Many pruritic conditions do not originate in the skin, but are the result of systemic abnormality. Among the diseases that can cause pruritus are renal insufficiency, cholestasis, Hodgkin's lymphoma, polycythemia vera, solid tumors, and many others.
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).
Itch is common in people who have a disease that affects their blood, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It can also be a sign of advanced kidney disease and often develops in people who are close to needing dialysis or currently receiving dialysis.
Systemic: The itching is the result of an underlying medical condition that can affect your skin or your internal organs. This could include natural changes to your body with age or hormonal changes, among others. Neuropathic: Nervous system conditions or nerve damage causes itching.
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.
You should also visit your GP if your entire body itches and there is no obvious cause. It could be a symptom of a more serious condition. Your GP will ask you about your symptoms – for example, if you have noticed whether anything makes your itch worse, or if your itch comes and goes.
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.
Central nervous system lesions affecting sensory pathways, including strokes, multiple sclerosis, and cavernous hemangiomas can cause central itch. Neuropathic itch is a potent trigger of reflex and volitional scratching although this provides only fleeting relief.
One theory is that low iron levels can make skin thinner, causing more water loss. This can cause itching. Skin changes in aplastic anemia are due to low platelets (blood cells that help with blood clotting). This condition is also known as thrombocytopenia.
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.
Vasculitis does not only damage the skin but can also affect organs like the kidneys or the heart when the disease gets serious. It leads to hives or red patches that lead to autoimmune itching.
Autoimmune hives are itchy red bumps or welts often caused by allergic reactions. An overactive immune system can also cause them.
A neuropathic itch may produce an itching sensation or a feeling of pins and needles. The itching may be very severe. Neuropathic itch may also produce the following sensations: burning.
Even though autoimmune hives are not caused by allergies, they often respond well to treatments used for allergic skin reactions, such as oral antihistamines. Autoimmune hives may also respond well to alternative treatments such as acupuncture.
Cytokines can irritate nerve endings in the skin, which can in turn cause persistent itching. Many individuals experience this itchiness in their hands, lower legs or feet, while others feel it throughout their entire body. Patients often report that the itching tends to worsen while they are lying in bed at night.
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.
Traditionally, antihistamines are used to treat the itching. Examples include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Atarax), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton and others).
Dry, itchy skin
If you have diabetes, you're more likely to have dry skin. High blood sugar (glucose) can cause this. If you have a skin infection or poor circulation, these could also contribute to dry, itchy skin.
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.
You may experience red, dry and itchy skin due to vitamin D deficiency. Intake of vitamin D can help you treat such skin problems. It can also reduce skin rashes. Vitamin D is also beneficial for treating eczema which is also a skin condition.