Risk of serious illness behind itchy skin

Itching or pruritus is a very common condition. This can cause discomfort, which causes sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression. You need to be careful if itching occurs for a long time and is accompanied by other symptoms because this can indicate more serious illnesses such as kidney problems.

Itching can be felt in certain areas or throughout the body. Redness or rash is a symptom that often accompanies itching. In general, this condition can go away on its own or disappear after being treated with over-the-counter medicines. However, sometimes the itching does not go away and the symptoms of a more serious condition are the first symptoms.

 

Factors behind itching
It is important to recognize the cause of the itching to determine the right treatment step. Insect bites are one of the most common causes of itching. But besides that, there are many other things that can trigger itching, namely:

• Skin disease

For example, eczema, scabies, psoriasis, folliculitis, and prurigo. Itching is usually felt only in certain areas of the skin and is accompanied by symptoms of skin irritation, redness or spots on the skin.

• Dry skin

Dry skin (xerosis) is usually caused by environmental conditions, such as air with low humidity, prolonged bathing or washing, and always in an air-conditioned room.

• Nerve disorders

Like multiple sclerosis, diabetes, pinched nerves or shingles.

• Internal disease

Such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, celiac disease, iron deficiency anemia, kidney failure, thyroid disorders, leukemia and lymphoma.

• Allergic or irritant reactions to certain ingredients

For example, allergic irritation due to clothing, chemicals in soap, cosmetics, allergies to food, drugs or certain plants.

• Hormonal changes during pregnancy

During pregnancy, some women experience itching in the abdomen, arms, thighs and breasts due to hormonal changes. Urticaria, pruritus, and plaque can be skin problems that can develop during pregnancy. The itching will usually subside after giving birth.

• menopause

Hormonal changes during menopause can cause itching.

• infection

For example smallpox, ringworm and mushrooms.

• Psychological condition

For example, depression and anxiety disorders.

Tips for preventing persistent itching
Scratching is not the solution to relieve itching. Scratching the skin of the body can cause sores, scars, and even infections. Proper itching treatment depends on the factors causing it.

Here are some general guidelines that you can follow to prevent itching.

• It's better to wipe off than to scratch an annoying area.
• Minimize consumption of spicy foods, caffeine and alcoholic drinks which can affect blood flow and make it itchy.
• Compress the irritating part with a cloth soaked in cold water.
• Cut your nails so they don't cause injury if you can't help but scratch the itchy area.
• Take a shower with water that is not too hot or too cold and limit yourself to more than 20 minutes.
• Avoid using clothes with materials that can make itching, such as wool or tight clothing.
• Apply moisturizer after bathing to keep skin hydrated.
• Use gentle soap to avoid skin irritation.
• Use sheets made from hot pitch with a smooth surface.
• Try to always relax and manage your stress as much as possible, because anxiety can make your itching worse.

In addition to the simple method described above, itching in certain conditions can also be treated with commercially available antihistamines and corticosteroid creams.

However, you should immediately consult a doctor if you feel itching all over your body but you don't know the exact cause. Itching prevents you from sleeping, causes sores on your skin or if treatment at home cannot relieve itching. your skin.

To facilitate the doctor's diagnosis, you can tell the following people:

• When itching starts to feel.
• What are the symptoms that accompany it (if any)
• List of recently consumed drugs.
• Being subject to a certain diet.
• Have you ever traveled to a certain place?
• Is there contact with something that can cause itching, such as pet dander?

If the doctor suspects a more serious disease, you will be asked to undergo further tests, such as checking levels of iron in the blood, examination of thyroid function, kidney function or x-ray to check the lymph nodes.

Doctors sometimes prescribe calcineurin inhibitors (calcineurin inhibitors) to inhibit the performance of the immune system, to reduce skin inflammation.

Itching usually doesn't leave a scar on your skin if it's not scratched. Don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist to get the right treatment.

Share this post