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.
Examples include dry skin (xerosis), eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, parasites, burns, scars, insect bites and hives. Internal diseases. Itching on the whole body might be a symptom of an underlying illness, such as liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems and certain cancers.
Some of the most common include insect bites, dry skin, wound healing, eczema, psoriasis and allergies to certain foods, fabrics, fragrances or other environmental factors. Sometimes itching can be a symptom of a more serious illness such as liver disease, thyroid conditions and certain types of cancers.
Itching with no rash can also be caused by a systemic disorder. This is a disorder which affects the body's internal organs. This type of disorder includes liver disease, kidney failure, hormone dysfunctions, and blood disorders. This may also be caused by advanced forms of infection such as HIV.
Although there is a correlation between itchy skin and liver disease, scientists do not know exactly why it occurs in some people with the condition but not others. While itchiness can indicate liver problems, it is not present in all cases.
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.
Like systemic lupus, cutaneous lupus is caused by an autoimmune response, meaning the body attacks its own tissues and organs. In cutaneous lupus, the immune system targets skin cells, causing inflammation that leads to red, thick, and often scaly rashes and sores that may burn or itch.
Itching. Localized itching is often caused by diabetes. It can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation.
Not only is itch associated with greater anxiety, but stress has also be shown to exacerbate itch, leading to a true itch-anxiety cycle. Many chronic itch patients report that psychological stress is a factor that aggravates their itch.
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.
Itchy skin is not usually a sign of anything serious. You can often treat it yourself and it will usually go away after a few weeks.
Extremely itchy skin is a common symptom of advanced kidney disease. The itch can range from irritating to life-disrupting. Your skin may itch all (or most of) the time. Some people have itch on one area of their skin.
Itchy skin, which doctors call pruritus, is a common symptom that can affect any part of the body. When it affects the chest, this can indicate a range of causes, including allergic reactions, psoriasis, and kidney or liver problems.
What does diabetes itching feel like? If you have diabetes, itching can be intense. It's an irritating feeling that makes it hard not to scratch, but scratching can make the itch worse. You can itch anywhere, but if you have nerve damage (neuropathy) associated with diabetes, your lower legs may itch.
In the evening, the body releases more heat, and blood flow to the skin increases, which may contribute to nighttime itching. In addition, skin loses water at night, resulting in dryness that can make you itchy.
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.
Types of itch
Itch has been classified into four different clinical categories. These include neurogenic, psychogenic, neuropathic, and pruritoceptive (2) (Table 1).
Neuropathic itch is a potent trigger of reflex and volitional scratching although this provides only fleeting relief. Rare patients whose lesion causes sensory loss as well as neuropathic itch can scratch deeply enough to cause painless self-injury. The most common location is on the face (trigeminal trophic syndrome).
Sun damage can result in mild to severe sun allergies, which manifest as small, red, painful and itchy bumps/ rashes, in some cases hives on the skin. This irritation can be so severe you may seek medical attention and could result in prescription of antibiotics.