Are you searching for the causes and home remedies of itchy skin? Read the following article to get useful information for your search.
Itching, or pruritus, can be caused by various conditions. These conditions can cause mild to severe itching without developing a rash. In most cases, a small area of your skin will be affected by itching for a short time while in some cases, a wide area of your skin can become itchy. Although this condition is not life-threatening, it can be very irritating at times. There are a few home remedies and medical treatments can help relieve the condition.
Causes
The foremost cause of itching without rash is skin dryness. It is medically termed as ‘xerosis’. Dry skin is not a serious medical condition, but its symptoms can be quite uncomfortable and uneasy. It involves shriveling of plump cells, which in turn causes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The skin which is dry feels stretched and taut. It appears shrunken or dehydrated, rough, flaky, peeled, and scaly. If dryness is severe, the skin begins to itch too. The itching may range from mild to intense.
Another probable cause of itching of skin without any visible rash is scabies. It is a skin condition which is caused by tiny burrowing mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei. The action of this mite causes intense itching in that part of the body where it is present. It gives you a strong urge to scratch the skin, which is particularly more during nighttime. Scabies is highly contagious in nature. It spreads from person to person through the shared materials.
Apart from the aforementioned causes, itching of the skin can also occur as a result of some medical conditions. They include poor circulation of blood and a malfunctioning kidney or liver.
Treatment
Regardless of the underlying cause for itchy skin with no rash, you may follow some home remedies to help relieve the condition to some extent. They are:
- Take an ice cube, wrap it with small piece of clean cotton cloth, and rub it gently on the affected skin. This keeps the itchy skin cool and well-hydrated. Therefore, consider rubbing the ice cube for a couple of minutes twice or thrice a day. Do not use an unwrapped ice cube as it may damage your skin.
- Have oatmeal bath every alternate day since oatmeal helps relieve itching.
- If you feel strong urge to scratch your affected skin, try to resist the temptation. Keep your hands busy at something while watching television, reading, etc, and wear gloves while sleeping. Excessive scratching of the itchy skin may damage it, giving rise to some other set of dermatological problems.
- You should avoid things which can make itching worse. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Do not wear scratchy, woolen, and acrylic fabrics. Do not expose your skin to excessive heat and sweating.
- Drink plenty of water. You may have water in the form of fruit juices, soups, and even by eating fruits, particularly juicy fruits. Avoid eating mango and pineapple as they can aggravate itching. You should also avoid eating red meats, eggs, and fried, oily, spicy, and fast foods. Try to have more green leafy vegetables in your diet.
- You can take non-prescription drugs which contain 1% hydrocortisone. However, do not use it repeatedly as it may aggravate itching and can even cause dermatitis. Use over-the-counter anti-itch medications since they are mostly based on antihistamines.
Following the aforementioned home remedies may help you get some relief. However, do not rely on self-assessment and self-treatment. Fix an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as possible. Timely medical attention will diagnose the exact underlying cause and treat the same effectively.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
