Dry Itchy Skin
Content
•
DRY ITCHY SKIN Itching (pruritus) - is an uncomfortable
•
skin sensation, triggering the desire to scratch or rub the affected area to get a relief. Itching may be acute or chronic, localized to one spot or generalized, affecting the overall body. Scratching can produce the increase of itching when infection gets into breaks of injured skin and causes redness, bumps, and scratches. Intense scratching involves the person suffering from pruritus into the circle itch-scratch-itch, that is hard
• •
•
•
serious kidney, internal liver disorders: (some liver diseases with jaundice as hepatitis) or gallbladder failure to clear certain toxins, thyroid malfunctions (hypo-, hyper-), blood disorders: iron deficiency anemia, polycythemia vera, neurotic conditions: pinched nerves, post neuralgia, as someherpetic cancers malignant melanoma, germ cell tumors, leukemia and lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, Bowen's disease, multiple myeloma, invasive squamous cell carcinoma, brain and spinal cord tumors,
enough to interrupt. In some patients, severe itching affects sleep and quality of life. Note: Itching is not a disease by itself - it's
pruritus may be a sign for some
•
HIV,
•
general itching is a common reaction to cancer treatments: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both therapies combined, biological response modifier therapy,
only a symptom of some skin diseases, internal disorders or faulty processing of itch sensation by nervous system. In case of unusual itching that is severe, longlastingother or accompanied with unexplained symptoms, when you are not exactly sure what it is caused by, always see your doctor for a precise diagnosis and advise for a treatment. In this section: • •
Dry itchy skin: causes | skin care shielding lotion users' testimonials*
Possible itching: •
•
•
•
•
causes
• •
skin ageing, pregnancy.
How to take proper care of skin to relieve the itchy sensation:
of
itching is one of the first symptoms of skin allergy - reaction to certain medications, insect bites and stings, poisonous plants etc; itching associated with the rush is one of the symptoms for such diseases as eczema, hives, chicken pox, measles; itching is a common manifestation of sunburn or dry skin, especially in winter; some superficial skin infections such as folliculitis and impetigo are accompanied with skin itch; some parasites like scabies and lice also produce itching;
Dry itchy spot resulting from repeated scratching (lichen simplex skin disease). •
try to avoid scratching or rubbing, ask your friends and relatives to call attention to your scratching, keep your fingernails shortly cut to minimize affect from inadvertent scratching; Page 1 of 5
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
remove
the
cause
of
itching,
if
It
seems
simple.
When
you
itch,
you
possibleallergen/irritant (in case of dermatitisand , define the avoid contacting with it); in case the itchy sensation is unbearable try to apply pressure or vibration instead of scratching, it may alleviate itch; massage with an ice cube, covering itchy area with the cool wet
scratch. But itchy skin (pruritus) can have hundreds of possible causes. It may be the result of a rash or another itchy skin condition, such as psoriasis or dermatitis.
washcloth may help to diminish itching; avoid using cosmetics, perfumes and deodorants, alcohol-containing skin products;
by redness, and rough treating skin, bumps blisters. Identifying the orunderlying cause of itchy skin is important for longterm relief. Itchy skin treatments include medications, wet dressings and light
avoid wearing wool and other fabrics that may irritate the skin and worsen itching, instead put on loose-fitting light cotton clothes without such
therapy. Self-care measures, such as antiitch products and cool baths, can help reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin.
garments as belts, take lukewarm baths brassieres, as often astights; half and hour daily to cool the skin and alleviate itching, use mild soaps and rinse thoroughly;
Signs and symptoms
Or itchy skin may be a symptom of an internal disease, such as liver disease or kidney failure. Though itchy, your skin may appear normal. Or it may be accompanied
Itchy skin is an uncomfortable, irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch.
maintain healthy well-moisturized skin, provide it with good nutrition, protection from the environmental irritants, grease and dirt. Apply
It may occur in small areas, such as on an arm or leg. Or your whole body may feel itchy. Itchy skin can occur without any
proper skin lotion to cool, soften and soothe the dry itchy skin, making skin produce adequate quantity of natural moisture to alleviate the dry
other noticeable changes on the skin. Or, it may• beRedness associated with: • Bumps, spots or blisters • Dry, cracked skin
skin condition aggravates itch. shielding lotions solutionlayer of the outer of
that causes or Try bond the brand new that with the dry skin, skin helping problem tothe
retain its own natural moisture while absorption of the preventing irritating substances.
