Skin itching and its treatment. Body itching in different places without rash

Itching is an unpleasant sensation manifested on the skin, which is accompanied by an unbearable desire to scratch the itchy area. Sometimes this feeling is so strong that a person can no longer control himself, literally tearing the skin until it bleeds and reaches the point of stress.

The cause of itchy body skin is usually a serious illness that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment.

What causes itching?

The physiology of the origin of itching is quite complex. It can be triggered by multiple factors.

Dry skin is one of the causes of itching

The most common factors are:

These are the main, but not all, causes of itching. It is also worth highlighting intense senile itching, which can affect mature people without any reason.

Itching, which is accompanied by changes in the skin

This symptom usually indicates diseases that are treated by dermatologists. . These diseases are safer than systemic ones.

Itching with redness of the skin may indicate dermatitis

Itching with redness of the skin indicates diseases such as contact or atopic dermatitis. Occurs mainly against the background of allergic reactions.

Itching combined with a rash are the main symptoms of the following diseases:

• Contact dermatitis. Accompanied by clearly limited redness, on top of which bubbles may be observed.
• Hives. It appears as redness that protrudes above the skin and resembles a nettle burn.
• Eczema. Initially, swelling and redness of a distinct shape appear. Then bubbles appear, which, when opened, leave crusts in their place.
• Folliculitis is accompanied by blisters and ulcers.
• Diffuse neurodermatitis. Dried spots form on the skin, as if surrounded by a red halo.
• Psoriasis is accompanied by silvery plaques that peel off.
• Scabies appears in the form of black paired dots.

Itching and peeling are symptoms of the following diseases:

• allergic reaction;
• disturbances in the functioning of the ovaries;
• demodex;
• fungal infections, lichen;
• dandruff;
• diabetes mellitus

Localized itching on the body - causes

The main causes of localized itching of the body skin, the treatment of which cannot be delayed, should be considered:

• The cause of itching on the skin of the face can very often be atopic dermatitis or scabies.
• Itching on the head may indicate the presence of seborrhea, ringworm, scabies or lice.
• In areas that are subject to friction, the presence of itching indicates bullous pemphigoid.
• On the bends of the wrists, itching occurs due to lichen planus or atopic dermatitis.
• Itching in the anal area can occur due to anal fissure, constipation, hemorrhoids, pinworms, and poor hygiene.
• Itching in the genital area is a symptom of scabies, prostatitis, menopause, and vesiculitis.
• In areas that are closed most of the year, itching indicates the presence of T-cell lymphoma.
• On the back and thighs, itching occurs due to folliculitis.
• On the knees, in most cases, the cause of itching is atopic dermatitis.
• Itching on the hands is the main symptom of scabies.
• Eczema, neurodermatitis, insect bites can cause itching on any part of the body.

Itching on the head can cause seborrhea

Causes of general body itching

Itching can occur not only in individual areas, but also spread throughout the body.

The main causes of generalized itching are:

• diseases of the biliary tract and liver;
• worms in the intestines;
• gout;
• diabetes mellitus;
• neurological diseases;
• seasonal and senile itching;
• hypovitaminosis A;
• disorders of the thyroid gland.

Itching can occur not only in certain areas, but also spread throughout the body

Important to remember! Itchy skin is observed in almost all patients with primary cirrhosis of the liver. In most cases, it is the very first symptom of the disease and can appear 1 or 2 years before all other signs.

Other symptoms of diseases accompanied by itching

Unfortunately, itching of the skin of the body does not always cause patients to seek medical help and proper treatment. Many people, for one reason or another, put off visiting a doctor. In order to learn more about diseases that may be accompanied by itching, you should consider their other symptoms.

Allergic dermatitis manifests itself in the form of severe bright redness, which is accompanied by swelling. Then bubbles appear, which open and leave weeping erosions in their place. When the inflammation subsides, scales and crusts remain on the affected areas.

Itchy body skin is the cause of scabies, treatment of which should be prescribed after diagnosis, based on accompanying symptoms. One of these manifestations is a specific rash. It is distinguished by scabies, which look like small stripes, up to 15 mm long, with a small bubble at the end.

Scabies can also be expressed as small pimples and plaques that peel off. Due to the fact that patients constantly scratch the skin, bacteria can get there and cause a complication - a pustular infection.

Urticaria is accompanied by a rash of varying sizes that is very itchy. Blisters, which have a round shape, can merge with each other, forming large areas. All this may be accompanied by stomach or intestinal disorders, general weakness, chills or fever.

The rash predominantly appears on the buttocks, torso and arms.

Associated symptoms of kidney disease are impaired filtration and concentration of urine, pain in the lower back, blockage of blood vessels with atherosclerotic plaques, and increased body temperature. These symptoms occur with pyelonephritis, hydronephrosis, and urolithiasis.

In liver diseases accompanied by itching, parallel symptoms may include skin pigmentation, rash, and liver stars. All these symptoms primarily indicate liver failure.

Seasonal itching

Seasonal itching of the body skin is caused by causes of VSD, treatment of which is aimed at eliminating the provoking disease. Itching is a fairly common symptom. Exacerbations in patients with vegetative-vascular dystonia occur in autumn and spring.

Autumn and spring are the seasons of exacerbation of itching in patients with VSD

But in winter and summer the symptoms subside. The situation is aggravated by the lack of essential minerals and vitamins in the body.

The body's response to stress

Severe emotional instability and stress lead to uncontrolled hand movements. There is a constant desire to honor and rub the skin. Such actions further aggravate the disease. The manifestation of such itching is eliminated if the person comes out of a stressful state.

