TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Many things cause itchy skin, from mild to serious. The treatment is also different, from what is left alone it will go away on its own, using itchy ointments, to needing to take medicine or special treatment from a doctor.
According to the Mayo Clinic, if you experience itching that is unnatural and tends to be persistent, you should consult a doctor. Experts explain itchy skin, medically known as pruritus, can often be triggered by dryness and is actually more common in older people because of dry skin. Here are some causes of itchy skin and how to deal with them.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that triggers skin cells to build up quickly, which then causes scaly skin that is often accompanied by inflammation and redness. The site explains on lighter skin, scales may appear whitish and silver in color, and may appear thick red patches on the skin.
On darker skin, the scales may appear purple, brown, or gray. There are different types of psoriasis, including plaque psoriasis, which is the most common, and pustular psoriasis. One of the main symptoms of plaque psoriasis is: itchy and a burning sensation around the skin patches. In fact, nearly 90 percent of people with psoriasis say they experience itching and that it is the most bothersome symptom of the condition.
To help relieve itching, experts recommend applying a thick cream to protect the skin, using an itch-relief product such as calamine or hydrocortisone, or taking an antihistamine.
Eczema
Eczema is another chronic skin condition that can cause uncomfortable itching. Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a long-term condition characterized by periodic attacks. Symptoms of eczema can vary widely but the main symptoms include itching, which can be severe, dry skin, scaly or cracked skin, and discolored patches.
Insect bite
Insect bites are an annoying, though somewhat inevitable, part of life. It can be quite difficult to avoid bugs if you spend a lot of time outdoors and even if there are protective sprays, mosquito nets and clothing, you may still get bitten by bugs. One of the blood-sucking insects that make itchy is the small but mighty mosquito.
According to Healthline, mosquito bites affect many people every year and trigger various reactions. The most common reaction is an itchy, raised bump and this happens because when a mosquito pierces the skin to draw blood, it introduces saliva into it. skin which causes an autoimmune response. After this, the body releases histamine, which promotes the formation of white blood cells and causes itching.
Herpes zoster
If you’ve ever had chickenpox, then you’re probably familiar with the virus that causes herpes zoster, varicella zoster. According to WebMD, chickenpox and shingles are two different conditions but they originate from the same virus that produces various unwanted side effects. One of them is itching. After suffering from chickenpox, the virus does not actually leave the body but stays in the tissues.
In some circumstances, the dormant virus can be activated and cause the second stage of symptoms, known as shingles. Things that can trigger shingles include stress, a weakened immune system, older age, or serious physical injury. Healthline The first symptoms of herpes zoster include pain and burning, which are usually isolated on one side of the body. After that, a red rash will likely follow, which can range in color from pink to dark purple, depending on skin tone.
Nerve damage
Believe it or not, you can actually experience itching due to pinched nerves. Verywell Health This type of itching, called neurological itching or neuropathic itching, is caused by nerve damage and can be chronic. This type of itching originates in the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system, which means it can be caused by damage to nerves in the brain or spinal cord, or from nerve damage elsewhere in the body.
Along with itching, sufferers may experience pain because the same nerve pathways that cause pain are also associated with itching. Neurological symptoms of itching include mottling, a burning sensation that may occur along with feelings of numbness, coldness, and an electric shock.
Dry skin
Sometimes the source of itchy skin goes unnoticed. If you find yourself scratching desperately at your skin and realize you forgot to moisturize, a solution may be at hand. While in some cases dry skin may be just a case of simple neglect, in other cases it may be the result of old age, climate, or an underlying health condition, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The site explains that the medical term for dry skin is xerosis, and that means the skin lacks moisture. Itching is a common side effect of dry skin as well as peeling, redness, and cracking.
Ringworm
Despite its name, ringworm doesn’t actually involve any germs. According to the Mayo Clinic, ringworm is a fungal infection that appears as a circular rash on the skin. This fungus belongs to the same family as jock itch and athlete’s foot, and can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Symptoms of ringworm include large scaly circles on the skin that feel itchy. Areas within the circle may be unaffected or may include scaly areas with discolored bumps.
Skin cancer
While there are pretty good possible causes behind the itching, there’s no need to think too much about it. There’s probably something more serious behind it. Although it’s best not to panic and immediately assume the worst, Healthline shows if you find a mole on the skin that itches and changes shape, there is a possibility it is skin cancer.
While skin cancer is usually asymptomatic, itching can sometimes occur in certain types of cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma or melanoma. In basal skin cell cancer, you may see reddish patches of itchy skin and with melanoma you may develop dark spots or itchy moles. This irritation is usually constant and won’t go away, which is the first sign of going to the doctor for an evaluation.
Read also: Sudden Itchy Skin Appears When Stressed, Why?
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