How to stop severe itching. Generalized itching or itching all over the body

Why does itching occur and sometimes the body itches in different places for no apparent reason? The scratching reflex can be caused by external or internal reasons, but it always occurs as a result of an impact on the nerve endings located between the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin.

At times, the body itches for seemingly no reason, but the itching has many possible causes.

Types of itching

But why does a person start to itch? So he massages the itchy area - that is, the place where the pathology arose. After this, blood supply to this area increases, lymph flow accelerates and the toxic component is removed, after which the desire to scratch this area gradually subsides.

In some cases, the skin begins to itch due to the accumulation of certain metabolic products in the body, which is a physiological reaction and stops on its own.

Doctors divide itching into the following 2 types:

Localized or universal - for example, itching in the perineal area during pregnancy or itching in the anus with some types of helminthiasis;
Widespread (felt throughout the body) - for example, itching in liver disease.

Each of these varieties, in turn, can present as itching:

Constantly felt;
Occurs periodically.

The intensity of the unpleasant sensations of itching varies in nature and varies from minor to extremely severe. With the latter, the patient loses his appetite, his sleep is disturbed, he scratches the affected areas until there are bloody crusts.

It has been confirmed that skin itching occurs more often and is felt more intensely before bedtime, in the evening and at night. It is quite simple to explain: in the evening the blood vessels dilate. The temperature of the skin also increases due to being under the blanket, and this in turn causes increased blood circulation and general sensitivity of the body.

Pay attention! In the evening hours, a person is left alone with his itch, coming into the room from work or from the street, where there were many distractions. This is how an additional psychological factor is triggered, and you get the feeling that the itching has become stronger, even if this is not the case.

Reasons

If the causes of itching cannot be determined visually, then it is called “itching of unknown etiology” and we begin to determine one of the possible provoking factors:

The patient has increased sensitivity. This phenomenon is observed in the case of:

neurasthenia;
states of hysteria;
as a consequence of previous infectious and colds;
for mental illness and stress.

Pay attention! Often this condition is also accompanied by symptoms of other nervous disorders - increased reflexes, pain, etc.

The man is simply too suspicious. He may just think or remember something that, in his opinion, may cause symptoms of itching (fleas, previous illnesses, allergies) - and immediately begin to itch.
There was contact with real irritants - plants, insects, household chemicals, rough synthetics, etc.
An itchy patient was faced with the impact of internal irritants on the body. This is the so-called toxic itch. This happens with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the liver and bile ducts, diseases of the blood and endocrine system, obesity and hyperhidrosis.
It is impossible not to mention the so-called “pregnancy itch”. During pregnancy, the female body undergoes significant restructuring, as a result of which, due to changes in the properties of the vaginal mucosa, a suitable environment for the proliferation of bacteria and fungi is created for some time.

Pregnant women often experience body itching, which is called “pregnancy itch.”

The most common diseases in which the phenomenon of itchy skin is observed are:

Neurodermatitis– a multifactorial disease of a chronic nature, most often caused by so-called neurogenic-allergic factors and manifested in the form of specific skin rashes. This pathological condition develops as a result of disturbances in the functioning of two systems - the immune and nervous, as well as allergic diseases (atopic) and hereditary predisposition.
Hives. Pale pink itchy papules with this allergic disease appear quite quickly and also disappear in just a few hours.
Increased dry skin (xerosis). Develops as a result of exposure to frequently used detergents, sun and during the natural aging process. The amount of sebaceous gland secretions decreases, which causes skin irritation, and as a result, the skin is constantly itchy.
At Blood glucose levels increase, which in turn leads to severe itching. There is no rash. Typically, the body of patients suffering from this disease is dehydrated, and this in itself is a very good reason for the development of itching of the skin. In some cases, dry skin is complicated by fungal infection and cracks.
Scabies– is caused by scabies, the itching with this disease is intense and mainly manifests itself at night.

How to treat

What to do to get rid of itching? Before eliminating the symptoms, you need to find out the cause of the pathology (the main ones are listed above). In the case where the patient does not have serious systemic diseases, to eliminate unpleasant symptoms it is often sufficient to take the following measures:

do not forget about observing hygiene rules;
eliminate irritating factors, ensure that the skin does not dry out;
limit as much as possible the consumption of vasodilating products: coffee, alcoholic beverages, too hot dishes, too strong brewed tea, spices, etc.;

control the temperature in the room, avoiding its excessive increase;
try to avoid situations that provoke the development of stress, depression, and anxiety.

There are effective folk remedies to help combat excessive dry skin:

First of all, these are ordinary water baths, which are taken using hypoallergenic - for example, baby - soap. After a bath, the skin should not be wiped, but blotted with a cotton, bamboo or linen towel and lubricated with moisturizing oil. For example, olive oil will do;
itchy skin is also lubricated with lard;
on forums promoting folk remedies for the treatment of various diseases, a very popular remedy for many ailments is birch tar, which in this case is proposed to be applied to itchy areas of the skin;
there are recommendations about rubbing itchy skin with unsalted lard;
An effective and relatively comfortable remedy compared to other methods is rubbing with very warm water with the addition of natural;
A more effective remedy for severe itching would be bandages (wet-dry), which are applied to the itchy areas of the skin using bandaging;
and finally, we cannot fail to mention the famous “Cleopatra’s Bath”, for which two teaspoons of olive oil are added to a glass of milk to prepare the application. The mixture is applied to the desired area, blotted and left to dry.

