Pruritus or itchy skin: causes, symptoms, and treatment & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is pruritus?

Pruritus, or itchy skin, is a condition in which you want to scratch your skin because of an uncomfortable and irritating sensation. This may be the result of a rash or other condition, such as psoriasis or dermatitis. You can also get pruritus because you have liver disease or kidney failure. The cause of pruritus is what determines whether your skin is itchy, or red, or rough, or there are bumps, or blisters.

How common is pruritus?

Pruritus is common. This disease causes primary skin disorders such as xerosis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, psoriasis, arthropod attacks, mastocytosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, or pemphigoid. Pruritus can affect patients of all ages. Pruritus can be resolved by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of pruritus?

Pruritus signs and symptoms are:

• Itchy skin around certain small areas, for example on the arms or legs, or the whole body feels itchy
• Red skin
• Rashes, freckles, or blisters
• Dry, cracked skin
• Coarse or scaly skin texture

The itching sometimes lasts a long time and can be intense. When you rub or scratch the area, the skin itches even more. And the more itchy the skin, the more often you scratch it. Breaking the itch-scratching cycle can be difficult, but continued scratching can damage the skin or lead to infection.

Some of the other symptoms or signs may not be listed above. If you feel anxious about these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

When should I see a doctor?

You should contact a doctor or skin specialist (dermatologist) if the itching:

• Lasts more than two weeks
• Doesn't get better with self-care
• Severe itching and distracts you from your daily routine
• Interferes with sleep
• There is no cause for itching
• Affects the whole body
• Accompanied by other symptoms, such as extreme tiredness, weight loss, change in bowel movements or urination frequency, fever, or skin flushing.

Cause

What causes pruritus?

• Dry skin. If there are no bright red bumps or other drastic changes in the itchy area, the cause of pruritus may be dry skin. Dry skin usually appears in response to environmental factors such as hot or cold weather with low humidity, prolonged use of air conditioning or heating, and frequent showering.
• Skin conditions and rashes. Many skin conditions can make you feel itchy, including eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, fleas, chicken pox, and rashes.
• Internal disease. There are several diseases whose symptoms are causing you to experience pruritus. These can include liver disease, malabsorption of wheat, kidney failure, anemia due to iron deficiency, thyroid disorders, and cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma.
• Nerve disorders. Multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, pinched nerves, and shingles can affect the nervous system and cause pruritus.
• Irritation and allergic reactions. You can get pruritus due to irritants from cold weather, chemicals, soaps, and other substances. Food allergies may also cause itchy skin.
• Drugs. Reactions to medications, such as antibiotics, anti-fungal drugs or narcotic pain relievers, can cause a widespread rash and pruritus.
• Pregnancy. During pregnancy, some women can experience pruritus, especially on the stomach, thighs, breasts, and arms.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for pruritus?

There are many risk factors for pruritus, namely:

• Seasonal allergies, hay fever, asthma, and eczema.
• Age. The elderly are more prone to pruritus.
• Living in congested areas usually promotes the development of fleas, intestinal worms, and infectious childhood diseases.
• Wearing closed sports shoes with synthetic socks keeps the feet moisturised, which encourages mold development.
• Keep animals at home.
• Insect bites.
• Care and hygiene.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for pruritus?

Doctors can prescribe corticosteroid creams to treat pruritus. You must apply this medicated cream to the affected area, then cover it with a damp cotton material that has been dipped in water or some other solution. With the moisture from the damp cloth, the skin may be able to absorb the cream better.

Certain medications, for example tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, are calcineurin inhibitors that may be given in some cases, especially if the area of ​​the itch is not too large.

To reduce pruritus, you may also receive an oral antihistamine from your doctor. The benefit of a number of drugs in this group is that they do not make you drowsy, such as cetirizine and loratadine, while other drugs can make you drowsy such as diphenhydramine. If you can't sleep at night because of pruritus, this group of drugs is for you.

In addition, doctors are able to treat the causes of pruritus. After an internal disease is found, the doctor will treat the disease so that the itching will disappear. Itching relief methods may also be recommended.

Light therapy or phototherapy is a method of treating pruritus, including exposing the skin to ultraviolet rays of a certain wavelength. Sessions are usually scheduled until the disease is under control.

What are the usual tests for pruritus?

Pruritus can be diagnosed by physical examination and history. If a doctor suspects that a medical condition is causing pruritus, a number of tests may be done, usually:

• Blood test. This test is able to provide evidence of an internal condition causing pruritus, such as iron deficiency.
• Chemical profile. This test is done to check if you have liver or kidney disorders.
• Thyroid function test. Your doctor needs to determine if a thyroid disorder, such as hyperthyroidism, is present because it could be the cause of your disease.
• Chest X-ray. Radiographs are able to indicate signs of disease that may be related to your disease.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat pruritus?

The lifestyle and home remedies below may help treat pruritus:

• Don't scratch. You can prevent this by covering the itchy area. Before going to bed, you can trim your nails and put on gloves so you can't scratch during sleep.
• Compressing with a cold, wet cloth. Covering the affected area with a bandage and cloth can help protect the skin and prevent scratching.
• Take a warm bath. This method is good for you to relieve pruritus. You are advised to sprinkle the bath water with baking soda, raw oatmeal, or colloid.
• Opt for mild soaps without dyes or fragrances. Dyes or fragrances will only make your condition worse. After using soap, make sure you clean your entire body from soap marks. Then, apply a moisturizer to protect the skin.
• Avoid substances that irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction, including nickel, jewelry, perfume or skin products that contain fragrances, cleaning products, and cosmetics.
• Reduces stress. Stress can make itching worse. Counseling, habit modification therapy, meditation, and yoga are some of the ways to reduce stress.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.