home Endocrinology I'm very itchy. It started to itch sharply. Itchy skin: symptoms, treatment, causes of itching

I'm very itchy. It started to itch sharply. Itchy skin: symptoms, treatment, causes of itching

Itching occurs as a result of moderate irritation of sensory receptors located on the skin; with severe irritation, pain occurs. Before identifying sources, it is necessary to establish the prevalence of itching. When a person’s whole body itches, what could it be?

First of all, it is assumed that there are allergic reactions to food, odors, clothing, cold and other irritants. Scabies, lichen, pediculosis or infectious diseases accompanied by a rash may occur.

The most harmless answer to the question of why the body itches is prolonged exposure to the sun and dry skin. In this case, the itching will go away on its own or after home moisturizing treatments. Pregnancy can also cause an obsessive urge to scratch.

If itching occurs in one place and gradually spreads throughout the body, the reasons that the body itches may be:

Blood diseases;

Kidney or endocrine system;

Diabetes or oncology.

In this case, professional diagnosis of the disease and treatment of the diseases that caused it, and not the itching itself, are necessary. The most common reason that the body itches in different places is psychological stress. Responsible work, stress, difficult family situations, worries - all this leads to various obsessive movements, including itching throughout the body or in certain areas.

In this case, no treatment of itching with home remedies or potent drugs will help until the causes of the anxiety state disappear and the person’s psychological state stabilizes

Causes of itching may include diseases

To prevent bites, you should use protective creams or sprays when going outdoors, and treat the apartment to kill insects. If the body itches in different places, then the reason usually lies there. Itching in the extremities is most often associated with skin damage and intensifies as it heals.

Hemorrhoids, the presence of worms and inflammatory processes in the rectum lead to itching in the anus. Changes in the body during menopause or disease and inflammation of external organs cause itching in this area. Depending on where the itching occurs, you should consult a doctor of appropriate specialization.

Itchy body: causes and consequences

How to get rid of itching in the body?

If the body itches and the reasons have been established, then you can get rid of it at home or with the help of a doctor. First of all, it is necessary to relieve the unpleasant sensations. To do this, take a cool shower, apply cold lotions or treat itchy areas with ice. You can use cooling creams with menthol or camphor if they do not cause allergies and the skin is not damaged.

Hot water is contraindicated, as after heating the skin sensitivity increases.

Having determined why the body itches, you need to try to eliminate the irritating factors. To do this change:

Diet, excluding new and dangerous dishes that cause allergies;

Perfumes or cosmetics; clothing containing synthetic or thorny particles.

Dry skin is generously and regularly lubricated with nourishing creams. Bite areas are treated with alcohol tinctures.

If the reasons why the body itches are psychological, then chamomile tea and relaxing or soothing compounds and baths will help. If the itching not only does not disappear after measures taken at home, but intensifies and spreads throughout the body, do not postpone a visit to the doctor.

Skin itching is a specific uncomfortable sensation in the upper layers of the epidermis that occurs in response to irritation of nerve receptors. Itching occurs in response to external or internal irritants and, according to some scientists, is a type of pain. Our article will tell you why itching may occur and what to do in such cases.

There are many criteria for assessing itching: by localization, intensity and nature of occurrence. For proper diagnosis and treatment, it is also very important to determine the accompanying symptoms: rash, peeling, hair loss in this area of the body, as well as the formation of cracks and wounds.

Itching is divided into the following categories:

Localized when a certain place itches. This can be the scalp, elbow and groin folds, the anus (anal itching), perineum and other parts of the body.
Generalized, in which itching occurs throughout the entire body at once. May indicate the presence of tumors, diseases of internal organs, hormonal imbalance, allergies and mental disorders.

The frequency of occurrence of itching of any location is also important. Usually, with constant itching, other alarming symptoms occur: insomnia, irritability, soreness and hypersensitivity of the skin. If your body itches, there is a high risk of scratching and infection in the wounds.

You should definitely visit a dermatologist, even if the itching occurs without rashes or redness. The doctor can recommend local painkillers, and, if necessary, schedule a consultation with more specialized specialists: an allergist, immunologist or endocrinologist.