“Cleopatra’s Bath” – add a couple of teaspoons of olive oil to a glass of milk

Dry skin can develop due to too dry indoor air.
In this case, by eliminating the cause, you will also get rid of the need to take additional measures.

Advice! To eliminate the problem of too dry indoor air, hang wet towels on heating devices or place a bowl of water next to them. You can also install a special device in the room - an air humidifier.

If itching occurs in certain areas of the body after wearing synthetic or woolen fabrics, simply eliminate the irritant. The same recommendations should be followed for any other manifestation of allergies.

In addition, you need to monitor what detergents you use, cut your nails shorter to avoid night scratching, and regularly and thoroughly do wet cleaning. In some cases, the use of special detergents for allergy sufferers (sold in special allergy centers) and the installation of an air purifier are indicated. These measures allow you to minimize the discomfort that your disease causes you.

You should follow a diet that includes easily digestible foods with a minimum content of irritating ingredients. A dairy-vegetable diet is most often optimal for allergy sufferers - of course, in the absence of a history of allergies to milk components.
Milk is a mild diuretic and helps the body get rid of toxins and waste in a timely manner.

The following should be excluded from the diet: canned foods, meat and fish broths, smoked foods, pickled foods, cocoa and chocolate, coffee, non-dietary sweets and spicy dishes.

The following will be useful: vegetable soups with cereals, low-fat boiled meat and fish, low-fat cottage cheese and other fermented milk products, fruits and vegetables, as well as herbs.

Advice! If another exacerbation occurs while following a diet, try reducing your salt intake to 3 grams per day.

The following drugs are used as drug therapy in the treatment of allergic diseases: Suprastin, Claritin, Trexil, Tavegil and others.
In some cases, ointments and creams based on glucocorticosteroids are used: Triderm, Symbicort, Diprogent, Fluorocort, Sinaflan and others.
Ointments, gels, powders and creams with the addition of novocaine, menthol, anesthesin and other soothing and analgesic components are also used.

Important! If the cause of skin itching is a certain disease of organs or systems, then treatment should be prescribed by a specialist, since without eliminating the cause, unfortunately, it will not be possible to get rid of the symptoms.

Itching is usually accompanied by an unpleasant burning sensation, tingling and redness of the skin. Very often, this symptom appears as a result of skin interaction with chemicals, poisonous insects, plants or other irritants. Also, itching on the body may appear due to allergens that enter the body through the oral cavity or injections. If such a disease is detected, you should immediately seek help from a dermatologist. Irritation and redness of the skin may indicate that a person has a serious illness.

Whatever the reasons for the itching and itching of the whole body, it is important to relieve the discomfort as soon as possible

In this article we will talk in detail about the causes and methods of treating itchy skin.

Main types of itching

Why does the body itch? This process occurs due to the fact that a person touches and begins to massage the affected area. After this, blood circulation processes in this area of the skin are enhanced, and toxins are removed from the lymph flow. The desire to scratch the skin temporarily disappears, but over time the itching appears again.

Doctors have divided body skin itching into two types:

Localized. Severe burning occurs in certain areas of the skin (for example, in the perineum, anus, legs, arms, etc.).
Generalized. An unpleasant symptom covers the entire body. In this case, there may be no redness of the skin.

Both types of itching can be either temporary or permanent. If a person experiences a strong burning sensation for a long time, this can trigger other symptoms (sleep disturbance, lack of appetite, uncontrollable scratching of the skin until blood appears).

Doctors have found that itching on the skin intensifies in the evening. This occurs due to the fact that the body temperature becomes higher and the blood vessels dilate. In turn, this leads to increased blood circulation.

Common causes of itchy body skin

Burning and tingling of the skin can occur due to various diseases or upon contact with irritants. It is very difficult to independently identify the cause of such an illness. So, let's look at what it could be.

One of the reasons why your body may itch is hives.

In most cases, the body itches due to an allergic reaction. Any type of allergy has a negative effect on the skin. This happens due to the production of histamine in the body. This substance disrupts the integrity of the structure of the epidermis.

An allergic reaction can cause itching all over the body

Also, in some cases, the body itches due to human contact with external irritants. Irritation may occur due to exposure to the following allergens:

chemicals (including cosmetics);
contact with poisonous plants;
insect bites;
some food products;
side effect from taking medications.

It is extremely difficult to independently determine why your skin itches. Therefore, if redness, burning or tingling occurs, you should immediately seek help from a qualified specialist.

Diagnostics

Before starting therapy, it is necessary to identify the cause of the unpleasant symptom. To do this, you need to contact a dermatologist. This doctor examines and treats skin diseases. If you are sure that your skin may be itching due to an allergic reaction, then you should consult an allergist.

Diagnosis of patients is carried out according to the following plan:

Examination of the skin.
Collect information about the patient's symptoms and well-being.
Laboratory research.

In order to make a correct diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an individual examination for the patient. The patient must donate blood (for biochemical, general and detailed analysis), feces and urine. He will also need to undergo X-rays, endoscopy and ultrasound examinations. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a tumor marker test for the patient.

These research methods help to identify disturbances in the functioning of organs, detect inflammatory processes, allergic reactions and allow one to assess the condition of the body.

Treatment methods

If burning, tingling or redness of the skin occurs, you should pay special attention to personal hygiene. If you have itchy skin all over your body, it is recommended to wipe the epidermis with a vinegar solution every day. If there is localized itching (in the anus or perineum), these areas should be thoroughly washed twice a day (morning and evening).

