Itchy skin - causes, diagnosis and treatment

General information

Skin itching is one of the interdisciplinary problems that are relevant both for dermatovenerology and allergology, endocrinology, infectology, and oncology.
Some forms of itching (anal itching, scrotal itching, vulvar itching) are considered in ICD-10 as independent nosologies. Itchy conditions are more often diagnosed in women. Frequent background factors are low socioeconomic status, depressive states, constant stress, periods of hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause). Depending on the course, skin itching can be acute (sudden, short-term) and chronic (long-term, debilitating), according to the area of the itchy surface - localized (local) and generalized (diffuse). According to the mechanism of occurrence, skin itching is divided into:

pruritoceptive (due to skin diseases);
systemic (due to general diseases);
psychogenic (due to mental disorders);
neurogenic (due to damage to the nervous system).

Causes of itchy skin

Itching of the scalp

Caused by diseases of the hair and scalp. It is accompanied by a feeling of skin tightness, scaly desquamation of the epidermis (dandruff), increased oiliness of the hair, excess sebum production, fragility, and sometimes hair loss. Itchy scalp can be caused by incorrectly selected care and styling products (shampoo, conditioner, hairspray). The most common pathological causes of itchy scalp include:

pathology of the sebaceous glands: dandruff, seborrhea (oily, dry, mixed);
parasitic diseases: head lice, demodicosis, flea bites, bedbugs;
mycoses: favus, trichophytosis, microsporia;
hair shaft abnormalities: idiopathic trichoclasia, knotty hair;
autoimmune pathologies: psoriasis, SLE, scleroderma;
other dermatoses: pityriasis versicolor pilaris (Devergie's disease), allergic dermatitis of the scalp;
general diseases: hypovitaminosis A, heavy metal intoxication, hypothyroidism.

Itchy skin

Body itching

The causes of skin itching can be dermatological and systemic diseases. In some cases, body itching is caused by simple lack of personal hygiene: rarely taking a bath or shower, wearing dirty clothes. On the other hand, itchy skin can occur with infectious and parasitic dermatoses that are contagious to others. Itchy dermatoses are often found in older people (senile itching) and pregnant women. Dermatological diseases that most often cause itchy skin include:

inflammatory lesions: prickly heat, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, lichen planus, acne;
skin infections: herpes, pyoderma, folliculitis, dermatophytosis;
acariases and entomosis: scabies, demodicosis, pediculosis, insect allergy;
chronic autoimmune dermatoses: psoriasis, dermatomyositis, Dühring's dermatitis herpetiformis, pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris;
allergic dermatoses: urticaria, prurigo, allergic contact dermatitis, neurodermatitis;
genodermatoses: ichthyosis, Darier's disease, Haley-Hailey disease;
skin tumors: leukemides, Sezary syndrome, mycosis fungoides and other T-cell lymphomas of the skin.

Itching of the whole body can be a side effect of taking certain drugs: ACE inhibitors, anti-gout, antiarrhythmics, hormonal drugs, opioids. Systemic diseases occurring with chronic skin itching:

endocrinopathies: diabetes, hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis;
diseases of the hepatobiliary system and kidneys: cholestasis, cirrhosis of the liver, chronic hepatitis, chronic renal failure;
infections: HIV, helminthiasis;
hematological diseases: mastocytosis, leukemia, polycythemia, myeloma, lymphogranulomatosis;
mental disorders: OCD, depression, dermatozoal delirium.

Itching in the eye area

My eyelids can itch due to any of the listed skin, infectious and general somatic pathologies. However, more often the causes of itching in the eyes are ophthalmological diseases and visual strain. People who use contact lenses, work in contact with dust and chemicals without proper eye protection, and patients with allergies and immunodeficiencies are at risk of developing such a problem. Causes of itchy eyes:

injuries: foreign bodies, burns, mechanical damage;
inflammatory diseases: blepharitis, conjunctivitis, meibomitis, barley, keratitis;
parasitic lesions: demodicosis, dirofilariasis;
allergies: eyelid dermatitis, hay fever;
other eye diseases: dry eye syndrome, computer vision syndrome, glaucoma, cataracts.

Symptoms of genital itching

Vaginal itching causes a strong desire to scratch the disturbing area. Sometimes the itching also spreads to the labia minora and labia majora, thereby causing even greater suffering.
This unpleasant phenomenon is accompanied by redness and swelling of the external genitalia.
Scratching leads to abrasions and scratches, into which a secondary bacterial infection penetrates, causing the formation of ulcers and cracks. There are cases when itching in the vagina extends to the anal area, and such itching is diagnosed as anogenital.