Causes of itching without rashes

Most dermatological diseases manifest themselves as rashes of various types. At the same time, there is a certain category of diseases in which there are no skin rashes or they manifest themselves only slightly. Usually the skin on the body itches under the influence of the accumulation of toxins and histamines in the upper layers of the epidermis, and there may be several reasons for such phenomena.

The main factors influencing the appearance of itching:

Overdrying of the epidermis due to temperature fluctuations, lack of moisture, or under the influence of external negative factors.
Fungal infections of various localizations.
Liver and kidney diseases. In this case, the body is susceptible to intoxication by metabolic products.
Side effects after taking certain medications.
Negative reaction of the body to stress or deterioration of mental health.
Hormonal imbalance occurs especially often during pregnancy.
An allergic reaction of the body upon contact with plant pollen, chemicals or toxins.

On the mucous membranes, itching most often occurs with fungal infections (a common example is thrush in women), with some sexually transmitted diseases or bactericidal inflammation of the skin. In these cases, additional symptoms are added to the main symptom: mainly a rash, the nature of the itching (usually in the evening and at night), as well as fever, weakness and changes in blood counts. If itching appears without a rash, you should look for other causes.

What diseases does itchy body skin indicate?

Skin itching without the appearance of rashes may indicate a high content of toxic substances in the blood. These may be metabolic products that are not excreted from the body due to liver or kidney dysfunction. This kind of itching is often called toxic, and it will go away only after the main problem is eliminated.

During pregnancy, complaints of itchy skin are also common. This is due to hormonal changes in the body, stretching of the skin due to an enlarged abdomen, as well as purely psychological discomfort.

What diseases can cause severe itching:

After taking certain groups of medications, persistent itching may also occur. Usually, no specific treatment is required in this case; the unpleasant symptom will go away after stopping the drug. Most often, medications based on the hormone estrogen (including contraceptives), erythromycin, opium drugs, anabolic steroids, acetylsalicylic acid and its derivatives can boast of such an effect.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

Itching is not the most uncomfortable symptom, but it may indicate more serious problems in the body. For any pathologies, you should consult a doctor, but in some cases this may even become vital.

See a doctor urgently:

Against the background of itching, rashes or purulent wounds appeared.
The temperature has risen.
Itching is accompanied by swelling and star-shaped spots on the body.
There is a mental disorder and behavior changes.
Breathing is difficult, signs of anaphylactic shock appear.

Only a doctor can determine what this may be and the appropriate treatment. Itching is not a separate disease, but only a symptom, so the patient will not get better with temporary measures. If the problem is dry skin, using moisturizers will eliminate the problem, but most often constant itching is a sign of more serious pathologies.

How to help yourself if your whole body itches but there is no rash

Home methods for eliminating such discomfort can be used in extreme cases when, for some reason, seeing a doctor is temporarily unavailable.

To help relieve severe itching:

A contrast shower will help relieve the itching for a while.
A warm bath with medicinal herbs will also help relieve discomfort.
If the itching area is small, you can apply an ice pack or a wet wipe.
Cooling creams with menthol are also used, but only on areas without wounds or rashes.
Mild sedatives (valerian, motherwort tincture) will help get rid of nighttime itching.
To humidify the air in the room, use steam or a proven method - drying wet clothes on a radiator.
If you experience night itching, you can wear soft gloves on your hands to avoid scratching the skin.

All these measures will help relieve itching if there is no rash. In case of skin reactions, you should definitely go to a dermatologist without self-medicating. For some diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, it is necessary to limit contact with water for a while, so a relaxing bath can only do harm.

Prevention measures

You can protect yourself from itching in advance. It is enough to follow the rules of hygiene, regularly change underwear and bed linen, choosing the most natural and hypoallergenic fabrics. In winter, it is very important to properly care for your skin, preventing it from drying out and chapping. Daily washing with a warm decoction of herbs, which soften and soothe inflamed skin, works well. Detergents should be chosen with the most non-allergenic composition.

It is also very important to follow the principles of a healthy diet, give up smoking and alcohol, as well as “harmful” foods: canned and smoked food, chemical sweets and carbonated drinks. Timely examination by specialists and control over existing diseases will help prevent the development of serious pathologies. In addition, it is imperative to avoid stressful situations and conflicts.