Drug treatment

Ointments are used to eliminate unpleasant symptoms. It is worth remembering that these medications are temporary and will not help get rid of skin irritation forever.

The most effective medications for external use:

Sinaflan. The ointment is applied to the affected area no more than four times a day. With prolonged use of the product, pigmentation disorders, dryness, hair loss, etc. may appear on the skin. Before using the ointment, read the instructions.
Levomekol. An effective ointment for itchy skin, has an anti-inflammatory effect. Contraindications: hypersensitivity, presence of trophic ulcers or severe burns. Side effects when using the drug are extremely rare.
Fenistil gel. The product is applied to the affected areas several times a day. Sometimes the gel can cause dry skin. If more serious side effects occur, you should immediately stop using the product.

Before applying medicinal ointments to the skin, be sure to read the instructions for use.

In most cases, skin irritation occurs due to elevated histamine levels. To eliminate the symptoms of itching, doctors recommend using antihistamines.

Pills:

Suprastin. The dosage of the drug is prescribed individually (depending on the age and weight of the patient). Side effects are rare and disappear quickly. The drug should not be used in children under three years of age, during pregnancy, lactation and with lactose intolerance.
Erius. Common side effects when using tablets: dry mouth, weakness, headache, anaphylactic shock. The drug is contraindicated in nursing and pregnant women. It should also not be used for renal failure.
Claritin. The drug acts on the cause of itching of the skin of the body. You can completely get rid of irritation in just one week. Dosage – no more than one tablet (10 mg) per day.
Tavegil. Take the tablets before meals with water. Children from 6 to 12 years old are recommended to take 1/2 tablet per day. Dosage for adults and children over 12 years of age – 1 mg twice a day (morning and evening).

Ointments based on glucocorticosteroids:

Triderm. This product has an anti-inflammatory effect, quickly eliminates redness and irritation of the skin. Treatment lasts no more than one month. Side effects when using the cream are rare. Steroid ointment has a number of contraindications; read the instructions before using it.
Fluorocort. The medicinal ointment should not be used by pregnant and lactating women and small children. Also, this remedy is not recommended for use against fungus, syphilis and skin tuberculosis. The cream must be applied to the affected area 2-3 times a day. If your whole body itches after using the medicine, you should consult a doctor.
Lorinden. With long-term use of steroid ointment, some side effects may appear: dryness and short-term redness of the skin, impaired pigmentation of the epidermis. The product is applied in a thin layer to the skin no more than three times a day. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.

It is strictly forbidden to use the above medications without a doctor’s recommendation. Self-medication can worsen your health and lead to various complications.

Traditional medicine

What to do if your body itches, but you don’t have the opportunity to visit a dermatologist? You can eliminate burning and redness using traditional medicine. It is worth remembering that home remedies only provide temporary relief from itching.

Let's look at the recipes:

First aid for inflammation is a cream with chamomile extract or glycerin. The cream must be applied 4 times a day.
If the itching occurs as a result of an insect bite, wipe the affected area of the body with alcohol.
Soda lotion. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water. If desired, you can add chamomile tincture or baby cream to the paste. Apply the resulting product to the skin, and after a while, rinse it with water.
Mix tea tree oil and menthol in equal proportions. This product will pleasantly cool the skin and eliminate redness and irritation. Treat itchy body skin until all symptoms completely disappear. Repeat the procedure several times a day.
Add chamomile tincture, baking soda and salt to your bath. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes.
Pumpkin seeds. In order to alleviate unpleasant symptoms, it is recommended to eat 2-3 tablespoons of seeds in the morning (on an empty stomach). You can also add them to various dishes (sauces, salads, drinks).
After showering, apply a small amount of olive oil to your body.

Preventive measures

By maintaining hygiene you will protect yourself from many dermatological problems.

In order to prevent the development of itching of the skin of the entire body, it is recommended to carry out the following preventive actions:

Maintain personal hygiene, but don’t get too carried away. Washing your body and head too often leads to disruption of sebum secretion. It is advisable to shower no more than once a day. Also try to use natural detergents and hypoallergenic soaps.
Install a humidifier at home. It will keep your skin healthy.
Avoid stress and emotional turmoil. To calm down, drink herbal tea every evening.
Try not to wear clothes made from synthetic fabrics, as they can cause irritation.

You also need to watch your diet. To prevent the development of itching throughout the body, it is necessary to exclude spicy, smoked, flour and fatty foods from the diet. Avoid foods that may cause allergies (alcohol, chocolate, oranges, grapefruits, nuts, etc.). Vegetables, lean meat, cereals and dairy products should form the basis of your diet.

Video on the topic

Human skin is penetrated by billions of nerve endings, which are very sensitive to all sorts of irritants: vibration, touch, chemical or thermal effects. A crawling insect, an insect bite, the touch of a feather, a cobweb, or a hair can cause a desire to itch, burning, tingling at the site of irritation: you want to quickly remove this unpleasant sensation by scratching the itchy skin.

Generalized itching - unbearable discomfort in the superficial layers of the dermis - can cause some diseases of the internal organs, allergic reactions due to dermatitis. Among the symptoms of dermatological diseases, skin itching dominates, but scratching syndrome of the anogenital zone, conjunctiva, trachea, pharynx, nose, and oral mucosa often occurs. There is a distinction between itching of the whole body without rash and with rash.

