Itching as a symptom of diseases of internal organs and skin. Generalized itching is a signal that warns of the development of many internal pathologies Inflammation and itching of the skin

Itching is usually accompanied by unpleasant burning, tingling, and redness of the skin. Very often, this symptom appears as a result of skin interaction with chemicals, poisonous insects, plants, or other irritants. Also, itching on the body can appear due to allergens that enter the body through the mouth or injections. If such an ailment is found, you should immediately seek help from a dermatologist. Skin irritation and redness may indicate a person has a serious medical condition.

Whatever the reasons for which the whole body itches and itches, it is important to ease the discomfort as soon as possible.

In this article, we will detail the causes and treatments for itchy skin.

The main types of itching

Why does the body itch? This process occurs due to the fact that the person touches and begins to massage the affected area. After that, in this area of the skin, blood circulation processes are enhanced, toxins are removed from the lymph flow. The desire to scratch the skin temporarily disappears, but over time, itching reappears.

Doctors have divided the itching of the skin of the body into two types:

Localized. Severe burning sensation occurs in certain areas of the skin (for example, in the perineum, anus, legs, arms, etc.).
Generalized. The unpleasant symptom covers the whole body. In this case, skin redness may be absent.

Both types of itching can be temporary or permanent. If a person has a strong burning sensation for a long time, then this can provoke the onset of other symptoms (sleep disturbance, lack of appetite, uncontrolled scratching of the skin until blood appears).

Doctors have found that itching on the skin worsens in the evening. This is due to the fact that the body temperature becomes higher and the vessels dilate. This in turn leads to increased blood circulation.

Common causes of itchy body skin

A burning sensation and tingling sensation of the skin can appear due to various diseases or upon contact with irritants. It is very difficult to independently identify the cause of such an ailment. So, let's consider what it can be.

One of the reasons the body may itch is hives.

In most cases, the body itches due to an allergic reaction. Any type of allergy has a negative effect on the skin. This is due to the production of histamine in the body. This substance violates the integrity of the structure of the epidermis.

An allergic reaction can cause itching throughout the body

Also, in some cases, the body itches due to a person's contact with external stimuli. Irritation may result from exposure to the following allergens:

chemicals (including cosmetic products);
contact with poisonous plants;
insect bites;
some food items;
side effect of taking medications.

It is extremely difficult to independently determine why the skin itches. Therefore, if redness, burning and tingling occurs, you should immediately seek help from a qualified specialist.

Diagnostics

Before starting therapy, it is necessary to identify the cause of the unpleasant symptom. To do this, you need to see a dermatologist. This doctor examines and treats skin conditions. If you are sure that the skin can itch due to an allergic reaction, then you should contact an allergist.

Patient diagnostics is carried out according to the following plan:

Examination of the skin.
Collecting information about the symptoms and well-being of the patient.
Laboratory research.

In order to make the correct diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an individual examination for the patient. The patient must donate blood (for biochemical, general and detailed analysis), feces and urine. He will also need to undergo X-rays, endoscopy and ultrasound (ultrasound). In some cases, the doctor may prescribe the patient an analysis for tumor markers.

These research methods help to identify abnormalities in the functioning of organs, to detect inflammatory processes, allergic reactions and to assess the state of the body.

Treatment methods

If you experience burning, tingling and redness of the skin, you should pay special attention to personal hygiene. If itchy skin all over the body, it is recommended to wipe the epidermis daily with vinegar solution. In the presence of localized itching (in the anus or perineum), it is necessary to thoroughly rinse these places twice a day (morning and evening).

Drug treatment

To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, ointments are used. It is worth remembering that these medicines are temporary in nature, and they will not help to permanently get rid of irritation on the skin.

The most effective medicines for external use:

Sinaflan. The ointment is applied to the affected area no more than four times a day. With prolonged use of the product, pigmentation disorders, dryness, hair loss, etc. may appear on the skin. Read the instructions before using the ointment.
Levomekol. An effective ointment for itchy skin, has an anti-inflammatory effect. Contraindications: hypersensitivity, the presence of a trophic ulcer or severe burns. Side effects when using the drug are extremely rare.
Fenistil gel. The agent is applied to the affected areas several times a day. Sometimes the gel can cause dry skin. When more serious side effects you must immediately stop using the product.

Before applying medicinal ointments to the skin, be sure to read the instructions for use.

In most cases, skin irritation is due to elevated histamine levels. To eliminate the symptoms of itching, doctors recommend using antihistamines.

Tablets:

Suprastin. The dosage of the drug is prescribed individually (depending on the age and weight of the patient). Side effects are rare and pass quickly. The drug should not be used in children under three years of age, during pregnancy, lactation and with lactose intolerance.
Erius. Common side effects when using tablets: dry mouth, weakness, headache, anaphylactic shock. The drug is contraindicated in lactating and pregnant women. Also, it should not be used for renal failure.
Claritin. The drug acts on the cause of the itching of the skin on the body. You can completely get rid of irritation in just one week. The dosage is no more than one tablet (10 mg) per day.
Tavegil. Take the tablets before meals with water. Children from 6 to 12 years old are recommended to drink 1/2 tablet a day. Dosage for adults and children over 12 years old - 1 mg twice a day (morning and evening).

Glucocorticosteroid-based ointments:

Triderm. This tool has an anti-inflammatory effect, quickly eliminates redness and irritation of the skin. Treatment lasts no more than one month. Side effects when using the cream are rare. Steroid ointment has a number of contraindications, read the instructions before using it.
Ftorocort. Medicinal ointment should not be used by pregnant and lactating women, young children. Also, this remedy is not recommended for use with fungus, syphilis and skin tuberculosis. It is necessary to apply the cream to the affected area 2-3 times during the day. If the whole body itches after using the medication, you should consult a doctor.
Lorinden. With prolonged use of steroid ointment, some side effects may appear: dryness and short-term redness of the skin, impaired pigmentation of the epidermis. The product is applied in a thin layer to the skin no more than three times a day. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.

It is strictly forbidden to apply the above medications without a doctor's recommendation. Self-medication can worsen your health and lead to various complications.

Traditional medicine

What to do if the body itches, but you do not have the opportunity to visit a dermatologist? You can eliminate burning and redness using traditional medicine... It is worth remembering that home remedies only help temporarily relieve itching.

Consider the recipes:

First aid in case of inflammation is a cream with chamomile extract or glycerin. It is necessary to apply the cream 4 times a day.
If itching is caused by an insect bite, rub the affected area with alcohol.
Soda lotion. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water. If desired, you can add chamomile tincture or baby cream to the paste. Apply the resulting product to the skin, after a while rinse it off with water.
Mix equal proportions of tea tree oil and menthol. This product will pleasantly cool the skin, eliminate redness and irritation. Treat the itchy skin of the body until all symptoms have completely disappeared. Repeat the procedure several times a day.
Add chamomile tincture, baking soda, and salt to your bath. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes.
Pumpkin seeds. In order to alleviate unpleasant symptoms, it is recommended to eat 2-3 tablespoons of seeds in the morning (on an empty stomach). You can also add them to various dishes (sauces, salads, drinks).
After shower, do not apply to the body. a large number of olive oil.

Preventive measures

Observing hygiene, you will protect yourself from many dermatological problems.

