Sign up
Log in
EspañolWhat causes itchy skin? Related conditions and treatments
Overview: What does itchy skin look/feel like?
Itching is the body’s way of telling people that there’s a problem with the skin. The activation of itch nerves automatically provokes a scratching reflex. Scratching is a way of removing whatever is causing the problem from the skin. In normal circumstances, scratching usually fixes the problem. Sometimes, however, the whole itching process goes wrong, and scratching won’t do any good (and may even cause more harm) In these cases, itchiness is a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a temporary threat to the skin. Healthcare professionals call this pruritus. The itchy feeling can occur anywhere on the skin or in any of the mucus membranes (such as mouth or nose). It can be highly localized or be felt over large areas of skin. The itch may be mild or severe enough to cause pain. In many cases, scratching only provides temporary relief and, over time, will make the pruritus worse. Most people will notice that the itchiness gets worse at night.
Key takeaways:
Itchy skin is a common symptom that irritants, allergies, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, infections, neurological disorders, blood disorders, liver disease, metabolic disorders, drugs, pregnancy, and psychiatric disorders may cause.
Typically, itchy skin does not require immediate medical attention unless it’s chronic, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms.
Itchy skin generally does not require treatment, but this depends on whether it’s chronic, persistent, or covers a large body area. It typically resolves without treatment within minutes or hours. Chronic itchy skin may resolve with treatment, but the time course depends on the cause.
Treatments for itchy skin vary by cause. Read more about treatments for allergies here, treatments for eczema here, treatments for hives here, treatments for dandruff here, and treatments for psoriasis here.
Itchy skin can be managed by avoiding irritants or allergens, protecting the skin from sunlight, or using moisturizers, colloidal oatmeal, cold compresses or wraps, warm baths, and wet wraps.
Use Singlecare coupons for itchy skin treatments, like Cortizone-10 (hydrocortisone cream), Zyrtec Allergy (cetirizine), and Protopic (tacrolimus ointment), to save up to 80%.
What causes itchy skin?
There are dozens of reasons why skin gets itchy. Most of the time, it’s a skincare issue. The most common causes of itchy skin are irritants and contact dermatitis, and in these cases the itchiness is usually limited to a few minutes or hours. Some skin problems, such as psoriasis, cause more chronic or persistent itchy skin. However, itchy skin isn’t always caused by skin problems. Sometimes the skin feels itchy because the nervous system, liver, blood, or glands have a problem. Infections can also make the skin feel itchy. Some psychiatric disorders make people feel itchy or at least more sensitive to itchy skin.
Common skin conditions that cause itchy skin include:
Dry skin
Sunburn
Bug bites or stings
Irritants such as fragrances or poison ivy
Allergic reactions such as atopic dermatitis or hives (urticaria)
Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)
Constant or habitual scratching or rubbing of the skin
Autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis or lichen planus
Skin infections such as folliculitis or fungal infections
Parasite infestations such as lice or scabies
Cancer such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Skin itching causes can also be neurological. The nerves are damaged in these cases, sending the wrong signals to the brain. They include:
Diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)
Shingles (a herpes infection of the nerves in the skin)
Stroke
Damage to a specific nerve, such as the arm’s nerve (brachioradial pruritus)
Various illnesses can cause itchy skin. Healthcare professionals aren’t always certain why. The most common are:
Metabolic disorders such as chronic kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and hyperparathyroidism
Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, parvovirus B19, and many types of parasite infections
Pancreas and liver diseases that produce bile blockage, including chronic pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis
Blood disorders such as iron deficiency anemia or polycythemia
Itchy skin may be caused by psychological disorders, a condition called psychogenic itch. In some cases, the itch may be entirely created by the disorder, such as skin-crawling hallucinations called formication. In other cases, the disorder may worsen an already existing itch.
Causes of itchy skin can also include:
Pregnancy
Rapid weight loss associated with eating disorders
Use of certain drugs like opioids
Should I be worried about itchy skin?
Localized and temporary itchy skin is nothing to worry about. However, see a healthcare provider if itchiness lasts longer than two weeks, is severe, painful, or spreads over a large area of the body. Chronic itching can result in skin complications due to excessive scratching. Additionally, if blisters, pain, or other symptoms are present, see a healthcare provider. However, symptoms such as severe pain, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or high fever may be signs of a serious condition that needs immediate medical care.
RELATED: When to see a dermatologist
How is the cause of itchy skin diagnosed?
A healthcare provider diagnoses itchy skin by asking questions about your symptoms, medications, and medical history, as well as performing a physical exam. The clinician will look closely at the affected area to see if any visible signs of a skin problem like redness, lesions, welts, blisters, or swelling. The clinician may also examine other parts of the skin to detect any signs of an infection or parasite.
The clinician will probably order a blood test to get a more complete picture of your overall health. Other tests, such as an allergy test, chest X-ray, skin scraping, skin biopsy, or culture, may be used depending on the suspected cause.