Body itching without rash

Itching all over the body without rashes can occur due to the following diseases:

Rash and itching on the body

When multiple changes occur on the mucous membrane and skin that differ in color, texture, and appearance from normal skin, they indicate a rash. The rash can affect the arms, legs, face, stomach, and chest. These may be primary symptoms - pustules, redness, spots, goosebumps, blisters, pimples, blisters. As the disease progresses, the rash is replaced by secondary elements:

Loss of natural skin color (discoloration, darkening).
Erosions and ulcers are the result of opening an abscess with a violation of the integrity of the skin with the capture of subcutaneous fatty tissue.
Peeling - scales of dead epidermis.
Crusts are the dried surface of weeping erosion, ulcers, and opened blisters.
Scratching – superficial or deep abrasions.
Lichenification – thickening, strengthening of the skin pattern.

It is not worth making a diagnosis on your own, guided by visible signs and information you have read. In case of any suspicious manifestations, you should consult a doctor to identify the underlying internal pathology that caused the scratching. A rash and a strong desire to scratch on the body are accompanied by diseases such as:

Why does my whole body itch?

When the body itches in different places, it is necessary, first of all, to determine the cause of this condition. Perhaps this is a consequence of fungal, allergic, inflammatory skin diseases, pathologies of internal organs, mental disorders and neuropathic diseases. Since there are so many causes, it is important to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the body to determine the root cause.

Allergy

Allergies in the 21st century have become the scourge of humanity. The entire population of the planet suffers from this disease to one degree or another. Allergies manifest themselves in the form of swelling, rashes, scratching, which vary in severity - from light scratching to scratching with the appearance of blood. With allergies and dermatitis, a large amount of histamine accumulates in the skin - a substance that causes scabies, tissue swelling, and dilates blood vessels. Therefore, itchy areas on the skin appear swollen and red.

Allergic itching is eliminated with antihistamines, but then the allergen should be identified and eliminated. A more serious neuroallergic disease is neurodermatitis or atopic dermatitis, which is characterized by uncontrollable, unbearable localized itching. This disease develops from childhood and subsides a little during puberty, but later recurs again. Treatment of diffuse neurodermatitis is long and complex.

Stress

A common cause of itching throughout the body is the development of psychogenic conditions: mental trauma, overstrain of the nervous system, stress, when a person does not control hand movements and constantly scratches and rubs the skin. At the same time, the desire to scratch under stress does not weaken, but, on the contrary, can only intensify. Often, against the background of neuroses, periodic wandering itching occurs, when it is impossible to determine a specific place. It is possible to avoid attacks or reduce their intensity if you eliminate the factors that cause stress.

Seasonal itching

Patients who complain of exacerbation of scabies attacks in spring or autumn can be confidently diagnosed with VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia). This is due to a lack of vitamins in the body. Vitamin therapy, which should be prescribed by the attending physician, will help eliminate the symptoms. If your whole body itches in winter, you should go to the doctor and find out the reasons for this condition.

What diseases cause the body to itch?

Itching throughout the body can occur in various diseases, with different symptoms:

Types of skin itching

There is the following classification according to the frequency of relapses and intensity of manifestation:

Spicy. It is a consequence of pathology in the body.
Local. It has biological causes - bedbugs, ticks, etc. and is felt in a certain place.
Generalized. Unpleasant manifestations throughout the body for various reasons. Can be observed in liver, endocrine, dermatological, hematological, neurogenic diseases, oncology.
Chronic. It occurs for no apparent reason and indicates dermatosis and systemic diseases during an exacerbation.

What to do if your whole body itches

Considering that there is only one itching, but there are many causes, its treatment must be approached differently. What to do if your whole body itches? You can use ointments and creams that can relieve discomfort, but if the causes lie in liver disease or endocrine system disorders, then self-medication with local remedies can only aggravate the problem and complicate further treatment. Indeed, in this case, itching on the skin is just the tip of the iceberg, under which lies a serious illness, possibly fraught with tragic consequences.

Diagnostics

Determining the root cause will require diagnosing the itchy areas. First contact a dermatologist to prescribe tests and a detailed examination. If the dermatologist finds it difficult to name the cause, consultation with a therapist, endocrinologist, allergist, gastroenterologist and other specialists will be required. Principles of treating itchy skin:

eliminating the cause;
local treatment;
systemic treatment.

Drug treatment

Depending on the reasons that caused the unpleasant symptoms, treatment for itching of the body skin is prescribed. For allergic scratching, antihistamines are prescribed: Zyrtec, Loratidine, Erius, Zyrtec, Suprastin, Tavegil. Additionally, it is recommended to take sedatives: Novo-Passit, valerian, mint tea, motherwort tincture, since the constant desire to itch disrupts sleep and makes the patient irritable. Complex manifestations are treated only under the supervision of a doctor.

However, this will take some time, and you want to relieve the itching as quickly as possible. Therefore, there are general recommendations:

The diet should not contain salty, hot, spicy foods. It is undesirable to drink strong tea, coffee, and alcohol.
If an elderly person has body itching (senile, worse in the evening and at night), then iodine preparations will alleviate the condition.
Take warm baths with sea salt.
Wipe the skin with calendula tincture in alcohol, lubricate with menthol-based antihistamine ointments.

