Itchy skin or pruritus is an uncomfortable sensation of the skin in which you want to rub your skin again and again, and the urge is great to do that. Often it is caused by dry skin and is common in adults. With it, your skin may appear red, swollen, bumpy.
As you get old, your skin becomes drier. Therefore pruritus is common, especially in the elderly. When you have pruritus, you tend to scratch your skin frequently, which can lead to breakout, infection, and bleeding. You must try not to scratch the lesion again and again and avoid doing it.
Daily self-care tips and moisturizers can help reduce the itch. However, in the long run, you need to rule out the cause for it. When you know them, only then you can avoid them and get rid of pruritus.
Bathing with lukewarm water can also help with the condition. Other common treatments include oral anti-itch cream, moist dressings, and medicated creams can help.
You must avoid scratching your skin as it can lead to infections and bleeding. Therefore you must visit the healthcare provider. To get an expert opinion, you can consult with a Skin Specialist in Islamabad.
What Are The Symptoms Of Pruritus?
Pruritus can occur at any part of your body or whole body. It mostly affects the scalp, arm, and leg. Itchy skin may or may not cause any noticeable changes in your skin.
It may show up as:
- Redness and inflammation
- Scratch marks development on the skin
- Bumps
- Spots or blisters
- Dry and cracked skin
- Leathery or scaly patches
Sometimes, pruritus can be intense and last longer. It can become itchier and itchier, due to which you may scratch it frequently. When you scratch it too much, the itch increases even more. This creates an itch-scratch cycle, leading to breakout, infection, and bleeding. Therefore you must try to abstain from itching. Dentist canberra Located in the heart of Canberra our dental team can service all your general dentistry needs
When Should You See A Doctor?
Pruritus may settle on its own sometimes. But at times, you may need to get proper treatment and visit the healthcare provider.
You must visit the doctor if you have complaints such as:
- If it lasts more than two weeks
- If it does not improve on its own
- It is severe and intense that distracts you from daily life activities and wakes up from sleep
- It can not be explained easily
- It affects your whole body
- It comes with other symptoms such as fever, night sweats, cough, difficulty breathing, or weight loss.
If your itching does not get any better even after three months of treatment, you must visit the dermatologist to get checked for a skin condition. But apart from that, you must visit an internal medicine specialist too.
Sometimes pruritus occurs due to systemic conditions other than skin diseases. Therefore visiting the internal medicine specialist can also help.
What Are The Causes For An Itchy Skin?
Itchy skin or pruritis can occur due to various reasons such as:
Skin conditions
Certain skin conditions can cause a lot of itchiness. It can occur due to skin conditions such as scabies, xerosis, eczema, psoriasis, burns, scars, and hives.
Internal Diseases
Systemic diseases can also provoke pruritus. It can happen due to conditions such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, anemia, thyroid disease, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Nerve Disorders
Some nerve disorders can cause itchiness. It can occur due to conditions such as shingles and multiple sclerosis.
Psychiatric Conditions
Some psychiatric conditions can exacerbate itchiness, such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Irritation And Allergic Disorders
Irritation and allergy to certain fabrics can trigger itchiness. Your skin can get irritated with certain cosmetics, poison ivy, nylon fabric, and various other things that get in direct contact with your skin. Moreover, you may also get pruritus if you eat something to which you are allergic. It can occur from anything.
The Bottom Line
Pruritus may go on its own. But sometimes, it may become bothersome. You must visit a healthcare provider soon. To get an expert opinion, you can consult with the Best dermatologist in Lahore.
