Itchy Skin Causes

Pruritus, usually referred to as itchy skin, is basically an irritating sensation which eventually sparks an urge to scratch. Usually the part of the skin at the spot where it itches may feature rough skin, redness or bumps, but at times your skin may appear to be perfectly normal, yet you may experience severe itching sensation. Although the phenomenon may look simple, itchy skin may have several causes, some relatively harmless, while some very harmful. Itchy skin causes can range from simple rash to more severe health conditions, such as psoriasis. At times, itchy skin is also considered as a symptom of some grievous health condition, such as kidney failure.

Itchy Skin Symptoms
Sometimes the symptoms of itchy skin may be seen at a particular part of the body, while at other times the symptoms can be observed all over the body. Although a person can experience itchy skin without noticing any changes in the skin, usually itchy skin symptoms include redness, bumps, blisters and dry or cracked skin. Itchy skin symptoms may worsen with time, especially when the affected area is scratched and hence scratching should be strictly avoided.

Itchy Skin Causes
As we mentioned earlier, there are several causes of itchy skin, some of which may be a sign of serious complications and hence the problem should not be taken lightly. Below mentioned are some of the prominent causes of severe itching.

Allergies
Allergic reactions to certain substances may end up resulting in itchy skin. These reactions are triggered when the individual comes in contact with the allergens. Itchy skin caused by allergies can last for a few hours or even a few days. Some common allergens which can trigger itchy skin include certain foods, pollen, plants like poison ivy and poison oak, hair dye, lacquer etc.

Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases, i.e. diseases caused by abnormal functioning of the immune system, that trigger antibodies against your own tissues can also lead to severe itching in some individuals. There is a vast list of autoimmune diseases, but those which predominantly lead to itchy skin include systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis.

Central Nervous System Disorders
Itchy skin, though not necessarily, can also be a symptom of various central nervous system disorders. A person suffering from disorders like brain abscess or tumor can experience itchy skin. Epidural anesthesia resulting from injection of an anesthetic into the epidural space of the spinal cord is also known to be one of the most prominent itchy skin causes.

Dermatitis
Dermatitis, a non-infectious skin inflammation characterized by red itchy rash, can also result in itchy skin. Dermatitis is caused by touching, inhaling or ingestion of certain substances. Contact dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, photodermatitis are some of the prominent causes of itchy skin.

Dry Skin
Dry skin, referred to as xerosis, is one of the most common causes of itchy skin. Dry skin can be caused due to various environmental factors, such as low humidity levels, as well as usage of washing soaps, air conditioners and central heating. Though the problem can arise in an individual of any age group, it is most commonly observed in old aged people.

Gastrointestinal Diseases
Various gastrointestinal diseases caused due to intestinal parasites or their eggs may cause itchiness as well. Other than these, diseases caused due to dumping syndrome and malabsorption are also common itchy skin causes.

Hormonal Disorders
Certain hormonal disorders or hormonal imbalances may eventually lead to itchy skin. Complications such as diabetes, hyperthyrodism and hypothyrodism are known to trigger itchy skin in humans. In women, menopause or later months of pregnancy are responsible for itchy skin.

Illegal Drugs
Drug abuse is being seen as one of the most rapidly increasing hazard for the society. This hazard can also lead to some serious skin itching. Cocaine, ecstasy and LSD abuse can cause itching in the various parts of the body.

Infections
Infections may also cause itching of skin. Fungal infection caused due to moist environment, parasitic skin infections, bacterial infections or viral skin infections are the most prominent itchy skin causes that affects people of all age groups.

Insect Bites
Most common among the various causes of itchy skin, insect bites can at times cause severe itching lasting for several hours or even days. Insects such as wasps, bees, spiders and scorpions can trigger severe allergic reactions characterized by swelling and itchy skin. Read more on allergic reactions from insect bites.

Irritants
Several irritants can lead to itching of skin, when a person comes into contact with these irritants. A few of these substances are detergents, which remove fat from the skin and make it dry, thus vulnerable to severe itch, and fiberglass, which can lead to skin as well as throat itching.

Kidney Failure
One of the most grievous itchy skin causes is kidney failure. Any kidney disease that increases the level of urea in the blood and accumulates urate crystals in the skin can cause severe itch.

Liver and Biliary Tract Diseases
Various liver or biliary tract disorders, such as liver cancer and biliary atresia, can cause itchy skin by accumulating bile salts in the skin. Other such diseases include cirrhosis, obstruction of biliary ducts with gallstones, cancer etc.

Malignancies
Malignancies, most serious of the itchy skin causes, are diseases wherein some cells in the human body display uncontrolled growth, invasion and even spread to other locations in the body. Acinic cell carcinoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Leukemia, Polycythemia vera, cervical cancer, cancer of prostate or colon cancer can cause itchy skin as well.

Medication Side-effects
A host of drugs and medications can lead to an adverse effects on our body, which eventually results in itchy skin. Medications such as morphine, allopurinol, amiodarone, estrogen, opioids and simvistatin can trigger itchy skin in humans.

Nutrient Deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies, especially deficiency in iron and vitamin A, have been known to trigger itchy skin as well.

Skin Conditions
Various skin conditions, such as psoriasis, nummular dermatitis, perioral dermatitis and rosacea, can also lead to itchy skin. Nummular dermatitis is characterized by coin-shaped eczema on the skin, while psoriasis is characterized by dry red patches.

Sweating
When we sweat, the microbes present on the normal skin break down the sweat and produce substances which cause itching. Excessive sweating is one of the most common causes of itchy skin.

Itchy Skin Treatment
It's important to tackle itchy skin at the earliest to prevent further complications. Itchy skin treatment includes identifying the cause of the itching, and treating it. Treatment differs according to the itchy skin causes. For instance, itching triggered by insect bites can be relieved by placing ice cubes over the affected spot, whereas itching caused by dry skin can be treated by over the counter moisturizing creams. Serious problems, such as kidney failure and gastrointestinal diseases, would possibly require the help of medical professional specializing in the particular field.

Itchy skin can make an individual feel restless and miserable. At times, we tend to ignore itch as a minor disorder, which can turn out to be very harmful in the long run. Information provided above will give you a brief idea about what causes itchy skin, thus helping you to identify the possible reasons and initiate itchy skin treatment at the earliest.