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,...
Medline Plus defines itching as a tingling sensation on the skin that makes you want to scratch. According to the National Institutes of Health informational resource, itching all over the body is referred to as generalized itching, while itching...
Itchy skin, or pruritus, can occur with a wide variety of medical conditions and be very distressing. Liver diseases with bile obstruction commonly have itching as a symptom, but the reason for itching is not clearly understood. Treatment requires...
Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that attacks the liver, causing inflammation. Symptoms of hepatitis C usually don't manifest until liver damage begins. Hepatitis C is considered the most serious of the hepatitis diseases. Hepatitis C is most...
Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver and is passed through contact with contaminated blood. Patients, however, usually do not display symptoms when they first contract hepatitis C. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that when...
E-Mycin, also known generically as erythromycin, is a bacterial antibiotic developed by Abbott Pharmaceuticals in 1981. Commonly used as an alternative to penicillin, E-Mycin is used to treat a host of infections including whooping cough, pelvic...
You may be considering vitamin D supplements if you think you're not getting enough of this essential nutrient from food, such as fortified dairy products, or from sunshine. Medical cases involving too much vitamin D-3 are rare, but ingesting...
Generalized itchy skin occurs when you develop an irritating crawling, tingling or burning feeling all over your body that makes you feel the need to scratch your skin. In order to correct the problem and stop the itchiness, you must first...
Itching is a normal body reaction that occurs as a result of an immune response to some type of foreign stimuli. Generalized itching describes itching that is felt on a variety of areas on the body. Localized itching describes itching that occurs...
Histamine is a protein compound that plays a key role in protecting the body against foreign invaders, but if the immune system becomes sensitized to allergens, excess amounts of histamine can cause symptoms of an allergic reaction. The University...
Chronic eosinophilic leukemia is a rare cancer belonging to a family of diseases called myeloproliferative disorders. According to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, these disorders develop when bone marrow produces too many of one type of blood...
Burning when you urinate is a frequent sign of vaginosis, especially if that burning lasts more than a couple of days. However, this is a common symptom for several sexually transmitted diseases, so you'll need to look for other symptoms along...
Skin disorders can run the gamut from mild conditions such as rashes and acne, to more serious infections and skin cancer. While most skin disorders are little more than a nuisance, it's important to be able to identify signs and symptoms to know...
Itching is an uncomfortable and often irritating sensation. The Mayo Clinic indicates there are several possible causes for excessive itching, including internal diseases such as kidney failure. It is important to seek medical treatment if...
Lipitor is a cholesterol-lowering drug. Drugs that lower cholesterol are known as statins and are widely used for a variety of conditions. Some side effects are common, but do not occur in all people. Medications that lower cholesterol act on the...
Itchy skin, also called pruritus, is an irritating burning, tingling or crawling feeling that causes a person to want to scratch the affected area. Since itchy skin can be caused by a wide variety of habits and health conditions, the first step to...
Persistent itching can be a stubbornly distressing symptom. Many skin and systemic disorders can precipitate itching, which is caused by stimulation of specialized nerve fibers found only in the skin. Although the precise mechanisms by which...
Itching, a common symptom associated with numerous health conditions, is an unpleasant sensation that causes you to scratch the itchy area. Itching, or pruritus, states the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, can affect any region of...
Autoimmune liver disease is a chronic condition wherein the immune system erroneously attacks and destroys liver cells. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports the disorder most often presents in young adults....
Kidney disease is caused by many different conditions that damage the kidneys and reduce kidney function. Approximately one in nine Americans has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Diabetes is...
A hyperactive thyroid causes the body to burn energy faster than normal, resulting in a condition called hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating the body's metabolism; when it secretes too much hormone, all the other...
Stating that one is allergic to exercise usually is meant as a joke, but if your legs are itching when you exercise there's a possibility that it's true. An allergic reaction isn't the only possibility, however. Rule out the different...
While itchiness during exercise is a common problem, the cause of the itch differs from person to person. Some causes, such as dry skin or irritating clothing, are harmless and easy to treat, while other causes may require medical attention....
If you or someone in your household has had an allergic reaction, your new fabric softener may be to blame. Fabric softeners can be especially irritating to sensitive individuals because they remain on your clothes for an extended period of time....
Bright's disease is an historical classification of kidney diseases that today includes acute and chronic nephritis (sometimes also known as nephritic syndrome or glomerulonephritis). Nephritis is caused by an inflammation of the internal...
Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adult Americans, making anxiety the most common mental health problem in the United States, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. While there are many effective prescription medications to...
Pumpkin allergies are relatively rare, but may develop in children and adults. They are often linked to allergies to cucumber, melon, watermelon and zucchini, which are also members of the Cucurbitaceae family. You may also react to pollen, which...
Your consumption of vitamin D is an important factor in maintaining bone health during your senior years. As you age, your bones become increasingly susceptible to weakening due to hormonal and other physiologic changes in your body. Vitamin D...
Hydroxyprogesterone, also known as 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, is a synthetic hormone that mimics the hydroxyprogesterone naturally produced in the body. Hydroxyprogesterone was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1956....