Itching Hands

Itchiness in hands cause a lot of discomfort. Other symptoms that often accompany itching hands include skin inflammation, skin discoloration, formation of blisters, etc. When the intensity of itchiness is mild to moderate, you can get some amount of relief by scratching the skin. Sometimes, the itching sensation becomes so severe that even scratching fails to provide any respite. Too much of scratching may even cause damage to the skin surface. This may lead to bleeding and secondary skin infections.

Causes

The medical term for itching is pruritus. When it is confined to one particular part of the body like hands or feet then it is termed as localized pruritus. There are a number of internal as well as external factors that can trigger itchiness in hands. One of the most commonly found causes is contact dermatitis or hand eczema. It is caused when the hands come in direct contact with some irritants such as soaps, detergents, cosmetics, harsh chemicals and so on. Certain foods and medicines may trigger allergic reaction in some people which in turn gives itching hands and fingers.

An infection caused by fungi or bacteria can be responsible for itching palms of hands. Insect bites on hands often leave behind some poisonous substance on the skin that induces burning and itchy sensations on the hands. If the skin get damaged due to exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, then itchy bumps on hands may appear. Those who have underlying health problems such as kidney failure, liver disease, endocrine disorder like hyper or hypothyroidism often experience itching in different parts of the body including hands. Stress and anxiety may cause itchy feet and hands without any skin rashes.

Treatment

When you are suffering from intense itching on hands, you must visit a dermatologist for proper treatment. They first identify the exact cause behind the problem and treat it accordingly. Anti-allergy medicines are effective for controlling the itchy symptoms triggered by allergic reactions. When there is skin inflammation, then topical application of hydrocortisone lotion provides a lot of relief from the annoying itchiness and inflammation. If dryness of the skin is responsible for itching hands and feet then doctors advise the patient to moisturize the skin more frequently in order to get relief from the irritation. When itchy palms occur after ingestion of some foods or medicines, then doctors advise the patient to stay away from that particular allergen. Any bacterial skin infection is treated with antibiotics and antifungal medicines are suitable for fungal infections.

Home Remedies

There are a number of simple ways to relieve itching in hands at home. They are as follows:

• When you apply cold on the itchy hands, then it has a temporary numbing effect on the skin and you do not feel the itching sensation for some time. You can simply wrap up an ice cube in a small towel and place it on the itchy palms. Or else, you can dip a clean gauze in ice-cold water and apply it on hands.
• Fill up the sink with water and pour some finely grounded oats into it. Soak your hands into this mixture for about 10-15 minutes. This will have a soothing effect on the skin irritation. You can repeat it several times in a day whenever you feel an intense sense of itching.
• When you get a burning sensation on hands due to excessive itching, then prepare a mixture with liquidized camphor, bishop's seeds, and peppermints and apply it generously all over the hands. The cooling effect of this mixture will make you feel better.
• You must stay away from all forms of skin irritants which include scented soap, antibacterial soap, laundry detergents, synthetic clothes and so on. While washing hands, you should use a good quality unscented soap which is specifically formulated for sensitive skin and cool or lukewarm water. Never use hot water on itchy hands.

When you have itching hands and fingers, then you feel an uncontrollable urge to scratch these areas. You have to control it as it tends to aggravate the condition. Even the sharp nails of your fingers dig deep into the skin and intensify itching. Keep a soft plastic comb at hand and rub it gently when the irritation becomes unbearable. Wearing cotton gloves is another effective solution that can protect the skin from unintentional scratching.