Itchiness is an uncomfortable and irritating sensation that provokes the urge to scratch. Severe body itching can be caused by irritants on the skin surface or infections of the skin. Although scratching may provide temporary relief, it can cause...
Histamine is the chemical/hormone in the body that causes allergic reactions. According to FamilyDoctor.org, when someone encounters an allergen, the body releases IgE antibodies to fight off the substance. This release causes a chain reaction in...
Allergy to nickel is common and often causes a reaction when the allergy sufferer touches anything containing the metal, according to MayoClinic.com. Nickel in food may also trigger a reaction. Allergy symptoms may include a skin rash, moderate to...
African Americans have sensitive skin and may suffer from a wide variety of skin disorders. For some, applying skin care products or shaving can cause skin conditions to develop. Some African Americans who suffer from skin conditions need the help...
Candida infections, medically known as candidiasis, are fungal infections that can infiltrate such regions as the hair, skin, nails, mouth or throat. Medline Plus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, says that specific symptoms of...
An allergy to lemons is uncommon, but can cause skin reactions and other respiratory complications. A lemon allergy, or citrus allergy, is a hypersensitivity to certain proteins found in citrus fruits. Anyone can develop an allergy to lemons at...
Ibuprofen belongs to the class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or NSAIDs, which are commonly available as over-the-counter medications used to treat minor aches, pains and fever. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are generally...
Skin imperfections are part of childhood; the rashes, cuts, scrapes and bumps that a child sustains through the years are copious, and most of the time nothing to worry about. Finding a rash or bumps between your child's legs in his "private area"...
Milk does not have any impact on someone suffering from eczema, unless he is allergic to cow's milk. According to KidsHealth, a milk allergy can trigger an eczema flare-up, resulting in inflamed and itchy skin. Eczema is an allergic skin condition...
Merck Manuals, an online medical library, reports that lice are tiny insects that infest the skin. Lice usually spread through person-to-person contact, but can also be spread by shared clothing, sheets or other personal objects. The primary...
It is estimated that between 40 and 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The Mayo Clinic states that an allergic reaction occurs when a person's body does not recognize a particular...
Pinworms are one of the most common parasitic infections among American children, especially those who attend school. PubMed Health states that pinworms -- small worms that target your child's intestine -- migrate to your child's anus, where they...
Without iron your body is unable to produce red blood cells, which are the cells responsible with supplying your organs with oxygen. As an essential mineral, iron is typically obtained from your diet. When you are unable to get enough iron, your...
Menthol and methyl salicylic acid are the active ingredients in over-the-counter creams for pain relief. Both are natural compounds from plants and can be synthesized in the laboratory. Though used for similar symptoms of joint and muscle pain,...
Probiotics are live bacteria that resemble the bacteria naturally found in your digestive system. These symbiotic bacteria help stimulate your immune system and prevent infection. They also help you digest some of the foods you eat. Foods...
Penicillin is a naturally occurring antibiotic discovered in 1928. Penicillin V potassium for oral solution USP was developed as a way to administer penicillin without the need to swallow a pill or inject doses through a needle. The initials...
Pregnancy is a time of many changes for women, including skin changes. Some women may develop acne or experience an reduction in blemishes during pregnancy. Most women gain at least some weight during the pregnancy. This is just one of the causes...
Scabies is a skin disease caused by a tiny parasitic mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei. The mite lays its eggs under the skin, causing severe itching and skin blisters. Staph or strep infections can result from broken skin, and the elderly or people...
Topical ointments, creams and medications can help relieve skin itching, but the right solution for your skin depends on the cause of the itchiness. Dry skin, infections and allergic reactions may all produce itching and rashes, and each requires...
Itchy skin is a problem that most everyone will face at some point in time, leading to uncomfortable and even painful scratching if left untreated. Itching can be caused by a variety of reasons ranging from simple dry skin and allergens to iron...
Deep skin itching can have a wide variety of causes, some of which may not be readily apparent. Unfortunately, scratching is not the answer. In fact, constant scratching can worsen your condition. Since chronic itching can be a sign of something...
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic condition of skin that can be very itchy. The Mayo Clinic states it typically affects babies and children, but also can be an adult problem as well. Along with the skin problem of eczema, you...
Itching, or pruritis, can sometimes be severe. It can seriously disrupt sleep, lead to scratching that may damage the skin or cause infection and even be incapacitating, the Cleveland Clinic says. Itching can result from a disorder within the...
Psoriasis and dermatitis herpetiformis are both chronic skin conditions. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), psoriasis is characterized by skin redness and silvery scales. Dermatitis herpetiformis is characterized by itchy rashes.
Itching is a bothersome sensation activated by the body in response to an irritant that triggers a strong desire to scratch. The irritant that causes itching may come into direct contact with the skin or enter into the body and cause a widespread...
The skin becomes dry when it loses too much water or oil, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Aging and dry climates are often to blame for this condition. In some cases, dry skin can be persistent, requiring diligent self-care to...
Camphor comes from the Cinnamomum camphora tree, an evergreen that is native to the Orient. The white, crystalline camphor is used to make camphor water. Natural camphor producers extract oil from the trees medicinal and other uses. The roots,...
Parasites have many effects on human skin. Known as organisms living on a host from which they take nourishment, parasites usually enter into, escape from or reside on skin. Mites and lice bite or burrow into skin, causing itching and irritation....
Allergies are the result of an abnormally sensitive immune system. Patients with allergies have an immune system that develops a strong reaction to normally harmless substances called allergens. One common symptom of an allergic reaction is skin...
Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness is the world's second leading infectious cause of blindness. Get expert tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating onchocerciasis (river blindness) in this video.
