An uncomfortable and irritating sensation that makes an individual want to scratch is called an itchy skin. The medical term for this condition is pruritis. Commonly, itchy skin is caused by dry skin. Itchy skin because of dry skin is a condition common in older adults, as the skin tends to become drier with age. However, the cause of itchy skin is not limited to only dryness of the skin.

Given below is some information about the common causes of an itchy skin, symptoms, and more.

What are the most common itchy skin causes?

• Dry skin – Dry skin is often the cause of itchy skin. One can look at their feet and legs to check if they have flaky and scaly skin with prominent lines, this is commonly caused by dry skin.
• Diseases – An internal disease can cause itchy skin. Some of these diseases include kidney failure, liver disease, thyroid problems, iron deficiency anemia, etc. Usually itching caused by an internal disease affects the entire body; however, the skin may look normal to the eyes, except for the areas that are scratched repeatedly.
• Rashes and skin conditions – Skin conditions like eczema, contact eczema, psoriasis, lice, hives, chicken pox, etc. can cause itching. The itching is limited to specific areas and is accompanied by other symptoms like redness, irritated skin, bumps, and/or blisters.
• Irritation and allergic reaction – Certain substances like wool, soaps, fragrances, chemicals, etc can irritate the skin and cause it to itch. An allergic reaction caused by substances like poison ivy, cosmetics, and food allergies can cause itchy skin.
• Nerve disorders – Itchy skin can be caused by conditions that affect the nervous system. These include diabetes, shingles (herpes zoster), pinched nerves, diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, etc.
• Pregnancy – Some women experience itchy skin when pregnant. This itching can be prominent on the abdomen and thighs. Additionally, itchy skin conditions like dermatitis may worsen in pregnancy.
• Drugs – Rashes and itches can sometimes be caused by an reaction to certain drugs, such as anti-fungal medicines, narcotic pain drugs, and antibiotics.

Why does the itchy skin worsen at night?

• Night time itch is called nocturnal pruritus.
• Generally, the natural circadian rhythm of the body is the reason for itchy skin to get worse at night, as there is a change in the body temperature and fluid balance.
• The temperature and blood flow increases in the evening leading to warming of the body and increases the need to scratch the itchy skin.
• Hormones, namely cytokines, are released during the night leading to inflammation and subsequent itching.

Does the itchy skin indicate an allergy?

• An allergic reaction is sometimes the cause of itchy skin.
• When skin comes into contact with an allergen, it causes small red blisters or bumps that itch.
• Generally, there is a time delay between contact and outburst.
• The allergic reaction varies from person to person.
• Therefore, if itchy skin occurs after coming in contact with certain allergen it should indicate an allergy.

How to relieve itchy skin at home?

To relieve itchy skin at home, one can try the following:

• Controlling the urge to itch, as itching-scratching cycle worsens an itchy skin.
• Assess what causes the symptoms to worsen. They could be rough clothing, heated rooms, hot baths, etc. Best try to avoid them.
• Clean the rash with a mild cleanser.
• Avoid using fragrant products like cologne, perfumes, and lotions.
• Let the itchy skin rash area breathe. Wear loose clothing.
• Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer at least once a day to keep dryness at bay.
• Use creams and gels which cool and soothe the skin and contain menthol as the primary ingredient.
• Have an oatmeal bath to relieve itchy skin.
• Apply cool and wet compresses to affected areas.