Itchy skin is an uncomfortable, irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch.
Also known as pruritus, itchy skin is often caused by dry skin. It's common in older adults, as skin tends to become drier with age.
Depending on the cause of your itchiness, your skin may appear normal, red, rough or bumpy.
Repeated scratching can cause raised thick areas of skin that might bleed or become infected.
Many people find relief with self-care measures such as moisturizing daily, using gentle cleansers and bathing with lukewarm water. Long-term relief requires identifying and treating the cause of itchy skin. Common treatments are medicated creams, moist dressings and oral anti-itch medicines.
See your doctor or a skin disease specialist (dermatologist) if the itching:
- Lasts more than two weeks and doesn't improve with self-care measures
- Is severe and distracts you from your daily routines or prevents you from sleeping
- Comes on suddenly and can't be easily explained
- Affects your whole body
- Is accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as weight loss, fever or night sweats
Causes
Causes of itchy skin include:
- Skin conditions. 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, multiple myeloma or lymphoma.
- Nerve disorders. Examples include multiple sclerosis, pinched nerves and shingles (herpes zoster).
- Psychiatric conditions. Examples include anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.
- Irritation and allergic reactions.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/itchy-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20355006