Stress can cause itching

Pathologies of the lymphatic system

If the lymph glands enlarge with itching of the body, most likely we are talking about lymphogranulomatosis. Here it is important to seek the help of a specialist in time, who will make an accurate diagnosis, prescribe treatment for the disease and identify the causes that provoked itching of the body skin.

Itching from taking medications

This itching occurs due to the body's reaction to certain medications. Self-medication with medications increases the risk of itching of the body skin. This once again suggests that any treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

Taking medications is one of the causes of itching

Itchy skin without any symptoms

If a person is bothered by itchy body skin for no reason, treatment is prescribed after an accurate diagnosis has been established.

Itching without any special symptoms may occur for the following reasons:

• liver or kidney failure;
• blood diseases;
• psychoneurological diseases;
• some medications;
• dry skin;
• disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
• lymphoma, reticulosis, etc.

All of the above diseases can cause bodily itching without additional manifestations and symptoms.

Important to remember! Itching can occur throughout the body or in specific areas. In men, itching most often occurs in the anal area, but women often suffer from itching of the genitals.

Treatment with traditional methods

Folk remedies will help eliminate body skin itching once the cause has been established. Treatment can be carried out using the following methods.

Nettle leaves, violet flowers, burdock root, licorice and valerian, and agrimony flowers will help eliminate itching sensations. To do this, you need to take an equal amount of all herbs (50 g each) and chop thoroughly.

Then 1 tbsp. l. pour 3/4 cup of boiled water into the resulting mixture. It is advisable to insist in a thermos. Take a sip throughout the day. The course of treatment lasts 3 months.

Another remedy that perfectly fights itching is elecampane root.. You need to infuse it with alcohol, and then apply lotions and wipe problem areas. A decoction of elecampane root should be drunk instead of tea.

Coconut oil will help relieve inflammation and itching of the scalp. It contains vitamin E and fatty acids that the scalp needs. Coconut oil not only eliminates inflammation and itching, but also helps restore damaged cells, nourishes the skin and hair, and has an antibacterial and antifungal effect.

Coconut oil will help relieve inflammation and itching of the scalp

With the help of lemon, or rather the vitamin A it contains, you can relieve skin inflammation. Both the lemon itself and its juice will be beneficial. It is also worth noting the antiseptic and cleansing properties that it has.

This is an excellent natural bleach. To relieve inflammation, just squeeze lemon juice and wipe your skin with a cotton pad.

Vaseline is good for relieving itchy skin due to eczema. After applying it to the affected area, the skin softens and the itching subsides for a while. Vaseline is widely used in folk medicine to relieve skin irritation. Since it is odorless, its use is safe for allergy sufferers and children.

Vaseline is effective for eczema

Basil relieves skin irritations well. For these purposes, basil oil is used, which is added to face masks.

Undiluted apple cider vinegar also helps relieve itching.. To do this, just moisten a cotton swab in it and apply it to the desired area.

Important to remember! Very often, the cause of itching can be an allergy to certain foods. In this case, it is necessary to exclude spicy, fatty and fried foods from the diet.

It is also necessary to minimize the intake of foods that can cause an allergic reaction: chocolate, citrus fruits, coffee, cheese, eggs, alcoholic beverages.

Which ointment is best to use against itchy skin?

Ointments eliminate severe itching of the body skin and its causes; treatment with ointments brings positive and quick results. The effect will be if the ointment is chosen correctly. That is why, when choosing a remedy against itching, you must always start from what exactly causes this ailment.

Citric and carbolic acid, diphenhydramine, anesthesin, menthol, and thymol are used as agents that effectively combat body itching. Therefore, you need to choose an ointment based on the above ingredients.

When choosing a remedy against itching, you must always start from what exactly causes this ailment

Sinaflan ointment based on fluocinolone copes well with itching, which has antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects. The ointment is very effective for allergies, inflammation and other skin diseases.

Preparations for body skin itching

Treatment for body skin itching is selected based on the causes that contribute to it.

Skin itching can be treated with drugs of 3 groups:

1. Antihistamines.
2. Hormonal agents.
3. 3Antibiotics.

Antihistamines are the most extensive group of drugs. Within a couple of hours after taking it, you can notice the first results - swelling and itching subside and become less noticeable.

There are 3 groups of antihistamines.

1st generation antihistamines

This includes drugs that have a sedative effect and eliminate allergic reactions. They have a rapid-response effect, so you need to take them several times a day.

After taking this group of drugs, severe drowsiness may occur, so the drugs are contraindicated for people working in conditions of increased traumatic risk. These include Diazolin, Suprastin, Tavegil.

2nd generation antihistamines

These drugs do not have an immediate effect, but their effect may last more than a day. They do not have a pronounced sedative effect, so after taking them you can work normally. 2nd generation antihistamines are Claritin, Zyrtec, Claridol, Cetrin.

3rd generation antihistamines

This group has practically no sedative effect; drowsiness after taking them is very rare. This includes drugs such as Telfast, Erius.

Hormonal drugs are a more powerful tool in the fight against allergies and itching. They affect the cells that are responsible for the allergic reaction. The big disadvantage of hormonal drugs is that they have many side effects.

In this regard, their prescription is appropriate only in extremely difficult situations or after ineffective treatment with antihistamines. This group includes Dexamethosone, Prednisolone. Take them strictly as prescribed by the doctor.