Itching in different places on the body is an unpleasant symptom. It can occur under the influence of various factors and be a sign of serious diseases. Most often, itching occurs due to irritation of nerve receptors in the skin. If the itching is constant or localized, you should definitely visit a doctor to determine the causes of this discomfort.

An article on the topic: “reasons why the body itches without visible signs of disease. Features of itching” from professionals.

itchy skin

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. From there it goes to the brain.

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

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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, dandruff. Read more about itchy scalp here.
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:

insomnia, 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 a person suffers from itching 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.

Elena Malysheva and her colleagues understand why a person itches, the causes of itchy skin and the main methods of getting rid of the unpleasant symptom.

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.

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

Diabetes. 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 quite 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: drinking antihistamines, smearing 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.

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

To eliminate excessive dryness of the 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 for treatment procedures and allow you to quickly forget about an unpleasant symptom. 0 comments

Itching on the body without rashes may be anatomical in nature. Such itching cannot be cured without eliminating the underlying disease. The use of the best antipruritics will only bring results as part of a complete treatment.

Possible causes of itching on the body without rashes

The skin practically consists of nerve endings. Even a slight breeze or a sudden insect can cause the skin to react and create an uncomfortable feeling in the area of irritation, in other words, body itching.

Having examined each disease in detail, you can safely determine why the body may itch and how to eliminate the itching.

Skin scabies are a common occurrence with this disease. When the liver is healthy, the body gradually cleanses itself of harmful substances; a diseased liver cannot cope with this task. Many toxins begin to accumulate in the body, which are eliminated in a slow manner. They become a source of irritation and appear at night.

Characteristic symptoms are sleep disturbance due to body itching.

On the subject: Quincke's edema (photo)

In frequent cases, itching of the body becomes the first symptom of diabetes that has not yet manifested itself. The appearance of scabies is caused by the retention of carbohydrate metabolic products in the tissues. In addition to all this, damage to small blood vessels and nerves occurs, which causes severe disruptions in skin sensitivity.

The affected area is: genitals, axillary area, anal ring. To alleviate the condition and reduce body itching, it is enough to give up sweets and get rid of unnecessary nerves.

An unpleasant disease, although quite common. The activity of helminths is very pronounced at night, causing severe itching of the body.

The most common case is when the body itches in different places. Anything can be an allergenic source - from a flower on the window to a new perfume. In each case, a rash appears.

To identify the source of the rash, it is necessary to undergo a full range of tests and go through several stages of examination. You should not delay this, as a number of serious consequences are possible.

If your skin is constantly itching, this may indicate a blood disorder. It is worth taking a blood test, and if high hemoglobin and an increased number of red blood cells are shown, in 70% of cases it is polycythemia.

Read also: red dots on the skin

Troubles at work, problems in personal life and many similar factors greatly influence a person’s psychosomatics. As a result of stress, nerve endings malfunction. The skin may itch for hours or for short periods.

Eliminating body itching is quite easy if you find and eliminate the moments that cause stress.

Appears in spring or autumn. A problem such as seasonal body itching occurs when there is a severe lack of vitamins in the body (vitaminosis). It is enough to take a course of vitamins prescribed by your doctor.

If it starts to itch in winter, you should consult a dermatologist.

If this problem occurs, it is better to contact a dermatologist who will prescribe the necessary series of tests, medications and procedures.

As a rule, not only problems with a person’s physical or mental state can become a source of body itching.

There are a number of different diseases that differ not only in symptoms, but also in severity.

Diffuse neurodermatitis. With this disease, severe itching of the body occurs, which moves from one area to another. A severe rash occurs. The cause of the disease can be an external factor - a scratch, a cut, and so on.
Dermatitis. Occurs when you are allergic to specific foods or other strong allergens. The symptoms are pronounced: redness, severe itching of the body, the formation of white coatings. Almost all areas of the body are affected, but most often the face and sides. The disease is difficult to treat; at the first manifestations, it is necessary to urgently contact the hospital.
Hives. Often appears in young children, on vulnerable areas of the skin. Occurs on the abdomen, outer sides of the palms, buttocks, and back. Characteristic redness, swelling of the affected areas, severe itching of the body are the main symptoms of this disease.
Pediculosis(lice). The main affected area is the head. Features – the appearance of small bites, wounds, depressions, severe itching.
Scabies. One of the most severe types of skin diseases. Scabies activity is most pronounced at night, which greatly affects sleep patterns. In addition to the physical state, the mental state is also disturbed; due to constant itching of the body, neurosis and other symptoms may appear.