Folk remedies

Along with drug therapy, folk remedies for body itching are used:

A quick effect is achieved by taking baths with decoctions of plants: nettle, chamomile, mint, celandine, pine needles.
Pruritoceptive (insect bites) are removed with coconut oil baths. To do this, dissolve 50 g of oil in a water bath and pour into warm water. The procedure time is 15 minutes.
Lemon juice works great for itching, but it should not be applied to areas with damaged skin.
Vaseline will help quickly relieve itching, as it will additionally moisturize and soften.
To soothe irritations, you should use basil. It contains vitamins A, C, P, which are very important for skin health. It is necessary to wipe the irritated areas with a clean fresh leaf or prepare a decoction of basil and make lotions.
Apple cider vinegar and celandine are used as applications (do not use celandine for chemical or sunburn).

How to treat body itching

If a diagnosis is made, the disease that became the cause is determined, the appropriate medicine is prescribed for itching of the body skin:

For renal itching: UVB therapy, Cholestyramine, activated carbon, Thalidomide, Naltrexone, Ondansetron, Capsacin cream, Tavegil.
Itching due to cholestasis is treated with ursodeoxycholic acid, Cholestyramine, Phenobarbital, Rifampicin, Naloxone, Naltrexone, Nalmefene, Fexadine, Trexyl, Tavegil.
Endocrine diseases: skin moisturizing, hormonal medications, compensation for diabetes mellitus are necessary.
Hematological diseases: iron supplements, Aspirin, Cholestyramine, Cimetidine.
Senile (senile): drugs with a calming effect (sedatives).

Local treatment

Local treatment includes treatment of the skin surface in areas of inflammation. These can be compresses, lotions of 3-5% vinegar, talcum powder, morning and evening hygiene. Among the medications, ointment is effective:

Lokoid;
Triderm;
Ultraproct;
Belosalik;
Baneocin;
hydrocortisone ointment (has a lot of contraindications).

Antihistamines

In the treatment of diseases with manifestations of itching, drugs that block the production of histamine are often used. Antihistamines:

Atarax. The active ingredient is hydroxyzine hydrochloride.
Berlicourt. Prescribed to eliminate any signs of allergies. The active ingredient is triamcinolone.
Desazon. The active ingredient is dexamethasone.
Diazolin. Prescribed for psoriasis, eczema, urticaria, insect bites.

Etiotropic therapy

This is a treatment aimed at eliminating a microbial, viral, bacterial, infectious pathogen. All antibacterial drugs (antibiotics), sulfonamides, nitrofuran drugs are etiotropic. Etiotropic agents include interferons, antidotes, immune globulins, probiotics, bacteriophages, and anthelmintic drugs. Etiotropic therapy drugs are used for complications of hereditary diseases, poisoning, and herpetic infections of various organs.

How to remove body itching at home

Treatment at home is aimed at eliminating the symptoms, but you need to work with your doctor to combat the cause of the strong desire to scratch the skin. As temporary help you can use:

Burdock roots. You need already dried roots to then obtain the powder using a coffee grinder. Pour 2 tbsp into a saucepan. l. powder, pour 1 liter of water. Cook for half an hour. When it cools down, you can make gauze compresses by applying to the irritated area. The effect should occur within half an hour.
Alcohol tincture of elecampane. You can prepare it at home, for which you take 1 tbsp. l. finely chopped roots, pour them into a suitable dark glass bottle, add 50 ml of alcohol. The tincture is prepared for 10 days, after which you need to make an aqueous solution with the tincture and wipe the itchy skin. According to people's reviews, the effect occurs immediately.
Needles. You will need young buds and pine needles in the amount of one glass. Pour a liter of boiling water over them and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Wash with the cooled broth, wipe the skin, make compresses and lotions. The result is felt quickly.

Video: why the skin on the body itches

Most often, itching is the body's response to an external irritant that lands on or comes into contact with the surface of the skin (for example, a reaction to a caustic chemical or an insect bite). In other situations, itchy sensations may be evidence of some kind of malfunction of the body or even a serious illness.

Types of skin itching

Modern medicine suggests several classifications of itching. According to the most popular, it is divided into:

Localized (occurs in certain areas of the skin - itching in the area of the genitals, legs, anus, etc.).
Generalized (it is impossible to determine localization, covers the entire body).

In this case, itching can be acute or chronic.

Important! In 90% of cases, acute itching is evidence of disturbances in the body or malfunctions of the nervous system.

Whatever one may say, in most cases itching causes a lot of inconvenience and discomfort. It is impossible and sometimes dangerous to ignore it for a long time.
Generalized itching. In 80-90 percent of cases it is evidence of individual diseases of organs and their systems. The most common problem is a banal allergy, but other diseases are also possible that affect the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, etc.

Important! In diseases of organs and their systems, constant or periodic itching sensations will be the only symptom and manifestation of the disease. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, so do not put off a visit to a specialist.

Localized itching. Occurs when there are disturbances in the digestive system, increased levels of glucose in the blood, vascular diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, and helminthic infestations. Quite often, itching in certain areas of the body is caused by skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.

Unusual types of itching:

Determining the causes of itchy skin

Medicine knows for sure that itching on the body can occur with a huge number of various diseases. For this reason, the diagnostic procedure is a rather difficult and lengthy process. If such a problem occurs, you should consult a doctor. Ideally, see a dermatologist. In the vast majority of cases, it is he who is involved in diagnosing the unpleasant phenomenon and finding out its root causes.

Important! For itching of any etymology, any type of treatment is prescribed after a diagnosis is made and the root causes of the unpleasant phenomenon are established. Additional symptoms will help determine the causes of itchy skin sensations. For example, the presence of swelling, redness, peeling, etc.

