Itching may occur as a sign of skin diseases or internal organ diseases while it may also be related to skin dryness, stress, skin aging, cold and dry air, and malnutrition.
Especially the cold weather wears the body out and when the body is not moisturized itching may occur. Although scratching your skin may relieve your itch for a short time, according to experts, it can cause irritation in the region. Experts say that first the cause of itching must be determined; then a treatment method should be applied.
Itching may reduce life quality
Expressing that sometimes due to cold weather or a disease in the body itching may occur, Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital Dermatology Specialist Dr. Yeliz Erdemoğlu explains: “As a result of many different causes, the stimuli from the central nervous system reaches our skin through the peripheral nervous system, and the feeling of itching starts with the release of a large amount of prime mediator, primarily histamine. Although scratching relaxes the individual by causing the release of serotonin hormone in the brain, it decreases the quality of life and this can become an unbearable nuisance.”
Which diseases are the cause?
“There may be many diseases underlying the itching. Allergies, insect and fly bites, hives, eczema, superficial fungal diseases, external parasitic infections such as lice, internal parasitic infections such as hairworm, intestinal worms, psoriasis, lichen planus, and dermatitis herpetiformis and bullous pemphigus can cause regional or whole body itching.”
Anemia and dementia are also effective
“Sometimes the itching is the effect of another organ disease on the skin. Diseases of the blood such as anemia, polycythemia vera, liver diseases, occlusion of gallbladder, cirrhosis, hepatitis and pancreas diseases, chronic kidney disease and dialysis treatment, diabetes, endocrine diseases such as hyper and hypothyroid disease, dementia, schizophrenia, psychiatric problems, antibiotics, psychiatric medications, some medications used in the treatment of hypertension and heart diseases, cancer or some diseases specific to pregnancy such as PUPP can cause itching.”
Do you itch at night or day?
Dr. Erdemoğlu explains how it was diagnosed and how the treatment was administered: “We take into account factors such as the severity of the complaint varying from day to night, varying seasonally, occurrence of the complaint especially in a particular area of the body or the whole body surface, the patient’s age, psychological status, recent loss of weight and whether there is a similar complaint in family members, the existing diseases, bathing habits, medications. ”
Diagnose and treatment
“When the dermatologist deems it necessary, complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests and urinalysis may be requested from the patient. Patch test, prick test or skin biopsy are other instruments we use to diagnose. The treatment approach is almost always directed to the cause. In the treatment of fungal and parasitic infections, the treatment to eliminate the causative agent is arranged; urticaria, eczema group diseases, and other skin diseases can be treated with creams/pomades/lotions or local or systemic tablet/needle treatments. If itching is the effect of an internal organ disease on the skin, the patient is directed to the appropriate branch physician.”
Think twice before wearing a cologne
Dr. Yeliz Erdemoğlu tells what soothes the itching down: “Supporting the skin’s lipid barrier reduces itching attacks and severity. For this reason, hot baths or saunas, using a hard loofah for skin cleaning should be avoided. Especially in cold weather, the skin loses its moisture faster. So, moisturizers, especially in dense consistency derivatives, should be used more frequently. Washing the area with warm water and applying a moisturizer will provide short-term relief. Skin contact with chemicals such as cologne, wet wipes should be avoided.”
Choose cotton fabrics
“Avoiding wool and synthetic fabrics, preferring cotton fabrics, double rinsing while washing the laundry, restricting the use of softeners will be helpful in reducing the number of itching attacks and the severity. Again, paying attention to the room temperature and humidity, preventing excessive sweating, avoiding stress will reduce the severity of itching attacks and will increase the quality of life of the patient.”
Yellow-orange fruits are rescuers
“At least 5-6 cups of pure water should be drunk daily year round. Tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, smoking should be avoided. Yellow-orange fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin A, which must be consumed. Nuts, spinach, asparagus, pumpkin, tomato, salmon, tuna are good sources of vitamin E. All green leafy vegetables, fruits such as figs, pears, berries, raspberries, blueberries, spices such as thyme, curry, dried cloves are rich in vitamin K. In winter, we must also supplement vitamin D sources such as milk, kefir, cheese, salmon, tuna and shellfish.”