Hormonal drugs are a more powerful tool in the fight against allergies and itching

Antibiotics are used to treat itching if infection is present. They are prescribed only after certain tests. In most cases Treatment is with broad-spectrum antibiotics. These include Cephalosporins and Penicillin.

Which doctor should I contact for itching?

If bodily itching is observed in a child, then you should contact your pediatrician. Itching in adults is the competence of dermatologists, allergists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists and psychotherapists.

It all depends on the cause of the itching. If the cause is not determined, you should contact any of the above specialists or a physician.

Conclusions

Itching is a fairly common phenomenon that has many different causes. Sometimes this seemingly harmless symptom can hide a very serious disease.

That's why At the first manifestations of bodily itching, you should immediately consult a doctor. Early diagnosis and timely treatment will help maintain the most important thing in life – health.

How to cure scabies and itching, see here:

About possible causes of itchy skin:

What effective folk remedies exist for itchy skin:

The itching sensation is not always accompanied by rashes and other symptoms. But this does not reduce the discomfort. In addition, itching on the body without rashes may indicate various diseases, the outcome of treatment of which depends on a quick response.

Most pathologies are not related to dermatology and pose varying degrees of danger.

Causes of itching without rashes

The body can itch periodically or constantly, moderately or severely. It is possible to completely eliminate body itching without a rash only by establishing the exact cause of its occurrence.

Dry skin and seasonal itching

Dry skin can occur at any time of the year depending on various factors:

• in summer, the skin may itch due to photodermatoses, sunburn, and lack of vitamin E;
• in the fall, discomfort may appear from warm clothes, stress due to lack of light;
• in winter, itching without rashes occurs due to hypothermia and allergies to thermal underwear;
• in spring - in most cases due to a lack of vitamins.

In cold weather, discomfort on the skin can be caused by dry air in the room from heating devices. In this case, it is necessary to ensure humidity of at least 60% by installing a humidifier or periodically spraying water with a spray bottle.

Age (senile itching)

With age, the skin undergoes significant changes. It becomes less elastic and drier. . Most often it is felt after removing clothes, is localized on the back, and then spreads throughout the body. Also, in old age, the functioning of the liver and kidneys slows down, which causes insufficient blood purification.

Usually it does not cause skin itching of moderate intensity and severe discomfort. You can eliminate discomfort by using high-quality moisturizing creams.

Taking medications can cause itching all over the body without a rash. This is an individual intolerance to the components of the drug. Most often you want to scratch your skin after taking acetylsalicylic acid, contraceptives in tablet form, or anabolic steroids. Sometimes discomfort cannot be dealt with without antihistamines.

Pregnancy

More than a third of pregnant women experience body itching without other visible symptoms. This is due to hormonal changes in the body and stretching of the skin. The less elasticity, the more discomfort a woman feels. In most cases, body itching without a rash is localized in the abdomen, buttocks and chest. It does not require treatment and goes away after childbirth. But you should definitely consult a doctor, because it may indicate incipient kidney disease, liver disease, or endocrine disorders.

If your whole body itches without rashes, you can’t expect the discomfort to go away on its own - the reason may turn out to be very serious.

	Characteristic symptoms
Xeroderma	The disease is inherited and responds well to treatment. The problem is that many people consider the pathology to be ordinary dry skin and do not seek advice from a doctor.
Skin diseases	Skin diseases manifest themselves as redness, rashes that itch. But at an early stage, itching can occur without additional symptoms, and the likelihood of the disease becoming chronic depends on timely response.
Psychoneuroses	The main one, after which severe itching appears throughout the body without a rash. Discomfort causes even slight anxiety. Itching can occur on any part of the body. It is important to pay attention to the problem in time to exclude deep depression.
Diabetes mellitus	Itchy discomfort occurs due to increased blood glucose levels and increased dry skin. It is most often localized in the perineum, on the head, and the bends of the elbows and knees. Unpleasant sensations increase when sugar levels jump, so when symptoms appear, you need to measure it and take medicine.
Liver diseases	Often there is itching all over the body without rashes due to liver disease. It may appear a year or even earlier before other symptoms appear. It is localized first on the palms and soles, then spreads throughout the body. Very often itching of the skin of the body is the only symptom.
Kidney failure	The body itches in 90% of patients with kidney pathology. The discomfort is especially severe after hemodialysis. In this case, the gender and age of the patient does not matter.
Blood diseases	With a lack of iron in the blood, itching occurs in every second patient. The main localization is the pelvic organs, genitals, and heart area. Other symptoms include pale skin, dizziness, and changes in taste. It is very important to identify the disease at an early stage.
	Sudden itching may indicate the development of neoplasms. Particular attention should be paid if there is a genetic predisposition to cancer, because at the initial stage the disease does not manifest itself with specific symptoms. The most severe manifestation of itching is felt with tumors of the pancreas, skin, and intestines. Mild symptoms – for kidney cancer.
Autoimmune pathologies	The destruction of cells and the replacement of healthy ones with infected ones causes severe itching. A mutation occurs in the tissues of a specific organ. The likelihood of the disease is higher with a genetic predisposition. A positive prognosis is improved by diagnosing the cause and treating it at an early stage.
Altitude and decompression sickness	People can suffer from oxygen deficiency at different altitudes. Some people do not feel discomfort at the level of 4000 meters, for others the climb to 2000 meters can be fatal. Caisson disease is observed during a rapid transition to a normal environment from an area of ​​low atmospheric pressure or, conversely, at low temperature or too high humidity. A person's blood flow slows down and vascular spasm is possible. The first symptom is severe itching of the entire body and burning of the skin without rashes. Then comes loss of consciousness.

