Article outline:

Night itching, spreading throughout the body, is a rather unpleasant condition that significantly reduces the quality of rest. If sleep becomes inadequate, irritability increases during the day, physical activity decreases, and mental performance decreases significantly. If the condition is protracted, it will significantly affect memory, and the psycho-emotional balance will be disrupted, which will lead to the development of depression.

Why do I itch at night? This is a reasonable question that every person who is faced with nighttime body itching asks himself. We will try to answer it in this article. In addition, we will consider the most effective methods of treating this symptom.

Causes of itching at night

Among the factors that can cause itching sensations that worsen at night, the most common are:

• scabies;
• insect bites;
• allergy;
• skin diseases;
• dry skin;
• psychological factors;
• diseases of internal organs;
• insect bites.

Let's look at each reason in more detail.

Scabies

Initially, when affected by mites, no rashes are visible on the skin; they appear later, since the incubation period takes about 6 weeks.

Diagnosing the disease is difficult at the primary stage. Only if a rash appears on the hands and between the fingers can a scraping be made to identify the scabies mite.

Mosquitoes and other blood-sucking creatures cause the formation of papules on the surface of the skin, which begin to itch unbearably almost immediately after the bite. This effect is associated with the entry into tissues of saliva, which contains a number of irritating components or even poisons and toxins.

Mosquitoes, bedbugs and fleas are most active at night, so increased itching at this time is not surprising. The bite sites are clearly visible on the skin; most often, insects attack those areas of the skin that were not covered during sleep.

Allergic manifestations

Perhaps this is the most common reason that the skin itches intensely in various places at night. The symptom occurs upon contact with an irritant. The allergen may be present in tissues that come into contact with the skin (clothing, bedding). In addition, a similar reaction can be caused by washing powder that is poorly rinsed during washing.

In addition, itching may appear after water procedures carried out immediately before bed if detergents (shower gel, hair shampoo, toilet soap) containing components that irritate the skin were used.

Of course, the same remedies are used in the morning, but during this period the symptoms are less pronounced and there are much more distractions. In the evening, the friction of the skin on clothes and bedding increases when a person tries to sleep, and the slightest discomfort will not go unnoticed.

Skin diseases

Dermatoses of various etiologies (including herpes zoster or psoriatic rashes) are often accompanied by itching; the skin itches especially severely at night and in the evenings.

Xerosis

When the muscles located in the blood vessels of the skin relax, the itching intensifies, caused by excessive dryness of the skin. It can be caused by seasonal cold snaps, high bath water temperatures, aggressive detergents, or exposure to direct sunlight.

All these factors contribute to the deterioration of the skin and create a favorable atmosphere for the development of dermatological problems.

Psychological factors

During periods of severe stress and emotional overstrain, as well as due to disorders and disturbances in the functionality of the nervous system, itching may occur, which has a psychogenic etiology. During the daytime, skin irritation is minor, but in the evening attacks of scratching become worse due to increased skin contact with clothing and bedding and the lack of distractions.

Diseases of internal organs

The next set of factors that can cause the body to itch at night are diseases of various organs. More often than others, this symptom manifests itself when a malfunction occurs in the endocrine system. Thyroid dysfunction is accompanied by discomfort and itching, which affects the entire body and intensifies at night.

Another insidious disease that causes an unpleasant symptom is diabetes mellitus of the first and second types. Moreover, this manifestation usually precedes all other specific signs characteristic of diabetes.

This condition can be caused by liver dysfunction, in particular jaundice. The fact is that with this disease, bilirubin accumulates in the skin - a specific pigment that irritates nerve endings and leads to itching sensations that are not accompanied by visible rashes.

The variety of causes of night itching necessitates an examination to determine the etiology of the pathological condition.

Diagnostics

When itching first appears at night, the patient probably asks the question: “Why do I itch at night?” Only a specialist can answer this. To do this, the patient should seek a medical examination at the dermatology department. The doctor will conduct an initial examination of the skin, collect anamnesis and prescribe all the necessary tests and studies.

More details about the diagnostic stages:

Clinical skin examination

The dermatologist carefully visually examines the surface of the skin to identify various elements of the rash, and takes into account the possibility of a symptom appearing due to an exacerbation of diseases of any organs.

In particular, characteristic signs of the development of thyroid dysfunction can be identified during such an examination (with this disease, sweating increases, severe weight loss occurs, and the eyes move forward). Therefore, already at the inspection stage, further plans regarding the necessary examinations can be determined.