•
Leathery or scaly texture to the skin
Sometimes itchy skin lasts a long time and becomes very intense. As you rub or scratch the area, it gets itchier. And the more it itches, the more you scratch. Breaking this itch-scratch cycle can be challenging.
These lotions do not sit on top of the skin, clogging its pores, but allow skin to breathe and perspire. This new method lets the skin to heal itself in the most natural making it soft and vibrant.
Itchy skin Introduction
way,
Causes Itchy skin that isn't accompanied by other obvious skin changes, such as a rash, is most often caused by dry skin (xerosis). Dry skin usually results from environmental factors that you can wholly or partially control. These include hot or cold weather with low humidity levels, long-term use of air conditioning or central heating, and washing or bathing too much. Page 2 of 5
Other conditions cause itchy skin as well. Skin disorders, internal diseases, and drug reactions top the list. •
•
•
•
•
•
allergies
Skin conditions and rashes. Many skin conditions cause itchy skin, including psoriasis, inflammation of the skin (dermatitis), scabies, lice, chickenpox and hives. In these cases, the itching usually affects
specific areas and is accompanied by other signs, such as red, irritated skin or bumps and blisters. Internal diseases. These include
•
•
extremely
severe
and
uncomfortable and distracts you from your daily routines or prevents you Can'tfrom be sleeping easily explained or affects
your whole body Is accompanied by other symptoms, such as extreme tiredness, weight loss, change in bowel habits or urinary frequency, of the skin
fever,
or
redness
Screening and diagnosis
liver disease, malabsorption of wheat (celiac disease), kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, thyroid problems and cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. In these cases, the
Your doctor is likely to conduct a thorough physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, including when the
itching usually affects the whole body, rather than one specific area. The skin may look otherwise normal except the allergic scratched areas. Irritationforand reactions.
itching started, what factors make it better You mayand have certain or worse, how you care diagnostic for your skin.tests — such as blood tests — if your doctor suspects that your itchy skin is the result of
Wool, chemicals, soaps and other substances can irritate the skin and cause itching. Sometimes the substance causes an allergic
an underlying medical condition, such liver disease or iron deficiency anemia.
reaction, such as poison ivy or allergies also may reactions. Drugs. Reactions
in the case of cosmetics. Food cause itchy skin to drugs, such as
antibiotics, antifungal drugs or narcotic pain medications, can cause widespread rashes and itching. Some women Pregnancy. experience itchy skin during pregnancy, especially on the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms. Also, itchy skin conditions, such as can worsen during dermatitis,
•
•
Lasts more than two weeks and doesn't improve with self-care measures
Dermatitis. Also called eczema, dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. There are different types of dermatitis, and the disorder can have many causes and occur in many forms. Generally, dermatitis describes swollen, reddened and itchy skin. Psoriasis.
With psoriasis, the life
cycle of skin cells speeds up, resulting in a rapid buildup of rough, dead skin cells. These skin cells accumulate, forming thick silvery
When to seek medical advice See your doctor or consult a dermatologist if the itching:
as
Through examination and tests, your doctor may determine that your itching is, in fact, a symptom of another skin condition. Related itchy skin conditions include:
pregnancy.
•
Is
•
scales and itchy, dry, red patches Tineaareinfections. Athlete's foot, that sometimes painful. ringworm of the body, ringworm of the scalp and jock itch are caused by a fungal infection that develops on the top layer of your skin. These infections often cause round, flat patches of itchy skin. Page 3 of 5
•
•
Hives.
Hives are raised, itchy red
Treating the underlying disease.
If an internal disease is found, whether it's kidney disease, iron deficiency or a thyroid problem, treating that disease often relieves
bumps of various sizes that appear and disappear on your skin. Allergic reactions to medications or foods can hives. Lice.cause Body lice, pubic lice and head lice are common causes of intense itching. Lice are tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that feed on your
•
•
•
the itch. Other itch-relief methods Lightmay therapy (phototherapy). also be recommended. Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to certain wavelengths of
close physical ultraviolet light. Multiple sessions are blood. infestation, which is easily contact,The canthrough cause small, red bumps. usually scheduled until the itching is spread Scabies. Scabies is an itchy skin under control. condition caused by a tiny, eightlegged burrowing mite called Although many types of itching respond well to treatment, itch relief may not be Sarcoptes scabiei. The presence of immediate. However, a number of creams the mite leads to intense itching in and ointments are specifically designed to the area of its burrows. Scabies is relieve itch. These include short-term use quickly
of topical anesthetics such as lidocaine or benzocaine and ointments and lotions such as menthol, camphor or calamine. Although these anti-itch products may immediately
Prolonged itching and scratching may increase the intensity of the itch, possibly leading to neurodermatitis (lichen simplex chronicus). Neurodermatitis is a condition
soothe your itch, treatment of the underlying cause is important for long-term relief.
contagious and can spread through close physical contact.