In order to prevent the development of itching of the skin of the whole body, it is recommended to carry out the following preventive actions:

Take care of your personal hygiene, but do not get carried away too much. Too frequent washing of the body and head leads to impaired sebum secretion. It is advisable to take a shower no more than once a day. Also try to use natural detergents and hypoallergenic soaps.
Install a humidifier at home. It will keep your skin healthy.
Avoid stress and emotional turmoil. To calm down, drink herbal tea every night.
Try not to wear synthetic fabrics as they can cause irritation.

You also need to monitor your diet. To prevent the development of itching throughout the body, it is necessary to exclude spicy, smoked, flour and fatty foods from the diet. Avoid foods that can cause allergies (alcohol, chocolate, oranges, grapefruit, nuts, etc.). Vegetables, lean meats, cereals and dairy products should be the mainstay of your diet.

Classification

Itchy skin - an external manifestation, accompanied by irritation of the skin area and a strong desire to itch. Anyone can experience this symptom, regardless of age or gender. In medicine, there is a classification of pruritus, which is based on its individual characteristics.

In terms of prevalence, itchy skin is distinguished:

Generalized. The phenomenon is typical for the skin of the whole body.
Focal (localized). A well-defined pathological area of the skin is highlighted.

Depending on the causes of the occurrence:

Dermatological. It develops as a symptom of skin diseases.
Systemic as an external manifestation of pathologies of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, thyroid gland.
Psychogenic. It arises against the background of stressful situations that give rise to neuroses.
Neuropathic. Formed as a result of diseases of the nervous system.

There are several specific types of itchy skin:

Aquagenic. Occurs when skin comes in contact with water.
Senile. Itching sensation appears in 60-70% of people after 70 years.
Reflex. Overly emotional or agitated people have a desire to scratch if they hear or see an annoying phenomenon or object.
High-rise. The symptom develops when a person rises to a great height.

Causes

The urge to scratch occurs as a result of the rush of blood to the receptors located in the upper layer of the skin. The blood may contain hormones, acids, toxins, which stimulate the irritation of the receptors.

The release into the blood of certain compounds in excess occurs under the influence of diseases or external phenomena. In this regard, several groups of factors can be distinguished that cause itching.

Dermatological diseases

Skin diseases are often accompanied by severe itching. It can either concentrate in one or several areas, or spread throughout the body. The skin itches unbearably with the following diseases:

Itching can be a symptom of not only skin diseases, but also pathologies. internal organs... It is caused by the following diseases:

Physiological causes

Sometimes itchy skin is not associated with diseases:

The period of menopause and pregnancy in women. Hormonal changes in the body provoke the release of hormones into the bloodstream, which leads to irritation of receptors on the surface of the skin.
Stressful situations. Overexcitement, stress contribute to the flow of blood to the epidermis, which provokes the desire to scratch.
Taking medications. Some of the medicines on the side effect list have itchy skin. It can be caused by an allergy to drugs.
Senile itching. After 70 years, the work of the sebaceous glands is disrupted, the skin does not retain moisture well and dries out. Lack of nutrition and loss of regenerative functions of the skin with age leads to regular scratching.
Overheating, hypothermia, or frequent contact with water. Natural factors contribute to dryness and cracking skin.
Lack of hygiene. If a person rarely bathes or uses aggressive detergents, the epidermis is affected and itching occurs.

Important! To establish the exact reason why the skin itches can only be based on a combination of several symptoms.

The dermatovenerologist Conte M.G. will tell you about the causes of itching. She will tell you in detail about diseases, one of the symptoms of which is the desire to scratch.

Since there are more than 100 factors that can provoke itching, the dermatologist prescribes a whole complex diagnostic activities... The patient's initial visit to a dermatologist includes:

Collecting anamnesis, including information about additional symptoms.
Examination, during which the dermatologist carefully examines the patient's skin.

The second stage of the survey involves:

blood test, including biochemical;
Analysis of urine;
examination of feces for the presence of pathogenic bacteria;
scraping from the affected skin to establish the presence of pathogens.

If there is a suspicion of diseases of internal organs, the doctor directs the patient for examination by specialized specialists (endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, oncologist, etc.).

Treatment

Methods for eliminating itching are selected depending on the reasons that gave rise to the unpleasant symptom.

Skin diseases

Treatment of itching in dermatological diseases is carried out not only with drugs for external use, but also with drugs for internal use.

Neurodermatitis. The disease involves taking antihistamines ("Astemizole", "Loratadin") and sedatives ("Phenazepam", "Aminazin") drugs. For external treatment ointments are used: antiseptic (zinc, ichthyol, tar), anti-inflammatory (Bepanten, Gistan), nourishing (Radevit), corticosteroid (Sinaflan, Advantan).

Hives. Treatment involves limiting contact with the allergen, taking antihistamines (Claritin, Cetrin, Zyrtec), hormonal medications (Nerobol, Retabolil). Zinc, naphthalan ointments, hormonal creams ("Flucinar", "Fluorocort") are applied externally.

Pediculosis. For pubic and armpit hair, use tar soap, boric acid, or serortute ointment. Shampoos and aerosols for pediculosis (Veda, NOK, Sumitrin) help well.
Xeroderma. To relieve itching and exfoliation of scales, ointments with salicylic acid, urea (Keratolan, Ureotop) are used. Baths with collagen, salt and soda are useful. Compresses with propylene glycol solution give a good result.

Lichen planus. The treatment is complex, it includes several groups of medicines: immunosuppressants (Cyclosporin A, Chloroquine), systemic corticosteroids (Metipred, Prednisolone), interferons (Interferon-alpha 2b, Neovir), drugs with vitamin A (Tigazon, Acitretin), antihistamines (Zyrtec, Diazolin), antibiotics (Metacyclin, Azithromycin).

Dermatitis. To relieve symptoms, contact with an allergen is minimized, antihistamine ointments and creams (Zodak, Claritin, Cetrin), antifungal and antimicrobial medicines (Candide, Terbix) are used.

Fungal skin lesions. To eliminate pathogens, antifungal drugs are used, both externally and internally (Exoderil, Pimafucin, Candide, Nizoral, Diflucan).

Folliculitis. Take antibiotics ("Erythromycin", "Cephalexin") or antifungal medications ("Fluconazole", "Terbinafine") depending on the causative agent of the disease. Treat affected skin with brilliant green, methylene blue, salicylic, or boric alcohol.

Demodectic mange. Treatment is mainly local, consisting in the application of sulfuric ointment or benzyl benzoate, treatment of skin areas with tar soap. For the prevention of secondary bacterial infection within complex therapy use Trichopolum.

Internal diseases

In diseases of the internal organs, itchy skin is just one of the many symptoms of pathology. The course of treatment is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause; topical preparations only improve the condition of the skin and reduce itching.

Diseases of the liver, gallbladder. To eliminate discomfort, with cholestasis and other diseases of the liver and gallbladder, medications are used that reduce the level of bile acids in the blood: ursodeoxycholic acid, "Cholestyramine", "Phenobarbital", "Rifampicin", "Naloxon", "Tavegil".

Renal itching. UVB therapy (12 courses) will help soothe itching in kidney diseases. For longer treatment are prescribed: "Activated carbon", "Thalidomide", "Naltrexon", "Ondansetron", antihistamines ("Tavegil"), for local use "Capsaicin cream".