Submission of laboratory tests

This stage involves conducting a blood test for biochemical components. Glucose levels will help determine the possibility of developing diabetes mellitus, and bilirubin levels will help identify liver problems.

Allergy tests

If there is a suspicion of a possible allergic reaction, special tests are performed to determine the irritant that caused this condition.

A study aimed at identifying helminthic infestations

Instrumental methods

Used when pathological processes occurring in internal organs are suspected. The most common examination methods are MRI, CT and ultrasound.

An integrated approach to studying the causes of night itching allows us to reliably diagnose the patient and select the most effective course of treatment.

How to treat night itching before going to the doctor

Until the cause of the intense itching at night is determined, the patient can resort to some harmless ways to reduce the discomfort experienced. In particular:

If none of these methods works, then the cause of the pathology is apparently hidden in more serious processes occurring in the body. In this case, only a specialist will help to understand the etiology of the uncomfortable condition. He will also prescribe all the necessary medications.

How to treat skin that itches at night

Any therapeutic measures should be aimed primarily at treating the underlying disease, which caused this condition.

If the reason is contact with an allergen, then it is necessary to eliminate the irritant. In addition, the doctor will prescribe antihistamines to relieve an acute reaction from the body. More often than others they may prescribe:

• Loratadine,
• Erius.

If the examination reveals signs of dysfunction of the internal organs, the dermatologist will redirect the patient to a specialized specialist, who will continue further treatment of the patient.

Night itching has an extremely negative impact on a person’s overall well-being, so it is very important to promptly respond to emerging symptoms and take measures to cure them.

The appearance of itching before bedtime significantly reduces the patient’s quality of life, causing fatigue, frequent lack of sleep, and depression. The next morning, a loss of strength and energy is guaranteed. To understand why the body itches before bed, you need to understand the triggering reasons.

Patients seek medical help with the complaint: “What should I do if I itch before bed, and what does this mean?” Itching is not a disease, but only a sign of it and most often indicates disturbances in organs and systems or the presence of an allergic agent.

According to the prevalence, itching is divided into:

1. Localized. Individual parts of the body itch, for example, legs before going to bed.
2. Generalized. In case the whole body itches.

The body or a separate part of it can itch constantly or periodically before going to bed or during the night's rest. Sometimes a person wakes up from scratching his skin in a dream. The consequences of such movements are the appearance of scratching, micro-abrasions and injuries, which are dangerous due to the rapid addition of a bacterial infection.

Causes:

1. allergic reaction;
2. dermatopathies;
3. insect bites;
4. diseases of internal organs.

To understand the mechanism of itching and burning, it is necessary to consider each factor separately in detail.

Allergy

An allergic reaction can occur in any family member, especially those prone to allergies. If a child has at least one parent suffering from an allergy, then the likelihood of developing it becomes 20% greater.

If your body itches, before going to bed, you should definitely pay attention to the means for washing bed linen and sleepwear. Special substances are added to the powder to enhance stain removal, increase foaming, and flavors.

Often, families buy a separate powder to wash the child’s clothes, so only the baby can get itchy. Its long-term use subsequently leads to allergization, which may have been preceded by the purchase of a new brand of product. In this case, the child’s clothes and bedding are temporarily washed with laundry soap.

If your body itches after taking a bath and before going to bed, you need to suspect an allergy to hygiene products - shower gel, soap, shampoo, decorative cosmetics (body milk, face cream).

Other causes of itching are:

1. synthetic fabric for bed linen, clothing;
2. a feather from a bird if it is in a cage in the sleeping room.

Dermatopathies and insect bites

Increased itching in the evening is characteristic of psoriatic skin changes, lichen. The legs, shins and ankles, and areas of greatest friction with clothing are especially itchy. In addition, there is an increase in body itching of a hereditary allergic nature with atopic dermatitis, eczema, and urticaria.

If the child itches before bed for several evenings, you need to suspect a helminthic infestation. When infected with enterobiasis, the perianal area itches, since pinworms are more active at night. Helminths, releasing waste products, cause intoxication. It manifests itself as irritability, itching, rash, scratching, and abdominal pain.

Changes in temperature, autumn-winter periods with dry air in the room, and poor nutrition can lead to dryness, especially of the skin of the legs.

