ITCHING
Itching is an irritation in the skin that brings about an uncomfortable sensation that causes a desire to scratch to relieve the feeling.
- Everyone experiences itchiness and its symptoms can be limited to one area of the body (localized) or occurring in different areas or all over the body (generalized).
- Also known as pruritus, itching can affect the quality of life.
- Prolonged itching may increase the intensity of the itch and may lead to skin injury, scarring, and infection.
CAUSES
The possible cause of itching are numerous, they include:
Infections such as
- Chickenpox
- Measles
- Lice
- Scabies
- Herpes
- Mites, including bed bugs
- Fungal Rashes
- Pinworms
Irritants such as
- Poison ivy and poison oak
- Insects such as mosquitoes
- Chemicals
- Dyes
- Certain soaps
- Perfumes
- Clothes
- Pets
Skin conditions such as
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Dandruff
- Sunburn ‘
- Athlete’s foot
An internal disorder such as
- Iron Deficiency Anaemia
- Jaundice
- Kidney failure
- Bile duct obstruction
- Cirrhosis
- Thyroid disease
- Cancers including leukaemia and lymphoma
Nervous system disorder such as:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Shingles
- Neuropathy
- Multiple sclerosis
Medication such as:
- Chloroquine
- Narcotic painkillers
Pregnancy, some women experience itching during pregnancy
Dry skin
Food allergies can also make the skin to itch
SYMPTOMS
Depending on the underlying cause, itching may be associated with other symptoms
- Dry, cracked skin
- Redness
- Bumps, spots or blisters
- Scaly skin texture
The doctor should be contacted if the itching:
- Last more than 14 days and does not improve with self-care measures
- Affects your whole body
- Is sudden and can’t be easily explained
- Is intense and disrupts your daily routine or keeps you from sleeping
- Is accompanied by symptoms such as unintended weight loss, tiredness, fever, or redness of the skin.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will ask a series of questions about symptoms and perform a physical examination. Questions may include:
- How long you have had the itching?
- Does it come and go?
- Do you have allergies?
- Have you been in contact with an irritant
- What part of the body is the itching most severe?
- What medications have you taking, or have you taken recently?
If the doctor is unable to determine the cause of your itching from your answers and a physical exam or suspects your itching is the result of underlying medical conditions, other tests will be performed.
- A complete blood count can indicate any internal condition causing your itch such anemia
- Test of thyroid, liver, and kidney function
- Chest X-ray
TREATMENT
If itching is due to an underlying medical condition, treating such condition often relieves the itch
Medications such as corticosteroid creams, calcineurin inhibitors, and antidepressants may help reduce various types of skin itching.
For temporary relief, these self-care measures might help:
- Avoid scratching if possible
- Take a bath or shower
- Reduce stress
- Apply cool, wet compress’
- Apply an anti-itch lotion to the affected area
- Use high-quality moisturizing cream to keep the skin hydrated
- Avoiding substances that irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction
- Choosing mild soaps without dyes and using mild detergents when washing