Diagnostics

Since skin itching is caused by a variety of reasons, specialists from various medical fields are involved in identifying them: dermatologists, parasitologists, trichologists, allergists-immunologists, ophthalmologists, endocrinologists. The nature of the itching can be assumed based on the collected history, localization, and the presence of skin elements (vesicles, papules, pustules, scales, excoriations, crusts). Taking into account the suspected etiology, the examination may include:

Examination of the skin and scalp.
It is carried out using a Wood's lamp, dermatoscope, trichoscope. Allows you to conduct a visual assessment of skin elements, hair condition, and identify the presence of parasites. Scales and questionnaires are used to measure the severity of itching.
Laboratory diagnostics.
If a systemic nature of skin itching is suspected, the level of thyroid hormones, glucose, liver enzymes, urea and creatinine in the blood is determined. They perform microscopy of skin scrapings, stool analysis for helminth eggs, and spectral analysis of hair for the content of vitamins and heavy metals. Markers of viral hepatitis and HIV infection are studied.
Ophthalmological diagnostics.
A basic examination includes biomicroscopy of the eye, fundus examination, and tonometry. An instillation test with fluorescein is used as an additional method.
Allergy diagnostics.
The main methods for identifying allergies are blood tests (individual allergens, histamine, total IgE) and skin allergy tests for atopy antigens (prick test, prick tests).
Other examinations.
To exclude damage to internal organs as the cause of skin itching, an ultrasound of the hepatobiliary system and kidneys is performed. In unclear cases, a skin biopsy is required.

Examination by a dermatologist

How to prevent the appearance of disturbing sensations?

Following fairly simple rules helps prevent the appearance of itchy skin on the back and includes the following actions:

maintain psycho-emotional stability;
use clothes made from natural fabrics and loose fit;
do not violate the requirements of personal hygiene;
normalize a diet containing a balance of micro- and macroelements;
eliminate the harmful effects of nicotine and alcohol as much as possible;
carry out a preventive examination of the body to identify chronic forms of pathologies;
limit intake of foods that cause allergies;
use local cosmetic preparations for skin care.

Sometimes, the use of frequent water procedures, and in combination with antibacterial detergents, significantly disrupts the natural balance of the protective parameters of the skin, causing it to dry out and manifest itself in itching. The integument of the body forms a protective layer by producing gland secretions, which, covering the tissues, prevents the penetration of parasites and bacteria, which should be taken into account when performing hygienic conditions of care.

Methods for diagnosing skin diseases:

Diagnosis of skin diseases
Diagnosis of skin diseases at home
Diagnosis of allergic skin diseases
Diagnosis of bacterial skin diseases
Diagnosis of viral skin diseases
Diagnosis of hair diseases
Diagnosis of nail diseases
Diagnosis of skin tumors
Skin scraping
Blisters on the skin
Dermatoscopy
Demodex tests
Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections
Mushroom tests
Skin scraping

Treatment

Treatment for itchy skin

Therapy for skin itching is carried out taking into account the established causes and associated factors. For this purpose, pharmacotherapy, local therapy, physiotherapy, and psychotherapy are used. Patients with itchy skin need to change their eating and daily household habits: giving up sweet foods, wearing clothes made of synthetic and coarse fabrics, and using detergents that dry out the skin. It is recommended to avoid stress, avoid scratching the skin, and use neutral moisturizers.

Direct treatment for itchy skin consists of the following components:

Topical therapy.
Among local antipruritic drugs, topical steroids, cooling lotions, local anesthetics, antihistamines, and calcineurin inhibitors are recommended. The drugs are available in the form of creams, solutions, powders, and ointments.
Systemic pharmacotherapy.
Taking into account the etiological factor of skin itching, antihistamines, glucocorticosteroids, vitamins, immunosuppressants, antimicrobials, and in some cases antidepressants and opioid analgesics are prescribed.
Physiotherapy.
Among the methods of physiotherapy for various forms of skin itching, PUVA therapy and PUVA baths, ultraviolet irradiation, laser therapy, ultraphonophoresis, electrosleep, etc. can be effective. Exercise therapy, acupuncture, general baths with a sedative effect (pearl, pine, valerian) are useful.
Psychotherapy.
Psychotherapeutic techniques (autogenic training, group psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy) help reduce the subjective perception of the severity of itching, stop scratching the skin, improve sleep and quality of life.

Treatment for itchy scalp

The problem of itchy scalp often resolves when the underlying disease goes into remission. In all cases, the selection of pharmaceutical cosmeceutical hair care products is important: shampoos, masks, oils. For complex treatment of the identified problem, a trichologist may suggest mesotherapy, cryomassage, darsonvalization, and laser treatment of the scalp. For dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, use antifungal shampoos. For pediculosis, the scalp is treated with special products.