Insects are active at night, when a person is sleeping, and are more vulnerable to a bite. They inject a special anesthetic saliva, the bite site itches unbearably, swells and turns red. These insects are:

1. Mosquito.
2. Bed bugs.
3. Fleas.
4. The scabies mite makes new subcutaneous passages at night, causing discomfort.

Diseases of internal organs

The condition of internal organs and systems plays an important role in the appearance of pathological itching. Reasons why your skin may itch:

1. Endocrinopathies. With hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis, an obsessive desire to scratch the skin of the legs, arms, and head occurs due to a disturbance in the concentration of thyroid hormones in the blood. Itching can be the first sign of diabetes; the skin is characterized by dryness and flaking.
2. Liver diseases. The development of jaundice or other pathologies associated with an increase in the level of bilirubin, enzymes of the parenchymal organ. The substances irritate the cells of the epidermis and dermis, histamine is released and, as a result, itching.
3. Hematological pathologies. A decrease or increase in formed elements provokes an unwanted symptom.
4. Development and growth of malignant neoplasm.
5. Vascular diseases, in particular of the lower extremities - inflammation, varicose veins. Often during pregnancy, women experience swelling and severe itching. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy the volume of circulating blood increases, the vessels of the legs become thinner and the liquid part of the blood enters the intercellular space.
6. Psychogenic manifestations in cases of shock and frequent stress.

If you experience itching that bothers you in the evening and at night, you should seek medical help from a specialist. This ensures that the necessary diagnostics are carried out and the correct treatment is prescribed.

One of the common complaints with which many patients come to the doctor is. Unpleasant sensations are not always accompanied by skin rashes. More than half of patient visits are related to itching without rashes, which is a symptom or harbinger of some illness. Why does the body start to itch? How can you eliminate itching without breaking out? This is exactly what our article will discuss.

Itching - what is it?

Unpleasant sensations that occur on a person’s skin that make him itch are called itchy skin. More intricate definitions of the concept of “itching” are extremely rare, since scientists and doctors have not yet been able to fully study the mechanism of the appearance and spread of this phenomenon.

Initially, itching sensations occur on the surface of the epidermis, in the area of ​​the cutaneous nerves, which are located in close proximity to the skin. After this, the corresponding signal enters the spinal centers. Already from there - to.

As practice shows, most often itching occurs against the background of exposure to various irritants, which can be located both in the body itself and outside it. The scratching reflex can also occur due to exposure to environmental factors.

Some scientists believe that itching is a modified type of pain. The latter also occurs as soon as the nerve endings in the skin become irritated.

Why do people itch

While scratching the affected areas, a person performs a kind of self-massage of itchy areas of the body. With such manipulations, blood circulation processes, as well as lymph flow, are enhanced. Harmful substances are removed, and nerve endings stop being irritated.

In some cases, itching sensations occur in completely healthy tissues. As a rule, they appear against the background of accumulation of metabolic products in certain areas of the body. This itching does not require specific treatment measures and, in 99% of cases, goes away on its own.

What kind of itching occurs: main types

According to the classification common among doctors, skin itching is divided into two main types.

Localized. A person is bothered by itching sensations that occur in a specific area of ​​the body. So, different parts of the body can itch: from head to toes. Dermatological diseases (fungal infections, lice, urticaria, etc.) are the main and most common cause of such itching. In medical practice, the following subtypes of localized itching are most often encountered:

• Itchy scalp. Occurs as a result of pediculosis, seborrhea,. Read more about itchy scalp -.
• Anal itching– unpleasant sensations occur in the anus (anus). As a rule, anal itching is typical for diabetics, people suffering from hemorrhoids, helminthic infestations, etc.
• Vaginal itching among representatives of the fairer sex. It appears against the background of various gynecological diseases, the most common of which is thrush.

Generalized. Another name is widespread itching. The patient experiences an unpleasant itching sensation throughout the body, which can be due to many different reasons.

The frequency of itching also matters. Both the first and second types of it can bother a person constantly, or manifest themselves periodically. In addition, doctors distinguish different types of itching according to the degree of intensity: from mild to very strong. If severe itching occurs, a person may experience:

• , loss of appetite;
• constant desire to scratch the whole body or certain parts of it;
• wounds on the surface of the skin as a result of strong scratching of itchy areas.