Endocrine diseases. If thyroid function is impaired, the course of treatment is usually based on hormonal medications ("L-Thyroxin"). With diabetes mellitus, insulin preparations are prescribed. After a course of replacement therapy, the itching goes away by itself.

Diseases of the blood. Treatment of blood oncology is very difficult, in severe stages it includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and blood stem cell transplantation. At iron deficiency anemia prescribe iron preparations in the form of injections or orally (Sorbifer Durules, Totema).

Immunodeficiency states.... Local treatment in the course of therapy for HIV infection is to moisturize and nourish the skin in order to eliminate dryness. To do this, use fatty creams that create a protective film on the skin ("Silicone").
Diseases of the nervous system. To normalize the patient's condition, doctors prescribe sedatives (Adaptol, Akatinol Memantin, Actovegin). To relieve itching, use ointments and creams with a soothing effect, such as Nezulin cream gel.

Avitaminosis. If you lack vitamins A, B, take vitamin complexes (Alphabet, Revit, Vitrum). Cream "Radevit" possesses nutritious properties.

Intestinal helminths. You can cope with an unpleasant symptom (itching) only by eliminating the cause. To get rid of helminths, take "Vormil", "Vermox", "Pirantel". Creams "Bepanten", "Actovegin" will help to reduce skin itching.

Periarteritis nodosa. Treatment of the disease is complex, including drugs immunosuppressants-cytostatics "Azathioprine", "Cyclophosphamide", drugs against hyperthrombosis "Heparin", "Pentoxifylline". For external use, hormonal ointments "Prednisolone", "Hydrocortisone", "Akriderm-GK" are recommended.

Important! Treat itching with internal diseases and allergies very carefully. Hormonal and antihistamines have many side effects!

Prevention of physiological itching

If the skin itching is not associated with the presence of dermatological diseases or pathologies of internal organs, preventive measures will help to reduce the discomfort:

Folk remedies

Traditional methods help reduce the symptoms of itching, but they do not cope with serious illnesses. In case of serious pathologies, they are used only as part of complex therapy.

Ingredients:

Sunflower oil - 1 tbsp
Onions - 6 pcs.
Wax - 1 tablespoon

How to cook: Boil oil and add chopped onions to it. When the onions have darkened, strain the mixture and add the crushed wax to it. Boil for another 5 minutes, cool.

How to apply: Apply to the affected skin area for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a day.

Result: The ointment relieves itching, moisturizes the skin.

Boric acid chatterbox

Ingredients:

Black tea - 50 g.
Boric acid - 5-7 drops.
Medical alcohol - 7 drops.

How to cook: Boil 0.5 liters of water and brew tea. Add alcohol and boric acid to the cooled and strained liquid.

How to apply: Lubricate the affected skin 2-3 times a day.

Result: The skin is disinfected, the itching goes away.

Ingredients:

Mint or lemon balm leaves - 10 g.
Vodka - 50 ml.

How to cook: Pour mint leaves with vodka and leave the mixture for a week.

How to apply: Wipe the affected areas with tincture 2-3 times a day.

Result: Essential oils mint soothes the skin, itching goes away.

Question answer

What childhood diseases can be accompanied by itchy skin?

The skin must itch with chickenpox, watery blisters appear on the body. For the treatment of the disease, antiviral agents are prescribed ("Viferon", "Cycloferon"). Lubricate the rash with a solution of brilliant green (brilliant green). The solution helps to relieve itching and disinfect wounds. Sometimes the skin itches with rubella, while the rash is bright pink, occurs against a background of fever, cough, runny nose.

Can senile itching be cured?

As we age, the skin becomes drier. The reason is a general slowdown in metabolic processes in the body. It is impossible to completely cope with age-related itching. To reduce discomfort, use oily creams to nourish and moisturize the skin (Belita, Green Mama).

How to relieve itching during pregnancy?

If the pregnant woman does not suffer from any of the above diseases, the cause of itchy skin during pregnancy is hormonal changes and stretching of the skin. Since most drugs for women in position are prohibited, use folk remedies: make lotions from oatmeal soaked in milk, wash the skin with broths of a string, calendula, chamomile. Observe the drinking regime (at least 1.5 liters per day pure water) and preventive measures.

What to remember:

Itching can be caused by both physiological factors and diseases.
Start treatment only after establishing the exact cause.
Do not use antihistamines or hormonal ointments without a doctor's prescription.
Observe preventive measures for itching, whatever the reason for its occurrence.
If ointments or folk remedies are ineffective, see a dermatologist and get tested.

An unpleasant feeling of irritation of a particular area of the skin, causing a person noticeable discomfort, is called itching.

Human skin contains a large number of susceptible nerve endings that respond to all kinds of stimuli (chemical irritation, touch, vibration). In certain cases, with mechanical irritation of the skin (for example, if an insect is crawling over you) or under the influence of a number of chemicals, there is a desire to comb the skin in the stimulated area in order to remove the irritant (the so-called itching).

With allergies, dermatitis and other inflammatory and allergic skin diseases, it is observed in its composition an increase in the amount of histamine- a substance that, by irritating the nerve endings, causes itching. Most of the drugs used to treat itching relieve the itching sensation by blocking the effect of histamine on nerve endings. In addition to itching, histamine causes dilated blood vessels and tissue swelling, resulting in itchy areas of skin that tend to have a bright pinkish-red color and appear somewhat swollen compared to healthy skin areas.

With obstructive jaundice (damage to the liver and bladder), a significant amount of bile acids and bilirubin is deposited in the skin. These substances, being strong irritants of nerve endings, can lead to unbearable itching of the skin. People with diabetes have itching in the genitals and anus. This is due to the fact that with an increase in blood sugar levels, the growth of yeast occurs.

Causes of itching

The causes of itching can be very different. Today, medicine is known for several dozen diseases, the symptom of which is itching in various parts of the body. To identify the cause of itching, it is necessary to take into account factors such as the place of itching, skin changes in the localization of itching, and other symptoms accompanying itching. Next, we will turn to the most common causes of itching, characterize its main features, and also consider additional symptoms inherent in each disease associated with itchy skin.

So, the main causes of itching:
1. Skin diseases.
2. Diseases of organs and body systems:
Itching can be caused by a number of blood disorders. For example, with erythremia, that is, an increase in the number of erythrocytes in the blood (the so-called Vakez disease), the characteristic itching appears after water procedures - a bath or shower. Another disease of the blood system, manifested as itching in the lower extremities, is Hodgkin's lymphoma. With this disease, there is a noticeable increase in one or more lymph nodes.
with gallstone disease, when the stone clogs gall bladder, as a rule, mechanical (another name - cholestatic) jaundice develops. With this type of jaundice, a significant part of the pigment bilirubin, which is part of the bile, enters the bloodstream and is deposited on the skin. Acting on the cutaneous nerve endings, bilirubin causes obvious itching of the skin. Among other symptoms of obstructive jaundice, the skin, the sclera of the eyes and the mucous membrane of the mouth turn yellow, recurrent pains in the right hypochondrium (can be either aching or very severe), etc.
a number of liver diseases (cancer, hepatitis, cirrhosis) can also lead to skin itching.
in rare cases, itching signals the presence of diabetes mellitus (especially itching in the genital area) or chronic renal failure (renal amyloidosis, chronic pyelonephritis), etc. In such cases, in addition to itching, there are other characteristic symptoms.
multiple sclerosis, which is a disease of the central nervous system associated with the destruction of the nerve sheath and impaired conduction of impulses along the nerve trunk. This type of sclerosis has the following symptoms: tingling sensation, numbness, blurred vision, imbalance, paralysis, hand tremors, etc., including itchy skin.
a number of mental illnesses also have itchy skin as a symptom (for example, neuroses, psychosis). As a rule, itching, which has a "mental" etymology, is closely related in time to the moment of stress. That is stress causes or worsens itchy skin.

