Itching can occur all over the body, such as skin, vagina and anus. The causes can be quite varied, as well as the intensity of the discomfort.
To relieve the condition and properly treat the irritated area, it is important to know the source of the itch. Find out what it can be:
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Itchy body: what can it be?
Itching in the body can occur for several conditions, being punctual or prolonged. That is, conditions such as poor skin hydration can trigger the condition, but skin diseases can also be the source of it.
Despite being highly associated with allergies, severe itching is not always severe or difficult to treat.
Depending on the reason, other associated symptoms such as skin blemishes, blisters, redness, lumps and sores may appear.
But it is worth paying attention if it is not the very act of scratching the skin that is causing these injuries. That is, there are diseases that trigger all of these symptoms, but there are episodes that it is just the itch the big nuisance.
It can affect different parts of the body and vary in intensity.
Below are the main causes and what can be done to control this symptom.
Itchy skin: what can it be?
Also known as itching or itching, itchy skin is a symptom that can be triggered by a sensitivity in the skin ( allergy to clothing, for example), but in some cases it can be indications of diseases, such as some types of cancer .
The skin can itch in small areas, such as on an arm or leg or even reach the entire body, and it can be intense and increase as the person itches. Check below some situations that cause itchy skin.
Dry skin
The health condition is also known as cutaneous xerosis. Those who suffer from dry skin may also have itches. In such cases, it is common for the dermis to crack and peel. It can reach the whole body, but it is more frequent in the legs, arms and abdomen.
This is because the most superficial protective barrier of the dermis has been affected, thus, the skin tissue starts to release substances that trigger itching.
It is common in older adults, as the skin tends to get drier over time. But it can affect all age groups.
Generally, lifestyle changes such as using moisturizer daily or changing the type of soap can be effective in controlling itching.
Atopic dermatitis
Also known as eczema , it is a chronic condition that makes the skin red and itchy.
The atopic dermatitis is a skin inflammation that usually begins in childhood and can persist into adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms occur mainly at night, which can trigger swelling and dry skin appearance as well.
Several drugs are used to control this problem, in addition to creams and hydration.
Allergy and allergic reaction
It happens when the immune system reacts inappropriately to substances found in food, drinks, medicines, cleaning products, plants, mold and poisons, for example.
It causes itching, redness, swelling, rash, hives, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and difficulty breathing.
Symptoms may appear soon after contact with what caused the allergy, but there are cases that take hours and even days for itching and other symptoms to manifest.
Illnesses
Some diseases can cause itchy skin. This is the case of liver disease, kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia , thyroid problems, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and some types of cancer such as lymphomas.
Insect bites
The itching can be triggered after the bite or bite of some insects, such as fleas , mosquitoes, mosquitoes, ants. There may be swelling and redness in the area as well.
In cases of severe allergy, the symptoms can spread throughout the body, not being concentrated just near the location of the bite.
Mycoses
This problem is a type of yeast infection that affects the skin, scalp and nails. There is peeling and irritation on the skin, causing itching, as well as white or reddish spots with small bubbles and crusts.
Pregnancy
It is common for some pregnant women to experience itching during pregnancy. It can affect breasts, arms, abdomen or thighs. This can occur due to hormonal and immune system changes.
Psoriasis
The psoriasis an inflammatory disease of chronic, non – contagious skin. It happens when skin cells accumulate and scales and dry spots are formed causing itching.
In addition, small spots can appear after injuries, the skin becomes more dry, there is burning, pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.
Sarna
Also known as scabies, it is a skin disease caused by a mite and provides an intense itch. Small papules (pellets) of the color of the skin or grayish with crusts may appear.
Transmission occurs through contact with people with the disease, personal objects and sharing infected clothes, towels and sheets.
Urticaria
It is a skin irritation in which red and swollen lesions appear, similar to “welts”, that appear on the skin and itch a lot.
They can manifest in any area of the body, usually in outbreaks, lasting for hours and disappearing without leaving marks on the skin.
Fibromyalgia
People with this health problem are more sensitive to pain and the feeling of touch. So it is common to feel tingling and itchy skin.