Itching at night

Scientists have found that most often itching occurs in the afternoon. Mainly in the evening or at night. This circumstance is easily explained: in the evening the vessels dilate significantly, and blood circulation increases. Skin temperature rises slightly, resulting in increased levels of exposure to irritants. In addition, prolonged stay in bed leads to an increase in body temperature, which, in turn, increases blood circulation and faster delivery of breakdown products to the skin.

Why you want to itch: common reasons

Most often, itching occurs against the background of banal dryness of the epidermis. As a rule, dryness makes itself felt during the cold season. If this is so, then we are talking about seasonal itching, which does not require special treatment and goes away on its own with the arrival of heat or through the use of special cosmetics.

However, it is not always the case that a person itches due to harmless under-moisturization of the skin. In some cases, the causes of an unpleasant symptom are more serious and may be associated with:

Psychogenic itching

It is a special reaction of the body to stress. In the vast majority of cases, it occurs in women over 40 years of age. May be accompanied by other symptoms: unpleasant sensations and tastes in the mouth, burning of the tongue, feeling of the presence of foreign bodies, organisms, etc. in the body.

Itching due to dry skin

This unpleasant symptom is usually experienced by older people. During the aging process, the skin of older people undergoes significant changes, loses its elasticity and properties, and becomes excessively dry. This provokes unpleasant sensations. Quite often, itching, caused by dry epidermis, appears after removing clothes.

Many patients report generalized itching that starts from the back and spreads to other areas of the body. In some cases, excessive dry skin and itching are not a consequence of the aging process, but occur against the background of intestinal dysfunction, severe atherosclerosis, disorders of the thyroid gland or other serious ailments.

Medicines and itching

An unpleasant symptom can also occur during drug treatment. This type of itching manifests itself as an individual reaction of the body to medications. Patients are interested in the question of which medications most often provoke itching:

• drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid, opium and their derivatives;
• erythromycin;
• anabolic steroid;
• medications containing estrogens.

It is these drugs that are the most common “culprits” of skin itching without a rash. Also, the body may become very itchy while taking contraceptives in tablet form.

Itching during pregnancy

Starting from the second half of the second trimester, an unpleasant symptom makes itself felt in about a third of pregnant women. The constant desire to scratch goes away immediately after childbirth and does not require specific treatment.

Diseases that cause itching

. The most common ailment is the culprit of itching without redness and rash. Unpleasant sensations in diabetes occur against the background of a decrease in the threshold of susceptibility and all kinds of complications. Patients with diabetes suffer mainly from localized itching in the genital area, as well as in the anus, which occurs against the background of developed thrush. The latter occurs due to increased blood sugar levels. Thrush affects up to half of diabetics.

Not all diabetics experience itching on the body. This unpleasant symptom occurs only in 20-30% of patients with elevated blood glucose levels and metabolic disorders.

In the case of diabetic neuropathy, the patient is bothered by itching in the scalp, which decreases with adequate treatment of the underlying disease and a decrease in sugar.

Doctors say that it is impossible to tell in advance whether a diabetic patient will experience itching or not. Moreover, the severity of itching has no connection with the duration of the disease, age and gender of the patient.

Cirrhosis and other liver diseases. Often, a harbinger of cirrhosis is generalized itching of the skin, which can appear several months before the onset of jaundice and 1-2 years before the onset of true symptoms of a serious illness. In such cases, the itching usually begins suddenly. First, the patient's palms begin to itch, then the soles. In later stages, the itching “spreads” throughout the body.

Taking a drug such as Cholestyramine helps reduce the symptoms of itching in case of liver problems.

About 25% of people with jaundice also suffer from itchy skin. In patients with hepatitis, itching is observed only in 10-15% of cases.

Kidney failure. The majority of patients with this disease (about 90%) note the presence of itching. During or immediately after the hemodialysis procedure, itching is most noticeable. At the same time, the patient’s age, gender and duration of hemodialysis treatment do not in any way affect the likelihood of itching sensations.

Mental illness(neuroses, psychoses, etc.) are also accompanied by itchy skin. There is a close correlation between the irritating factor (stress) and the intensity of itching.

Sexually transmitted diseases(STD). They make themselves known by severe itching in the genital area. The symptom is characteristic of both male and female halves. With an STD, itching is not the only symptom of the disease. As a rule, the patient is bothered by discharge from the genitals with an atypical smell and color, and pain.

Malignant neoplasms. Itching can also be the first symptom of lymphoma. Rarely - cancer. Up to 3% of tumors of various nature are manifested by itching.

