Itchy skin may occur as a result of dry skin, skin disorder or autoimmune disorder. Dry skin usually occurs as a result of external conditions such as fluctuating weather conditions or bathing too often. Parasite infestations and insect bites can cause an itchy skin rash following infection, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Autoimmune diseases can also trigger itchy skin when the disease flares. People with liver disease or cancer may experience itchy skin as a result of medication or treatment.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease can cause an itchy skin rash, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food. When people have celiac disease, their bodies attack themselves every time they consume gluten, a protein that is typically found in wheat, barley and rye. A common symptom of celiac disease is the development of dermatitis herpetiformis, a skin condition triggered by gluten sensitivity. People with dermatitis herpetiformis develop intensely itchy, chronic rashes that usually occur on their elbows, knees, buttocks, back and back of their neck.
Liver Disease
Some people with liver disease may experience itchy skin. Liver disease occurs when the liver becomes inflamed or infected and it can no longer perform the necessary functions for optimal functioning such as filtering blood, making bile or producing proteins, according to the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago. Liver disease can be triggered by a viral infection, bacterial invasion or chemical or physical changes within the body. People with liver disease may experience generalized itchiness that consists of an intense, distracting irritation or tickling sensation that occurs all over the body.
Lymphoma
A common disease that can cause itchy skin and/or rashes is lymphoma. Lymphoma is described as any cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a part of the immune system that helps to fight diseases and infection. Lymphoma cancers account for approximately 5 percent of all cancers cases in the United States, according to the website Cancer Compass. The two primary types of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This type of cancer occurs when the cells within the lymphatic system start to grow and divide too rapidly without any order or control triggering excess tissue growth and tumors. The website LymphomaInfo.net states that people with lymphoma may experience itchy skin, rashes and/or lesions.
Thyroid Disease
People with thyroid disease often report generalized itchy skin. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that sits directly above the collarbone, according to Medline Plus. It is a part of the endocrine system, which makes hormones and assists the body in utilizing energy from food consumption. Millions of people, especially women, have a thyroid disease. This disease either slows down or rapidly increases the body’s ability to metabolize or use energy. One form of thyroid disease that can trigger itchy skin rashes is hyperthyroidism. Approximately 1 percent of the United States population has hyperthyroidism, according to The Merck Manuals Online Library. Hyperthyroidism occurs when an overactive thyroid produces more thyroid hormones than the body needs. Excess amounts of thyroid hormones in the body can cause thickening of the skin that is itchy, red and hard when pressed with a finger.
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