To eliminate itching, it is necessary to establish the exact cause of its occurrence. If you experience discomfort, you should visit a dermatologist. But in most cases, just examining it is not enough. If a pathology is suspected, he will refer you to specialized specialists: an endocrinologist, therapist, allergist, immunologist, gastroenterologist and other colleagues.

First, the doctor finds out the general condition of the patient:

• chair;
• fatigue;
• vomit;
• weight change;
• headaches;
• visual impairment;
• body temperature;
• pressure.

For a detailed examination, different methods and techniques are used:

• blood, urine and stool tests;
• genital swab;
• ultrasound examination;
• coagulogram;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• computed tomography;
• electrocardiogram.

Before going to see a doctor, you should not take antihistamines or carry out procedures to eliminate itching, so that the doctor can correctly diagnose and tell you what to do to eliminate it.

How to relieve body itching without rashes

To eliminate itching, comprehensive measures are required. In most cases, discomfort will only subside after identifying the underlying cause and targeted treatment.

• Complete and correct hygiene. It is better to use baby care cosmetics so as not to cause greater irritation of the entire skin with chemical components. After water procedures, moisturize the epidermis with cosmetic oil.
• Wear clothes made from natural fabrics, paying special attention to underwear and underwear.
• As a mild sedative, drink tea with mint and lemon balm, milk with honey, walk in a forested area before bed, take a bath with the addition of decoctions of string, chamomile, and essential pine oil.
• Follow a diet that excludes spicy and sweet foods. The diet should consist of plant foods, lean meat and fish, eat no more than 1 egg per day, exclude citrus fruits.
• Take vitamins as prescribed by your doctor.

Drug treatment

Let's look at the drugs that are prescribed for this or that disease.

The information is provided for informational purposes only. Prescribing medications on your own without consulting a doctor is prohibited!

Allergies, seasonal and age-related itching	Painkillers: Lidocaine, Novocaine, Diphenhydramine solution. Ointments and creams: Boromenthol, Doxepin, Nezulin, Levomekol, Enterosgel, Ketotifen. The drugs reduce skin sensitivity and relieve moderate itching.
Psychoneuroses	Antidepressants: Aurorix, Befol, Selegiline, Azilect help eliminate itching by calming the nervous system and reducing irritability.
	Ultraviolet irradiation to eliminate itching in the treatment of HIV, tumors, as well as liver pathologies.
Neurological pathologies, allergies	First generation antihistamines: Suprastin, Dimetrol, Peritol are good at eliminating itching due to allergies, skin diseases, and neurological pathologies. Medicines cause drowsiness.
Liver diseases	Metronidazole and Rifampicin reduce the negative effects of bile and relieve itching in liver diseases.
Endocrine disorders, age-related itching	Tavegil, Sinaf, Hydrocortisone relieve itching in neurodermatitis, psoriasis, and dry skin in older people.
Skin inflammation	Advagraf, Prograf reduce skin inflammation and relieve itching.
Liver diseases	Essentiale, Heptral, Rezalut, Karsil restore liver cells and eliminate skin discomfort.
Disturbance of intestinal microflora	Bifiform, Probifor, Baktistatin, Bifiliz normalize the intestinal microflora.
Avitaminosis	Vitamins: Vitrum, Alphabet. Medicines: Naloxone, Naltrexone replenish the deficiency of beneficial microelements and eliminate skin itching.

Folk recipes

In addition to the main treatment, you can use folk remedies after approval by your doctor, for example, the following:

• Dilute 9% vinegar with water and apply the solution to itchy areas.
• Prepare a peony decoction: steam a tablespoon of petals with a liter of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. Use as a lotion or rub on itchy areas.
• Take baths with calendula, string, chamomile, peony. The water should not be hot.
• Pour small periwinkle leaves with cold water in a ratio of 1:20, bring to a boil and leave for 1 hour. Make lotions and wipes.
• Treat the skin with camphor oil or menthol ointment. The use of the products is convenient only for local pain.
• Use a soda solution to wipe itchy areas of the skin.
• Squeeze the juice from two lemon halves into a glass of water at room temperature. Use a skin wipe.

The cause of any degree of itching should be diagnosed by a doctor. Only he can determine why the skin itches and prescribe treatment.

Itchy skin in itself is not a disease; the causes of its occurrence are varied, and treatment depends on the type of pathogen. An irresistible urge to scratch accompanies most skin disorders, as well as some diseases of the internal organs.

There are generalized and localized itching, and according to intensity - acute and chronic. Any skin irritation is quite difficult to diagnose. Often the patient does not know which specialist to contact and at what point. To determine the root cause, you should visit a dermatologist or therapist; sometimes consultation with doctors of other profiles is required - oncologist, gynecologist, allergist, endocrinologist and, possibly, a psychiatrist (Find out).

Causes of generalized skin itching:

• Dry skin;
• Weight gain - the skin stretches and itches;
• Cholestasis (stagnation of bile) and other diseases that cause liver failure;
• Malignant tumors;
• Blood diseases;
• Endocrine diseases - diabetes, thyrotoxicosis and others;
• Intestinal infections;
• External stimuli;
• Mental disorders.

Localized most often begins on the hairy parts of the body (intimate areas) and manifests itself in the form of attacks. Mostly local itching appears due to skin diseases:

• Neurodermatitis;
• Hives;
• Psoriasis;
• Pediculosis;
• Chickenpox;
• Scabies;
• Lichen;
• Contact and atopic dermatitis.

