What is Good for Itching?

by Abbas Jahangir · June 22, 2024

Itching is a very common complaint among the reasons for referral to dermatologists and family physicians. Although it is generally considered a benign symptom, caution should be taken as severe itching can negatively affect the general well-being of the person and cause loss of work capacity.

What is Itching?

Itching can be defined as the desire to physically intervene with the hands following an uncomfortable feeling on the skin. This condition, which is expressed as pruritus in Latin, occurs more frequently in elderly people due to the skin losing its moisture over time. Itchy skin may appear red, hard, swollen or normal, depending on the underlying cause of the sensation. After repeated scratching, the relevant skin area may be traumatized and problems such as bleeding or infection may develop in this area.

Although itching usually occurs in a small area of skin on the scalp, arms or legs, itching of the whole body may also occur. In addition to the complaint of itching all over the body, other itching symptoms such as redness, itching marks, small blisters, spots, cracks or dryness may also occur in the itchy skin area. In some people, the itching sensation is long-lasting and intense. After reflexively scratching this area, the itching sensation does not decrease, it may even increase. This vicious circle is very difficult to break in some cases.

Many people can find relief from itching after daily moisturizing, using a non-irritating cleanser, or washing with warm water. In long-term and difficult cases, it is very important to elucidate the underlying cause.

What are the causes of itching?

Various internal diseases or dermatological problems are among the causes of itching on the skin. After applying to health institutions, physicians uncovering the underlying problem of itching and planning treatment for the cause is the most important step that can be taken to overcome this problem. There are many health conditions considered to be the causes of body itching:

Dryness of the skin (heat is also one of the leading causes of itching)
food allergies
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Candida infection
Bile duct blockages
Cirrhosis
Allergic reactions ( allergy itching)
contact dermatitis
fly bites
Urticaria
allergic eczema
Rash skin problems
body lice
impetigo
head lice
insect stings
Scabies
Measles
Psoriasis (psoriasis)
symptomatic
chickenpox
Psychiatric conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder

There are many different causes of itching, other than those mentioned, it may also occur due to kidney failure, leukemia, thyroid diseases, multiple sclerosis or yet undetected diabetes. Unlike other itchy skin problems, rash may not occur in itching caused by organs such as the thyroid, kidney, liver or pancreas.

In addition to these disorders, the use of various medications used in the treatment of some diseases is also among the causes of itching. Complaints of skin itching may also occur after the use of antifungal drugs used in various fungal infections, some antibiotics, narcotic painkillers, and drugs classified as anticonvulsants used in anti-seizure treatment.

During pregnancy, some women may experience worsening of some itchy skin problems such as eczema, which may cause symptoms such as itching to become more pronounced and complaints such as constant scratching. In pregnant women, the constant itching sensation is usually evident in the chest, abdomen and thighs.

What is Night Itching, What Causes Body Itching at Night?

Skin itching that occurs at night is called nocturnal pruritus, and if this condition is severe, it can negatively affect the person’s sleep hygiene. In many people, night itching occurs due to natural causes. At night, some changes occur in the body’s temperature regulation, fluid regulation and barrier functions. For example, a decrease in body temperature at night and an increase in blood flow to the skin are among the changes that may result in the development of itching. At the same time, the time period when the skin’s fluid loss is highest is at night.

Apart from natural factors, various ailments can also cause itching at night. Dermatological problems such as atopic dermatitis, urticaria and psoriasis are considered among the causes of unreasonable itching that occurs at night before diagnosis. Other conditions that may cause night itching include scabies or lice bites, iron deficiency anemia, schizophrenia, restless legs syndrome and pregnancy.

How is Itching Diagnosed?

In people who apply to health institutions with complaints of itching, physicians first use detailed medical history taking and physical examination methods in the diagnostic approach to itching. During the history taking, physicians ask how long the itching has been around, whether it is temporary or not, whether any irritating substance has been contacted, whether there is any allergy, where the itching is most intense, whether there are other people in the family with itching, and what medications are used. can examine.

After taking a medical history and physical examination, physicians may perform a number of tests depending on the cause of itching they suspect. Blood analyses, thyroid function tests, liver function tests, kidney function tests, urine and gas tests, skin examinations or skin biopsy are among the advanced diagnostic tests that may be performed.

What is good for itching?

The answer to the question of how to relieve itching can be “using colloidal oatmeal may help relieve this complaint.” Colloidal oatmeal is a very finely powdered form of oats and is added to various cleansing products and lotions. Gels created using some leaves may also be beneficial in relieving some types of itching. Aloe vera gel or other refreshing menthol-containing gels can be effective for causes of itching, such as sunburn or mosquito bites.

High-quality moisturizers can reduce itching and relieve dryness by preventing the liquid in the upper layer of the skin from evaporating.

Another simple method for itching complaints is to apply cold to that skin area. Cold applications can be especially effective in itching caused by mosquito bites.

Itching may occur for many different reasons, from simple causes that can be easily controlled to very serious disorders. It is recommended to seek support from physicians, especially in cases of itching that persists for more than 2-3 days.