Complications
in which an area of skin that's frequently scratched becomes thick and leathery. The patches can be raw, red or darker than the rest of your skin. Persistent scratching can also lead to a bacterial skin infection and permanent scars or changes in skin color.
Self-care To help reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin, try these self-care measures: •
Treatment
Once a cause is identified, treatments for itchy skin may include: •
•
Medications. These include oral antihistamines for allergies or hives and corticosteroid creams for itching from skin inflammation. This involves Wet dressings. applying medicated cream to
affected areas and then covering these areas with damp cotton material that has been soaked in water or other solutions. The moisture in the wet dressings helps the skin absorb the medicated cream.
Apply or lotion toan theanti-itch affected cream area. A nonprescription hydrocortisone cream, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone, temporarily can
relieve the itch. A nonprescription oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others), may be helpful if itching is severe. •
•
Avoid scratching possible. Cover the itchywhenever area if you can't keep from scratching it. Trim nails and wear gloves at night. Apply cool, wet compresses.
Covering the affected area with bandages and dressings can help protect the skin and prevent scratching. •
Take a comfortably cool bath. Sprinkle the bath water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal — a finely ground oatmeal
Page 4 of 5
that •
•
•
•
is
made
for
the
bathtub
(Aveeno, others). Wear smooth-textured cotton clothing. This will help you avoid irritation. Choose mild soaps without dyes or perfumes. Be sure to rinse the soap completely off your body. And after washing, apply a moisturizer to protect your skin. Use a mild, unscented detergent when laundry washing clothes, towels and bedding. Try using the extra rinse cycle on your wash machine. Avoid substances that irritate your skin or that cause an allergic These can reaction. include nickel, jewelry, perfume,
cleaning products and cosmetics.
Page 5 of 5
DRY ITCHY SKIN Itching (pruritus) - is an uncomfortable
•
skin sensation, triggering the desire to scratch or rub the affected area to get a relief. Itching may be acute or chronic, localized to one spot or generalized, affecting the overall body. Scratching can produce the increase of itching when infection gets into breaks of injured skin and causes redness, bumps, and scratches. Intense scratching involves the person suffering from pruritus into the circle itch-scratch-itch, that is hard
• •
•
•
serious kidney, internal liver disorders: (some liver diseases with jaundice as hepatitis) or gallbladder failure to clear certain toxins, thyroid malfunctions (hypo-, hyper-), blood disorders: iron deficiency anemia, polycythemia vera, neurotic conditions: pinched nerves, post neuralgia, as someherpetic cancers malignant melanoma, germ cell tumors, leukemia and lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, Bowen's disease, multiple myeloma, invasive squamous cell carcinoma, brain and spinal cord tumors,
enough to interrupt. In some patients, severe itching affects sleep and quality of life. Note: Itching is not a disease by itself - it's
pruritus may be a sign for some
•
HIV,
•
general itching is a common reaction to cancer treatments: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both therapies combined, biological response modifier therapy,
only a symptom of some skin diseases, internal disorders or faulty processing of itch sensation by nervous system. In case of unusual itching that is severe, longlastingother or accompanied with unexplained symptoms, when you are not exactly sure what it is caused by, always see your doctor for a precise diagnosis and advise for a treatment. In this section: • •
Dry itchy skin: causes | skin care shielding lotion users' testimonials*
Possible itching: •
•
•
•
•
causes
• •
skin ageing, pregnancy.
How to take proper care of skin to relieve the itchy sensation:
of
itching is one of the first symptoms of skin allergy - reaction to certain medications, insect bites and stings, poisonous plants etc; itching associated with the rush is one of the symptoms for such diseases as eczema, hives, chicken pox, measles; itching is a common manifestation of sunburn or dry skin, especially in winter; some superficial skin infections such as folliculitis and impetigo are accompanied with skin itch; some parasites like scabies and lice also produce itching;
Dry itchy spot resulting from repeated scratching (lichen simplex skin disease). •
try to avoid scratching or rubbing, ask your friends and relatives to call attention to your scratching, keep your fingernails shortly cut to minimize affect from inadvertent scratching; Page 1 of 5
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
remove
the
cause
of
itching,
if
It
seems
simple.
