Causes Of Whole Body Itching

Pruritus, or itching, can be one of the most distracting, aggravating and persistent of medical symptoms. Itching involving the whole body typically signals a temporary or chronic systemic condition. Abnormalities of the immune system, kidneys, liver, thyroid gland and blood can provoke whole body itching. Treatment of the underlying disorder may help alleviate itching. With chronic diseases, control of itching often proves challenging.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is an overwhelming allergic reaction involving a massive release of immune system chemicals throughout the body. Histamine release affects multiple organs, including the skin. Patients with anaphylaxis typically break out in hives with intense itching involving the whole body, explains the medical reference text "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." Hives and itching may persist for up to 48 hours with anaphylaxis. Rapidly progressive airway swelling and shock may develop with anaphylaxis, necessitating emergency medical intervention.

Kidney Failure

People living with kidney failure commonly experience dry skin and generalized itching, reports the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The condition, known as uremic pruritus, occurs in 50 to 90 percent of patients on kidney replacement therapy, report Dr. Ichiei Narita and colleagues in a 2008 article published in the "Journal of Nephrology." Although the precise mechanism of uremic pruritus remains an area of active biomedical investigation, accumulation of the chemical urea and other metabolic waste products in the blood contributes to the development of this symptom. Uremic pruritus often proves difficult to control and may significantly interfere with sleep and daily activities.

Liver Failure

The liver normally detoxifies a broad array of potentially harmful chemicals produced by the body, explains the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. After processing by the liver, the detoxified substances pass into the bile for excretion through the stool. Among patients with liver failure, metabolic breakdown products accumulate in the bloodstream and skin, commonly causing generalized itching. Liver failure-associated itching is often severe and difficult to control.

Hyperthyroidism

An abnormally elevated level of thyroid hormones, also known as hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis, commonly causes skin dryness and generalized itching, reports the New Zealand Dermatological Society's medical information website, DermNet NZ. Skin changes and itching resolve in most patients after thyroid hormone levels normalize with treatment.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia remains the most prevalent form of anemia among the U.S. population, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The disorder may cause generalized itching in some patients, which resolves after correction of the iron deficiency and restoration of a normal level of red blood cells.