Itchy hands can be caused by dry skin, skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis, irritants, allergies, insect bites, burns, and internal inflammation. Simple remedies like lotions and creams can help, but medical attention is needed if the itching persists or worsens.
There is no single cause for itchy hands, but some of the more common factors that contribute to the condition include dry skin, medical conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, or external irritants including many common chemicals. Allergic reactions to fabrics, lotions, or soaps can have a similar effect, and some diseases that cause inflammation in different parts of the body can also lead to itching in various parts of the body, including the hands. People who aren’t sure what’s causing their itching, or who find that the condition lasts a long time or seems to get worse, are usually advised to see a doctor. The itching is rarely serious, but it can interfere with daily life and is usually quite easy to resolve once the cause is discovered.
Dry skin
People who live in very dry climates or who spend a lot of time indoors in buildings with forced ventilation systems often have itchy hands due to dry skin. Not drinking enough water or repeatedly washing your hands with abrasive soaps can also cause this condition. The skin is a living part of the human body and is mainly composed of water; when skin cells become dehydrated, both due to internal and external imbalances, the surface tends to shrink and move away, in many cases causing discomfort and itching.
Dryness can usually be remedied with a little lotion or hand cream, although people with chronic itching sometimes need to make lifestyle changes to make sure the skin stays supple. Switching to a moisturizing soap can help, for example, as can applying a thick lotion before bed; it is often recommended to wear gloves while washing dishes, working in the garden or other intensive activities. You may also need to limit caffeine and alcohol, both of which can dehydrate the body.
Skin diseases
Some skin conditions, especially eczema and psoriasis, can cause itchy and peeling skin in various parts of the body, often as part of an imbalanced immune response. Ordinary lotions don’t usually help in these cases. Unfortunately for many sufferers there is not always a cure, but there are usually several treatments available to get the itching under control. Dermatologists and other skin specialists can sometimes prescribe topical ointments and creams to reduce flare-ups, and some internal medications, both oral and injection-based, might also bring relief.
irritants
Itching that tends to come and go can be caused by environmental irritants. Anything from a new laundry detergent to acidic or astringent powders or juices can irritate the skin and cause itching if a person’s immune system reacts to something in the substance like a toxin. When this happens, the skin often becomes red and itchy as the body basically creates a barrier.
In most cases, simply washing the affected area to remove the irritant is enough to bring the skin back to normal. It may also be helpful to apply a neutral, odorless lotion. More serious skin rashes caused by foreign chemicals, especially those such as bleach that can cause chemical burns or permanent damage, should usually be treated by a doctor as an extra precaution against tissue damage. Really severe itching is usually accompanied by intense pain and a burning sensation, but not always.
Allergic reactions
It’s also common for people to develop itchy hands if they’re allergic to something they’ve touched, such as a particular oil or chemical. Someone who breaks out in an itchy rash after using a new lotion might be allergic to one of its ingredients, for example, and someone who feels uncomfortable after cutting or handling a certain fruit or vegetable might be allergic to something in the lotion. juice from that food or essential oils. This tends to be more common when it comes to chili peppers and other spicy foods, but it can happen with just about anything.
The biggest difference between an allergy and an irritant is the body’s response. An irritant is something the body recognizes as a foreign substance and tries to prevent it from entering or causing harm. In the case of allergies, the immune system mistakes something harmless for something dangerous and goes on the attack against it. Simply washing down the offending oil or juice usually won’t stop the itching in an allergy scenario, at least not for some time. Medications known as antihistamines are usually the best way to calm these reactions and are available as topical creams or oral capsules.
Insect bites and burns
A number of different bug bites can also cause itchy hands if the bites occur on the fingers, palms, or even the wrists. The bites often itch a large area of skin around the actual sting, not just the bite itself, and most people’s hands are small enough that one or two bites is often all it takes for the entire hand to become quite uncomfortable. Applying small amounts of ammonia to the affected area can help relieve itching, as can a number of commercial remedies for insect bites. As tempting as it is, scratching only tends to make things worse in most cases.
Sunburns and other types of minor burns can have a similar effect, particularly as the skin beneath the damaged tissue begins to heal. This process, known as “regeneration,” can cause a lot of itching as the outer layer of skin is essentially shed or peeled off. Creams that contain aloe, menthol, or other cooling ingredients can ease some of this discomfort.
Internal inflammation
Itchy hands can also be caused by more serious conditions that may or may not have anything to do with the skin. The skin functions as part of the body’s larger immune system and as a result can sometimes be affected when there are problems elsewhere. Conditions like celiac disease and Crohn’s disease, both of which are related to inflammation of the intestines, can cause redness, swelling, and sometimes itching or tingling in the hands and feet. Rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers could also be at the root.
When to ask for help
Itchy hands are rarely a sign of anything very serious and in most cases can be corrected with simple home remedies. Similarly, most medical professionals recommend people come in to check things out if they have itching that doesn’t respond to lotions or creams, doesn’t seem to go away on its own, or seems to be getting worse. Healthcare professionals can then run a series of diagnostic tests to figure out what’s causing the problem and how best to fix it.
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