Treatment for itchy eyes

Treatment of itching in the eye area has its own specifics and is carried out mainly using local remedies. During treatment, you must stop using cosmetics and wearing contact lenses in favor of glasses. To eliminate the causes of itching, the following are prescribed:

instillation of eye drops: antihistamines, steroids, antibacterials, “artificial tears” preparations;
placing ointments behind the eyelid;
shading of the conjunctiva with antiseptic and astringent agents (for conjunctivitis);
treatment of the ciliary edge of the eyelids (for demodicosis, blepharitis);
washing the conjunctival sac (for eye burns, foreign bodies);
physiotherapy: UHF, magnetic therapy, magnetophoresis, laser therapy.

If necessary, surgical interventions are performed: opening the stye of the eyelid, removing foreign bodies of the conjunctiva and cornea, anti-glaucoma operations, phacoemulsification of cataracts, etc.

How to treat?

The goal of therapy for senile skin itching is to relieve symptoms. Several techniques are used to alleviate the condition. The choice of treatment regimen depends on the cause that provoked the pathology and the nature of the manifestations.

Preparations for senile itching

The following types of drugs are used to treat senile itching:

antihistamines (Diazolin, Diphenhydramine, Suprastin);
neuroleptics (Promazine, Clozapine);
immunostimulants (Cycloferon, Echinacea tincture);
corticosteroids (Betazon, Betaderm, Kremgen);
vitamin complexes;
alcohol tinctures;
pharmaceutical ointments and creams with a soothing and cooling effect (Fenistil, Clotrimazole, Menovazan, etc.).

Corticosteroid drugs are taken only as prescribed and under the supervision of the attending physician. In general, hormone therapy is used for patients with autoimmune diseases, with the doctor carefully weighing the benefits and risks of treatment for each patient.

If the cause of itching is stress and other cognitive conditions, the patient is prescribed mild sedatives: valerian infusion, Novopassit, etc.

You can quickly stop an attack with warm water. The itchy area is showered with water for a few minutes. Before water procedures, you can apply 2-3 drops of peach tree essential oil to the skin.

Body hygiene

When symptoms of senile itching appear, it is important to pay attention to hygiene. For bathing, you need to use soft products with a neutral pH, and if possible, wash with water that is not too hard.

When bathing, do not use hard washcloths or scrubs.

The patient's underwear and bedding should be made from natural fabrics.

Senile body itch and diet

If you have senile itching, you should exclude the following foods from your diet:

grilled meat;
marinades;
baked goods;
citrus;
coffee;
spices;
alcoholic drinks.

The diet includes seafood, herbs, fresh vegetables, pumpkin seeds, nuts, and unrefined oils.

Folk remedies

Some types of senile itching can be successfully treated with folk remedies.

Traditional methods of treatment:

herbal baths;
applying vegetable oil to flaky areas;
using homemade ointment made from aloe and Vaseline.

Before using unconventional recipes, you should consult your doctor.

Other techniques

For patients who experience itchy skin as a response to stress, it is very important to control their emotions. In such cases, it is useful to do yoga, auto-training, and use various relaxation techniques.

Itching in intimate areas, video

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Source - KVD - dermatovenerological dispensary Sources:

FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF TREATING BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS. Gabdullina L. R., Vorobyova E. P. // Bulletin of modern clinical medicine. – 2012. – No. 1. – P. 40-42.
COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF ESTROGEN-DEPENDENT UROGENITAL DISORDERS: CLINICAL ASPECTS AND PHARMACOECONOMIC ANALYSIS. Ledina A.V., Kulikov A.Yu. // Pharmacoeconomics. Modern pharmacoeconomics and pharmacoepidemiology. – 2009. – No. 1. – P. 13-18.
Bacterial vaginosis: clinical features, diagnosis and treatment / A.S. Ankirskaya, V.N. Prilepskaya, G.R. Bayramova, V.V. Muravyova // Russian Medical Journal. - 1998. - T. 6, No. 5. - P.276-282.
Disturbance of vaginal microbiocenosis, ways of its correction. V.N. Prilepskaya, G.R. Bayramova // Gynecology. - 2007. - T. 9, No. 4. - P.25-27.
Bacterial vaginosis: what's new? I.A. Apolikhina, S.Z. Muslimova // Gynecology. - 2008. - T. 10, No. 6. - P.36-37.

Why does it itch so much? Itching - age-related and not very