It is a syndrome that causes pain in the body for long periods and has no cure, despite treatment and ways to control it.
Itching in the anus: what are the most frequent causes?
Also known as anal itching, itching in the anus is a very unpleasant symptom and has varied causes. The main reasons are related to skin problems or diseases.
This symptom may be accompanied by others, such as a burning sensation, pain, redness, swelling and even ulcers in the anal area.
Among the main causes of itching in the anus, the following stand out:
- Atopic dermatitis;
- Excessive friction in the region caused by rough cleaning with toilet paper after evacuation;
- Use of toilet paper with perfume or dye;
- Inadequate cleaning after evacuation;
- Diseases such as fecal incontinence, hemorrhoids, infections, fissures or anal tumors;
- Excessive use of laxatives.
Vaginal itching: is it serious?
Vaginal itching is also an unpleasant symptom and can occur for a variety of reasons, which are not always serious, but attention is needed.
Because it is a very delicate region, the use of some products such as soaps, showers, creams and even perfumed toilet paper can cause vaginal itching. See details below.
Skin diseases
Eczema and psoriasis can also be the cause of redness and itching in the female genital region.
Candidiasis
A very common cause is yeast infection. The most common disease in these cases is candidiasis . It happens due to the presence of the fungus Candida albicans and brings symptoms such as intense itching, irritation in the genital area, whitish discharge, swelling, redness and burning when urinating.
Candidiasis is quite common because the vaginal region is hot and humid, which facilitates the proliferation of this fungus. But, usually the health problem occurs when there is low immunity and recent use of antibiotics , which destroy the good and bad bacteria in the body.
DST / IST
Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can cause vaginal itching. Among them are chlamydia, gonorrhea , genital herpes , among others.
Menopause
Women who have entered menopause may also experience severe itching in the intimate area. This is because there is a reduction in estrogen levels, leading to excessive dryness of the vagina. Therefore, the itch appears.
Cancer
Although rare, cancer in the vulva (outside of the vagina) can cause vaginal itching. In such cases, pain and bleeding may appear.
Why do wounds itch?
When the wounds itch it is a sign that the site is healing. During their healing process, the sensitive nerves under the skin signal to the spinal cord that the skin is being stimulated. And the brain perceives these signals as itchy.
In addition, new skin growth can also cause itching. It is at that moment that a type of crust appears and an itchy sensation appears.
It is worth mentioning that scratching a wounded area or poking at a crust can disrupt the healing process and even cause a new wound at the site. So it is important to avoid this attitude.
Why does it itch the body in the heat?
Some people may experience itching in the heat or while exercising and sweating. There is a health condition that is known as cholinergic (or heat) urticaria. But that discomfort usually disappears shortly afterwards and doesn’t cause any major problems.
Generally, cholinergic urticaria also causes redness and bumps on the skin. In more severe cases, other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or hypersalivation also appear .
Cholinergic urticaria happens when body temperature rises. Therefore, it is common to also appear after the person participates in physical activity, take a hot bath, eat spicy foods or in crises of anxiety and anger .
Remedies and treatments: what to do to stop itching?
The treatment and medications to treat the itch vary depending on the problem.
Generally, antihistamines are indicated, which are common medications for allergic reactions, which can be for oral or topical use (external application).
In the case of vaginal candidiasis or mycoses, oral medications with the application of antifungal creams are usually indicated.
Regardless of the cause of the itch, it is important to see a doctor and never self-medicate, especially if the problem persists for days.
The most suitable professionals to treat the itch are the dermatologist, a general practitioner or allergist.
The itchy skin that lasts more than six weeks is called chronic itching and can affect the quality of life. Some people may experience disrupted sleep or anxiety and depression due to the health problem.
It is worth noting that, in most cases, it does not indicate a more serious health problem, in some cases, it is a sign that something is not going well with the body.
Therefore, seek professional help to identify the cause and begin treatment as soon as possible.
The itching can be quite unpleasant, especially when it persists for a long time. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the intensity and frequency, seeking to identify and eliminate the causes!
Always count on the help of experts and the information of the Healthy Minute!
