Everyone experiences pruritis, or itchy skin. This annoying symptom can make the entire body feel itchy or only affect a certain area such as an arm or foot. Though causes are usually minor, they sometimes indicate a more serious condition. For optimum relief, the underlying cause needs to be identified and correctly treated.
Dry Skin
The most common and least serious cause of itchy skin is dryness. The outermost layer of skin is called the stratum corneum. It functions to keep the skin soft and smooth. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics explains that the loss of protective oils within the stratum corneum produces dry cracked skin that itches. During the winter months, low levels of humidity found in heated environments as well as the cold outdoors bring about dry skin. Being in an air-conditioned setting for a long time results in dry skin. Prolonged exposure to soap and water, either through housecleaning or long, hot baths, dries the skin.
Environmental Factors
Insect bites and contact with urushiol, the oil found in poison ivy, oak and sumac, trigger itchy skin that is accompanied by rash or red bumps. Intense itching can also indicate a case of scabies, a contagious skin condition caused by mites. Hives are red, itchy bumps that form following the release of histamine. An allergic reaction to food, medication or environmental factors, such as animal dander, stimulates the release of histamine. According to the Mayo Clinic, itchy skin is a side effects of certain medications, such as antibiotics, antifungal drugs and narcotics.
Serious Illnesses
Cases of itchy skin that affect the whole body indicate serious systemic illnesses such as liver disease, kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, thyroid gland disorders and celiac disease. Certain forms of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma, have itchy skin as a symptom.
Pregnancy
Some women suffer with itchy skin during pregnancy. The March of Dimes points out that women experience itchy skin around the abdomen and breasts. The itching increases during the second and third trimester because the skin is stretching
Member Comments