"Why does my body itch so much?"... Unusual illnesses that cause itching

 

Lately, I am suffering greatly from unexplained hives symptoms.

It's been several months since it started in early June.

 

Mom says that it's a change in constitution.

Only in the morning and evening, so it's very painful.

 

I would like to share an article about itching.

There are many different diseases related to itching.

 

I knew about pregnancy pruritus, but there are also things like this??? I'm also puzzled.

It's a good article, so please read it.

 

The most common cause of itching (pruritus) is skin disease. Skin conditions that cause itching include dry skin, atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis (allergy), hives, fungal skin infections, skin parasitic infections, and insect bites. However, systemic illnesses such as diabetes, neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis, and psychological conditions like mental itching can also cause the skin to itch all over the body.

According to the American health portal 'TheHealthy,' severe itching all over the body can be caused by kidney disease, liver disease, skin psoriasis, spinal disease, celiac disease, lymphoma, thyroid disease, contact dermatitis, menopause, breast cancer, and pregnancy.

Kidney disease = Severe itching all over the body often occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease or chronic renal failure. According to a study published in the Journal of Renal Failure, 42% of hemodialysis patients experience moderate to severe itching. Dr. Anthony M. Rosi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital, said, "Many people scratch so intensely that they wake up in the middle of the night." The exact reason why kidney disease causes itching has not yet been clarified. It is only suspected to be related to the inability of the kidneys to remove waste products from the blood, leading to the accumulation of toxins in the body. To soothe the itching, anticonvulsants (such as gabapentin) can be prescribed.

 

 

Liver disease = If your whole body is itchy, it could be a silent sign of liver disease. If persistent itching appears in the late stages of kidney disease, it indicates that there is also an abnormality in the liver. Dr. Kathleen Cook Suozzi, an associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine in the United States, said, "If the liver cannot detoxify properly, waste products such as bile acids accumulate." Medications that help inhibit the absorption of bile acids in the body or reduce the amount of bile acids returning to the liver can be prescribed.

Dermatographia is a type of chronic hives characterized by swelling, redness, and itching that occur even when the skin is lightly scratched or pressed. If red raised marks appear and these symptoms disappear within 15 to 30 minutes, dermatographia may be suspected. Associate Professor Cameron Locksa of Mount Sinai Hospital in the United States (specialist in dermatology and plastic surgery) stated, "Dermatographia is a skin condition where the skin becomes sensitive and releases too much histamine when touched." The cause is unclear, but it can be triggered by stress, infections, allergens, or medications. Areas that frequently come into contact with other skin or clothing are most vulnerable to skin rashes. Diagnosis is relatively straightforward. If itching worsens, antihistamines that reduce inflammation can be prescribed. If there is no improvement, injections may be administered.

Spinal disease = Chronic itching that does not manifest as a rash may be due to neurogenic (neuropathic) pruritus. According to previous research, if you have a spinal disease, pressure is applied to the nerves and the nerves become twisted, which can cause itching on the skin. Neurogenic pruritus can occur on one side or both sides of the body. If scratching does not alleviate the symptoms, it is a serious warning sign. Dr. Rosi said, "Eczema patients feel that scratching reduces the itch. However, neurogenic pruritus does not improve with scratching, and in most cases, the symptoms worsen." Some people say it feels like insects are crawling on their skin. Capsaicin cream extracted from chili peppers can be used to treat neurogenic pruritus.

Celiac disease = Dr. John John, head of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Utah in the United States and medical advisor for the Celiac Disease Foundation, said, "If you develop bumps or blisters on your knees, elbows, hips, or hairline and experience intense itching, it could be a sign of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), a skin manifestation of celiac disease." When celiac patients consume foods containing gluten, their immune system reacts by producing an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA). This IgA antibody moves to the skin cells, binds to them, and causes an itching response. Patients must strictly adhere to a lifelong 'gluten-free diet.' Continued intake of gluten can lead to malnutrition, anemia, bone loss, ulcerative colitis, and even cancer.

 

Lymphoma = Associate Professor Suoji from Yale University said, "Itching can occur in 5% to 30% of lymphomas, including blood cancers such as Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma." Whether or not a rash is present, itching can be the first symptom of Hodgkin's disease. It is highly likely to be caused by cytokines, cellular signaling molecules that respond to infection and induce inflammation. If lymphoma is suspected, a chest X-ray can be taken. After being diagnosed with lymphoma and starting chemotherapy or radiation therapy, the itching usually stops soon.

Thyroid disease = Thyroid disease, whether hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, can cause abnormal sensations in the skin. Associate Professor Roksah at Mount Sinai Hospital said, "Changes in sweat glands can dry out the skin," and "The skin contains thyroid hormone receptors, which decrease cell activity when thyroid hormones are absent. This is why itching and dry skin are more common in patients with hypothyroidism."

Allergy = Allergy is one of the common chronic diseases. Skin allergy is contact dermatitis that causes itchy rashes on the skin when exposed to allergenic substances. Compounds found in personal hygiene products such as baby wipes and cosmetics are some of the allergens that cause contact dermatitis. If itching is only present in the eyes, it may be a sign of eyelid dermatitis. Dermatologists and allergy specialists can identify allergenic triggers through patch testing. Strong topical steroids may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms.

Menopause = During menopause (climacteric), women may experience sudden changes in appearance such as dry and itchy skin. When estrogen, an essential component for collagen production, decreases, the supply of natural oils that retain skin moisture also diminishes. Dr. Sherry Ross, a gynecologist, said, "This causes the skin to become thinner and more itchy." Applying aloe vera gel or calamine lotion to the outermost layer of the skin can help alleviate dryness and itching.

Breast cancer = Paget's disease of the breast is a type of breast cancer where cancer cells gather in or around the nipple. According to the National Cancer Institute of the United States, Paget's disease accounts for less than 5% of all breast cancers. The first sign is the appearance of scaly, red, itchy patches around the nipple and areola. Dr. Suoji said, "It is sometimes misdiagnosed as nipple eczema." It can also occur in cases related to breast cancer.

Pregnancy = Among 150 pregnant women, one may develop a red rash called "Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP)" on the abdomen. It can also appear on the legs and arms. Generally, rashes do not occur until the late second or third trimester when most medications are not permissible. Because of this, there are no specific measures to address the itching. Dr. Rosi, a dermatologist, said, "Even women who have been pregnant multiple times can develop Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy." Fortunately, this condition is harmless and resolves on its own.

 

Source: Komedid.com, Kim Young-seop edwdkim@kormedi.com