Various types of localization of itching

Pruritus can be localized or occur over the entire surface of the body. As a rule, itching on a localized skin area occurs in women in the genital area, and in men in the anal area.

2. Genital itching- the desire to scratch the skin in the genital area (in women it manifests itself as itching of the labia and vagina, in men - in the scrotum and glans). Inguinal itching can occur as symptom of many inflammatory diseases skin and genitals.

In women, genital itching can be caused by:
sexually transmitted diseases (candidiasis, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis, etc.) are usually accompanied by severe itching in the vagina, discharge from it, a feeling of discomfort when urinating (pain, cramps), reddening of the skin in the perineum, cracking, which can develop an environment conducive to infection.
bacterial vaginosis (vaginal dysbiosis) is a disease in which the ratio of normal and pathogenic microflora of the vagina is disrupted. The causes of bacterial vaginosis are as follows: regular wearing of tight underwear, non-observance of basic rules of personal hygiene, taking antibiotic drugs, intestinal diseases, etc. Bacterial vaginosis manifests itself with the following symptoms: vaginal itching, sticky, foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
other gynecological diseases: inflammation of the cervix (colpitis), a decrease in the size (so-called atrophy) of the vulva (krauosis of the vulva) - all these diseases also have pronounced itching in the genital area as symptoms.

In men, itching in the genital area can be caused by the following reasons:
sexually transmitted diseases (candidiasis, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, etc.). Most often, other symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases among men are: burning and cramps during ejaculation and urination, varying intensity of discharge from the urethra, etc.
balanoposthitis is an inflammatory process in the glans penis and on the foreskin. Symptoms of balanoposthitis are as follows: redness or itching of the glans penis, swelling of the foreskin, a feeling of pain when the head of the penis is exposed.
if after intercourse a man feels itching of the head of the penis, this may indicate increased acidity vaginal discharge from a partner.

In both women and men, itching in the groin area can occur with scabies, especially in the case of a sexually transmitted infection. The main symptoms of scabies: itching (especially worse at night), the appearance of whitish stripes on the skin (the so-called scabies) and itchy blisters, crusts, cracks.

3. Itchy scalp- recurrent or constant desire to comb the scalp. Itching in this area can be a symptom of various diseases, the main ones of which are:
lice (head lice).
seborrheic dermatitis (seborrhea) is a disease of the scalp, décolleté and face, characterized by a malfunction of the sebaceous glands. There are two types of seborrhea: with dry seborrhea, the activity of the sebaceous glands decreases, and with oily seborrhea, the sebaceous glands begin to secrete more sebum with a changed chemical composition.
lichen (dermatophytosis) is an infectious fungal infection of the skin that is most common in children. Lichen is characterized by hair loss on the head in one or more places.
dry scalp. With this particular feature of the skin, it is recommended to use cosmetic preparations for hair that have a moisturizing effect on the skin.

4. Itchy skin of the feet may testify about diseases of the vessels of the legs or about the defeat of the feet with a fungus. If you experience severe itching in the interdigital area of the feet, this may indicate a fungal infection of the feet (a type of dermatophytosis). Mycosis (foot fungus) is common in both men and women. This is a non-independent disease and is often combined with a fungal infection of the toenails (onychomycosis). With this disease, a thickening of the nail plate occurs, while the nails become cloudy, become friable, and crumble.

If itching is present in the feet and legs, it can be the cause of varicose veins, a disease of the leg vessels. As a rule, women suffer from varicose veins in their legs. Itching of the skin in the leg area against the background of varicose veins can be accompanied by frequent edema, a feeling of heaviness in the legs. In the later stages of varicose veins, a noticeable expanded venous network appears on the legs.

Itching during pregnancy

In women carrying a child, itching usually appears in the second half of pregnancy. It can cover the entire surface of the body, or it can concentrate in the back and abdomen.

The causes of itching during pregnancy are different. First, itching can occur due to the fact that the growing uterus stretches the skin of the abdomen. In the second part of pregnancy, the abdomen usually grows at a rapid pace, as a result of which the skin of the anterior abdominal wall stretches and becomes thinner. Stretching the skin can cause itching in the back and abdomen. In this case, the use of a moisturizer will be mandatory.

Secondly, itchy skin may also indicate a disease such as cholelithiasis. If, against the background of itchy skin, yellowing of the skin, sclera of the eyes and mucous membrane of the mouth is observed, an urgent need to go to the hospital. The presence of thrush may be indicated by itching of the genitals during pregnancy. Usually, after childbirth, the skin itching disappears, as if it did not exist.

Diagnosis and treatment of pruritus

We have already said that itchy skin can indicate the presence of many diseases, therefore, before treating itching, you need to establish the cause of its occurrence. Usually, by eliminating the cause of the itching, you get rid of this symptom itself. As soon as you find that you have itchy skin, you need to consult a dermatologist, who will direct you to the necessary tests and be able to make a diagnosis. It may be that the diagnosis will require the help of other doctors (allergist, endocrinologist, therapist, etc.).

The main principles of treating itchy skin are: getting rid of the cause of itching; with localized itching in a certain part of the body, local treatment and systemic (i.e. general) treatment are used. Before contacting a specialist dermatologist, you must not self-medicate (do not lubricate or treat the itch with any means), as this can complicate the diagnosis.

Diet for itchy skin

Often, the appearance of itchy skin is associated with an allergic reaction to certain foods (urticaria, atopic dermatitis). At the time of the onset of itching, it is necessary to cross out fried, spicy and fatty foods from the diet, as well as those foods that most often cause allergies (cheeses, coffee, citrus fruits, eggs, chocolate, meat broths, alcohol, etc.). If there is itching in the genital area or anus, you need to reduce the amount of sweets consumed (sugar, sweets, etc.). Porridge (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice), kefir, pasta, vegetable puree, lean boiled meat will be useful in this case.

Local treatment of itching

In the process of treating itchy skin, it is extremely important proper skin hygiene. If itching spreads throughout the body, it is advised to treat the skin surface from time to time 3-5- percentage solution of vinegar (moisten a sponge in the solution and rub the body with it), anesthesin and use talcum powder. With localized forms of itching (genital, anal itching), washing every morning and every night, as well as washing after a bowel movement ( warm water with the addition of soap).

For the treatment of anal itching effective means are all kinds of anti-inflammatory ointments - Triderm, Ultraproject, Locoid. However, it is important to remember that ointments only reduce the intensity of itching, but do not eliminate its cause, so their effect is temporary. To establish the real cause of anal itching and prescribe a full-fledged treatment, you need to consult a proctologist.