Causes of itching of the whole body and its individual parts

External stimuli

Human skin contains a large number of nerve endings that perceive the slightest irritation (tactile touch, vibration, etc.). During contact with an irritant (a chemical substance crawling on the body), itching occurs at the site of contact. It manifests itself as an unbearable desire to “tear” the area of skin where contact with the irritant occurred.

Allergies or inflammatory diseases of the epidermis

Under such circumstances, a special substance called histamine is released in the skin. It is this that causes discomfort on the surface of the skin and provokes itching.

Additional information. The action of most modern “antipruritic” drugs is aimed at neutralizing the effect of histamine on nerve fibers and, as a result, getting rid of itching.

Diseases of internal organs

Here, first of all, we are talking about diseases of the liver and biliary tract. With the above ailments, an impressive amount of bilirubin and so-called bile acids are deposited in the skin. It is they who act as irritants and make a person suffer from itchy sensations in different parts of the body.

Diseases of the genitourinary system of men and women

Here, first of all, it is worth remembering about sexually transmitted diseases, which affect both the male and female body. In addition, itching in the genital area of the fair half of humanity occurs when the normal microflora of the vagina is disrupted (growth of opportunistic bacteria is observed), colpitis, and hormonal imbalances.

Additional information. Itching sensations in the genital area of both sexes can be caused by the well-known scabies. Itching is especially unpleasant and severe in cases where infection occurred through unprotected sexual contact.

Diabetes mellitus

A common disease is associated with an uncontrolled increase in the amount of glucose in the blood, which negatively affects the protective functions of the body. As a result, we have a situation such as reduced immunity (read also -). Quite often this leads to the development of candidiasis (the spread of yeast). It is he who is the “culprit” of unpleasant sensations in the genital area

The mechanism of skin itching in diabetes mellitus (video)

Itchy skin - what should you be wary of? A lot of useful information in just a few minutes.

What else causes itching of the limbs and other parts of the body?

(including as a result of the use of certain groups of cosmetics);
insect bites;
clothing made of synthetics or wool;
diaper rash and irritation from sweat;
long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Itching of the lower extremities

As a rule, it is caused by fungal diseases or problems in the vascular system.

With a fungal infection of the feet, itching occurs between the toes. Additional symptoms: peeling of the skin in the affected area, redness or cracking. Both men and women suffer from foot fungus equally.

Itching in the lower leg area may indicate the presence of varicose veins. Representatives of the fairer sex are more likely to encounter this problem than men. In the initial stages, the disease manifests itself as itching in the extremities. Later, the itching is accompanied by swelling, as well as an enlarged venous network.

Itching in women in an “interesting position”

During the period of bearing a child, women quite often complain of itching in different parts of the body (in the abdomen or back) or itching all over the body. In the vast majority of cases, it occurs in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.

What causes itchy sensations during pregnancy:

Overstretching of the skin on the abdomen due to the rapid growth of the uterus. Provokes discomfort in the back and abdomen. Easily removed with regular moisturizer.
Gallstone disease. The main manifestations are yellowing of the skin, sclera of the eyes, as well as widespread itching throughout the body.

Important! If such symptoms occur, you should immediately seek medical help.

Thrush (fungal infection of the genital organs) is an unpleasant phenomenon that most pregnant women experience.

Pay attention! In practice, itching in pregnant women goes away immediately after the birth of the child and does not require additional treatment.

Itchy skin after shower

Water procedures and showers refresh, give a charge of vigor and strength. But in some cases they cause such an unpleasant phenomenon as itchy skin. You can get rid of the problem by identifying the root cause.

Causes of itchy skin after swimming that are not related to illness:

Chlorinated water. Water procedures in water with a high content of chlorine lead to overdrying of the skin and its tightening, which causes a lot of unpleasant sensations, discomfort and the desire to comb the entire body or certain areas of it.
Detergents. Gels, shampoos, balms, soaps that contain aggressive components sometimes have a negative effect on sensitive skin, causing irritation and itching.
Wearing synthetic underwear after a shower causes disturbances in heat exchange processes and, as a result, can cause itching.
Stressful situations, as well as disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, can cause itching after water procedures.
Excessively cool water. Itching after dousing with cold water may be evidence of a so-called cold allergy.

When to see a doctor:

the desire to comb the entire body or certain areas of it does not go away for more than 2 weeks;
unpleasant sensations “spread” throughout the body;
itching causes great discomfort and prevents you from sleeping at night;
other symptoms appear: swelling or redness on the skin, fatigue, irritability, etc.

Diagnosis of itchy skin

If local or general itching appears, you should not put off visiting a dermatologist, who will conduct a comprehensive examination, determine the cause of the itching and give recommendations for treatment and prevention.

Sample diagnostic plan:

general examination of the patient (including examination of the skin);
collecting anamnesis (patient complaints, other symptoms);
laboratory diagnostics and non-invasive research methods.

In addition to taking a medical history and direct examination, most patients are given targeted individual examination program which may include:

general and detailed blood test;
biochemical blood test;
blood test for sugar and thyroid hormones;
general stool analysis;
fecal analysis for helminths;
general urinalysis;
endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, etc.);
radiography and ultrasound.

Tests and other research methods make it possible to determine the presence of an inflammatory process, allergic reactions, elevated blood glucose levels, identify disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, liver and biliary tract, as well as assess the general condition of the body and establish possible causes of itchy skin. In some cases, if the doctor has more serious suspicions, the patient may be prescribed a study using tumor markers.

Treatment of skin itching includes: identification and neutralization of the causes of itching, local treatment, general drug treatment.

