Identifying the Cause of Itching All Over
Pruritus, commonly known as itching, is the urge to scratch the human skin. Itching can occur with or without a rash or other symptoms. A generalized itch occurs when the body is itching all over and considered localized if the itch occurs on only a portion of the body.
Itching can be mild and more of a nuisance than a problem, while other times itching can be severe enough to make a person miserable. In some circumstances, itching can indicate a serious underlying medical condition but usually the cause of itching is not life threatening.
Cause of Itching
The causes of itching are countless. In many cases, the itch is resolved without consulting a physician. The following are some of the common causes of itching.
Allergic Reactions
Anyone can have an allergic reaction by touching or ingesting a substance your body finds offensive. While anything can trigger an allergic reaction, some of the more common irritants are foods, medications, soaps, detergents, and chemicals.
Parasite and Insect Bites
Itching from a bite is a skin reaction from the insect or parasites venom. Common offenders include bedbugs, lice, jiggers, mosquitoes, and bees.
Viral or Bacterial Infections
A viral infection such as measles or chicken pox may cause itching all over. Bacterial infections can have the same results.
Dehydration or Dry Skin
Dehydration can cause itching because your body does not have enough hydration and dry skin indicates that the body needs moisturizer applied on a regular basis.
Stress and Anxiety
It is common for mental conditions to cause itching. Stress and anxiety often trigger skin sensitivity that can remain until the cause of the mental distress disappears or a patient receives treatment using anti-anxiety drugs.
Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders
Less common causes of itching all over is an autoimmune or inflammatory disorder of the body. These include celiac, psoriasis, lupus, specific cancers, anemia, liver or kidney diseases, disorders of the thyroid and diseases that affect the nerves such as diabetes.
Other Symptoms to Look For
Skin changes often occur with itching. Symptoms to look for are bleeding, swelling, blisters, rash, burning, pain, flaking, dry cracked skin and any difference in skin texture. These symptoms are common with localized itching and are most often easily diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms that occur more commonly in generalized itching include abdominal pain or swelling, vomiting, decrease in appetite or weight, anxiety or irritability, flu like symptoms, runny nose, joint pain and itchy dry or red eyes. Itching accompanied with these symptoms is usually harder to diagnose.
Symptoms That Indicate Immediate Medical Treatment
Itching all over accompanied by any of the following symptoms requires immediate medical attention. Considered possibly life threatening symptoms are difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or wheezing, swelling of the tongue, mouth, lips or face, high fever, jaundice, severe headache, increased pulse rate, fainting or any change in urine output.
When to Seek Non-Emergency Medical Treatment
People with itching that is continuous for a long period or severe enough to disrupt normal daily activity should see their physician. A physician can usually successfully diagnose and treat itching that has no known cause.
Home Remedies That May Ease the Discomfort
Keep fingernails short to discourage scratching and wear cool, non-abrasive clothing. Take cool baths with skin sensitive products and generously apply moisturizer afterward. Avoid exposure to heat and humidity and apply an ice pack to the itchy area. Perform distracting activities, but avoid strenuous action that could cause sweating. Try over the counter topical creams and oral antihistamines to make you more comfortable.
Treatments for Itching All Over
It is human nature to scratch when an itch occurs, but scratching will make the itching worse and possibly cause the onset of a secondary infection. The treatment for itching is as diverse as the reason. Treatments include cool baths, ice packs, topical steroidal creams, moisturizer, oral antihistamines, anti-itch creams, numbing medications, anti-anxiety medications, anti-allergic medications and treatment of the underlying cause.
Diagnostic Tests for Itching
People seek medical treatment because local itching or itching all over is severe or because it will not go away. Your physician will complete a medical history, do a physical exam, and ask specific questions related to itch. Medical tests your physician may order to diagnose the problem are blood tests, x-rays, iron level, biopsy, stool study, liver function, kidney function and thyroid function tests.
Itching is not a disease, but a symptom. If it persists, see your physician.