Taking opiate drugs increases widespread itching, which is felt throughout the body.

Various skin diseases. The most common are: neurodermatitis, contact and atopic dermatitis, urticaria, fungal infections, scabies, lice, psoriasis. In addition to itching, with the above ailments a person may be bothered by:

• peeling of the skin;
• hair loss in certain areas of the body;
• redness at the site of injury and swelling;
• skin suppuration.

Itchy skin in adults (video)

Symptoms, causes and treatment of severe itchy skin in adults. Practical recommendations from a doctor and methods for preventing itching.

Diagnosis and treatment of itching

For treatment to be effective, the root cause of the itching must be determined. In this case, a visit to a dermatologist will be the best solution. The doctor will conduct a survey and tell you what kind of examination you should undergo, as well as make a diagnosis. It is possible that consulting a dermatologist alone will not be enough to determine the causes of itching. Therefore, consultations with specialized specialists may be recommended: endocrinologist, allergist, therapist, etc.

During the diagnostic process, it is important to exclude the presence of the most common diseases accompanied by itching - diabetes mellitus, STDs, helminthic infestations, diseases of the large and small intestines, dysbacteriosis, and diseases of the genitourinary system.

Treatment of itching is carried out in several main areas:

• Determining the root causes of unpleasant itching sensations.
• Local treatment (most often used for localized itching).
• Complex (systemic) treatment.

If itching bothers you for a long time, you should make an appointment with a doctor. Immediately before taking it, it is not recommended to take any measures to eliminate or reduce itching: drink antihistamines, smear the affected areas with any compounds, since such manipulations can significantly complicate the diagnosis.

Therapeutic measures

If the itching is not caused by any systemic disease that requires a special approach and specific complex treatment, then the following will come to the rescue:

Local treatment. If the whole body itches, doctors recommend periodically moistening the skin with a 5% vinegar solution using a sponge. Talc-based powder relieves unpleasant symptoms well. For genital and anal itching, regular hygiene is important: you should wash yourself 2-3 times a day with baby or laundry soap.

For anal itching, washing after each bowel movement is mandatory.

Itching in the anal area is effectively relieved with the help of various ointments with a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect: Triderm, Ultraproct, etc. It is worth emphasizing that their use gives only a short-term effect and does not eliminate the root cause of itching. Symptoms disappear only during their use.

Systemic treatment. It is carried out when there is an increased level of histamine in the skin. In this case, the patient is recommended to take antihistamines. The most common are “Suprastin”, “Tavegil”, “Erius”, “Loratadine”. As a rule, people who are bothered by itching are very nervous and irritable. To relieve excessive nervousness during skin itching, soothing sedative drugs are used: Novopassit, valerian, motherwort in alcohol form, mint tea, etc.

The patient is also recommended to:

• Pay special attention to maintaining personal hygiene rules.
• Moisturize your skin regularly to prevent excessive dryness of the epidermis, which can cause itching.
• Avoid foods that cause vasodilation and increased itching: spices, strong tea and coffee, too hot food, etc.
• Avoid overheating the body and carefully monitor the air temperature in the room.
• Minimize stressful situations, combat nervous tension and increased anxiety, get enough sleep.

What to do if itching occurs for no apparent reason

Simple but effective recommendations will help you get rid of unpleasant sensations.

• To eliminate excessive dry skin, use warm, not hot, baths every other day. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes. It is important to use hypoallergenic soap that does not cause dry skin. The ideal solution is for children. After a bath, do not rub your skin with a towel. Dry your body with a soft terry towel and apply generously with moisturizer or body lotion.
• If the itching is caused by increased air temperature in the room, wet towels hung on heating appliances or open containers of water will help to humidify the air.
• If you notice that itching occurs when your skin comes into contact with clothing, you should avoid wearing clothes made from synthetic fabrics.
• People suffering from allergies should eliminate everything that can lead to allergies and itching: allergenic foods, remove flowers and pets from the room, regularly carry out wet cleaning to avoid dust accumulation, remove feather pillows and blankets, etc.
• If certain areas of the body itch, cold bandages may help. Only the affected areas of the body should be loosely bandaged.
• To prevent scratching the affected areas until they bleed and become infected, it is recommended to trim your nails short. If itching is severe, wear soft gloves on your hands.
• Follow a diet that excludes irritating components. Preference should be given to dairy products, as well as products of plant origin. It is important to enrich your diet with fresh vegetables and fruits, dairy products, lean meats and fish. It is important to avoid foods such as canned food, meat and fish broths, smoked meats, sweets, spices, chocolate, and coffee.
• For itchy skin, rubbing the affected areas with lard (lard) or tar helps a lot.

