtesy of Dermatology Atlas

This condition may be considered a medical emergency in the event of a serious reaction. Emergency care may be required.

It is important to contact your doctor for a diagnosis when the cause is not obvious, as some of the causes of itching are serious but treatable conditions.

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Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you a few questions about your symptoms, such as:

You may need more tests if your doctor can’t determine the cause of your itching from your answers and physical exam.

When or if your doctor has determined the cause of your itching, he can treat the cause of your itching. They may also recommend a topical medication to reduce itching. If the cause is an illness or infection, your doctor will suggest the best course of treatment for the underlying problem.

When the cause is more superficial, you may be given a prescription for a cream that will help relieve the itching.

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Treatment options for itchy skin can vary depending on the cause. Oral medications, topical medications, lifestyle changes, and other natural remedies may be helpful.

In addition to using oral or topical medications, certain lifestyle changes can also help soothe itchy skin caused by:

Itching can be a symptom of an allergic reaction, a reaction to an environmental irritant or drug, nerve damage, and many other conditions that may or may not directly affect the skin. Only a doctor can determine the cause and prescribe the correct treatment.

Many things can cause uncontrollable itching, and medical treatment depends on the cause. However, staying away from the trigger often can help it disappear as well as keep your skin hydrated. Some types of itching will need medication to treat.

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Most itching is treatable and does not indicate a serious problem. However, it is best to consult your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and treatment.

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Our experts are constantly monitoring the health and wellness space and we update our articles as new information becomes available. Irritated, red and itchy skin feels uncomfortable or even painful, leaving you desperate for relief. You might think that allergies only cause symptoms like sneezing or watery eyes, but many people with allergies also experience itchy skin. If you often find yourself scratching your skin while experiencing other allergy symptoms, home allergy treatments can help provide relief. Read on to find out what causes allergies and how to soothe itchy or irritated skin.

When your immune system detects a substance it thinks will harm you, it creates antibodies to fight it, which causes the release of pro-inflammatory substances, such as histamine. These chemicals, such as histamine, cause unpleasant, disruptive allergy symptoms.

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Depending on your body and the allergen your immune system is reacting to, your allergy symptoms may not always look the same. Common mild allergy symptoms include:

Although itching is a common and usually harmless allergy symptom, sudden or severe itching of the eyes or face may be an early sign of anaphylaxis.

Severe allergic reactions require immediate emergency medical attention, but you can treat most mild allergy symptoms at home.

Different types of allergic reactions cause itchy skin or rashes. The cause and symptoms of your skin reaction determine how you can treat the problem.

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Although itchy skin caused by allergies can be treated at home, your healthcare provider can also help determine the cause of your reaction and recommend the best treatment.

Allergies can be caused by a wide range of otherwise harmless substances called allergens. Usually, allergens that cause itchy skin will also cause other common allergy symptoms. Contact dermatitis is usually caused by exposure to allergens such as fragrances, metals, perfumes, or medications.

If you know what allergens make your skin itch, avoiding them as much as possible can help prevent reactions. However, you may not always be able to avoid them.

One way to treat itchy skin caused by allergies at home is by taking allergy medication with antihistamines.

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For moderate or severe allergies, your healthcare provider may recommend that you carry an emergency epinephrine injection at all times, which can help reduce dangerous symptoms until you can get emergency treatment.

If you think you may be suffering from allergies, consult your doctor to find the best course of treatment. Medical Review by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Valencia Higuera — Updated December 23, 2022

Pruritus is another name for itchy skin. There are many possible causes, ranging from eczema and dry skin to bed bugs, yeast infections, liver disease and anxiety.

Itchy skin can be the result of a rash or other skin condition. It can also be a symptom of a more serious condition such as liver disease or kidney failure. To get relief, it is important to identify the problem and treat the root cause.

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The skin serves a vital purpose as a barrier that protects the inside of the body. It is full of special immune system cells that can protect the body and skin from viruses, bacteria and other hidden threats.

Once skin cells detect some kind of suspicious substance, they trigger a reaction that causes the area to become inflamed. Medical professionals call this inflammation a rash or dermatitis. This can lead to itching.

Immune cells can react to something that touches the skin, a whole-body infection, or disease. Some rashes are red, painful and irritated, while others may result in blisters or patches of raw skin.

Itching is a common symptom of many skin complaints. The skin may itch all over the body or only in certain areas.

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Dry skin is one of the most common causes of itchy skin. If a person does not see any bright red bumps or notices a sudden change in their skin, dry skin is a likely cause.

Environmental factors that can lead to dry skin include excessively hot or cold weather with low humidity. Over washing can also cause dry skin.

A good moisturizer can usually help relieve the symptoms of dry skin. Extremely dry skin can be a warning sign of dermatitis, so you may need to see a dermatologist to get relief and prevent the condition from getting worse.

It is important to seek help to treat very dry skin, as cracks in the skin can allow germs to enter. Once in the skin, these germs can cause an infection. Red, painful spots on the skin are often an early sign of a potential infection.

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A skin specialist may prescribe a special moisturizer to be applied throughout the day or a topical medication to be applied directly to the skin.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) reports that eczema affects 10-20% of children but only 1-3% of adults.

The reason is related to the impermeability of the skin barrier. This causes the area to dry out and allows irritants or allergens to enter the skin, putting it at risk of irritation and inflammation. It is vital to keep the skin moisturized.

Eczema often improves over time. However, people with eczema should be careful as they have more vulnerable skin

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