General treatment for itching

The most common mechanism for the development of itchy skin is an increase in the amount of histamine in the skin. To reduce the intensity of the itching, doctors prescribe antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Loratidin, Tavegil, Erius, Suprastin etc. Please note that most antihistamines inhibit the nervous system, as a result of which it is prohibited to drive vehicles during treatment with this group of drugs.

Severe itching of the skin is usually an irritant to the nervous system, resulting in a patient with this diagnosis suffers from irascibility. To eliminate this manifestation, medications are used that have a calming effect on the nervous system (so-called sedatives), these include: Novo-passit, valerian, mint tea, motherwort tincture other.

If the itching does not go away for a long time, you need to see a specialist.

Itching is an unpleasant sensation on the skin or mucous membrane of the body. It is expressed in tingling, irritation, sometimes burning, and causes an urgent need to scratch the affected area. Most often, itching occurs when discomfort occurs on the surface of the skin due to dermatological and allergic diseases, insect bites, during the healing of wounds and burns. It also occurs in liver diseases and endocrinological disorders.

Itching can also occur in the intimate area.

In this article, we will look at the main causes that cause itching, the symptoms for which you need to see a doctor immediately, and also we will analyze the methods of treatment that are used for various types of itching.

Itching in adults

Itching during pregnancy

Itching in women during pregnancy is of two types - skin and genital itching. Each of them has its own reasons and characteristics.

Itchy skin can be associated with a malfunction of the liver, due to which the level of bilirubin in the blood rises.

A predisposition to the appearance of itching of the skin is in those women who suffered from chronic diseases liver and biliary tract, had high blood cholesterol levels. Eliminate itching in this case will help the appointment of approved choleretic drugs, adherence to a special diet and drinking plenty of fluids.

Another reason for the appearance of itchy skin in women, characteristic of the second half of pregnancy, is the stretching of the skin on the chest and abdomen due to the rapid increase in their size. An unpleasant feature that many women are subject to is the appearance of scars (stretch marks) in places of the most severe stretching. For those who want to avoid their appearance, it is recommended to use special products, moisturizers, do a light massage of the skin, and refuse a hot shower.

Itching in women during pregnancy can be caused by gestational diabetes. Diabetes in pregnancy is a temporary rise in blood glucose levels associated with hormonal changes. As a result of the disease, the skin suffers - it becomes dry, flaky, microcracks appear on it, through which infection can penetrate. For patients with diabetes, fungal skin lesions are also characteristic. It is possible to eliminate skin manifestations by controlling the underlying disease - diabetes. This is done by an endocrinologist.

Sometimes pregnant women complain of itching in an intimate place. In addition to uncomfortable clothes and linen, insufficient hygiene, its causes can be:

Decreased immunity, due to which pathogenic bacteria and fungi multiply in the vagina. Symptoms of the disease in this case are discharge with an unpleasant odor or odorless itching, burning sensation when urinating.
Inflammation (colpitis, vaginitis) caused by sexually transmitted diseases.
Common diseases - diabetes, hepatitis, blood diseases.
Stress, physical and emotional stress.

Treatment of itching in the vagina during pregnancy is prescribed by a gynecologist after examination and examination (blood sampling, smear and microflora culture).

Itching in nursing mothers

Itching of the skin and mucous membranes in women who are breastfeeding can occur for the same reasons as everyone:

Skin diseases.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and endocrine disorders.
Sexual infections.
Hemorrhoids and anal fissure.

Treatment of itching in each of these cases consists in the treatment of the underlying disease that caused it. For this, drugs are used that are approved for breastfeeding.

There is also a special reason for the appearance of itching, characteristic of the feeding period - changes in the hormonal background. Due to a decrease in the production of estrogens, which provide firmness and elasticity to the skin, it becomes dry and dull. In addition, young mothers, taking care of the baby, cannot devote enough time to caring for themselves, do not get enough sleep and get tired.

The deficiency of vitamins and microelements also affects the condition of the skin, because women pass them on to their child with milk, but they do not always make up for their losses by taking vitamin complexes. Dry skin actively peels off, itching and burning are unnerving and haunted. To get rid of dryness, it is recommended to use a local moisturizer and drink plenty of water. Hormonal changes in the body after pregnancy, its adaptation to the period breastfeeding will be completed within a few months, and the skin will become smooth and blooming again.

Itching in the intimate area is a phenomenon characteristic of the stronger sex. Therefore, they often scratch their groin, and when asked about the reasons they simply say: "It itches." In fact, there are several explanations for itching in men:

Insufficient hygiene - a reaction on the skin appears due to the aggressive effects of urine.
Itching in the intimate area can cause inflammation of the foreskin (balanoposthitis).
Sexually transmitted infections and diseases (including genital herpes) are the cause of itching in men.
Pediculosis and scabies.
Allergies (including urticaria).

Itching in the groin and intimate area can be eliminated by:

Compliance with the rules of hygiene.
Wearing comfortable natural fabric underwear.
Exceptions to the use of care products that can cause allergies
Limitations of spicy foods in the diet.

Itching in children

Itchy skin is a common childhood problem. Its reasons may be:

Treatment depends on the cause of the itching: symptomatic therapy is indicated for infectious diseases, antihistamines are used to eliminate allergies, ringworm is cured with antifungal agents, etc.

A common cause of itching in the anal area and in children is enterobiasis (pinworm infection). Small thin worms, crawling out at night to lay eggs in the folds of the skin, cause an intolerable urge to scratch. If hygiene is poorly maintained, a baby can become infected again by swallowing eggs with food. Pinworms are often visible to the naked eye in a child's stool, but sometimes a swab is required from the skin around the anus. Treatment of enterobiasis with antihelminthic drugs should be carried out by all family members, regardless of whether they have manifestations of the disease. In addition to taking medication, you must observe hygiene - cut your nails short, wash your hands thoroughly, iron bed and underwear with a hot iron.

Itching in girls can also be caused by inflammation of the genital mucosa (vaginitis) and fusion of the labia (synechiae). These diseases are characterized by:

Redness and swelling
Odorless or unpleasant itching
Discharge from the genital tract.
Difficulty urinating.

With vulvitis, treatment consists of prescribing local and general antibiotics, antifungal agents, anti-inflammatory drugs. It is recommended to treat the genitals with antiseptics, herbal baths. With synechia, hormonal ointments are prescribed, and in an advanced case, the labia are separated surgically.

Itching without other symptoms

More often than not, itching is not the only symptom. In some cases, they appear immediately, in others - as the disease progresses. In any case, if itching, even without other symptoms, continues for several days, it is worth consulting with a specialist.

Depending on the type of disease, the nature and strength of itching can be different: the discomfort with head lice differs from the desire to scratch due to "chickenpox".

Itching in the vagina

Itching in the vagina is an unpleasant symptom that accompanies many diseases. It can be caused by:

Sexually transmitted diseases.
Fungal lesions.
A common cause of itching in the vagina is gynecological diseases.
Worms (pinworms crawling out of the rectum).
Neoplasms of the mucous membrane of the genitals.
Itching in older women is caused by hormonal changes.
Endocrine system diseases (diabetes mellitus)

Sometimes the reason for the unpleasant sensations is extremely simple - in the pursuit of beauty, the fair sex sacrifice health and wear uncomfortable but spectacular synthetic underwear that bites into the body. Synthetics are a favorable breeding ground for bacteria, since the skin underneath is not ventilated.

