Possible causes of itching of the skin of the body: which doctor to contact
Skin itching is an unpleasant feeling that is accompanied by the need for mechanical irritation of the skin, that is, a person constantly wants to scratch the irritated area. Types of skin itching depend on the reasons that provoked the body's reaction. Itching is a symptom of a variety of diseases, disorders, and conditions. It can be the result of infection, inflammation, allergy, insect bites, occur during the normal process of wound healing. Itching significantly affects the general condition and quality of life of patients. It causes insomnia, in severe cases it causes depression.
Causes of itching
Itching can be caused by a skin condition, but is sometimes a sign of a serious illness. In some cases, it is impossible to identify a specific cause of skin itching.
Skin diseases that cause itching:
- Eczema. Severe rashes on the skin with itching in adults, which are accompanied by dryness, redness, peeling. Separately, children's eczema is distinguished. Red rashes on the skin of a child with a pronounced exudative component may indicate eczema.
- Contact dermatitis. A skin reaction that occurs upon contact with an irritant or allergen.
- Hives. Allergic dermatitis with a red rash.
- Red lichen planus. A rash of unknown etiology.
- Psoriasis. First, pink spots appear on the skin (papules), then they merge, forming plaques.
- Prurigo (itching). Small blisters on the skin that itch a lot.
- Magnifying glass. A condition that causes dry white or gray flakes of dead skin to appear on the scalp. Dandruff can provoke itching of the scalp.
Itching can be caused by an allergen or irritant: cosmetics, metal in jewelry, latex. Allergy to certain products and medications is also accompanied by itching. Ointment from allergies on the skin relieves itching and relieves the condition.
The skin of the hands is very dry, peels and itches
Other possible signs of itching of the skin of the body:
- Scabies. The disease is caused by female scabies mites. An infected person is troubled by intense skin itching, which intensifies after a hot shower, in the evening and at night.
- Head and pubic lice.
- Insect bites: bees, wasps, mosquitoes, block, bugs.
The skin of the hands is very dry, peels and itches - a condition characteristic of a fungal infection, and can also signal a metabolic disorder or be the result of contact with aggressive environments. A dermatologist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Why does the skin on the legs itch and redness appear? Symptoms can indicate both a skin or allergic disease, and an endocrine or autoimmune pathology.
Itching can be a symptom of infection:
- Chickenpox or other viral infection.
- Fungal infection (athlete's foot) that causes itching between the toes.
- Ringitis.
- Vaginal candidiasis, which causes itching of the genitals and the skin around (the inner surface of the thigh).
Diseases of a general nature that may be accompanied by itching of the skin
Endogenous causes of itching:
- Hemorrhoids – dilation of the veins of the rectum with the formation of external and internal nodes.
- Pathologies of the thyroid gland. Read more about thyrotoxicosis on our website https://dobrobut.com.
- Iron deficiency anemia - a decrease in the content of hemoglobin in erythrocytes.
- Polycythemia is an increase in the concentration of red blood cells in the blood.
- Uremia – self-poisoning of the body with severe kidney pathologies.
- Liver disease, for example, primary biliary cirrhosis, heatitis.
- Kidney failure is a violation of kidney functions.
- Metabolism disorders (diabetes).
- Some types of cancer: liver, pancreas, leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Sometimes itching is associated with a psychological condition (depression, anxiety). In women, itching can be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy or after menopause. Senile itch in the elderly occurs in approximately 50% of people over 70 years of age, and occurs in the form of night attacks. The main causes of senile itching are endocrine disorders, atherosclerosis, dry skin. Senile pruritus is a diagnosis of exclusion, that is, other causes must be excluded before its diagnosis.
Treatment of skin itching and irritation
The most effective treatment for itchy skin is to diagnose and treat the underlying disease, disorder, or condition that is causing the itchiness. General therapy includes the use of sedative and antihistamine drugs, hyposensitizing agents (calcium preparations, sodium thiosulfate), mast cell stabilizers (ketotifen), enterosorbents.
Treatment of skin itching and irritation is carried out using physiotherapeutic and balneological methods. External therapy is widely used, although the effect of most local drugs is rather short-lived. Usually, powders, ointments, alcohol and water solutions, pastes, and "bovtankas" are used. Glucocorticosteroids, solutions of anesthesin, diphenhydramine, water with table or apple solution, infusion of chamomile flowers are also effective.
How to relieve facial skin irritation? It is necessary to moisturize the skin of the face, use hypoallergenic pharmaceutical cosmetics, terminal water. In case of itching of any origin, provocative factors should be eliminated: do not come into contact with irritating substances, do not allow dryness and degreasing of the skin.
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