Even for a professional, it is not easy to understand why the skin itches, how to eliminate irritation and avoid the recurrence of itching. You should not try to diagnose yourself, much less buy unknown medications. Before contacting a doctor, to relieve symptoms, you should refrain from overheating the skin when visiting a bathhouse, taking a hot bath, and it is also advisable to avoid spicy foods and alcohol. You can take antihistamines and use ointments with a cooling effect.

What to do if your skin itches all over your body

It is difficult to ignore the condition when the skin itches all over the body, painfully when only a patch of skin itches, and a dermatologist will tell you what to do. The scratching reflex, as a rule, affects the upper layers of the epidermis, less often the mucous membranes.

To determine the exact cause of irritation, various studies will be required - medical history, visual examination, clinical blood and urine tests, glucose levels, liver tests, determination of creatinine, cholesterol, urea, iron, protein levels, stool analysis, x-rays and others.

Such an extensive medical examination is justified by the fact that the mechanism of formation of itching on the skin is not fully understood. Scientists agree that when the skin itches, the nerve endings react to external and internal stimuli. Unlike pain, a person’s reflex of satisfaction of tingling sensations is triggered.

Currently, there is a theory that itching and pain have different neural pathways. Moreover, they are closely related, since having satisfied the desire to scratch, we give birth to a pain syndrome, which simply distracts attention from the initial problem.

Although the urge to itch can be completely natural and go away without any intervention, it is still recommended to visit a medical facility. Treatment is advisable if the irritation does not go away for several weeks, interferes with normal life activities, affects a large part of the body, and is accompanied by other manifestations - rash, burning, bleeding, weight loss, drowsiness, and so on.

What causes itchy skin without rashes?

The causes of skin itching without rashes can be of various types, and diagnosis is often difficult, because such manifestations cannot be captured in photographs. Skin dermatitis very often accompanies systemic diseases, while external signs - crusts, plaques, blisters - may or may not be present.

1. 1. With cholestatic liver disease, the first symptom, and for a long time the only one, is itching. For treatment, medications containing Cholestyramine (Cholestyramine, Vasozan, Kwantalan, Lipokol) are used, which cleanse bile flows, thereby reducing the manifestations of irritation;
   2. Diabetes mellitus affects the processes of removing toxins from the body. Lipid-fat metabolism is also disrupted, which leads to dehydration of the skin. Sometimes there are no rashes, but more often, from the type of diabetic dermatitis, yellowish plaques, red spots, and blisters of gray or red shades appear on the body. Treatment in this case is aimed at reducing blood sugar, which greatly reduces the desire to scratch;

3. Psychosomatic and mental disorders are also characterized by the scratching reflex. How to treat skin itching without external manifestations in this case depends on the form of the disease. In mild cases, the patient is prescribed sedatives, often of plant origin - valerian, motherwort, passionflower extract. In more severe cases, antidepressants and psychotherapy are used;

4. Blood diseases are often accompanied by skin irritation. Hodgkin's lymphoma causes itching in the lower extremities. Irritation increases as the disease progresses. Treatment involves radiation therapy. With Vaquez's disease, in addition to the desire to scratch, the spleen enlarges, angina pectoris is observed, and bleeding occurs. Favorable prognoses are observed in patients treated with imifos. Itching sensations are no less common in anemia. Symptoms go away as soon as iron deficiency is corrected.

Local itching and peeling of the skin

• • Itching and flaking of the skin are inherent in a disease such as psoriasis. This is a chronic inflammation, the causes of which are not fully known. The skin becomes covered with spots with whitish scales. Characteristic rashes occur on the elbows, knees, and at the edge of the scalp. When scratching the plaques, a pink film is discovered on the surface, peeling off which can provoke the symptom of blood dew. Today, solid oil-based ointments (Magnipsor, Cytopsor, Antipsor) are widely used against psoriasis; diet, sanatorium treatment (climate change has a beneficial effect in most cases), phototherapy and other methods are prescribed;

• • Itchy skin is characteristic of scabies, which is caused by the scabies mite. With this disorder, itching occurs between the fingers, on the wrists, on the surface of the abdomen and groin area. Unpleasant sensations increase at night, spreading to new areas. The disease is contagious, it is very important to disinfect the premises. To eliminate symptoms, sulfur-based ointments, benzyl benzonate, Spregal spray, Permethrin (ointment, spray, lotion) and other medications are used. Traditional medicine suggests fighting the disease with the help of turpentine, celandine juice, bay leaf and other mixtures of herbs and products of animal origin;

Why does severe itching spread throughout the body?

We have already examined the possible circumstances under which severe itching appears throughout the body. Naturally, this is not the entire list of disorders in which itching is observed. There are also hormonal changes (pregnancy), age-related changes, reactions to medications (for example, hemodialysis concentrate), and so on.

It is a mistake to believe that irritation manifests itself only on the outer skin. According to statistics, there are no fewer cases of mucous membranes of the body itching.

• Wish . These include pinworms, hemorrhoids, rectal diseases, fistulas, prostatitis and others;
• Genital itching - thrush, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, gonorrhea, vaginosis, colpitis and so on;
• Irritation - stomatitis, reaction to the prosthesis, allergies.

The causes of subcutaneous itching may coincide with dermatitis of the external skin. In most cases, it is characteristic of systemic ailments and requires close attention from qualified personnel of a medical institution.

Be healthy!

