The potential causes may be hard to pin down. Here are some of the most common ones — and what to do about them.Sometimes it's easy to know why a particular part of your body is itchy. Maybe you have a bug bite, allergies, or a visible skin condition such as eczema. It's harder to know the cause when there's nothing obvious behind all-over, generalized itching. "It's the most common skin complaint in people over age 65," says Dr. Kenneth Arndt, a dermatologist and former medical editor of the Harvard Special Health Report Skin Care and Repair. Show Potential causesGeneralized itching has many potential triggers. One is aging. "The skin barrier doesn't work as well as it used to, and things that may not have irritated you before may now be absorbed in the skin and cause itching," Dr. Arndt explains. "The skin also develops a somewhat impaired immune response, a reduction in fat and blood flow, and altered sensory perception, making it more prone to itching." As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. There’s no feeling more urgent and frustrating like the need to scratch an itch — especially if it’s in a spot you can’t reach. And to add even more discomfort, it feels like the more you scratch, the more your skin itches. What gives? Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Usually, the culprit behind the itchy skin mystery is not so threatening: dry skin. While dry skin is most apparent in the winter, aging also has an effect. As we get older, hormone levels change and skin becomes more thin and dry. However, caring for your skin and using moisturizers regularly can help offset these effects. In other cases, itch can signal other undiagnosed medical issues that need a doctor’s attention. Dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, says, “Usually, the problem is traced to dry skin, however reactions to medications and other underlying conditions can also cause itching,” she says. “It’s a symptom you don’t want to ignore, especially if it continues for an extended period of time.” How to ease itchy, dry skinDry skin is the most common culprit for itch. Here’s what can strip your skin of moisture, and what to do to soothe your skin:
How to decipher your itchIf you wonder what’s causing your itch, here are some symptoms to watch for:
Do you suspect an underlying illness?Conditions that may cause itching are varied and include liver disease, kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, thyroid problems, and even certain cancers in rare cases (leukemia, lymphoma). In these cases, itching will typically affect your whole body while your skin appears normal. If you think an underlying medical problem could be involved with your itching, call your doctor. Treatment of the underlying illness will improve the itching. When to see your doctorIn general, your itchy skin should improve within weeks if you follow simple skin care steps. “If these changes do not bring relief and are distracting you from your daily routines or affecting your sleep, you should see your dermatologist,” Dr. Khetarpal says. When skin is very dry, it may require a prescription ointment or cream, she says. |