However, it’s sometimes a sign of an underlying disease or allergic reaction.
When that happens, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
This article will cover a variety of conditions that cause itching, also known aspruritus.
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Ringworm has a distinctive ring-shaped rash.
Athlete’s footandjock itchare fungal infections that can cause itching and burning sensations.
Other symptoms can include abnormal discharge, pain, and discomfort.
Impetigo tends to occur around the nose and mouth or arms and legs.
Red, itchy sores leak clear fluid or pus for several days before forming a yellow crust.
It heals without scarring.
Folliculitisis another throw in of bacterial infection that can itch.
An eczema rash may look blotchy, red, and flakey.
It’s most likely to appear on the face, elbows, knees, hands, or feet.
Scratching can increase redness, itching, and swelling.
One sign of contact dermatitis is that it appears at the point of contact.
The itchy rash may be red or pink, flat or raised.
A severe reaction can lead to blisters filled with clear fluid.
The telltale sign of hives are the raised, red bumps that pop up suddenly and itch intensely.
There may be swelling beneath the skin.
Hives usually resolve within 24 hours, though they can last longer.
Psoriasis
Psoriasisis an overproduction of skin cells.
There are different types of psoriasis, with plaque psoriasis being the most common.
Plaque psoriasis appears as thick, raised patches of varying sizes.
Some may have silver scales that itch.
Scratching may cause the patches to get even thicker.
An allergic reaction to medication can involve both itching and a rash.
An allergic reaction can cause an itchy rash anywhere on the body.
This can happen right away or years into treatment.
Allopurinol
Allopurinol, such as the brands Zyloprin or Caplenal, is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor.
Skin rash and itching can happen but are not common.
Amiodarone
Amiodarone, including the brand Pacerone, is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms.
Rash is one potential side effect.
Diuretics
Diureticshelp get rid of excess water in the body.
Some people who take diuretics develop a rash in reaction to the drug.
The rash usually appears on the legs in the form of purple skin eruptions.
Estrogen
Estrogen affects many parts of the body, including the skin.
A rash can be a reaction tohormonal birth controlpills.
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
Hydroxyethyl celluloseis an ingredient in many personal care and medical products.
Anallergic reactioncan cause itchiness, rash, and hives.
Opioids
Itching is a very common side effect of pain medications known asopioids.
One potential side effect is itchy, red skin.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.
Side effects can include itching, rash, hives, and peeling or blistering skin.
Side effects include rash, itching, and hives.
Shingles
Thevaricella-zoster viruscauses chicken pox and shingles.
The most common symptom of chicken pox is an itchy rash that progresses into blisters before scabbing over.
After recovery fromchicken pox, the virus remains dormant in the nervous system.
It can reactivate years later asshingles.
Shingles can cause neurological problems and seriouscomplications.
Itching can outlast the rash.
Scratching won’t ease the itch and too much scratching can lead to skin problems.
Stroke
It’s not unusual to experience strange sensations following astroke.
These can include itching, pins and needles, or the feeling that something is running over your skin.
Brain Tumor
Abrain tumorcan cause generalized itching.
This could be due to an allergic reaction totumor-specific antigensor pressure on certain parts of the brain.
Intense scratching can damage the skin and lead to skin problems.
Skin problems and psychiatric problems often coexist.
Depression
Research suggests there’s a link betweendepressionand itch.
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomaniais a condition in which you have an overwhelming urge to pull out your own hair.
In some cases, this urge may start with a tingle or itch just under the scalp or skin.
Kidney Disease
Dry skin and itching are symptoms of advancedkidney disease.
Liver Disease
Itching is a common symptom of chronicliver disease.
Scratching doesn’t offer relief, which can impact mental health.
It can present as raised red patches that itch, flat pale areas, or small pink growths.
A key sign of basal cell cancer is that these areas are easily injured and slow to heal.
Itchy breast skin can be a sign ofinflammatory breast cancer.
Inflammatory breast cancer rarely involves a breast lump.
In addition to itching, symptoms can include pitting of the skin, rash, and an inverted nipple.
Diabetes
Diabetescan cause itching for several reasons.
If your circulation is poor, itching is likely to occur on the lower legs.
Anyone can develop dry skin, but the occurrence increases with age.
That may be the case if you just started a new medication or have a distinctive rash.
Otherwise, your provider will assess your health to determine the next steps.
Chronic itching, on the other hand, can affect your quality of life.
There are many causes of itching, from a simple mosquito bite to advanced liver disease.
If you have a chronic itch, it’s worth seeing a healthcare provider to find out why.
That’s often the case.
But intense itching can interfere with just about every aspect of your life.
That doesn’t mean you have to endure it in silence.
Many things that cause itching are treatable.
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