Itchy skin is one of the most painful physiological manifestations. Each of us has experienced it at least several times throughout our lives.
Even severe skin itching is not always a manifestation of disease, but depending on the intensity, nature and location of skin itching, we can talk about one or another pathology.

What is itchy skin?

There is no clear scientific definition of itchy skin. It can only be formulated approximately. Itchy skin is usually called a local or general discomfort that causes the need to scratch the irritated area. Itchy skin is not an independent disease, but only a specific manifestation of a number of pathological processes.
A discomfort on the skin always accompanies one or another disease of the dermis or internal organs. The list of pathologies accompanied by this symptom is so large that to exclude the disease and clarify the diagnosis, consultation with doctors of several specialties will be required.

The mechanism of development of itchy skin

Regardless of the nature of the process that causes skin itching, its essence lies in irritation of the network of nerve endings that are rich in the upper and middle layers of the skin. This unpleasant sensation has much in common with the sensation of pain. In other words, to understand “why it itches so much,” you need to understand the structure of the skin.
The skin consists of three layers: upper (epidermis), middle (dermis) and deep (hypodermis). Nerve endings penetrate all layers of the skin, but most of them are in the epidermis. This explains the research according to which, with serious damage to the upper layer, the sensitivity of the skin decreases down to absolute zero. In this case, both the sensation of itching and pain are dulled (for example, with prolonged traumatic scratching, deep burns, etc.).
Nerve endings located in the structure of the skin together with neurons of the spinal cord and brain form a single system. Within the system, the processes of neurons in the skin layers act as receptors. In response to irritation of the receptors, the brain generates a return signal, which is defined by a person as itching. It has already been said that itching is similar in nature to pain. Both pain and the desire to scratch the skin form a stable dominant in the brain. That is, these sensations dull all others, coming to the fore, and require their primary elimination.
Thus, the mechanism of development of itching is based on a reflex. As researchers suggest, it has developed during evolution to quickly eliminate all foreign agents affecting human skin. Because they can be dangerous.
Irritants that affect the skin and cause itching are not always external. Often we can talk about endogenous processes. In some cases, skin itching can be caused by special substances, collectively called itching mediators (histamine, etc.). When released, they affect the nerve endings directly in the skin structures, and thus a discomfort sensation develops without the participation of external irritants.

Causes of itchy skin

There are many reasons that cause unpleasant skin sensations. They can all be divided into several categories:

Diseases
1. Neurodermatitis. It is a neurological disease with cutaneous manifestations. The mechanism of development is not fully understood. The course of the disease is constant or periodic, recurrent. Exacerbations are caused by psychosomatic reasons (nervous shocks, stressful situations can become a trigger). It has been noticed that neurodermatitis often develops in people of a special psychological make-up (overly irritable, hot-tempered, shy and timid, etc.).
Symptoms: severe itching of the skin, especially after stress. As nervous tension decreases, skin discomfort subsides.
Treating specialists: neurologist, dermatologist.
2. It is important to distinguish neurodermatitis from contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis develops as a result of frequent friction and pressure on certain areas of the skin (with a watch bracelet, etc.). However, in some cases, contact dermatitis can be the result of an allergic reaction (for example, to an adhesive plaster).
Symptoms: manifests itself in the same way as neurodermatitis. A round red spot forms on the skin at the site of the lesion. After 5-15 minutes, unbearable itching begins.
Treating specialists: dermatologist.
3. Allergic reaction. In the vast majority of cases, the cause of itching lies precisely in allergies (or pseudo-allergies). Any type of allergy (be it food, etc.) can affect the skin. The reason lies in the destruction of basophil mast cells by the antigen-antibody complex of substances and the subsequent production of the itching mediator - histamine. Histamine disrupts the integrity of the cellular structures of the skin, resulting in painful itching of the skin.
In some cases, it may not be an allergy, but a pseudo-allergy. The difference is one thing. Pseudo-allergy is explained by the placebo effect and is psychosomatic in nature. That is, the patient is sure that he is allergic to a particular substance. As a result, when this substance enters, electrical irritation of the skin receptors occurs with signals from the brain and itching begins.
Symptoms: similar to those of contact dermatitis, which can also be allergic in nature.
Treating specialist: allergist.
4.Xerosis. Associated with insufficient secretion of the sebaceous glands. Skin is excessively dry and more susceptible to damage. The reason lies in the use of aggressive chemicals (soap, highly alkaline detergents, etc.). Another reason is hormonal imbalances.
Symptoms: dry skin, cracks, burning sensation, redness and itching of the skin.
Treating specialist: dermatologist, endocrinologist (if skin problems are related to metabolism).
5.Diabetes. Diabetes mellitus can also cause itchy skin. An increase in sugar levels leads to rapid dehydration of the body. As a result, an insufficient amount of sebaceous gland secretion is produced, the skin becomes dry and cracked.
Symptoms: similar to the symptoms of xerosis, but the manifestations are associated with endocrine causes and are more pronounced (there is itching and flaking of the skin, etc.)
Treating specialists: dermatologist, endocrinologist.
This is only a small part of the diseases. However, taken together, these pathologies are the cause of itching in 90% of clinical cases.

In any case, we can give some general recommendations to those who want to make their lives easier and prevent the development of such an unpleasant symptom.