According to medical statistics, many people face a similar problem. Most often, factors arise from the physical side of the body and are easier to treat. Cases with a mental aspect of body itching are also not uncommon, but curing them is much more difficult.

What to do if there are strong indicators of the disease? At the first symptoms, go to the hospital immediately. There they conduct a detailed examination to find out what caused the manifestation of the skin disease.

The examination includes a number of the following procedures:

temperature measurement;
fatigue testing;
systematic weight loss;
checking skin manifestations;
checking the condition of the gastrointestinal tract;
determination of the state of the nervous system and general mental state of the patient;
if there are problems with the visual system - an additional series of tests;
checking changes in basic mental indicators (sleep, appetite, mood swings).

Be sure to take blood from a finger and vein, urine and other necessary tests to understand what disease has similar symptoms.

If the dermatologist finds it difficult to answer what it is Maybe you need to consult other specialists. The cause of body itching can be not only in the skin, but also in internal organs (heart, liver, etc.).

As soon as it becomes clear what causes the itching on the body and the inflammatory factor is found, treatment can begin. In this case, both traditional medicine and medications are used.

In this area, traditional medicine shows its best side.

To forget about itching all over your body once and for all, it will be enough:

Take a herbal bath. Use only nettle (if the disease is not urticaria), chamomile, mint (menthol essence) or celandine.
Lemon juice will be a good help to eliminate itching throughout the body. But it is strictly forbidden to apply it to areas with broken skin.
Basil is quite suitable for soothing irritated skin. It contains many vitamins that play a key role in skin health. Use a fresh basil leaf to wipe the affected areas.

If finances do not allow you to purchase expensive medicines, traditional medicine will be a good help in many situations. The exception is when the skin develops sores or blisters.

As for treatment with medications, they are prescribed by the attending physician. The list of medications may vary depending on the severity of the disease, personal symptoms and the individual nature of each person’s body.

The general list of medications is as follows::

Ointment "Erythromycin". Relieves itching, eliminates redness, and has a pleasant cooling property.
Doxibene tablets are a strong anti-inflammatory antibiotic. It is prescribed strictly according to a doctor's prescription.
In addition to medications, spicy, salty, bitter and fried foods are removed from the diet.
An infusion of chamomile tea will help the body calm down and slightly reduce active itching.

Self-medication at home is not excluded. This occurs only in consultation with a specialist. The doctor can register you and create a sickness card so that in case of complications he can provide the necessary assistance.

A number of home self-treatment procedures for itching on the body include:

Making gauze compresses with burdock roots. Grind the dried roots finely, then add a liter of water and cook for half an hour. After cooking, dip a gauze cloth into the solution and hold for 3-4 minutes. When finished, apply to affected areas. The result comes quickly, within 10–15 minutes.
Preparation of pine rinse. Pour young pine buds (100–200 g) with a liter of boiling water and cook over low heat for half an hour. Wash your face with the cooled broth and thoroughly rinse the itchy areas. After a few days, the main symptoms should disappear or noticeably decrease.

If the illness turns out to be of a mental nature, the series of procedures is completely different. Walking in the fresh air, especially in the evenings, will help speed up your recovery. You should devote more time to your favorite activities, narrow your circle of communication only to close and dear people. Thus, in 90% of cases, the root of depression disappears, and along with it the itching goes away.

The remaining 10% are clinical patients; here they need the help of a psychotherapist. The method of psychotherapy will help to find the essence of the disease, to analyze the factors of its occurrence in detail. Then a series of rehabilitation measures are taken, and only after this the patient can be considered healthy.

Older people are not prescribed many medications. The body is in an extremely weakened state, against the backdrop of the manifestation of the disease. In such cases, they often resort to traditional medicine. The effect will be similar, but safer for health.

Note: creams, body lotions and many other cosmetics with a moisturizing effect are essential. They soften the skin, eliminate dryness and inflammation, thereby accelerating the regeneration of damaged skin. Taking a warm bath with soothing herbs also has a beneficial effect on your well-being.

