Why does my skin itch?

The most common cause of an itch is dry skin. There are many causes of dry skin but in many people, the cause is the environment. This usually includes cold weather with low humidity or prolonged used of air-conditioning in warm weather. During wintertime, central heating is a common cause of dry skin. Individuals who frequently shower or bath are also prone to dry skin.

Other causes of dry skin are the following:

Skin disorders: Many conditions can result in skin dryness. The most common are dermatitis (eczema), scabies, psoriasis, chickenpox or lice infestation. In these disorders, the dry skin may be localized to a specific area of the body and may be accompanied by other features like redness, irritation or blisters on the skin.  Itching can also cause an intense desire to scratch and excoriations are not uncommon.

Systemic disorders can also cause dry skin. These include liver or kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, certain cancers like lymphoma, low functioning thyroid or celiac disease. In these disorders, itching is constant and the entire body itches.

External causes of itching include certain detergents, soaps, cosmetics, fragrances, contact with plants, foods or certain clothing fabrics. Chemicals in these substances can irritate skin and induce itching. Most often, these substances induce an allergic response that manifests itself as itching. A very common cause of itching and flushing is eating spicy foods.

Drugs are a common cause of itching. There are hundreds of both non-prescription and prescription drugs that can cause rashes, itching and allergic reactions. Many of the drugs are made with other synthetic chemicals that act as preservatives or stabilizers. In addition, there are many herbs, minerals and health supplements that contain many unknown chemicals that cause irritation and allergic reactions.

Itching is quite common in women who are pregnant. The itching usually starts in the first trimester and often gets worse until the late second trimester and then subsides. The itching in pregnancy is often localized to the breast, abdomen, thighs or arms. The itching is often most severe in the skin creases or folds of the body. Pregnant women who have dermatitis or allergies frequently develop an extra ordinary hypersensitivity to external chemicals or foods and develop intense itching. For some unknown reason, itching during pregnancy only occurs at night. Once the baby is delivered, the itching subsides.

However, in the majority of individual no cause of itching is ever found. In such cases, the cause is always blamed on the environment. In most cases, there is no need to see a doctor if there is an itch. Common sense home remedies can help immensely. If you known the offending agent, avoid it. If your home is dry, use a humidifier and avoid excess heat in the home. You can start by applying a moisturizer and if that does not help, use a topical over the counter steroid cream. When this fails, then you may need to see a doctor.