• Under no circumstances should hygiene procedures be neglected. However, washing your hair and skin too often disrupts the normal condition of the skin and sebum secretion. The skin becomes dry, and this is a direct path to discomfort. It is recommended to wash no more than once every 2 days without using aggressive chemicals.
• Contact with aggressive chemicals should be avoided. Detergents must be used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
• It is necessary to adhere to a hypoallergenic diet. The severity of the diet depends on the severity of the individual reactions of the body.

Don’t immediately panic if you or your baby is “very itchy.”
Itching is a standard reaction of skin receptors to external and internal irritants. It happens that the reflex reaction takes on a painful course, then it is necessary to take immediate action.
If we are talking about violation of hygiene rules, a person can easily cope on his own. But when itching is caused by pathological processes, you cannot do without competent medical care. Modern medicine has a lot of diagnostic and treatment methods in its arsenal. However, you should never take pills on your own, or apply ointment or anything else to the affected areas. By such actions the patient risks aggravating his already difficult situation.

Itching of the skin of the body is a natural signal of malfunctions in the body. If your whole body or a specific area itches, there are red rashes or other additional abnormalities, consult a doctor immediately. The doctor will be able to almost immediately determine the cause and tell you how to relieve skin itching at home in your case, prescribing appropriate effective medications and treatment methods. This post talks about skin diseases that cause itching. Study the material to get an idea of ​​what people who complain about this symptom most often encounter.

The most common causes of itchy body skin

Everyone experiences skin itching and discomfort differently and has a different range of associated phenomena. Let us consider in general terms the most common complaints received from patients to dermatologists, listing the provoking diseases.

Features of psychogenic itching

Many people are familiar with the condition when itching occurs in different parts of the body due to nervousness. The root of the problem is mental disorders, for example, depression (most often), severe one-time or chronic stress, increased anxiety and ordinary fatigue. Such a phenomenon as psychosomatics has already been scientifically proven, that is, in the presence of strong negative emotions, health problems begin.

The second name for senile itching is senile itching. It turns out that exactly half of people in old age, namely after 70 years, suffer from dry skin. This causes itching. Overheating of the body from the desire to dress warmer, dry air in the home, frequent water procedures - all this increases the likelihood of problems.

Itching is caused precisely by dry skin of the body, which is unable to retain the required amount of moisture, and malfunctions of the sebaceous glands are observed. It is also worth noting that the body of older people is hypersensitive to histamine, and the ability of the dermis to regenerate normally decreases. The situation is aggravated by a diet poor in nutrients and background depression. All factors combined spoil the lives of pensioners.

Itching and rash on the skin

There can be many reasons for itchy skin with a rash; only a doctor can determine for sure. This combination indicates an infectious, skin or allergic disease. A person notices that spots appear on his body and itch. These formations can have different types - look like bubbles, spots, nodules, red bumps, pustules, blisters, crusts, erosions, areas of peeling and hyperpigmentation. Any pimples and sores on the body should not be touched, much less picked off. It is better to treat the skin with the product prescribed by the doctor and take medications internally.

If the intestines are colonized by worms, a person’s anus and adjacent tissues begin to itch, and this unpleasant sensation also spreads to different areas.

Scabies

It is known that scabies, which manifests itself as itchy skin on the hands, elbows, abdomen, chest, buttocks and thighs, develops from the activity of microscopic mites.

Pediculosis

If your head itches severely, mainly in the occipital and temporal regions, then lice may well be suspected. In severe cases, lice penetrate the eyelashes and eyebrows. The disease develops worst in people with long hair.

Demodicosis

clothes itch

Microorganisms living in the folds of clothing cause the so-called body itch. In this case, problem areas are localized in the area of ​​tight clothing.

Ftiriaz

With pediculosis pubis (another name is phthiriasis), skin itching is also a concern, mainly felt in the groin. In this case, eyelashes, eyebrows, ear shell, beard, and mustache are sometimes affected.

Itching due to skin fungal infections

When the fungus multiplies on the skin of the body and the pathogens act in the stratum corneum, pityriasis versicolor, erythrasma, and actinomycosis are diagnosed.

Ringworm, or scientifically called microsporia, can also cause unbearable itching. Similar discomfort on the epidermis is provoked by dermatophytosis; this group includes trichophytosis, favus and epidermophytosis.

Candidiasis is mainly affected by overweight people and people who neglect basic hygiene measures.

Itching due to vitamin deficiency

When the body is in a state of vitamin deficiency, the skin dries and itches. It happens that a person lacks important vitamin A, vitamin C, or a whole range of B vitamins. The skin may suffer if there is not enough zinc. Vitamin deficiency also causes acne and boils.

Itching due to diabetes mellitus

In diabetes mellitus, the percentage of glucose in the blood is critically increased. One of the side effects of the disease is genital itching, as candidiasis develops on the mucous membranes. Diabetic neuropathy results in an itchy scalp. Generalized itching is uncommon in diabetics and usually occurs due to metabolic disruptions that occur from diabetes and kidney problems. An endocrine disorder may be accompanied by itching, burning, and tingling of the skin of the body.

Itching from allergies

Contact dermatitis

An allergic reaction usually looks like contact skin dermatitis and develops after the use of cosmetics or medications externally, contact with fabrics, jewelry and chemicals.

Eczema

Eczema is usually diagnosed in people who are prone to allergic reactions. The disorder is formed due to chronic diseases, occurs as a consequence of vaccination or a side effect of medications, is a consequence of stress or consumption of allergenic foods.

Hives

Urticaria of allergic etiology occurs as a reaction to dust, intolerance to drugs and allergenic products. It happens that the body itches and red spots appear after insect bites or sudden temperature changes. Cold allergies also apply here. Often, urticaria is accompanied by itching and redness of the skin.

