Itchy Skin

Itchy Skin Causes

Itchy skin has several causes – some more serious than others. It might just be a case of dry skin, or you might have a skin condition that needs treating.

Irritants and Allergies

A common cause of itchy skin is an irritant or an allergy. That can include personal care products, like shower gels and hair dyes, or natural triggers like poison ivy.

A common allergy is pollen – also known as hayfever, which affects around 24 million people. Those with hayfever will often experience intense itchiness around the nose during the summertime when the pollen count is at its highest. It is treated with antihistamines.

A common irritant that targets swimmers is chlorine. It can cause chlorine rash, which often looks like small, red bumps on the skin. It often feels sore, itchy, and uncomfortable. Spending time out of the water can help.

If you have a skin allergy rash that happens frequently – particularly one that is itchy and red – you may have contact dermatitis. A patch test at a doctor will help determine your triggers so that you can prevent flare-ups in the future.

Dry Skin

Very dry skin can cause itchy skin. It becomes more common during the winter when there is less humidity. Many people find that they start itching in winter but don’t the rest of the year. To combat itchiness caused by dry skin, you need to add some moisture. Doing so should make your dry skin rash stay at bay.

Skin Conditions

Many skin conditions cause itchy skin. Some conditions even cause such intense itching that the person feels like they cannot stop. The most common skin conditions that make a person scratch include:

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes dry, thick skin that cracks and itches. It’s a chronic condition that works in cycles, often disappearing for a long time before coming back again. Many people with psoriasis are all-too-familiar with the constant itching sensation.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a skin condition that can affect anyone. Atopic dermatitis – also known as eczema – is the most common type of dermatitis and is identified by its itchy, flaky, dry skin. Much like psoriasis, there is no cure for dermatitis, but there are treatments that help reduce the itch.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a contagious infection identified by its itchy rash and small bumps all over the skin. It often occurs in children – more than 90% are immune to the condition because they have already had chickenpox. Fortunately, chickenpox usually does not last too long.

Hives

Hives are a skin reaction that produces an intense itch. It occurs after ingesting certain foods or medications or being exposed to infection (often from an insect). It is common and usually goes away without treatment.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings a whole range of symptoms with it – including itchy skin. If you find that your itch started after you got pregnant, there’s a chance the pregnancy is the cause.

Pregnancy itching usually happens around the abdomen as the baby grows. It’s believed to be caused by changes in hormones and the stretching of the skin. If you’re concerned or the itchiness gets intense or constant, consult with your doctor.

Shaving

A clean shave can be challenging for some people to achieve. That is especially true for those with sensitive skin. If you shave too quickly or use a blunt razor, you could end up with shaving burns that sting and itch. The good news is that you can treat razor burns.

You may also find a shaving rash around the area you shaved, like a rash under your chin and jawline. It will look like small, red bumps that cause a stinging sensation.

Exposure to the Sun

Too much sun can cause itching. This is due to the drying effect UV rays can have on the skin.

If you experience severe itching after being out in the sun and it’s accompanied by a red rash, you might have a sun allergy. You should speak to your doctor if your itchiness is accompanied by a rash or an illness. 

Parasites

Many parasites can cause itchiness of the skin, such as:

• Head lice
• Scabies
• Roundworms
• Pinworms
• Body lice

You will often know that an itch is due to a parasite due to other symptoms. For example, with head lice, you will likely also have red marks on your scalp.

Internal Diseases

Some internal diseases can cause itchy skin. These include:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid Problems
• Liver Problems
• Kidney Problems
• HIV
• Cancers

Itchy skin usually isn’t the main side effect of these illnesses. Instead, it usually accompanies other, more serious symptoms. If you’re worried about an itch and you’re experiencing other worrying symptoms, you can always speak to your doctor.

Rashes

Some rashes are covered above, but some aren’t. Almost everyone experiences a rash at some point in their lives, and many of these rashes produce an itching sensation.

There are many different rash types, like plant rashes and rashes from sunburn. You may also experience a chafing rash if your skin rubs together – particularly around the thighs. Usually, these rashes aren’t too serious and can be treated with a simple cream or lotion.

While you might not worry about a minor rash on yourself, it can be worrying to find a rash on a newborn. Nappy rash is one of the common skin rashes in young children, which can be treated with a soothing cream. You can also try switching out the nappies for another kind. If you’re at all worried about a rash on your child, though, you should take them to the doctor.

Common rashes include:

• Rash in armpit
• Chlorine rash
• Beard rash
• Under chin rash
• Rashes in the groin area
• Swimmers rash
• You might experience a heat rash on your face

Top Tips for Stopping Itching Quickly

Sometimes, all you want is for the itch to disappear – as soon as possible. Here are some quick and simple ways to stop the itch quickly:

Apply an Anti-itch Gel

An anti-itch gel, like the Decubal Anti-itch gel, helps soothe the skin while taking the itch away. Apply it when necessary.

Apply a Cold Damp Cloth

Applying a cold, damp cloth to the itchy area will provide instant relief. Leave it on for as long as you need to.

Wear Gloves

Scratching will only make the itch worse. It’s hard to scratch yourself when you’re wearing gloves. Plus, if you have dry, itchy hands, wearing gloves over moisturiser can help lock in the moisture.