Pruritis is the medical term for itching and is one of the most common and uncomfortable symptoms experienced by all age groups. In most cases, short term itching may not be serious unlike other symptoms like pain but a persistent itchy skin should always be investigated for more serious causes.
Itch may be triggered by a number of factors, from light touch to certain textiles and fabrics , after eating specific foods or using certain drugs. Certain systemic disorders, not related to the skin, may also cause itching. Occasionally itch may occur for no known reason (idiopathic pruritis).
How does itching occur?
Pathophysiology of Itchy Skin
Itching is often caused by certain chemicals, like histamine, released by the immune cells. This often occurs as a result of injury, inflammation or irritation at a specific area of the skin. However if the immune system is triggered by an inhaled (airborne) or ingested (food and drink) allergen, then itching may occur throughout the body (generalized pruritis). Histamine is not the only chemical that may cause itching and other compounds, like certain hormones and peptides as well as some drugs may also trigger generalized itching.
What are the types of itching?
Types of Itchy Skin
The itch should be classified by the type of itch. This can be due to skin factors, like certain skin diseases and sensitivity (dermatological), systemic diseases, like liver disorders (systemic itch), perceived itch caused by stimuli of the nerves (neuropathic) or it can be psychological , like in lichen simplex chronicus(psychogenic).
What causes itching?
Itchy skin is a common symptom and there can be a host of dermatological, systemic, neuropathic or psychological causes of skin. Most causes of itching is due to dermatological (skin) factors but if there are systemic causes, it must be investigated further.
Common Causes of Itchy Skin
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Contact dermatitis (chemical skin rash)
- Hives (urticaria)
- Infections (viral, bacterial or fungal skin infections)
- Dry skin (xerosis)
- Psoriasis
- Lichen simplex chronicus
- Allergic reactions like food allergies
- Liver disease causing jaundice
- Kidney failure
- Hormonal disorders like thyroid disorders.
- Diabetes
- Psychiatric disorders
- Drugs (certain pain killers, anesthetics, antibiotics, anti-fungal, narcotics, chemotherapy)
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