Itchy skin of the body: what are the causes and how to fix the problem

Itching is an unpleasant phenomenon in which you constantly or with some frequency you want to scratch the affected area of ​​the skin. It is worth remembering that itching is not an independent disease, but just a symptom of a certain ailment, most often associated with diseases of the epidermis, internal organs or the central nervous system. Itching is acute and chronic, sometimes it is localized in a certain area of ​​the skin, and sometimes it seems that literally the whole body itches. In any case, it will be necessary to understand the root of the problem, especially since active combing often becomes the cause of infection.

Causes of itchy skin

If itching makes itself felt without any external manifestations on the skin - rash, pustules, allergic reactions, most often it is generalized, that is, it spreads throughout the body. The cause of the phenomenon may be:

• disorders in the work of the endocrine system - thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus;
• malfunctioning of the kidneys, which are accompanied by frequent urination, high body temperature, spasms in the lumbar spine;
• liver disease (mainly jaundice);
• lack of iron in the body;
• nervous and mental disorders;
• oncological diseases;
• period of menopause;
• the so-called senile itching associated with age-related changes, elderly people suffer from it;
• in pregnant women, itching is caused by abrupt hormonal changes.

Intolerable itching of a local nature is accompanied by rashes, redness and peeling of the skin. The main factors affecting these signs are:

• fungal (candidiasis, trichomoniasis) and parasitic infections (scabies, lice, demodicosis, helminthiasis);
• childhood infectious diseases — measles, chickenpox;
• dermatological ailments - contact and atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis;
• allergy to medicines or chemicals;
• insect bites.

Itchy scalp

Itchy scalp is a severe irritation that causes the affected area to flake and itch. Factors influencing the onset of the disease can be both external and internal health problems. Be that as it may, treatment must be immediate, otherwise, the disease will worsen.

Causes of itchy head:

• Pediculosis (scabies) is a disease provoked by infection by insects (lice) that settle on the scalp. Lice bites can be very painful and itchy.
• The appearance of seborrheic dermatitis is associated with a dysfunction of the sebaceous glands against the background of reduced immunity or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. With increased secretion, the hair and scalp suffer from excess sebum, crusts and scales form on the surface. If the secretion is reduced, the skin, on the contrary, becomes dry, cracked, dandruff and acne appear.
• Itching can also be caused by shingles - this is a fungal disease transmitted from pets, accompanied by purulent rashes, peeling.
• The urge to scratch the itchy part of the head is not necessarily caused by any medical condition. This happens if the skin is not sufficiently hydrated and due to an excess of dead particles of the epidermis - dandruff.
• Diseases of the liver and gallbladder.
• Stress and nervous tension.
• Dermatitis of various types.
• Allergy for cosmetics.

Red skin rashes and itching

Any rash on the surface of the dermis is a kind of protective reaction of the body. The reason can be stressful situations, and allergies, and the introduction of dangerous pathogens (fungal, bacterial, viral infections). The disease can spread to any part of the body, as a rule, itchy red spots first appear, then they change somewhat, the skin becomes uneven, scaly, the patient wants to scratch the affected area, but this does not bring relief, rather, it only aggravates the situation.

In dermatology, there are about 60 types of ailments associated with the appearance of rashes, which are divided into 2 stages - primary and secondary.

Types of rashes:

• The usual red spots do not rise above the level of the skin; their formation is associated with excessive blood flow.
• Papules or plaques are a so-called nodule, ranging in size from a pinhead to the size of a nail. Papules are round or conical in shape.
• Vesicles (blisters) are small, transparent, cloudy fluid-filled sac, which under certain conditions appears above the surface of the skin.
• The pustules look like vesicles, however, they are often filled not with liquid, but with pus. Sometimes these painful neoplasms burst without opening and a crust forms on the surface of the dermis.

If measures are not taken in time to get rid of the disease, it will begin to progress, and the rash will pass into the secondary stage:

• Peeling is added to the itching.
• The surface of the dermis becomes darker or, conversely, partially discolored.
• When scratching, abrasions and scratches appear, and when neoplasms are opened, ulcers and crusts.
• Leather becomes denser.

Itching and flaking of the skin

Many are sure that itching is a harmless phenomenon and most often goes away without the use of medication. In fact, this opinion is erroneous, the disease signals any malfunctions in the body - dermatological problems (dermatitis, scabies, eczema), disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, as well as allergic reactions of varying severity and localization.

Over time, itching tends to turn into more severe chronic forms of the disease, so if the desire to comb the affected area lasts more than two weeks and becomes unbearable, you should immediately consult a doctor and undergo an examination.

Sometimes peeling of the skin is added to the itching. In principle, this is a completely normal physiological phenomenon, unless it is accompanied by other suspicious symptoms - the spread of the disease over the entire area of ​​the body, burning sensation, pain when scratching, separation of dermis scales, "getting wet", weakness, feeling unwell, fever, negative reaction from the side Gastrointestinal tract.

What are the causes of itching and flaking?

• allergies caused by external factors, chemicals, cosmetics, food, medicines;
• irritation, rash;
• sunburn due to abuse of exposure to open sunlight;
• skin diseases;
• dysfunction of internal organs;
• infections, viruses, fungal diseases;
• bites of blood-sucking insects.

Itching and peeling It is not always considered a signal of danger and can be the cause of increased sweating in the hot season, a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, and an insufficiently balanced diet. Often, discomfort appears after using creams, shower gels and other cosmetic and hygiene products, in which there is an excess of fragrances and dyes.

Treating itchy skin

Experts distinguish between two main types of itching - itching as a subjective symptom of a disease and idiopathic itching, as an independent disease that does not have a sharp clinical picture other than scratching, and sometimes, when a bacterial infection is introduced, and various inflammations in the form of a rash, boils and blisters ...

If itching is a factor provoked by any pathological process, then the underlying disease must be treated. However, most often it has a neuro-allergic nature, then therapy includes several stages of getting rid of the problem:

• sedatives and antidepressants - Phenobarbital, Doxepin, etc. (appointed exclusively by a specialist);
• antihistamines - Suprastin, Zyrtec, Claritin, Zodak;
• external agents - tincture of salicylic and carboxylic acid, Fenistil-gel, Radevit, Advantan, hormonal ointments, novocaine blockade;
• sorbents for removing toxins;
• physiotherapy, psychotherapy;
• folk methods - infusion of thyme, oregano, burdock, mint.