As you can see, it is quite possible to get rid of unpleasant itchy sensations on the skin. The main thing is to diagnose the cause of itching in time, undergo comprehensive treatment, and eliminate irritating factors from everyday life. Remember, timely treatment will significantly reduce the time required for treatment procedures and allow you to quickly forget about an unpleasant symptom.

Next article.

Human skin is penetrated by billions of nerve endings, which are very sensitive to all sorts of irritants: vibration, touch, chemical or thermal effects. A crawling insect, an insect bite, the touch of a feather, a cobweb, or a hair can cause a desire to itch, burning, tingling at the site of irritation: you want to quickly remove this unpleasant sensation by scratching the itchy skin.

Generalized itching - unbearable discomfort in the superficial layers of the dermis - can cause some diseases of the internal organs, allergic reactions due to dermatitis. Among the symptoms of dermatological diseases, skin itching dominates, but scratching syndrome of the anogenital zone, conjunctiva, trachea, pharynx, nose, and oral mucosa often occurs. There is a distinction between itching of the whole body without rash and with rash.

Body itching without rash

Itching all over the body without rashes can occur due to the following diseases:

Rash and itching on the body

When multiple changes occur on the mucous membrane and skin that differ in color, texture, and appearance from normal skin, they indicate a rash. The rash can affect the arms, legs, face, stomach, and chest. These may be primary symptoms - pustules, redness, spots, goosebumps, blisters, pimples, blisters. As the disease progresses, the rash is replaced by secondary elements:

• Loss of natural skin color (discoloration, darkening).
• Erosions and ulcers are the result of opening an abscess with a violation of the integrity of the skin with the capture of subcutaneous fatty tissue.
• Peeling - scales of dead epidermis.
• Crusts are the dried surface of weeping erosion, ulcers, and opened blisters.
• Scratching – superficial or deep abrasions.
• Lichenification – thickening, strengthening of the skin pattern.

It is not worth making a diagnosis on your own, guided by visible signs and information you have read. In case of any suspicious manifestations, you should consult a doctor to identify the underlying internal pathology that caused the scratching. A rash and a strong desire to scratch on the body are accompanied by diseases such as:

Why does my whole body itch?

When the body itches in different places, it is necessary, first of all, to determine the cause of this condition. Perhaps this is a consequence of fungal, allergic, inflammatory skin diseases, pathologies of internal organs, mental disorders and neuropathic diseases. Since there are so many causes, it is important to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the body to determine the root cause.

Allergy

Allergies in the 21st century have become the scourge of humanity. The entire population of the planet suffers from this disease to one degree or another. Allergies manifest themselves in the form of swelling, rashes, scratching, which vary in severity - from light scratching to scratching with the appearance of blood. With allergies and dermatitis, a large amount of histamine accumulates in the skin - a substance that causes scabies, tissue swelling, and dilates blood vessels. Therefore, itchy areas on the skin appear swollen and red.

Allergic itching is eliminated with antihistamines, but then the allergen should be identified and eliminated. A more serious neuroallergic disease is neurodermatitis or atopic dermatitis, which is characterized by uncontrollable, unbearable localized itching. This disease develops from childhood and subsides a little during puberty, but later recurs again. Treatment of diffuse neurodermatitis is long and complex.

Stress

A common cause of itching throughout the body is the development of psychogenic conditions: mental trauma, overstrain of the nervous system, stress, when a person does not control hand movements and constantly scratches and rubs the skin. At the same time, the desire to scratch under stress does not weaken, but, on the contrary, can only intensify. Often, against the background of neuroses, periodic wandering itching occurs when it is impossible to determine a specific place. It is possible to avoid attacks or reduce their intensity if you eliminate the factors that cause stress.

Seasonal itching

Patients who complain of exacerbation of scabies attacks in spring or autumn can be confidently diagnosed with VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia). This is due to a lack of vitamins in the body. Vitamin therapy, which should be prescribed by your doctor, will help eliminate the symptoms. If your whole body itches in winter, you should go to the doctor and find out the reasons for this condition.

What diseases cause the body to itch?