Important! Before contacting a dermatologist, it is not recommended to use any medications or take measures to neutralize itching (use antihistamines, lubricate the skin with creams or ointments). Such events will greatly complicate the diagnosis and delay the process of making a correct diagnosis.

Treatment of itching

Local

If itching occurs, special attention should be paid to hygiene. For generalized itching, it is recommended to wipe the skin with a vinegar solution or talc-based solutions. For local itching in the genital area, washing (2 times a day) with warm water and soap will help.

Important! In case of itching in the genital area and anus, it is necessary to wash after each act of defecation.

Pharmacy ointments will help relieve discomfort associated with itching.

Pay attention! Local remedies only temporarily relieve itching or reduce its severity, but do not eliminate its root cause. Consequently, they have an “antipruritic” effect only during use.

Medication

Most often, itchy skin is caused by an increase in the level of histamine in the skin. In order to reduce its concentration, the attending physician may prescribe drugs belonging to the category of antihistamines.

Pills. The most common of them: “Tavegil”, “Erius”, “Loratadine”, “Suprastin”, “Diazolin”. The dosage of each drug is selected taking into account age.

Important! Do not forget that taking antihistamines causes drowsiness.

If the body reacts momentarily to an irritant (for example, an insect bite), it is enough to take one dose of the drug. If the problem persists, the doctor determines the dosage and time of treatment.

Ointments. Allows you to reduce swelling, redness and relieve itching. May contain hormones. The use of hormonal ointments should not be uncontrolled and should not exceed 3-5 days, because Such drugs are addictive and can have a negative effect on some organs. Hormonal ointments are “Ftorocort”, “Lorindent”, “Advantan”, etc.

Among the non-hormonal options, the most popular are: “Nezulin”, “Fenistil-gel”, “Luan”, “Vitaon” balm.

Additional information. Most ointments begin to act and reduce the severity of itching within 5 minutes. after application to the skin.

Home remedies

In case of unbearable itching, the following will come to the rescue:

Cool compresses with an aqueous solution of soda.
Warm bath with a little table salt.
Pumpkin seeds. Drinking a glass a day daily will relieve discomfort.
Dill. Pour one tablespoon of seeds into a glass of boiling water and let it brew. Take tincture 1/3 cup 3 times a day.
Sea buckthorn. Long-term use of sea buckthorn (at least a month) will allow you to forget forever about such an unpleasant phenomenon as itching.
Herbal decoction. A medicinal drink made from burdock, plantain, nettle, mint and dill seeds will come to the aid of those who suffer from itching of various localizations. Directions for use: 2 times a day? glasses for a month.

To reduce the severity of itching, it is recommended to wear clothes and underwear made from natural materials. Synthetics for itching – taboo! When bathing, you must use cosmetics with a minimum amount of additives and fragrances. The ideal option is baby soap, shampoo, lotion. After a shower, it is recommended to apply moisturizing cosmetics to the skin.

Diet is an effective and efficient assistant in the fight against itching

Quite often, certain foods are the cause of itching sensations. Eating them leads to unpleasant sensations in various parts of the body. To reduce the severity of itching, it is recommended to limit the consumption of fatty and spicy foods, as well as allergenic foods (citrus fruits, chocolate, alcoholic beverages). Products that you should focus on in your diet are cereals, fermented milk products, lean meats, and vegetables.

An approximate diet for a person struggling with itching should look like this:

Breakfast: oatmeal or low-fat cottage cheese, boiled egg, tea, cheese sandwich.
Lunch: apple (pear or any other non-allergenic fruit).
Dinner: broth soup, fresh vegetable salad, steamed cutlet from lean meats, jelly (compote).
Dinner: baked potatoes with vegetables, boiled fish, tea with milk.
Before bed– a glass of low-fat kefir.

Of course, this is just an approximate daily diet, which can be modified depending on your wishes and taste preferences.

Why do people itch (video with Elena Malysheva)

Why do people itch? Itching, what is it like? Effective methods of treatment and prevention. Answers to these and other questions in a short video review.

Treatment is necessary - itchy skin can lead to thinning of the skin, as well as various damage to the epidermis. A more dangerous situation is the addition of an infection. Therefore, in order to avoid more serious problems, you should promptly respond to your own body’s “alarm signals” and seek qualified medical help.

Next article.

Itching that occurs without a specific reason, spreading throughout the whole body, is an unpleasant and alarming ailment. Various factors, both internal and external, provoke intense scratching of the skin. Itching appears after exposure to irritants on nerve endings located in the shallow layers of the skin. For some people, the pathological condition goes away over time, for others it gradually turns into neurodermatitis.

Article outline:

What is itching like?

Why does the human body itch? The area of the skin in which the pathology develops itches.

When a person combs the skin affected by the disease, he performs a specific massage.

After massage movements in the skin layers, blood circulation improves, lymphatic drainage and the removal of toxic substances are stimulated.

As a result, the itching subsides.

In rare cases, the skin may itch when certain metabolic waste products accumulate in the body. This itching does not last long and disappears without medication.

Medical experts distinguish two types of itchy skin:

Localized – observed on a specific area of the skin;
Widespread - felt throughout the body, usually in diseases of the internal organs.

Both localized and widespread itching can torment a person constantly, or it can occur periodically. The intensity of the unpleasant ailment also varies: in some cases the body itches barely noticeably, in others it is simply unbearable. With intense and incessant itching, a person does not get enough sleep, eats poorly and without appetite, and scratches the inflamed areas of the skin until it bleeds.

