Causes of itchy stomach besides pregnancy plus how to deal with it

Various causes of stomach itching

An itchy stomach can be caused by a variety of things, from mild to serious health conditions. Here are some things that can cause your stomach to feel itchy, namely:

1. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis, also known as eczema, can occur as a result of an allergic reaction and irritation. Usually the itching due to this condition will be accompanied by symptoms of swelling. Usually the irritation that occurs due to irritant eczema results from:

Metal from belly button piercing
Nickel or metal material on the belt head

While allergic eczema conditions can be caused by:

Substances or chemicals that can cause allergies, such as detergents, cleaning products or beauty products.

2. Infection

Infections caused by certain bacteria and organisms can cause an itchy stomach. Usually, people who have an infection in the skin of the stomach will experience itching at night so that it often interferes with the quality of sleep, this often occurs in people with scabies infection.

In addition, in conditions of infection due to bacteria appear warm skin contact and possibly discharge of pus in the skin wound.

3. Insect bites

Unconsciously, insect bites can make the stomach and other body parts feel itchy. Usually this is characterized by small red, itchy bumps. Some of the characteristics that are easy to recognize insect bites are:

A red, round lump that is small and gets bigger over time, usually the result of a mosquito bite.
Red bumps that have a zigzag pattern, are usually the result of fleas in your mattress.
Red spots that feel very itchy in the area around the waist and stomach.

Some of these insects usually attack you at night when you are sleeping soundly.

4. Drug reactions

Itching in the stomach can occur due to the body's response after taking certain medications. A rash or redness around the stomach can indicate a negative reaction to the drug in your body. Usually this will not last long and is only temporary.

Drug reactions also usually do not only attack the stomach, but itching and redness occurs in almost all parts of the body. If you experience prolonged itching, it's a good idea to consult a doctor immediately for immediate treatment.

5. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to produce too many skin cells. The result is a buildup of excess skin cells that can cause scaly, reddish, and itchy skin.

Usually, psoriasis affects the knees, elbows, and scalp. However, other parts of the body, including the stomach, can also get psoriasis. If you see scales on the skin of your stomach that are silvery in color and look like they have been lifted due to the build-up of dead skin cells, it's good to be aware of the possibility of psoriasis.

Therefore, immediately consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis.

How to deal with an itchy stomach

Scratching the itchy skin on the stomach can irritate the skin if done continuously. For that, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, here are some things you can do to treat an itchy stomach, namely:

Wear loose clothing to prevent the clothes from rubbing directly against the skin, which can exacerbate the itching.
Wear cotton clothes that can absorb sweat to make itching worse due to damp skin conditions.
Take a warm shower.
Place a cool, damp cloth or towel over the itchy stomach for 5 to 10 minutes.
Use an unscented moisturizer after showering or any time when stomach skin looks dry. You can also chill the moisturizer in the refrigerator so there is a cool sensation that can help soothe your skin when it feels itchy.
Use a corticosteroid in the form of a cream or drink according to a doctor's prescription to reduce itching.
Taking oral and topical antihistamines to reduce itching prescribed by your doctor.

For itching caused by certain serious conditions such as psoriasis and drug allergies, you can immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment according to your condition.