Itching throughout the body can occur in various diseases, with different symptoms:

Types of skin itching

There is the following classification according to the frequency of relapses and intensity of manifestation:

1. Spicy. It is a consequence of pathology in the body.
2. Local. It has biological causes - bedbugs, ticks, etc. and is felt in a certain place.
3. Generalized. Unpleasant manifestations throughout the body for various reasons. Can be observed in liver, endocrine, dermatological, hematological, neurogenic diseases, oncology.
4. Chronic. It occurs for no apparent reason and indicates dermatosis and systemic diseases during an exacerbation.

What to do if your whole body itches

Considering that there is only one itching, but there are many causes, its treatment must be approached differently. What to do if your whole body itches? You can use ointments and creams that can relieve discomfort, but if the causes lie in liver disease or endocrine system disorders, then self-medication with local remedies can only aggravate the problem and complicate further treatment. Indeed, in this case, itching on the skin is just the tip of the iceberg, under which lies a serious illness, possibly fraught with tragic consequences.

Diagnostics

Determining the root cause will require diagnosing the itchy areas. First contact a dermatologist to prescribe tests and a detailed examination. If the dermatologist finds it difficult to name the cause, consultation with a therapist, endocrinologist, allergist, gastroenterologist and other specialists will be required. Principles of treating itchy skin:

• eliminating the cause;
• local treatment;
• systemic treatment.

Drug treatment

Depending on the reasons that caused the unpleasant symptoms, treatment for itching of the body skin is prescribed. For allergic scratching, antihistamines are prescribed: Zyrtec, Loratidine, Erius, Zyrtec, Suprastin, Tavegil. Additionally, it is recommended to take sedatives: Novo-Passit, valerian, mint tea, motherwort tincture, since the constant desire to itch disrupts sleep and makes the patient irritable. Complex manifestations are treated only under the supervision of a doctor.

However, this will take some time, and you want to relieve the itching as quickly as possible. Therefore, there are general recommendations:

1. The diet should not contain salty, hot, spicy foods. It is undesirable to drink strong tea, coffee, and alcohol.
2. If an elderly person has body itching (senile, worse in the evening and at night), then iodine preparations will alleviate the condition.
3. Take warm baths with sea salt.
4. Wipe the skin with calendula tincture in alcohol, lubricate with menthol-based antihistamine ointments.

Folk remedies

Along with drug therapy, folk remedies for body itching are used:

• A quick effect is achieved by taking baths with decoctions of plants: nettle, chamomile, mint, celandine, pine needles.
• Pruritoceptive (insect bites) are removed with coconut oil baths. To do this, dissolve 50 g of oil in a water bath and pour into warm water. The procedure time is 15 minutes.
• Lemon juice works great for itching, but it should not be applied to areas with damaged skin.
• Vaseline will help quickly relieve itching, as it will additionally moisturize and soften.
• To soothe irritations, you should use basil. It contains vitamins A, C, P, which are very important for skin health. It is necessary to wipe the irritated areas with a clean fresh leaf or prepare a decoction of basil and make lotions.
• Apple cider vinegar and celandine are used as applications (do not use celandine for chemical and sunburn).

How to treat body itching

If a diagnosis is made, the disease that became the cause is determined, the appropriate medicine is prescribed for itching of the body skin:

1. For renal itching: UVB therapy, Cholestyramine, activated carbon, Thalidomide, Naltrexone, Ondansetron, Capsacin cream, Tavegil.
2. Itching due to cholestasis is treated with ursodeoxycholic acid, Cholestyramine, Phenobarbital, Rifampicin, Naloxone, Naltrexone, Nalmefene, Fexadine, Trexyl, Tavegil.
3. Endocrine diseases: skin moisturizing, hormonal medications, compensation for diabetes mellitus are necessary.
4. Hematological diseases: iron supplements, Aspirin, Cholestyramine, Cimetidine.
5. Senile (senile): drugs with a calming effect (sedatives).

Local treatment

Local treatment includes treatment of the skin surface in areas of inflammation. These can be compresses, lotions of 3-5% vinegar, talcum powder, morning and evening hygiene. Among the medications, ointment is effective:

• Lokoid;
• Triderm;
• Ultraproct;
• Belosalik;
• Baneocin;
• hydrocortisone ointment (has a lot of contraindications).

