It can be frustrating having a deep itch on the skin, because scratching offers little to no relief. There are several causes of deep skin itches that range in severity, size and location. Early professional treatment is the best option for relief in most cases.
Causes
A deep itch under the skin can be caused by internal diseases of the liver and kidneys. According to MayoClinic.com, it can also be caused by celiac disease, iron deficiency anemia, thyroid problems and some cancers. According to the American Diabetes Association, itching associated with diabetes is often caused by yeast infections, dry skin or poor circulation. Eczema or scabies can also cause deep skin itching. Scabies is the infestation of tiny mites.
Identification
If the itching is internal, it often affects the entire body, but it can target small areas. Diabetes caused itching is usually localized, such as itching caused by poor circulation that is usually noticed in the lower legs, according to the American Diabetes Association. Itchy skin can appear normal, or it can be rough, leathery, red and bumpy. Intense scratching of the area can result in bleeding. If you have eczema and scratch an itch, the itch will become worse. Scabies has an intense itch and is more often associated with young children, sexually active young adults and elderly people in nursing homes, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Diagnosis
Internal diseases are often diagnosed through blood tests, urine tests, biopsies, x-rays and MRIs. Once the disease is determined, a doctor will choose the best method of treatment. Diabetes is diagnosed through a glucose tolerance test, which is used to test the blood sugar after fasting overnight. Scabies are diagnosed by a physical examination and by applying a drop of oil to suspected lesions so the site can be painlessly scraped and observed under a microscope, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Other than observation, there is no test for eczema.
Treatment
Treatment will vary depending on the cause of the itch. Itching due to an internal disease is relieved by treating the disease. This is also true for diabetes type itching. Treating scabies requires ridding the body of mites and eggs. A 5-percent permethrin cream or 1-percent lindane lotion is often used topically, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Ivermectin is an oral medication to treat scabies, and antihistamines can be used to relieve itching. Eczema has no cure, but symptoms can be relieved by keeping the skin moisturized and using anti-inflammatory medication, antibacterial medication, tea tree oil, corticosteroids and aloe vera, according to Eczema.net.
Considerations
If itching keeps you awake at night or interferes with your daily routine, seek medication attention for the itch. If you have a full-body itch, this is sometimes the only symptom of internal problems, so it's also important to seek medical attention so if there is a problem, it can be treated early.