The result of wearing such underwear is that its owners complain of an unpleasant odor, itching in the genital area, discharge - this can be both vaginosis and "thrush" (candidiasis). With candidiasis, itching in the vagina is especially unpleasant, and forces women to start treatment as soon as possible, sometimes even without a doctor's prescription, but they are in no hurry to change underwear for natural. This leads to a vicious circle, when the disease repeats again and again, and previously used drugs no longer work.

Itching and burning

Itching and burning can accompany various diseases.

With itching, combined with a burning sensation in the anal area, the cause can be either excessive hygiene or its neglect. Other causes - hemorrhoids, fissures - give additional symptoms in the form of a feeling of a foreign body in the intestine, blood and pain during bowel movements.

A burning sensation and the desire to scratch the skin occurs with a strong allergic reaction such as urticaria. Appearance the affected area is similar to that obtained with a nettle burn - hence the name of the disease.

A "burning" sensation and itching occurs with insect bites. A lump usually develops at the site of the bite.

Genital itching combined with a burning sensation occurs in acute candidiasis in women. Patients complain of discomfort, cheesy discharge from the vagina or penis, burning sensation, especially intensifying after intercourse. Severe itching haunts, makes people irritable.

Itching and burning often occur as a reaction of the skin to irritation after shaving, depilation, as well as in diseases of the veins of the lower extremities, while there is swelling of the legs in the evening, varicose nodules under the skin.

Itching and redness are signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives). With urticaria, blisters and itchy red blisters appear on the skin, similar to a burn of the grass of the same name. What forms of the disease are there?

Cold - blisters appear after exposure to cold.
Solar - a reaction to direct sunlight.
Physical - appears after physical impact (for example, under the elastic of socks).
Cholinergic - small, severely itchy lesions. Stress, exercise, hot baths and food can be the cause.
Adrenergic - there is a white rim around the blister. Itching may be absent.

An extremely life-threatening form of the disease is giant urticaria, or Quincke's edema. In this case, severe edema of the skin and mucous membranes develops, especially the larynx, which threatens the patient with suffocation. Sometimes exacerbation is accompanied by rashes and itching in the intimate area. Patients with acute Quincke's edema should be under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital.

Itching and redness are common symptoms of contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, when such symptoms appear and persist, you should immediately contact a specialist to prescribe treatment.

Smell and itching

Odor and itching are classic symptoms of bacterial vaginosis in gynecology. A fishy odor combined with a profuse discharge indicates the proliferation of harmful bacteria. Violation of the bioflora of the vagina is accompanied by itching in the intimate place, which intensifies during and after intercourse. Today it is generally accepted that bacterial vaginosis is not an infectious disease - it is simply a deviation from the normal proportion of microorganisms. It is determined by a smear, and the treatment consists in the destruction of pathogenic bacteria (mainly gardnerella) and the colonization of the vagina with useful lactobacilli.

Itching in men in combination with an unpleasant odor is also a sign of a bacterial infection, only it "lives" mainly in the folds of the skin on the head of the penis and causes diseases such as balanitis and balanoposthitis. Other causes of discharge, itching and odor are genital infections (gonorrhea) and fungus ().

Smell and itching can appear not only in the intimate area. For example, in case of kidney failure, urine can be smelled from the skin of a person, and itchy skin is also characteristic of this disease. With liver failure, liver odor and itchy skin may occur.

Odor and itching can also occur with bacterial damage to the wound on the skin.

Causes of itching

The presence of diseases:

Itching in an intimate place is a "scourge" for many adults, but not everyone will talk about this uncomfortable problem at a doctor's appointment. Why does genital itching occur?

Lack of hygiene.
Uncomfortable, tight synthetic underwear.
Endocrine system diseases.
Sexually transmitted diseases.
Fungal diseases.
Vaginal dysbiosis (bacterial vaginosis) in women.
Scabies.
Pubic lice.
Inflammation of the foreskin and glans in men.

Often, genital itching is the only symptom by which the presence of the disease can be suspected.

Itchy skin

The most common causes of itchy skin are:

Why does itching occur with common diseases?

When the circulation of bile is impaired, the amount of bile acids in the blood increases, which are toxic to receptors located in the skin. As a result, the patient's skin itches.

Another cause of itching is diabetes mellitus, in which blood circulation and tissue nutrition are impaired. Microtrauma appears on the skin and mucous membranes, and through them the body becomes infected with fungi and bacteria.

Multiple sclerosis causes itching due to the fact that the sheath of the nerve is disturbed, and with it the conduction of impulses.

Itching of the skin occurs with lymphogranulomatosis - an oncological disease that affects the lymph nodes. The disease contributes to the increased production of histamine, and histamine makes you feel like itching. The cause of itching in some other cancers is the squeezing of nerves or parts of the brain by the tumor.

Itching from insect bites

Itching and redness, induration and swelling are typical symptoms of an insect bite reaction. Why does the bite site itch?

Bees, together with their sting, release poison that can kill their enemies in the wild, and in humans it only causes itching and inflammation of the surrounding tissues.
Mosquitoes, biting a person, inject histamine, which slows down blood flow at the site of the bite, expands capillaries, thinns the blood and "helps" the mosquitoes to get their portion of food with less effort. It is histamine that causes itching.
Itching after a tick bite occurs when the tick releases saliva containing histamine. It can also indicate the development of borreliosis.

Treatment of itching after an insect bite is mainly local and is aimed at eliminating symptoms: antihistamine ointments and gels (Fenistil-gel), cooling agents (for example, menovazin), disinfectants for treating combs.

Itchy skin is often associated with stress. Why? Excitement, tension and anxiety produce substances in the brain that cause dilation of blood vessels, edema and an increase in the amount of histamine in the blood. Skin receptors react to an increase in histamine levels, which causes an allergic reaction accompanied by itching.

Another reason for itching is a decrease in the secretion of adrenal cortex hormones, which have antiallergic effect. That is why the skin swells more, itches and reddens.

Skin contact with irritating substances

Itching and burning of the skin can be caused by irritating substances that have got on it:

Harmful toxic substances that can cause chemical burns - aggressive acids, alkaline solutions, poisons. These chemicals are life-threatening, and therefore it is necessary to clear the skin of them as soon as possible.
Harmless substances that are an allergen for a specific person. Treatment of itching in this case should be carried out with antihistamines, and it is best to try to limit contact with the allergen from the very beginning.

Skin trauma

Itchy skin occurs when the skin is damaged. Damage can be caused by:

Friction with the formation of calluses and abrasions.
Burn.
Mechanical injury caused by small and sharp objects.
Cosmetic procedures (shaving).

Itching manifests itself especially vividly during wound healing, when there is a rapid growth of new nerve endings, and they, in turn, are actively irritated by a large amount of histamine secreted by the body.

The banal cause of itching, and especially itching in the intimate area, is the lack of regular hygiene. What is the risk of non-observance of the "code of cleanliness"? Natural discharge, traces of urine and feces irritate the skin and are a favorable breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Neglect of hygiene in women (untimely change of tampons, abuse of panty liners) is also fraught with the rapid multiplication of pathogenic microbes. Itching in the intimate area is facilitated by wearing tight, uncomfortable underwear made of synthetic materials - in addition to the fact that it presses and disrupts blood flow, synthetics do not allow the body to "breathe" and forms moist, unventilated places in the genital area.