The chronic form of allergy is referred to as atopic dermatitis.

Itching during female menopause

Hormonal changes provoke many different disruptions in the body. Often, women during menopause notice genital itching.

Itching after insect bites

When a person is bitten by insects, appropriate treatment must be carried out. Due to the presence of fleas in an apartment or house, itchy skin may bother you at night.

Itching and liver disease

When a person is diagnosed with liver disease or the biliary tract is affected, a whole range of disorders can be expected. Most often, cholestasis, cirrhosis, cholangitis, stones, obstructions, tumors and oncology, giardiasis are reflected on the skin.

Itching due to immunodeficiency

If a person is infected with the immunodeficiency virus, then he may be bothered by itching. Almost all cases of such ailment are associated with infections that develop against the background of decreased immune activity. The skin can become very itchy and dry, all of which worsens in winter.

Itching after drinking

After alcohol, the skin itches and red spots form - a common picture, since this poison affects the entire body. The body reacts negatively to ethyl alcohol itself and toxic additives, the liver functions poorly or allergies develop due to encoding.

Itching after water treatments

Itchy skin after a shower is caused by poor-quality water, an unsuitable product for your skin type (soap, gel) or a hidden disease.

Itching after eating

Itching immediately after eating occurs as a reaction to food and drinks consumed. Review your diet to see if it contains potentially allergenic foods or switch to a hypoallergenic diet.

Itching along with nausea

If severe itching occurs along with nausea, this may indicate a disease. For example, this combination is observed in allergies, glomerulonephritis, scarlet fever, cholecystitis.

In most patients with dermatological or other disorders, itching becomes worse in the evenings.

In addition to the examples discussed, there are other reasons. Psoriasis, neurodermatitis, folliculitis, brain diseases - these disorders can also occur in combination with itching.

itchy skin can be a symptom of a serious illness, so you should urgently go to the doctor for a diagnosis and choice of medications

How is itchy skin treated?

If you have itching and rashes on your face and neck, shins or feet, back or any other part of the body, then you don’t need to wait for the problem to become widespread. You should decide as soon as possible how to treat itchy body skin. Medicine for itching of body skin is selected strictly individually, depending on the cause and state of health.

Ointments and creams for itchy skin

Below is a list and brief description of popular creams and ointments that can be purchased at a pharmacy on the advice of a doctor.

Menthol ointments

Contains menthol:

• Star;
• Boromenthol;
• Bom Benguet;
• Menthol oil.

The drugs cool, distract, relieve pain for mild allergic itching, insect bites, neurodermatitis, atopic dermatitis.

D-Panthenol

The ointment can be used from birth, relieves irritation and improves regeneration processes. Used for itching due to dermatitis and skin restoration after injury. The product helps quickly treat sunburn, relieves dryness, eliminates diaper rash and diaper dermatitis.

Nezulin

The drug in the form of a gel-cream is made from plant materials and works as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. Without hormonal additives, suitable for children. Treats scratches, cracks, helps eliminate dryness and itching, and helps with insect bites.

Gistan

The cream contains plant substances and the antihistamine element Bitulin. The drug is intended to relieve skin itching due to photodermatosis, insect bites, neurodermatitis, and urticaria. Not recommended during pregnancy and pregnancy.

Triderm

The product copes with severe itching, is effective for dermatosis, allergies, neurodermatitis, eczema, and pityriasis versicolor. Helps relieve inflammation associated with secondary infection. You cannot use the ointment without a doctor’s prescription, since the drug is hormonal. Triderm is contraindicated before 2 years of age and in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

Fenistil

A product with an antihistamine effect. Works well against insect bites, chickenpox rashes, itchy dermatosis and urticaria. Along with itching, redness and swelling are eliminated.

Sinaflan

The ointment is used in short courses, as it contains a hormone. The drug helps to almost instantly relieve itching and swelling from sunburn and insect bites. The product works well against itching and burning caused by eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and allergic reactions.

Psilo-balm

The drug is prescribed for itching from urticaria, contact dermatitis, sunburn. Skin irritations can be treated with an age limit - after 2 years.

Also in complex therapy to combat itchy skin, the following may be prescribed:

• Zyrtec;
• Heparin ointment;
• Proctosan;
• Candide;
• Nystatin;
• Miconazole;
• Benzyl bezoate;
• Nizulin;
• Bactroban;
• Lorinden;
• Pimafucin;
• Miconazole;
• Clotrimazole;
• Sulfur ointment;
• Oxolinic ointment;
• Viferon;
• Flucinar;
• Infagel;
• Dermovate;
• Prednisolone ointment;
• Hydrocortisone ointment;
• Oxycort;
• Hepatrombin;
• Proctosedyl;
• Levosin;
• Fucidin;
• Belo-Salik;
• Desitin;
• Dropalen;
• Advantan;
• Elokom.

If you need to take pills along with external treatment, the doctor will tell you about this and choose the right drug himself.

Usually a person cannot determine what causes body itching, so it is obvious that with such a problem in any manifestation, you need to go to the hospital as quickly as possible. Self-diagnosis, as well as self-medication with folk remedies and herbs or pharmaceutical medications chosen at random, can be useless and possibly dangerous to life and health. This is especially true when it comes to skin problems in young children or women during pregnancy. In order not to cause progression of the disease and deterioration of the condition in a child or adult, it is necessary to begin complex treatment with traditional drugs under the supervision of a doctor in a timely manner.