Antihistamines

In the treatment of diseases with manifestations of itching, drugs that block the production of histamine are often used. Antihistamines:

1. Atarax. The active ingredient is hydroxyzine hydrochloride.
2. Berlicourt. Prescribed to eliminate any signs of allergies. The active ingredient is triamcinolone.
3. Desazon. The active ingredient is dexamethasone.
4. Diazolin. Prescribed for psoriasis, eczema, urticaria, insect bites.

Etiotropic therapy

This is a treatment aimed at eliminating a microbial, viral, bacterial, infectious pathogen. All antibacterial drugs (antibiotics), sulfonamides, nitrofuran drugs are etiotropic. Etiotropic agents include interferons, antidotes, immune globulins, probiotics, bacteriophages, and anthelmintic drugs. Etiotropic therapy drugs are used for complications of hereditary diseases, poisoning, and herpetic infections of various organs.

How to remove body itching at home

Treatment at home is aimed at eliminating the symptoms, but you need to work with your doctor to combat the cause of the strong desire to scratch the skin. As temporary help you can use:

1. Burdock roots. You need already dried roots to then obtain the powder using a coffee grinder. Pour 2 tbsp into a saucepan. l. powder, pour 1 liter of water. Cook for half an hour. When it cools down, you can make gauze compresses by applying to the irritated area. The effect should occur within half an hour.
2. Alcohol tincture of elecampane. You can prepare it at home, for which you take 1 tbsp. l. finely chopped roots, pour them into a suitable dark glass bottle, add 50 ml of alcohol. The tincture is prepared for 10 days, after which you need to make an aqueous solution with the tincture and wipe the itchy skin. According to people's reviews, the effect occurs immediately.
3. Needles. You will need young buds and pine needles in the amount of one glass. Pour a liter of boiling water over them and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Wash with the cooled broth, wipe the skin, make compresses and lotions. The result is felt quickly.

Video: why the skin on the body itches

Itching is a symptom of many skin diseases, various disorders in the functioning of internal organs and the central nervous system. But it is the itchy sensations at night, when its manifestations are not observed during the day, that narrow the range of possible causes. Using the differential method, as well as remembering the characteristics of itching, you can get closer to determining the correct diagnosis, which will be confirmed by test results.

2 Other etiological factors

If skin itching without any signs of rash bothers you not only at night, but also during the day, the following pathologies are possible:

1. With thyrotoxicosis and diabetes mellitus, intense and constant extensive itching of the skin often appears. Consultation with an endocrinologist and a blood test for glucose levels are recommended for characteristic additional symptoms.
2. With cholestasis, the whole body itches, but pathology begins locally (palms, feet, areas of skin in close contact with clothing). In this case, itching occurs due to the accumulation of bile acids in the skin and blood and intensifies at night.
3. Liver diseases also provoke itching due to the content of bile components in the blood. Changes in skin color and pain in the liver area become the reason for examination of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
4. Chronic renal failure often manifests itself as scabies all over the body. Itching is believed to be associated with an increase in phosphorus concentration in the blood.
5. Blood diseases (erythremia, lymphogranulomatosis, leukemia) cause severe, extensive itching, often with the absence of other symptoms. With lymphogranulomatosis, itching begins from the lower extremities, is accompanied by a burning sensation and is permanent.
6. Helminthiasis, giardiasis - the presence of these diseases can cause allergies as well as the consequences of improper therapeutic measures directed against them.

3 Measures to improve the condition of itchy skin

Increasing the body's defenses is important in any situation with the skin. To do this, you need to help yourself as follows:

• change your diet, that is, give up foods that irritate the body (spicy, salty, fatty);
• maintain cleanliness and ventilation in the room;
• do not scratch the skin to avoid infection;
• cleanse the skin in a gentle way (warm water and baby soap);
• avoid skin contact with synthetic and woolen fabrics;
• if there is a suspicion of an allergic nature of the itching, avoid allergenic products and contact with animals and plants.

The use of antihistamines is advisable for skin itching at night, taking into account contraindications and if it is not possible to immediately consult a doctor. To reduce and eliminate itching of an allergic nature, Ketotifen, Tavegil, Suprastin, etc. are used.

Next, you should seek medical help from a specialized specialist. Characteristics of itching such as time of occurrence, associated events, duration (week, month, year), intensity and shades of sensation (deep or superficial, burning or tingling, sudden or gradual) can help to recreate the full clinical picture of the pathology. Drug treatment is prescribed after examination and according to test results.