Itching during wound healing

Severe itching is a sign of wound healing. Why do they itch? The fact is that in place of the damaged tissues, other cells and vessels begin to form, new nerve endings appear, and the epidermis grows. In addition, healing in the last stage - the stage of regeneration - is always accompanied by the release of histamine, which tends to irritate the nerve endings. It turns out that itching in a healing wound is the norm, and you just need to be patient for a while, avoiding injury and scratching the scar.

Itching with allergies occurs when the amount of histamine in the skin or on the mucous membrane increases, and it irritates the nerve endings in it. As a result, a person experiences unpleasant sensations and an obsessive desire to scratch. Therefore, the treatment of itching with allergies consists in the appointment of antihistamines that suppress the action of histamine, as well as the termination of contact with the allergen.

Diagnosis for itching

Diagnosis of diseases due to which itching appears depends on its location.

In case of skin manifestations, you should consult a therapist and dermatologist. The first one excludes or confirms the presence of common diseases, the second one assesses the condition of the skin. If necessary, the patient is referred to an oncologist and hematologist (when there is a suspicion of lymphogranulomatosis or skin cancer). Diagnostics consists of the following steps:

Visual examination of the body and lymph nodes. If an enlarged lymph node is found, a biopsy from it.
General analysis blood.
Biochemical blood test, determination of blood glucose.
General urine analysis.
If foci and suspicious elements are found on the skin, dermatoscopy, scrapings.
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs,

If patients complain of itching in the anus, consultation and examination by a proctologist are needed. The survey includes:

Visual inspection.
Finger examination
Sigmoidoscopy - examination of the rectum and part of the large intestine using a rectoscope.
Colonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the large intestine.
Analysis of feces for eggs, worms and protozoa.
Stool analysis, which determines the quality of food digestion (coprogram).
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

When patients are worried about an unpleasant odor, itching in the genital area, pain during urination, this is a reason to consult a gynecologist (women) or urologist (men). The examination plan for pruritus in an intimate place includes:

Visual inspection of the genitals.
Microflora smear and culture with determination of sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.
A swab for abnormal cells.
General blood analysis.
Biochemistry of blood, determination of glucose levels.
PCR diagnostics of genital infections.
Blood test for HIV and hepatitis.
General urine analysis.
If a woman is worried about itching in the vagina, a colposcopy will be useful.

Itching treatment

Treatment of itching in the intimate area

Itching in the groin and intimate area is a consequence of the underlying disease, which means that it is he who needs to be cured. In women, its causes are usually inflammatory, fungal and infectious diseases, allergies, hormonal changes. In men - genital infections, fungus, allergies. To diagnose the disease that caused itching, the doctor prescribes studies and tests, according to the results of which the method of treatment is determined:

For genital infections - antibiotics and antimicrobial agents.
With a fungal infection - antifungal drugs.
For allergies - antihistamines, hormonal agents.
If the cause of itching is hormonal age-related changes in women, drugs containing estriol are prescribed.

Itching in the groin can be unbearable and cause a lot of discomfort to the patient. To get rid of it, appoint:

Baths with potassium permanganate, decoctions of calendula, string and chamomile.
Antihistamines for local action and for oral administration.
Sedatives.

However, you should not choose the remedies yourself. Itching is not a disease, but a symptom indicating a particular disease. Therefore, treatment should be directed to the cause of the itching - the disease that caused it. Symptomatic treatment that does not eliminate the cause can only harm, making it difficult or slowing down the diagnosis and, as a result, the appointment of treatment.

Itchy skin can be treated by treating its cause. To do this, you need to go through consultations and examinations with several doctors: dermatologist, allergist, therapist, endocrinologist. In order for the doctor to see a reliable picture of the disease, drugs must not be used before the start of the examinations.

If the patient feels severe discomfort, treatment is prescribed to eliminate the symptoms:

Cooling compresses, showers or baths can effectively relieve itching and burning.
Local remedies with mild anesthetic effect based on menthol and camphor, soothing and cooling the skin.
Sedatives.
Antihistamines.

At the same time, overheating, exposure to direct sunlight, physical activity must be excluded.

Treatment of itching in the anus

Itching in the anus can be caused by various diseases. Therefore, it can be eliminated only by curing the corresponding disease:

Helminthic invasion.
Diseases of the rectum - cracks, fistulas.
Skin diseases - eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, lichen, scabies.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Allergies.
Endocrine Disorders.

The banal cause of itching in the anus - non-observance of hygiene rules, wearing uncomfortable underwear - is easily eliminated: it is enough to take a shower every day, use wet wipes after using the toilet, give preference to natural fabrics and comfortable styles in choosing underwear.

Itching caused by rectal diseases is treated with conservative suppository therapy (for example, Relief) and venotonic drugs (for example, Detralex). In the absence of an effect and a severe stage of the disease, surgical treatment is used.

If the cause of itching is a fungal infection of the skin, ointments that are active against the fungus will help. For dermatitis, salicylic and zinc-containing ointments, cooling agents with an analgesic effect are prescribed, hormonal drugs (glucocorticosteroids) are sometimes used.

For itching in the anus caused by pinworms, special remedies (Vermox, Pirantel, etc.) will help. To prevent re-infection, you must carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene, change, wash and iron underwear and bedding daily.

When itching occurs due to endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, you should focus on their treatment, because the elimination of symptoms in this case brings only a temporary effect.

Itching is a kind of signal from the body. Like pain, it indicates trouble in a certain area:

Skin - for general and psychiatric diseases, dermatological diseases, endocrine disorders, allergies.
Anal itching - for rectal diseases, helminthic lesions.
Itching in the intimate area in women - for problems in the field of gynecology. Itching in men - on diseases of andrology / urology.

Itching in the groin, on the skin, in the perianal region is treated in completely different ways. The choice of the appropriate therapy depends on the underlying condition of the urge to scratch.

Itching of the skin of the body is a sign of a disease: systemic or dermatological. In addition, itching on the skin can occur due to excessive dryness, insufficient hygiene, etc.

Among the causes of itching are:

Kidney disease, particularly kidney failure. Patients with uremia, especially in the terminal stage of the disease, suffer from severe itching. The more impaired the functionality of the kidneys, the more itchy the skin will be. Dialysis helps to weaken it, however, such a procedure is not able to completely eliminate renal itching;

Diseases of the thyroid gland. Up to 10% of patients with thyrotoxicosis indicate a pronounced persistent generalized itching. Most often, people with itch suffer from itching, which has not been treated for a long time. Scientists believe that itching occurs in this case due to increased blood flow to the skin, which entails a local increase in temperature;

Another cause of itchy skin with hyperthyroidism is the development of chronic urticaria. If the patient is diagnosed with urticaria, it makes sense to suspect the autoimmune nature of the thyroid pathology. In addition, patients with myxedema (an extreme form of hypothyroidism) also complain of itching. It is caused by excessive drying of the skin and gives the patient serious anxiety;

Carcinoid syndrome. Itching occurs due to frequent hot flashes in the head and neck, especially against the background of previous stress, overeating or drinking alcohol;

Diabetes. Patients who have, suffer most often from genital itching. It is caused by the developed candidal lesions of the mucous membranes. In the area of the scalp, itching occurs with diabetic neuropathy. As for generalized itching, in diabetes it, as a symptom, is quite rare. If patients complain of generalized itching, then most often it is associated with metabolic disorders in diabetes mellitus against the background of kidney damage;

Hematological diseases. Among such pathologies: lymphogranulomatosis, various lymphomas, polycythemia vera, leukemias, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myelomas, mastocytosis, paraproteinemia, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.

