Itching All Over Body

Itch is an intense, distracting irritation or tickling sensation that elicits an urge to scratch the skin. Pruritus is the medical name of itching. Itching can be localized to certain areas of your body or all over your body. Here are the causes and remedies to get rid of itching all over body.

Itching All Over Body: Causes

Itching all over body is most probably caused due to stress or anxiety. Stress also can aggravate itch caused due to other reasons. Dry skin is another frequent itching all over body cause. Itching all over body causes due to dry skin, sun burn or tanning, as well. Other causes include liver or kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, cancers, reactions to drugs, and diseases of the blood. Allergic reactions are common causes of severe itching.

Itching can also be a result of insect stings and bites from mosquito or flea. Infections and infestations are other causes of itching all over body. Swimmer's itch, also called as cercarial dermatitis, is a type of parasitic infection caused by an allergic reaction to infection by certain parasites of birds and mammals that are released from infected snails in fresh and saltwater. This also causes a skin rash along with the itching problem. Itching can be caused due to skin infestation by body lice, including head lice and pubic lice. Hepatitis, iron deficiency, pregnancy and reactions to drugs and medications are causes of itching. More on itchy skin causes.

Itching All Over During Pregnancy: Causes

Itching all over body is a common problem experienced by women during pregnancy. There are many causes of pregnancy related itch. Here are some of the common causes of itching all over body during pregnancy.

• The hormones are in flux during the pregnancy period. These hormones responsible for mood swings and food cravings are responsible for itching. Skin stretching is another cause of itching all over during pregnancy.
• In the third trimester, some women get red itchy skin bumps and pustules on their abdomen known as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) which may be the cause of itching during pregnancy.
• Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy may interfere with the transfer of bile to the liver and lead to build-up of bile salts. This can cause intense and painful itching without a rash.
• Itching can be due to some pre-existing skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or allergies that are worsened due to pregnancy.

You must always consult your doctor before you continue to take any previously prescribed medication. Remember that wrong intake of drugs and medicines can prove harmful to your baby.

Itching All Over at Night: Causes

Itching all over body at night can be caused due to many factors. It can even interrupt your sleep. Here are the causes of itching all over body during night.

• Cirrhosis of the liver creates bile byproducts that travel to the skin leading to extreme itching problem that becomes more intense at night.
• Inflammation of the skin due to psoriasis can flare up at night due to stress or friction from rough bed covers.
• Skin becomes dehydrated during menopause and causes itching all over body at nights when fluids are not consumed.
• Taking a hot shower before going to bed can make your skin dry, which leads to intolerable itching at night.
• Allergic reaction to some fabric of mattress or bedding can cause itching all over body at night.

Itching all over body, which is accompanied by rash is usually due to a parasitic or scabies and fungal infection. Itching along with a skin rash can also be due to diseases like chickenpox or measles. Moreover, skin disorders, like eczema, psoriasis or dandruff can lead to this problem.

How to Deal with Itch?

• Avoid scratching or rubbing over the itchy skin. You must strictly keep your fingernails short to avoid damaging the skin from scratching.
• Use lukewarm water for baths and very little soap. Rinse thoroughly and dry your skin completely after baths.
• Apply a soothing lotion after bathing to soften and keep your skin cool.
• Dry skin is a common cause of itching, so keep your skin well moisturized.
• Wear loose clothing of fabrics that will not irritate your skin. The same should be followed with bedclothes.
• Avoid prolonged exposure of your skin to heat and humidity.
• Apply ice over the itchy area to avoid the urge of scratching.

Remember the above mentioned precautions to get rid of itching all over body. If it doesn't subside, then you must consult a dermatologist to know the exact cause and treatment.