In the room where the patient spends most of his leisure time, it is advisable to maintain a cool temperature. This helps relieve skin conditions on the body.

Important to remember: It is not always worthwhile to self-medicate. Even the most harmless itching can have many consequences. It is better to consult a doctor and only with his permission carry out rehabilitation measures at home.

Skin itching is the most common complaint with which patients come to see a dermatologist. In most cases, this symptom is accompanied by a rash, but in some diseases itching can be an isolated symptom. Sometimes the clinical picture is supplemented by burning and tingling, but itching remains the main symptom and requires extensive examination. In rare cases, generalized skin itching can be a symptom of malignant tumors, so you should not postpone a visit to a specialist. It is possible to prescribe the correct treatment and eliminate the problem only after a thorough diagnosis and determination of the cause that caused the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.

Body itching without rash: causes

What kind of itching happens?

Itching is a burning or strong tingling sensation in the superficial layer of the epidermis. It can occur not only on the surface of the skin, but also in the mucous membranes. Areas of the body that are constantly in contact with the environment, are often dirty or are in a wet state are often susceptible to itching. For example, for obese women, the problem area may be the space under the breasts. This part of the body often sweats, and sweat is an excellent breeding ground for fungus and pathogenic bacteria, which cause severe burning. Sometimes an unpleasant putrid odor may appear, but more often women only complain that the skin under the breasts itches.

Itching can occur on the skin of the genitals, feet, elbows, knees, and other areas. Such itching is called localized, since it appears in a certain part of the body (has a specific localization). Sometimes tingling and burning occurs over the entire surface of the body - this form of pathology is generalized.

What is itchy skin

Depending on the time of occurrence and severity of the process, itching can be:

sharp;
chronic.

The provoking factors for acute itching most often are various allergens: animal hair, house plants, food, dust. Sometimes such a reaction occurs when using certain medications, so people with poor tolerance to any synthetic components should definitely inform their doctor about this.

Chronic itching can be a sign of several diseases, and most of them are not related to dermatology. A qualified doctor will help you correctly determine the cause of discomfort. The examination should begin with a visit to a therapist or dermatologist; according to indications, the patient may be prescribed additional studies and consultations with specialized specialists: an endocrinologist, an immunologist, an allergist and a gastroenterologist.

Pathogenesis of skin itching

Itching without rash: possible causes

If the itching has been bothering you for a long time, and there are no other signs of allergy (rash, lacrimation, redness of the eye sclera), it is necessary to check the functioning of the internal organs, since the causes of such symptoms can be very serious. Sometimes, to eliminate itching, it is enough to remove a product from the menu or refuse to use certain medications, replacing them with drugs with a similar effect, but in some cases, treatment can be long and difficult, so you should not delay going to the hospital.

Etiology of skin itching

Hepatitis and cirrhosis

More than 100 thousand people die from liver cirrhosis every year. In 80% of cases, the pathology has an extremely unfavorable prognosis, especially if in addition to the liver, the nervous system is also affected. Life expectancy with progressive cirrhosis is usually 4-5 years, while death can occur much earlier if the patient does not follow the doctor’s recommendations on the regimen and treatment.

At an early stage, cirrhosis is practically asymptomatic. The only sign by which one can suspect a disturbance in the functioning of the body’s “main filter” is generalized itching. It occurs due to the fact that liver cells (hepatocytes) are gradually destroyed, and the organ cannot fully perform the functions of filtering and purifying the blood from toxins, poisons and allergens.

Stages of liver cirrhosis

As the pathology progresses, the patient may notice other manifestations, which include:

enlargement of the abdomen while maintaining the parameters of other organs;
yellowing of the skin and eye sclera;
periodic fluctuations in body temperature;
increased skin itching.

The same signs are characteristic of different types of hepatitis, so when they appear, it is necessary to urgently undergo tests and do an ultrasound of the liver to confirm or refute the alleged diagnosis.

Diabetes

Itching in diabetes mellitus of any type is localized and occurs mainly on the genitals. Sometimes the patient has a desire to scratch his arms around the elbows, feet and palms. Such symptoms are rarely diagnosed in young patients. Typically, women of retirement and elderly age (over 50-55 years old) complain of itching; in men, this symptom occurs only in 35% of cases.