It should be noted that skin itching often becomes more annoying in the evenings and at night. This phenomenon has a simple explanation: in the evening and at night, blood vessels dilate, body temperature rises slightly, especially if a person lies under a warm blanket, blood circulation in the skin layers is activated, and the body’s reaction to irritants intensifies.

Causes of itching

In case of prolonged itching that is not accompanied by external changes in the skin, the dermatologist makes a preliminary diagnosis to the patient - itching of unknown origin. A doctor can accurately determine the factor that causes the body to itch only after the sick person undergoes a medical examination. The occurrence of itchy skin is often provoked by the external factors listed below.

Internal causes related to the state of the body can also cause itching. Itching of the whole body can provoke dysfunction of internal organs. Often the body itches in people suffering from poor metabolism or poor functioning of the digestive system.

In this situation, a large amount of metabolic waste accumulates in the body. These toxic substances irritate the nerve endings located in the skin layers, causing intense itching.

Also, the body may itch due to deterioration in the functioning of the gallbladder. With this disease, a lot of bile flows into the bloodstream, which is also an irritating factor. Toxins that accumulate in the body when the absorption function and motility of the intestinal tract are disrupted can also cause itching.

And skin itching is often provoked by diseases of the endocrine glands, especially the pancreas and thyroid, malignant tumors, obesity, pathologies of the blood and hematopoietic system.

What diseases most often cause itching of the whole body?

Intense itching of the body in different places does not occur without a reason, but is a symptom of various diseases. Only a medical specialist can determine exactly what kind of pathology it may be.

You should not try to diagnose the disease yourself, otherwise, due to incorrect treatment, you can only worsen the situation.

Most often the body itches with the following pathologies:

Neurodermatitis

A chronic disease provoked by irritation of the nervous system or allergens, accompanied by skin rashes. The pathology is diagnosed in children and adults after weakened immunity, nervous disorders, allergic reactions, and can be inherited. Currently, doctors prefer to call the disease atopic dermatitis.

Hives

An inflammatory reaction of the skin caused by allergens. This disease is accompanied by a rapidly spreading rash over the skin, which consists of very itchy blisters of light pink color.

Usually, hives appear immediately after an allergy exacerbation, but disappear without a trace after a few hours.

Xerosis

Excessive dryness of the skin, observed after sunbathing, contact of the human body with powders and other household chemicals, unsuitable hygiene and cosmetic products. Also, the skin “dries out” as the body ages. In old people, the sebaceous glands do not work well, so the skin is constantly irritated and itchy.

Diabetes mellitus

With this disease, the concentration of sugar in the blood is at a high level, as a result the skin is very itchy, but there is no rash, or any other symptoms.

Itching in diabetics occurs due to the fact that their body is constantly dehydrated, so the skin dries out and becomes irritated.

In severe forms of the disease, in addition to itching, microcracks are observed on the skin and pathogenic fungi multiply.

Scabies

How to treat if your whole body itches

Everyone knows that it is impossible to eliminate symptoms without finding out the source of the disease. If the itching is caused by non-serious external causes, then to eliminate it it is enough to follow the following recommendations:

If the itching is caused by an allergy, then you just need to get rid of the irritating factor - the allergen. It is important to correctly determine what exactly triggered the development of an allergic reaction. Allergens can be clothing items made of synthetics or wool that rub against the skin when worn, food, pollen of flowering plants, dust particles, animal hair, washing powders, cosmetics and perfumes.

A person suffering from allergies needs to carefully monitor their actions and be careful in contact with surrounding objects.
It is advisable to buy detergents and cleaning products made specifically for allergy sufferers. The rooms must be regularly cleaned and the furniture must be cleared of dust.
It would be good if it is possible to install an air purifier in the bedroom.
Allergy sufferers also need to eat properly and carefully. The diet should include easily digestible foods that do not have irritating properties. It is best to create a menu of dairy and plant-based dishes, unless, of course, the allergy is caused by milk.

Fermented milk products stimulate the digestive tract and help eliminate toxins and toxic metabolic waste from the body.

The diet of allergy sufferers should not contain any canned food, eggs, soups with meat or fish, marinades, smoked meats, coffee, chocolate, spices, or sweets. It is recommended to consume light vegetable soups without fat, boiled meat, low-fat fish, fermented milk dishes, vegetables and fruits.

To treat allergies, doctors prescribe antihistamines:

Tavegil;
Suprastin;
Claritin.

In some cases, patients are prescribed external hormonal medications based on glucocorticoids:

Fluorocort;
Sinaflan;
Symbicort.

Allergy sufferers can use ointments, creams, powders containing novocaine or anesthesin, which have a softening and anesthetic effect, to relieve itching.

If the source of skin itching is not external factors, but serious pathologies of internal organs, then the method of therapy is determined exclusively by a medical specialist. Self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited.

Traditional recipes for treating itching

Folk remedies can eliminate itching caused by external factors. Their effectiveness has been proven for more than a decade.

However, using traditional medicine recipes to treat itchy skin caused by internal causes is useless and dangerous.

Below are the best remedies to help cope with dryness and irritation of the skin:

Taking baths with baby hygiene products;
Lubricating damaged areas of skin with birch tar;
Applying pork fat to the skin;
Wiping with an aqueous solution of apple cider vinegar;
Rub a liquid mixture of a glass of milk and two teaspoons of olive oil into the skin;
Coating the itchy body with unsalted lard;
Apply wet gauze to the damaged areas of the skin until completely dry.

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