When
you
itch,
you
possibleallergen/irritant (in case of dermatitisand , define the avoid contacting with it); in case the itchy sensation is unbearable try to apply pressure or vibration instead of scratching, it may alleviate itch; massage with an ice cube, covering itchy area with the cool wet
scratch. But itchy skin (pruritus) can have hundreds of possible causes. It may be the result of a rash or another itchy skin condition, such as psoriasis or dermatitis.
washcloth may help to diminish itching; avoid using cosmetics, perfumes and deodorants, alcohol-containing skin products;
by redness, and rough treating skin, bumps blisters. Identifying the orunderlying cause of itchy skin is important for longterm relief. Itchy skin treatments include medications, wet dressings and light
avoid wearing wool and other fabrics that may irritate the skin and worsen itching, instead put on loose-fitting light cotton clothes without such
therapy. Self-care measures, such as antiitch products and cool baths, can help reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin.
garments as belts, take lukewarm baths brassieres, as often astights; half and hour daily to cool the skin and alleviate itching, use mild soaps and rinse thoroughly;
Signs and symptoms
Or itchy skin may be a symptom of an internal disease, such as liver disease or kidney failure. Though itchy, your skin may appear normal. Or it may be accompanied
Itchy skin is an uncomfortable, irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch.
maintain healthy well-moisturized skin, provide it with good nutrition, protection from the environmental irritants, grease and dirt. Apply
It may occur in small areas, such as on an arm or leg. Or your whole body may feel itchy. Itchy skin can occur without any
proper skin lotion to cool, soften and soothe the dry itchy skin, making skin produce adequate quantity of natural moisture to alleviate the dry
other noticeable changes on the skin. Or, it may• beRedness associated with: • Bumps, spots or blisters • Dry, cracked skin
skin condition aggravates itch. shielding lotions solutionlayer of the outer of
that causes or Try bond the brand new that with the dry skin, skin helping problem tothe
retain its own natural moisture while absorption of the preventing irritating substances.
•
Leathery or scaly texture to the skin
Sometimes itchy skin lasts a long time and becomes very intense. As you rub or scratch the area, it gets itchier. And the more it itches, the more you scratch. Breaking this itch-scratch cycle can be challenging.
These lotions do not sit on top of the skin, clogging its pores, but allow skin to breathe and perspire. This new method lets the skin to heal itself in the most natural making it soft and vibrant.
Itchy skin Introduction
way,
Causes Itchy skin that isn't accompanied by other obvious skin changes, such as a rash, is most often caused by dry skin (xerosis). Dry skin usually results from environmental factors that you can wholly or partially control. These include hot or cold weather with low humidity levels, long-term use of air conditioning or central heating, and washing or bathing too much. Page 2 of 5
Other conditions cause itchy skin as well. Skin disorders, internal diseases, and drug reactions top the list. •
•
•
•
•
•
allergies
Skin conditions and rashes. Many skin conditions cause itchy skin, including psoriasis, inflammation of the skin (dermatitis), scabies, lice, chickenpox and hives. In these cases, the itching usually affects
specific areas and is accompanied by other signs, such as red, irritated skin or bumps and blisters. Internal diseases. These include
•
•
extremely
severe
and
uncomfortable and distracts you from your daily routines or prevents you Can'tfrom be sleeping easily explained or affects
your whole body Is accompanied by other symptoms, such as extreme tiredness, weight loss, change in bowel habits or urinary frequency, of the skin
fever,
or
redness
Screening and diagnosis
liver disease, malabsorption of wheat (celiac disease), kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, thyroid problems and cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. In these cases, the
Your doctor is likely to conduct a thorough physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, including when the
itching usually affects the whole body, rather than one specific area. The skin may look otherwise normal except the allergic scratched areas. Irritationforand reactions.
itching started, what factors make it better You mayand have certain or worse, how you care diagnostic for your skin.tests — such as blood tests — if your doctor suspects that your itchy skin is the result of
Wool, chemicals, soaps and other substances can irritate the skin and cause itching. Sometimes the substance causes an allergic
an underlying medical condition, such liver disease or iron deficiency anemia.
reaction, such as poison ivy or allergies also may reactions. Drugs. Reactions
in the case of cosmetics. Food cause itchy skin to drugs, such as
antibiotics, antifungal drugs or narcotic pain medications, can cause widespread rashes and itching. Some women Pregnancy. experience itchy skin during pregnancy, especially on the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms. Also, itchy skin conditions, such as can worsen during dermatitis,
•
•
Lasts more than two weeks and doesn't improve with self-care measures
Dermatitis. Also called eczema, dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. There are different types of dermatitis, and the disorder can have many causes and occur in many forms. Generally, dermatitis describes swollen, reddened and itchy skin. Psoriasis.