In polycythemia vera, almost 50% of patients complain of generalized pruritus. Most often it occurs after contact with a liquid that has occurred. That is why this itch is often called aquagenic. Sometimes itching appears much earlier than the disease itself and may precede it several years in advance. Taking aspirin helps to reduce itching, antihistamines are ineffective, although the level of histamine in the blood of such patients is increased;

Itching can also accompany iron deficiency anemia. Its severity is not associated with the degree of anemia, however, after the start of treatment for the underlying disease, this symptom quickly disappears;

With lymphogranulomatosis, up to 30% of patients complain of itching. He persecutes a person both during an exacerbation of the disease and during remission. Most often, it is localized in the region of the lower extremities, gradually moving to the lower part of the body, and then spreading to the whole body. Itching is accompanied by a burning sensation, most of all worries the patient at night;

In lymphomas, itching is not so common, although in patients with Cesari's syndrome it is always recorded as a complaint. Moreover, patients talk about excruciating itching that arose many years before the onset of the disease;

Sometimes itching is accompanied by paraproteinemia, mastocytosis, lymphocytic leukemia. In some cases, scientists associate its occurrence with an increase in the concentration of serotonin, in others - with an increase in the level of histamine and other amines.

If the course of the disease can be brought under control, then the itching, as a rule, becomes easily eliminated.

Senile or senile itching. By the time they turn 70, more than 50% of people experience itchy skin. Most often, it is associated with excessive dryness of the skin, when they are no longer able to retain fluid, and the performance of the sweat and sebaceous glands is impaired. Additional factors the risk of itching is overheating of the skin (in old age, people begin to dress warmer), dry air, frequent trips to the shower. In addition, older people become more susceptible to histamine, their skin regenerative function decreases, nutrition is insufficient, and they are more likely to experience depression. These or other factors lead to itching after the age of 70;

Itching with human immunodeficiency virus. Often, HIV-infected people complain of itchy skin that bothers them. In 92% of cases, it is associated with concomitant infections that develop as a result of a drop in immune forces. With the progression of the underlying disease, itching can cause excessive dryness of the skin. Itching is especially troubling for patients in the cold season;

Periarteritis nodosa and other systemic diseases;

Diseases of the nervous system: brain tumors, multiple sclerosis. In multiple sclerosis, itching starts suddenly and stops after a few seconds. With a pronounced attack of itchy skin, a person may wake up in the middle of the night.

Itching may appear some time later after suffering cerebral hemorrhage. It manifests itself on the opposite side of the site of brain damage, in addition, motor and sensory disorders are observed;

Postherpetic neuralgia is another cause of itching, which is accompanied by painful sensations.

Allergic reactions. Contact dermatitis can occur due to the application of various medications to the skin, due to the use of unsuitable cosmetics or detergents. It can be provoked by contact with clothes, chemicals at work, wearing jewelry and bijouterie.

- With contact dermatitis, itching and spots are localized in the place where the allergen came into contact with the skin. Redness has delineated boundaries. To determine the allergen on your own, you should remember about new hygiene products, about buying a new washing powder or thing, etc. Contact dermatitis differs in that after removing the allergen, the inflammatory reaction on the skin and itching are eliminated on their own.
  
  As for atopic dermatitis, it is most often diagnosed in childhood, although sometimes it also affects adults. The reason also lies in an allergic reaction, but it occurs in response to an allergen that has entered the body. If in children, cheeks turn red first, then in adults - elbows, knees (at the folds), as well as wrists.
  
  If a red spot appears on the skin, it itches and is located at the site of a previous injury, then this symptom often indicates diabetes mellitus. Mostly such spots are formed on the lower extremities.
  
  Sometimes red spots are signs of psoriasis, they may itch, but may not cause any discomfort.
  
  Itchy red spots on the lower extremities, which subsequently become darker, may indicate trophic disorders.
  
  Photodermatosis is another reason for the appearance of various types of itchy spots. They can rise above the surface of the skin, they can have the form of bubbles, they can be located at the same level with the rest of the skin.
  
  Lichen planus also appears as itchy patches that rise above the skin. Often such spots form on the feet and in the lower leg area, can have a purple tint, and also merge, forming larger spots.
  
  Ringworm also appears as patches that are well-defined and rounded. On the periphery of such an itchy spot, there is a pink roller, represented by bubbles and nodules.
  
  As for eczema, it is also characterized by red spots, which, as the disease progresses, transform into vesicles and then open. Itching may be present, but sometimes eczema does not make you want to scratch the inflamed area.
  
  Urticaria is characterized by the appearance of itching and blisters that protrude above the surface of the skin.
  
  Bullous pemphigoid occurs most often in areas of maximum friction with clothing and accessories.
  
  Also, limited or diffuse neurodermatitis can be the cause of itchy spots.
Itchy skin rash in adults

An itchy rash on the skin of an adult can indicate the following conditions:
When rashes appear, which are accompanied by itching, it is necessary to consult a doctor and clarify the cause of their occurrence.

Depending on the cause and origin of itching, the following types are distinguished:
Depending on the prevalence of the symptom, itching can be localized, when the itching site can be clearly identified, and generalized, when the whole body itches. An example of localized itching is scabies, head lice, ringworm, atopic dermatitis, etc. Generalized itching occurs with renal failure, helminthic invasion, diabetes mellitus, etc.

Treatment for itching

In order to get rid of the itching, it is necessary first of all to decide on the tactics of treating the disease, which provoked this symptom. It is important that the vicious circle, in which there are often patients with itching (itching - scratching - more pronounced itching), is interrupted.

Medical treatment is selected on an individual basis, however, in case of excessive dryness of the skin, the following rules must be adhered to:
As for the treatment of itching for specific diseases, there are the following recommendations:
Itchy skin can be a symptom of various diseases, not just dermatological pathologies. Its causes are varied, ranging from dry skin to cancer. Itching itself can be both minor and pronounced, seriously impairing the quality of human life. Therefore, itching is always a reason to seek qualified medical help.

Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at the Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).

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Common causes of itchy body skin

Diagnostics

Treatment methods

Drug treatment

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What to remember:

Causes of itching

Various types of localization of itching

Itching during pregnancy

Diagnosis and treatment of pruritus

Diet for itchy skin

Local treatment of itching

General treatment for itching

Itching in adults

Itching during pregnancy

Itching in nursing mothers

Itching in children

Itching without other symptoms

Itching in the vagina

Itching and burning

Smell and itching

Causes of itching

The presence of diseases:

Itchy skin

Itching from insect bites

Skin contact with irritating substances

Skin trauma

Itching during wound healing

Diagnosis for itching

Itching treatment

Treatment of itching in the intimate area

Treatment of itching in the anus

Itchy skin rash in adults

Treatment for itching