Itchy skin – causes, treatment and prevention

Itchy skin

Itchy skin is a problem for many adults, but also more and more children. If the symptoms remain untreated, itchy skin can reduce the quality of life. It is important to clarify the causes of the itching at an early stage and to initiate an adequate therapy. A change in personal lifestyle can also bring about an improvement.

What is itchy skin?

Itchy skin in itself is not a defined clinical picture, but a symptom of many possible clinical pictures in dermatology. In principle, itchy skin can affect anyone, regardless of gender and age. Recently there have been increasing reports of babies and children already suffering from itchy skin.

Itchy skin is often associated with neurodermatitis , also known as atopic eczema . Neurodermatitis is a skin disease caused by allergens or other irritations that cause red, rough patches of skin and severe itching . If atopic eczema remains untreated, severe skin damage and inflammation can develop, which can also spread to other organs.

causes

The causes of itchy skin can be varied. More and more people today suffer from allergies that can cause itching. The precise cause of allergies has not yet been scientifically clarified down to the last detail. There is a hereditary component. For example, children with one parent suffering from an allergy already have a 40-fold increased risk of also suffering from an allergy. 

But living conditions can also play a role: Smoking and working with toxins, for example, can trigger allergies. Allergies also play an important role in relation to neurodermatitis. Various allergens irritate the top layer of skin, which becomes red and dry . This is how the primary itching occurs. The itching, which children in particular can hardly be prevented from doing, causes open skin.

Now bacteria and fungi have an easy time, which can now colonize these skin areas. The result is increased itching. Aside from neurodermatitis, itchy skin can also be caused by washing the skin too hot or generally not caring for it properly. Especially in the winter months, depending on the individual skin type, the skin needs nourishing, high-fat care. If this does not happen, the skin begins to flake and itch. Aggressive cleansing gels can also cause itching. Itching can also be caused by make-up that is not removed regularly.

Diseases

When to the doctor?

If you have itchy skin that comes on for no apparent reason, your symptoms should be reported to a doctor. This also applies if the itching lasts for a longer period of several weeks or months. In the summer months or as a result of sporting activities, itching on the skin can be caused by perspiration and wearing water-repellent clothing. In this case, sufficient body cleansing is sufficient and clothing should be changed.

Itchy skin can be a sign of an allergic reaction . A doctor’s visit is necessary so that an allergy test can be used to determine which substances or ingredients in clothing are responsible. If other symptoms such as exhaustion, apathy or tiredness occur, a doctor should be consulted. This also applies to symptoms such as dizziness, general weakness or sleep disorders. There are diseases that need to be diagnosed and treated through various examinations.

If you give in to the itching on the skin, scratching often damages the individual layers of the skin. If this causes inflammation, pain or pus, consult a doctor. There is a possibility that the symptoms will spread further. If there are changes in the skin due to redness, blistering or swelling, a doctor should be contacted.

diagnosis and course

If the itching of the skin is not treated, the course can be serious even if the causes are actually harmless. Anyone who constantly itches their skin usually scratches it open. This creates entry points for bacteria and fungi, which, regardless of the original problem, can trigger new inflammation and new itching.

Allergies that trigger itchy skin should also be treated by a specialist. If left untreated, further cross-allergies could develop. Diagnosing itchy skin belongs in the hands of a dermatologist. The family doctor can also be a good first point of contact, who can refer you if necessary.

For diagnostic purposes, the dermatologist usually first examines the skin under a special magnifying glass and can thus carry out a more detailed examination. The anamnesis also includes the doctor asking about your living conditions, for example about known allergies or previous skin diseases. When it comes to allergies, special blood tests or the so-called skin prick test are often required for diagnosis.

complications

There are a number of complications associated with itchy skin. The complications are mostly causal. If the hives are the cause of the itching, the typical wheal formation occurs. Consequently, Quincke’s edema can also develop. The skin swells, especially on the face, tongue, throat, eyelids and lips. Those affected become hoarse and their voice changes. Swelling in the throat area can also be life-threatening. There is a risk of suffocation.

Itchy skin often puts a psychological strain on those affected. If the joints are involved, severe pain can also occur. Affected skin areas can become infected with other pathogens such as bacteria or fungi. Another cause of itchy skin is scabies. Affected people usually scratch themselves very often. This can cause wounds that, in severe cases, can become infected with bacteria. As a result, superinfection occurs. If streptococci are among the pathogens, the spread of the pathogen and inflammation of the renal pelvis cannot be ruled out.

treatment and therapy

The treatment of itchy skin depends on the cause. These often consist of an unfavorable lifestyle, such as smoking or improper cleaning of the skin. Even minor changes can have a positive effect on the complexion and itching. Giving up smoking for better skin is always worth it.

In addition, a skin consultation may be necessary to determine which skin type you belong to. For example, dry skin needs different cleansing products than oily or combination skin. If allergies are the cause of itchy skin, the basic treatment is always to avoid the allergen as much as possible. However, this is not always possible.

Special medications that prevent the allergic reaction of the immune system can help here. The mode of action of these so-called antihistamines has been steadily improved in recent years, so that no extreme side effects are to be expected if they are taken properly.Those affected by neurodermatitis first need good basic skin care for treatment. It is not always easy to find the right cream here. There is also room for trial and error with neurodermatitis – often you have to try out a few creams or lotions before you find the right one. If the skin is in an acute attack of neurodermatitis and is very itchy, creams with cortisone can also be used.

prevention

Itchy skin can be prevented by regular cleaning and care. Cleansing products must be tailored to the individual skin type. Whether and to what extent allergies and neurodermatitis can be effectively prevented has not yet been conclusively clarified scientifically.Children who are at risk should be breastfed for as long as possible and consult a pediatrician before introducing complementary foods. Particular care must be taken here. In the case of skin changes, a dermatologist should always be consulted before the itching becomes unbearable.

Once the skin is very scratched and superinfections occur, the treatment becomes all the more complex. An early visit to the dermatologist can be good prevention of serious skin problems with itching.

outlook and prognosis

Itchy skin is a condition that can occur naturally for many different reasons. For this reason, the possible prognoses are just as varied, so that medical care is absolutely necessary in many cases. Anyone who refrains from treatment by a doctor in this context is exposing themselves to great danger. Frequently, constant scratching creates an open wound that is prone to inflammation. Bacteria can lodge in an open wound, which can lead to serious inflammation. In particularly bad cases, it can even lead to the formation of pus, so this is always a sign of a significant deterioration.

As the disease progresses, an abscess may develop. An abscess is a cavity filled with pus. If this liquid gets into the human bloodstream, it can even lead to dangerous blood poisoning. Of course, this clinical picture should also be quickly examined by a specialist and treated accordingly. If a mosquito bite is the cause of the itchy skin, then the prognosis can be assumed to be positive. The same applies to itchy skin caused by using the wrong detergent or sun allergy . After a day or two, the itching will subside.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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