With psoriasis, the life
cycle of skin cells speeds up, resulting in a rapid buildup of rough, dead skin cells. These skin cells accumulate, forming thick silvery
When to seek medical advice See your doctor or consult a dermatologist if the itching:
as
Through examination and tests, your doctor may determine that your itching is, in fact, a symptom of another skin condition. Related itchy skin conditions include:
pregnancy.
•
Is
•
scales and itchy, dry, red patches Tineaareinfections. Athlete's foot, that sometimes painful. ringworm of the body, ringworm of the scalp and jock itch are caused by a fungal infection that develops on the top layer of your skin. These infections often cause round, flat patches of itchy skin. Page 3 of 5
•
•
Hives.
Hives are raised, itchy red
Treating the underlying disease.
If an internal disease is found, whether it's kidney disease, iron deficiency or a thyroid problem, treating that disease often relieves
bumps of various sizes that appear and disappear on your skin. Allergic reactions to medications or foods can hives. Lice.cause Body lice, pubic lice and head lice are common causes of intense itching. Lice are tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that feed on your
•
•
•
the itch. Other itch-relief methods Lightmay therapy (phototherapy). also be recommended. Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to certain wavelengths of
close physical ultraviolet light. Multiple sessions are blood. infestation, which is easily contact,The canthrough cause small, red bumps. usually scheduled until the itching is spread Scabies. Scabies is an itchy skin under control. condition caused by a tiny, eightlegged burrowing mite called Although many types of itching respond well to treatment, itch relief may not be Sarcoptes scabiei. The presence of immediate. However, a number of creams the mite leads to intense itching in and ointments are specifically designed to the area of its burrows. Scabies is relieve itch. These include short-term use quickly
of topical anesthetics such as lidocaine or benzocaine and ointments and lotions such as menthol, camphor or calamine. Although these anti-itch products may immediately
Prolonged itching and scratching may increase the intensity of the itch, possibly leading to neurodermatitis (lichen simplex chronicus). Neurodermatitis is a condition
soothe your itch, treatment of the underlying cause is important for long-term relief.
contagious and can spread through close physical contact.
Complications
in which an area of skin that's frequently scratched becomes thick and leathery. The patches can be raw, red or darker than the rest of your skin. Persistent scratching can also lead to a bacterial skin infection and permanent scars or changes in skin color.
Self-care To help reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin, try these self-care measures: •
Treatment
Once a cause is identified, treatments for itchy skin may include: •
•
Medications. These include oral antihistamines for allergies or hives and corticosteroid creams for itching from skin inflammation. This involves Wet dressings. applying medicated cream to
affected areas and then covering these areas with damp cotton material that has been soaked in water or other solutions. The moisture in the wet dressings helps the skin absorb the medicated cream.
Apply or lotion toan theanti-itch affected cream area. A nonprescription hydrocortisone cream, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone, temporarily can
relieve the itch. A nonprescription oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others), may be helpful if itching is severe. •
•
Avoid scratching possible. Cover the itchywhenever area if you can't keep from scratching it. Trim nails and wear gloves at night. Apply cool, wet compresses.
Covering the affected area with bandages and dressings can help protect the skin and prevent scratching. •
Take a comfortably cool bath. Sprinkle the bath water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal — a finely ground oatmeal
Page 4 of 5
that •
•
•
•
is
made
for
the
bathtub
(Aveeno, others). Wear smooth-textured cotton clothing. This will help you avoid irritation. Choose mild soaps without dyes or perfumes. Be sure to rinse the soap completely off your body. And after washing, apply a moisturizer to protect your skin. Use a mild, unscented detergent when laundry washing clothes, towels and bedding. Try using the extra rinse cycle on your wash machine. Avoid substances that irritate your skin or that cause an allergic These can reaction. include nickel, jewelry, perfume,
cleaning products and cosmetics.
Page 5 of 5