Important! Increased itching in diabetes occurs with a sharp increase in blood glucose, so if there is a significant burning sensation, you should measure your sugar level using a glucometer and call a doctor if your overall health is unsatisfactory.

Symptoms of diabetes

Depression and psychosis

Disorders of the psychoemotional state are one of the most likely causes of itching. In people with hormonal imbalances, even slight anxiety can cause exacerbation of skin manifestations and increased burning. If a patient develops a depressive disorder, it is important to consult a specialist in time, since delay is fraught not only with external manifestations, but also with deep emotional depression, which can lead to death even in people who do not have suicidal tendencies.

Teenagers fall into depression especially quickly and have a hard time with it, so parents need to closely monitor the child’s condition and notice any changes that may be the first warning signs. These include:

frequent mood changes;
too sudden lull and desire for solitude (especially if the teenager was previously quite active and liked to communicate with peers);
problems with sleep (the child may often wake up in the middle of the night and sit on the bed, looking at one point).

Symptoms of depression

From external manifestations one can notice a constant desire to scratch any part of the body, flexion and extension of fingers, changes in gaze.

Important! Itching in depression is always generalized, so it can appear at any time and on any area of the skin and mucous membranes.

Itching during psychosis is characteristic mainly of women over 40 years of age. It usually occurs on the scalp and resembles crawling insects. In medicine, this phenomenon is called “tactile hallucinations.” Outwardly, a woman may look as usual and show no signs of pathology, so if such complaints appear, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help.

Oncological diseases

It is very important to pay attention to any skin manifestations for people who have a genetic predisposition to malignant processes. Cancer at an early stage occurs without obvious symptoms, so any signs and changes in well-being should be alarming.

Symptoms of pancreatic cancer

Generalized severe itching most often appears with pancreatic and intestinal cancer, especially if the tumor blocks the opening in the duodenum. Malignant formations in the organs of the genitourinary system can also occur against a background of moderate itching without a rash or any other symptoms. The table below shows the incidence of itching in various locations of cancerous tumors.

Symptoms and signs of worms

Important! Some believe that with helminthiasis, burning and itching occur only in the anus and genital area, but this is not so. Some types of worms (such as roundworms) can move into the pulmonary system and heart muscle, causing severe itching throughout the body. Ascariasis is deadly to humans, so such a symptom cannot be ignored.

Pediculosis– another cause of itching, which in this case will occur on the scalp. Lice infestations often occur in children's groups, so for girls with long hair, it is best to braid their hair, lifting it high and tying it tightly into a bun.

At scabies– an infectious pathology caused by scabies mites entering the body – itching is rarely an isolated symptom. It often appears with skin rashes, but if the lesion is mild, there may be no rash or other symptoms.

Symptoms of scabies

Blood diseases

With a lack of iron in the body and the development of iron deficiency anemia, every second patient complains of itching. It usually occurs in places of increased blood circulation: the genitals, pelvic organs and chest. It is not difficult to diagnose anemia, so if you consult a doctor in a timely manner, it is possible to prevent complications and avoid unpleasant consequences.

In addition to tingling, the patient also experiences a number of other symptoms, for example:

frequent headaches and dizziness;
pale skin;
changes in taste preferences;
recurrent bleeding.

Sometimes itching with anemia may be completely absent, but in most cases there is a chronic tactile disturbance with frequent relapses.

Itchy skin clinic

Other reasons

Lack of sufficient hygiene can cause isolated itching without the addition of a rash and other symptoms. Incorrectly selected cosmetics with a high content of fragrances and dyes can increase discomfort and cause significant discomfort. Even scented toilet paper can cause irritation to the skin of the genitals and around the anus, so it is better to choose neutral skin care products without the addition of strong synthetic substances.

Taking certain medications (most often opium) can trigger an attack of severe itching, which is difficult to relieve with antihistamines. If such side effects occur, it is necessary to consult your doctor as soon as possible, since self-prescription of allergy medications can aggravate the situation.

