Nocturnal bodily processes, underlying health conditions, or medications may be responsible…. Some essential oils can help ease the itch of a bug bite, including peppermint and menthol, tea tree, and lavender oil. However, there is still much…. There are many reasons for itchy fingers, including allergic reactions and skin conditions. Depending on the cause, the itchiness may appear alongside…. A look at itchy moles, a common complaint that can have a variety of causes. Included is detail on how to tell if a doctor should examine a mole.
What can cause itchy skin without a rash? Medically reviewed by Owen Kramer, M. Dry skin. Share on Pinterest When skin loses moisture, it can become itchy. Bug bites. A side effect of certain medications.
Share on Pinterest Itching skin can be a side effect of some medications. Nerve disorders. Kidney disease. Liver disease. Skin cancer. Hodgkin lymphoma. Share on Pinterest Most cases of itching skin without a rash are treatable and harmless. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.
Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. What's to know about itchy skin at night? It can either be: generalised — where itching occurs over the whole body localised — where itching only occurs in a particular area Sometimes, there may be a rash or spot where the itching occurs. Things you can do If you experience troublesome itching, there are some things you can do that may help relieve it and prevent damage caused by scratching, including: patting or tapping the itchy area, rather than scratching it holding a cold compress, such as damp flannel, over the affected area to cool it down bathing or showering in cool or lukewarm water using unperfumed personal hygiene products avoiding clothes that irritate your skin, such as wool or man-made fabrics using a moisturiser or emollient if your skin is dry or flaky There are also medicines, such as antihistamines and steroid creams , that are available over the counter from pharmacies that may help relieve itching caused by certain skin conditions.
When to see your GP Many cases of itching will get better over a short period of time. However, you should visit your GP if your itch is: severe lasts for a long time keeps coming back associated with other symptoms — such as redness and swelling or jaundice yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes You should also visit your GP if your entire body itches and there is no obvious cause. Causes of itching An itch is often caused by a condition affecting the skin, but it can be a sign of a more serious underlying problem.
In some cases, it may not be possible to identify a specific cause. Itching can be a symptom of: haemorrhoids piles — enlarged and swollen blood vessels in or around the lower rectum or anus an overactive thyroid or underactive thyroid — where the thyroid gland in the neck produces too much or too little thyroid hormone iron deficiency anaemia — where a lack of iron in the body leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells polycythaemia — where you have a high concentration of red blood cells in your blood liver-related conditions, such as primary biliary cirrhosis and hepatitis long standing kidney failure in rare cases, certain types of cancer, including liver cancer , pancreatic cancer , leukaemia and Hodgkin lymphoma Occasionally, itching can be linked to a psychological condition such as depression or anxiety.
Pregnancy and the menopause In women, itching can sometimes be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy and after the menopause. Pregnancy Itching often affects pregnant women and usually disappears after the birth. They include: pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy PUPPP — a common skin condition that causes itchy, red, raised bumps that appear on the thighs and abdomen tummy prurigo gestationis — a skin rash that appears as red, itchy dots and mainly affects the arms, legs and torso obstetric cholestasis — a rare disorder that affects the liver during pregnancy and causes itching without a rash Seek advice from your midwife or GP if you have itching or any unusual skin rashes during your pregnancy.
Treating itching The treatment for itching will largely depend on the cause. Common treatments recommended include: an oily moisturiser or emollient if your skin is dry or flaky creams containing menthol to cool your skin or anti-itch ingredients such as crotamiton mild steroid cream usually for only a few days for small, inflamed areas — hydrocortisone cream is available from pharmacies over the counter, or your GP can prescribe a steroid cream for you antihistamine tablets to help control allergic reactions — check with your pharmacist or GP before using these because they are not suitable for everyone Some antihistamine tablets can make you feel drowsy.
Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window. Print Click here to print this page This will open your print options in a new window. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window. Show references Fazio SB, et al.
Pruritis: Overview of management. Accessed Sept. Pruritus without rash. Mayo Clinic; James WD, et al. Pruritus and neurocutaneous dermatoses. Elsevier; Accessed Nov. Yosipovitch G, et al. Chronic pruritis. The New England Journal of Medicine. Gibson LE expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Fazio SB, et al. Pruritis: Etiology and patient evaluation.
Eczema, atopic dermatitis, and noninfectious immunodeficiency disorders. This can lead to conditions that cause itchy skin without a rash. This may lead to jaundice , which has the following symptoms:. Itchy skin is less common in people with alcohol-related liver diseases. Sticking to your treatment plan is the best way to prevent itchy skin caused by liver disease.
Some experts also recommend taking medications to help ease symptoms. These medications include:. Like those with liver disease, people with pancreatic cancer and other pancreatic issues may experience itchy skin caused by cholestasis and jaundice. Treatment for pancreatic issues can help relieve itching, as can the medications cholestyramine, colesevelam, or rifampicin. Iron deficiency anemia is the condition that occurs when your body lacks enough iron to stay healthy.
Itchy skin without a rash is a less common symptom of iron deficiency anemia. However, it may occur due to the lack of iron in your blood, which takes a toll on your skin. Iron deficiency anemia can be treated by taking iron supplements and eating more iron-rich foods. In severe cases, iron can be given intravenously. Intravenous iron may cause even more itchiness, but this side effect is uncommon in most people. The same types of nerve disorders that cause pain in the body may also cause itching without a rash.
These include:. Stroke is one cause of neuropathic itch. Damage to nerves from stroke can cause itch without a rash. To diagnose neuropathic itch from stroke, your doctor may run tests and do a comprehensive physical exam.
Diagnosis may be challenging, as your doctor has to rule out other causes for your symptoms. Diabetes makes it more difficult for the body to produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Itchy skin without a rash is common in people with diabetes, and it often affects the lower limbs. If you have diabetes, you can help relieve itching by keeping your blood sugar in target range as much as possible.
This includes treating diabetes with medication and lifestyle changes, as well as moisturizing the skin and using anti-itch creams. Itching from shingles often occurs 1 to 5 days before you notice a blistering rash on your body. This happens because the shingles virus kills off some of your sensory neurons.
Sometimes nerves become pinched or compressed due to injuries, osteoporosis , or excess weight that shifts bones or muscles directly onto a nerve. Treating the underlying cause of your pinched nerve through physical therapy, surgery, or lifestyle changes can help relieve pressure on your pinched nerve and any itchiness that results. There are a number of medications your doctor can prescribe for this kind of itch.
0コメント