Causes of itchy skin include: Skin conditions. Examples include dry skin (xerosis), eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, parasites, burns, scars, insect bites and hives. Internal diseases.
Common causes of itching
skin conditions – such as eczema. allergies or skin reactions. parasitic infestations – such as scabies. insect bites and stings.
Scalp itch associated with interfollicular and perifollicular scales and/or erythema can be due to the following causes: seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, contact dermatitis, early lichen planopilaris (LPP), tinea capitis, dermatomyositis, and xerosis secondary to atopic dermatitis or aging skin.
Itching is a common symptom of skin lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Itching is less common in most types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The itching might be caused by chemicals released by the immune system in reaction to the lymphoma cells.
In general, your itchy skin should improve within weeks if you follow simple skin care steps. “If these changes do not bring relief and are distracting you from your daily routines or affecting your sleep, you should see your dermatologist,” Dr. Khetarpal says.
Itching on the whole body might be a symptom of an underlying illness, such as liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems, multiple myeloma or lymphoma. Nerve disorders. Examples include multiple sclerosis, pinched nerves and shingles (herpes zoster).
Both vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies may also cause itchy skin, so if you are experiencing chronically itchy skin, getting your level of these vitamins tested can be helpful. This testing will help determine whether these deficiencies are at the root of your skin sensitivities and itchiness.
Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. It causes raised, discolored plaques on your scalp or on the skin around your scalp that may be dry, itchy and irritating.
Brain tumors and itch
It could also be due to local intraspinal pressure variation10. In another study, 13 brain tumor patients experienced tumor-related pruritus. Those experiencing generalized itch were speculated to have an allergic reaction to tumor specific antigens.
Although itching is common in people with lymphoma, having itchy skin does not necessarily mean you have lymphoma. Itching can have many different and far more common causes, including allergies, skin conditions such as eczema, skin infections or menopause.
Other causes of itchy scalp include: autoimmune disorders, such as psoriasis. fungal infections, such as tinea capitis, or ringworm. allergic reaction to a product such as hair dye.
Bacterial folliculitis.
This common type is a rash of itchy, pus-filled bumps. It occurs when hair follicles become infected with bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus (staph). Staph bacteria live on the skin all the time. And they can cause problems when they enter the body through a cut or other wound.
The causes of skin itching, or pruritis, are usually harmless. They are often temporary issues such as dry skin or a bug bite. Less commonly, nerves, kidneys, thyroid, or liver issues can cause itching sensations without necessarily causing a rash.
Skin cancer on the scalp may look like a mole, an ulcer, a sore, or another type of growth. Growths on the scalp can change in shape, color, or size and may itch or bleed, which may be concerning for skin cancer.
"Stress raises levels of androgens (male hormones) in our body,” Dr Chan explains. “This causes our scalp to become oilier, which dandruff-causing yeast love to feed on (hence the itching)."
An intensely itchy scalp without signs of a rash or another skin reaction can be a sign of a nerve problem. Your doctor may say you have neuropathy (neu-rop-ah-thie). It's the medical word for a problem along a nerve due to damage, disease, or an abnormality in the way the nerve works.
Immune system may be at fault. In a small study of patients who have chronic itching with no known cause, researchers from the Center for the Study of Itch at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis identified immune system irregularities that may prompt the urge to scratch.
Neuropathic itch has been associated with most of the major categories of neurological disease ranging from stroke, tumors and vascular malformations, to demyelinating disease and radicular compression. This review attempts to summarize the known causes of neuropathic itch, organized by anatomical location.
It's important to note that it isn't strictly true that magnesium does help itchy skin or that a magnesium deficiency causes dry skin. However, one of the many skincare benefits of magnesium is that it can help reduce the inflammation caused by conditions which lead to dry and itchy skin, such as eczema.
People with iron deficiency anemia may experience itchy skin (pruritis) that can become red, bumpy and sore when scratched. Rashes associated with aplastic anemia usually appear as tiny red or purple dots under your skin (petechiae).
It leads to redness, itching and flaking on the scalp. A vitamin deficiency of certain vitamins can make this situation much worse. Vitamins D, B2, B3, B6, B7 are usually associated with a flaky scalp. A deficiency of these vitamins can directly impact the immune system and increase the risk of inflammation.
Symptoms of itching with liver disease
Itching associated with liver disease tends to be worse in the late evening and during the night. Some people may itch in one area, such as a limb, the soles of their feet, or the palms of their hands, while others experience an all-over itch.
Dry skin: Your body loses moisture at night, which can make your skin itchy. Hormonal changes: At night, your body doesn't produce as many hormones as it does during the day and certain hormones reduce inflammation (swelling). As you have fewer hormones at night, your skin could be itchy.
Itching with kidney disease can be generalized, or it can occur in specific parts of the body. Common areas for this type of itching include the head, arms, back, and abdomen. It also tends to be worse at night, which can disturb your sleep.