Most people will first see a family doctor, but that clinician may refer the case to a dermatologist, allergist, neurologist, or immunologist, depending on the suspected cause.
RELATED: What a dermatologist can do for you
Is itchy skin contagious?
If itchy skin is caused by an infection or parasites, the cause may be infectious. This includes parvovirus B19, HIV, ringworm, lice, and scabies. As long as the infection is rampant, other people can catch it through close contact, physical contact, contaminated objects, or sexual contact. Parvovirus B19, however, spreads in the same way as a respiratory infection.
RELATED: How to identify—and treat—fifth disease (parvo) in kids
How long does itchy skin last?
Itchy skin will last for as long as something is activating the itch nerves. Most of the time, itchiness will be brief. Some problems, like poison ivy, can last for days to weeks. Sunburn can also cause days of itchy skin. Other conditions, such as psoriasis, shingles, and fungal infections, can cause chronic and even persistent itching. In some cases, itching may be a lifelong problem, such as itching due to diabetic neuropathy.
How to stop itchy skin
Healthcare professionals usually focus on treating the underlying condition, not just the itchy skin itself. Sometimes, they suggest or prescribe treatments or medications to relieve the itching. Otherwise, treatments are specific to the cause:
Dry skin is treated with moisturizers
Allergic reactions are primarily treated with antihistamines
Dandruff is treated with medicated shampoos
Bacterial infections of the skin are usually treated with topical antibiotics
Fungal infections are treated with topical antifungal medications
Lice, head lice, and scabies infestations are treated with topical insecticides
Shingles, chickenpox, and HIV/AIDS are treated with antiviral medications
Autoimmune disorders like psoriasis will be treated with drugs that block the immune system, such as corticosteroids or immune suppressants
Cancers that cause itchy skin are most commonly treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Psychogenic itch is often treated with antipsychotics, antidepressants, or hydroxyzine
Healthcare professionals may or may not prescribe or advise treatments to stop the itching. If they do, some treatments work for some conditions but not others. The most common medications used to stop itchy skin include:
Moisturizers found over-the-counter
Topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone cream
Antihistamines
Topical immune suppressants
Living with itchy skin
No matter what the cause, living with itchy skin can be a trial. Scratching the itch may provide temporary relief, but given enough time, scratching may worsen the itch. That’s because scratching irritates and damages the skin more, causing skin cells to generate more chemicals that activate itch nerves. Healthcare professionals call this the “itch-scratch” cycle. To avoid this cycle, several home remedies can relieve itching and prevent scratching:
Apply moisturizers regularly to the affected skin to keep it moist
Lubricant lotions or essential oils can help keep the skin moist and protected from irritants and allergens
Wrap the skin in cool, wet compresses to numb the skin, protect it from irritants, and prevent scratching
Use a humidifier to prevent dry skin
Instead of scratching, try nonprescription counterirritants like capsaicin, camphor, or menthol creams, or lotions that essentially drown out the itching sensation
Instead of scratching, rub the area with the palm of your hand
Instead of scratching, use ice packs or a cloth packed with ice to numb the skin
Avoid hot water
Avoid caffeine or alcohol
Use unscented soaps and skin products
Most importantly, avoid scratching Occasional itching can be successfully quelled by scratching the itch. However, persistent or chronic itching is only made worse by scratching. Most of the complications of itchy skin are due to excessive scratching. There’s no doubt about it: resisting the impulse to scratch is not easy. The first step is to see a doctor. Find out what’s causing the itch and if it can be treated. Once diagnosed, adopt other alternatives to itching, such as counterirritants, cold compresses, and moisturizers. They may not stop all scratching, but they can help break the itch-scratch cycle that can make itchy skin worse.
FAQs about the causes of itchy skin
What vitamin deficiency causes itchy skin?
A serious and prolonged vitamin D deficiency can result in dry, scaly, and itchy skin. This is a result of overactive hyperparathyroid glands brought on by vitamin D deficiency.
What causes itchy bumps on skin?
Itchy rashes are usually caused by allergic reactions, either skin allergies or systemic reactions. Other causes include insect bites, psoriasis, dandruff, infections, or parasite infestations.
What causes itchy skin without rash?
Most itchy skin causes do not involve a rash. This includes many skin problems, such as dry skin or sunburn, and systemic causes, such as diabetes.
What’s next? Additional resources for people with itchy skin
Test and diagnostics
A diagnostic approach to pruritus, American Family Physician
Pruritus, American Family Physician
Pruritus: diagnosis and management, American Family Physician
Pruritus: what is it, causes, types, treatment, and more, Osmosis
Treatments
10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
Itchy skin: diagnosis and treatment, Mayo Clinic
Pruritus: diagnosis and management, American Family Physician
Scientific studies and clinical trials
Pruritus: a sensory symptom generated in cutaneous immuno-neuronal crosstalk, Frontiers in Pharmacology
Psychogenic itch, Translational Psychology