As people age, there are many who particularly complain of itching on their back. Since the back is an area that cannot be reached by hand, it is difficult to scratch it comfortably on their own. Therefore, it is common to ask family members to scratch their back or to keep a back scratcher by the bed. Why does the back itch more frequently now compared to when they were young?

As you age, your skin also ages. When the skin ages, it becomes easily dry, and the excretory glands that secrete sweat and other substances decrease. The back has fewer sebaceous glands compared to other areas, so it tends to be more itchy when dry. This is because sebum secretion is reduced, and there is almost no fat layer composed of lipids with high water content, making it more prone to dryness.

 

The back is not a part of the body that is frequently used in daily life or a part that is often stretched. Since it is not an area that must be used like the hands and feet, blood circulation is not smooth. When blood flow is insufficient, oxygen supply and waste removal are not properly carried out, making the skin more prone to dryness and leading to itching.

Itching on the back caused by aging cannot be resolved simply by scratching. If you scratch with your hands or a back scratcher, the itching may temporarily subside, but it will inevitably come back. Since you can't always ask your family to scratch for you, it is necessary to apply moisturizer to address the root cause. Moisturizing helps the skin retain moisture.

Moisturizers are more effective when applied while there is still some moisture on the skin, rather than when the skin is completely dry. After showering, gently pat the skin dry with a towel and then apply the moisturizer within 3 to 5 minutes. Moisturizers typically contain humectants and occlusive agents, which have higher absorption rates when there is moisture present. For example, humectants are substances that strongly attract water from the surrounding environment, helping to maintain the skin barrier.

 

If you still feel itchy after applying moisturizer, you should check your shower habits. Washing your body with water that is too hot can cause moisture to evaporate easily from the skin and disrupt the oil-water balance, leading to increased dryness and itching. It is recommended to shower with lukewarm water within 20 minutes. Additionally, stretching the back area regularly to promote blood circulation is also important.

 

Meanwhile, if your back itches severely, it may not be just simple dry skin. People with diabetes, shingles, liver disease, contact dermatitis, or kidney disease can also experience skin itching. If skin itching is accompanied by symptoms of these conditions, it is advisable to pay close attention and visit a hospital.

 

 

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I thought it was because of the season.

 

Why does my back tend to itch more as I get older?

As the skin ages, it secretes sweat.

Because the exocrine glands decrease,

In particular, the back has fewer sebaceous glands than other areas, making it more prone to dryness.

 

So that's why your back is so itchy.