Itching can be caused by various factors, including skin disorders, dry skin, allergies, and parasites. The urge to scratch is triggered by nerve receptors, and chronic itching may be a symptom of a serious illness. Pregnant women should seek medical attention for persistent itching.
There are many different causes of itching, and those causes are usually related to the type of itching experienced. Pruritus is usually classified as either random or chronic. Random itching is usually caused by something landing on the skin. It can be something tiny, like a small bug or a hair. Skin disorders, allergic reactions, and some diseases typically cause chronic itching.
When the particles land on the skin, nerve receptors send signals to the spinal cord, and then the spinal cord alerts the brain to send a “scratch” signal. The urge to scratch often comes from the need to rid the body of a foreign substance. For example, this happens when an insect crawls over the skin or a strand of hair tickles the neck. Scientists believed that the urge to scratch came from the same receptors that cause pain reactions, but they eventually found that the urges were completely different. Scratch impulses elicit an aggressive response, while pain impulses elicit withdrawal.
Skin disorders that can cause itching include psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. All of these disorders typically include an itchy rash on the skin’s surface. Psoriasis is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the skin and may be genetic in origin. Eczema is generally considered to be the result of environmental factors.
Some of the more common causes of itching are not directly associated with skin disorders and can include dry skin and a topical allergic reaction. Dry skin usually starts to flake, which can irritate the skin and cause itchiness. Dry skin can usually be treated with a moisturizer. Allergens that are exposed to the skin can often lead to itching. Poison ivy and poison oak are some good examples, but the allergen that might be triggering the itch varies between individuals.
Causes of itching can also include certain types of parasites, such as lice and scabies. Lice are most often found in the hair, but scabies can spread anywhere on the body. The parasites that cause scabies are microscopic and typically hide under the skin. Both scabies and lice can be treated with over-the-counter medications.
In rare cases, the causes of itching can stem from a serious illness, such as hepatitis C or liver disease. Pregnant women should probably see a doctor if they start experiencing persistent itching, as it can indicate cholestasis, a condition that sometimes occurs in late pregnancy and can cause liver damage. It’s probably a good idea to see a doctor for itching that doesn’t respond to topical treatment within seven days.
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