Video - 3 causes of itching

Senile itch

Age-related itching is considered normal and has several physiological causes:

loss of moisture and increased dryness of the skin;
changes in hormonal levels;
insufficient production of collagen and elastin;
disturbances in the functioning of the kidneys and liver, leading to insufficient purification of the blood and other fluids from toxins and allergens and their accumulation in the body.

Senile itching is usually of medium intensity and does not cause severe discomfort. To reduce the burning sensation, you need to add more fruits, greens, berries and vegetables to your diet. Meat and fish should be consumed at least 3-4 times a week, as they are excellent sources of protein and essential amino acids necessary for skin health and maintenance of its functions. Don't forget about dairy products - a source of calcium and phosphorus.

You can solve the problem in old age with the help of cosmetics, but they must be of high quality and safe. It is better to choose a cream for particularly sensitive skin, since such cosmetics do not contain parabens, fragrances and toxic dyes.

If the itching intensifies, a rash or painful cracks appear, you should consult a doctor.

Treatment of itchy skin

Itching during pregnancy

A slight burning sensation during pregnancy is explained by changes in hormonal levels, so there is no cause for concern if there are no other complaints. Some women note the appearance of itching on the abdomen. The sensations intensify in the last trimester, when the belly of the expectant mother reaches its maximum size.

The skin on the abdomen constantly stretches as the abdomen grows. With rapid growth or lack of elasticity, the skin becomes too tight, stretch marks and severe itching appear. The gynecologist who is observing the woman will help you choose a remedy that will alleviate these symptoms, but the burning sensation will go away completely only after childbirth.

Itching without a rash is a rather dangerous symptom, by which one can suspect the presence of severe pathologies in the functioning of internal organs. Even if everything is fine with health, it is necessary to find out the cause of the phenomenon and take measures to eliminate it. Constant scratching of the skin leads to the formation of microcracks into which infection can easily penetrate, so you should visit a doctor immediately after such symptoms appear.

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?

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

What kind of itching occurs: main types

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

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.

, 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

Why you want to itch: common reasons

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

Itching due to dry skin

Medicines and 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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:

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

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 dryness of the 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.

Next article.

Itching is divided into the following categories:

Localized when a certain place itches. This can be the scalp, elbow and groin folds, the anus (anal itching), perineum and other parts of the body.
Generalized, in which itching occurs throughout the entire body at once. May indicate the presence of tumors, diseases of internal organs, hormonal imbalance, allergies and mental disorders.

Causes of itching without rashes

The main factors influencing the appearance of itching:

Overdrying of the epidermis due to temperature fluctuations, lack of moisture, or under the influence of external negative factors.
Fungal infections of various localizations.
Liver and kidney diseases. In this case, the body is susceptible to intoxication by metabolic products.
Side effects after taking certain medications.
Negative reaction of the body to stress or deterioration of mental health.
Hormonal imbalance occurs especially often during pregnancy.
An allergic reaction of the body upon contact with plant pollen, chemicals or toxins.

What diseases does itchy body skin indicate?

During pregnancy, complaints of itchy skin are also common. This is due to hormonal changes in the body, stretching of the skin due to an enlarged abdomen, as well as purely psychological discomfort.

What diseases can cause severe itching:

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

Itching is not the most uncomfortable symptom, but it may indicate more serious problems in the body. For any pathologies, you should consult a doctor, but in some cases this may even become vital.

See a doctor urgently:

Against the background of itching, rashes or purulent wounds appeared.
The temperature has risen.
Itching is accompanied by swelling and star-shaped spots on the body.
There is a mental disorder and behavior changes.
Breathing is difficult, signs of anaphylactic shock appear.

How to help yourself if your whole body itches but there is no rash

Home methods for eliminating such discomfort can be used in extreme cases when, for some reason, seeing a doctor is temporarily unavailable.

To help relieve severe itching:

A contrast shower will help relieve the itching for a while.
A warm bath with medicinal herbs will also help relieve discomfort.
If the itching area is small, you can apply an ice pack or a wet wipe.
Cooling creams with menthol are also used, but only on areas without wounds or rashes.
Mild sedatives (valerian, motherwort tincture) will help get rid of nighttime itching.
To humidify the air in the room, use steam or a proven method - drying wet clothes on a radiator.
If you experience night itching, you can wear soft gloves on your hands to avoid scratching the skin.