Itching at night? this is the cause and how to fix it

Ready to rest after a day of activities, suddenly you feel an extraordinary itchy skin. However, have you ever experienced itching at night? Learn the various causes and ways to deal with itching on the following night.

Why does the skin itch more at night?

Itching is usually caused by substances due to inflammation in the skin. The causes can vary, ranging from skin diseases, health conditions, allergic reactions, or your psychological condition.

Itching can appear both during the day and at night. His arrival was unpredictable.

However, there are some people who complain of excessive itching at night. Most likely, the three things below will be the influence of its appearance.

The body's biological clock

In most cases, your skin feels itchy at night due to changes in circadian rhythms in the body.

The circadian rhythm is a biological clock that determines how each organ of your body works. For example, during the day your digestive system is working hard, while at night your digestive system will rest.

Changing circadian rhythms at night can make you more prone to hives. At night, your body produces lots of proteins called cytokines. This type of protein can make inflammation worse.

Meanwhile, steroid hormones that fight inflammation are only produced in small amounts at night.

Because of this, it is easier for your skin to become inflamed at night. Symptoms of inflammation include itching, redness, or swelling.

Dry skin

At night, human skin will also become drier. This is because usually the air temperature drops so it gets cooler at night.

Dry skin, which in medicine is called xerosis, usually looks scaly, cracked, and feels very itchy.

Itching is more pronounced at night

In other cases, you may actually feel itching in the morning or during the day. However, due to busy activities, the itching doesn't really feel like it.

Meanwhile, at night before bed, for example, there are no things that can grab your attention. The itching that appears feels even worse.

Another cause that can trigger itching at night

Itching can also appear as a symptom of several diseases. These diseases can make the itching feel more intense at night.

The following are various diseases that can cause itching before you sleep or even when you are asleep.

• Skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) or psoriasis.
• Insect bites such as mosquitoes, mites, fleas, or pinworms.
• Psychological conditions such as stress, depression, and anxiety disorders.
• Kidney or liver (liver) disease.
• Anemia (iron deficiency).
• Thyroid disease.
• Sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome.
• Nerve disorders due to multiple sclerosis, or diabetes.
• Allergic reactions to food, drinks, cosmetic products, or drugs.

Overcoming itching at night

If the itching is caused by a disease that has been previously mentioned, of course you have to treat it according to the disease. It's different if the itching occurs suddenly, you can overcome it by doing the steps below.

• Using a loose cotton nightgown.
  
• Use a moisturizing product (moisturizer) after showering or before going to bed.
• Don't take hot showers. If you want to take a warm shower, you can use lukewarm water.
• Compress the itchy area with a cold compress.
• Make sure your room is cool enough but still damp. If necessary, apply a humidifier (humidifier) in the evening.
• Avoid skin care products that can cause irritation. For example, perfume, soaps with fragrances and preservatives, or moisturizers that contain too many chemicals.
• Take allergy medication (antihistamines).
• Apply an ointment or lotion calamine.

If the itching does not go away, even accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, watery wateriness, or redness, immediately see a doctor. Likewise, when the itching has disturbed your sleep. For more information, discuss with your doctor.