What are the diseases that manifest through itching on the body?

Although it is sometimes seen as a normal condition, health professionals stress the importance of paying close attention to itchy skin. This sensation, also called pruritus, is uncomfortable and irritating and can unknowingly indicate some diseases.

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Medline Plus, the National Library of Medicine of the United States, indicated that some measures that can be taken to manage itching are:

– Do not scratch or rub the affected areas. Keep your nails short to avoid damaging the skin when scratching.

– Use cool, light bedding. Avoid wearing rough clothing, such as wool, over the affected area.

– Take warm baths using little soap and rinsing thoroughly. Try an oatmeal bath or a cornstarch bath to soothe your skin.

– Use a moisturizing cream on your skin, particularly during dry winter months. Dry skin is a common cause of itching.

– Apply cold compresses to the affected area.

– Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat or humidity.

Engage in activities that distract you from itching during the day and are strenuous enough to allow you to sleep at night.

– Try an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on itchy areas.

Diseases that can cause itching on the skin

Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to clinical practice, education and research, notes that itchy skin can affect small areas, such as the scalp, an arm or leg, or cover the entire body.

For this reason, on its website it explained that the causes of itchy skin are the following:

– Skin diseases: Examples include dry skin (xerosis), eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, parasites, burns, scars, insect bites, and hives.

– Internal diseases: Having itchy skin all over your body may be a symptom of an underlying disease, such as liver or kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems, multiple myeloma, or lymphoma.

– Nervous system disorders: Examples include multiple sclerosis, pinched nerves, and shingles (herpes zoster).

– Psychiatric illnesses: Examples include anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression.

– Irritation and allergic reactions: Wool, chemicals, soaps, and other substances can irritate the skin and cause rashes and itching. Sometimes substances such as poison ivy or cosmetics cause an allergic reaction. Also, reactions to certain medications, such as narcotic pain relievers (opioids), can cause itchy skin.