Dry Itchy Skin Causes

Itchy skin, also called pruritus, is the unpleasant sensation that evokes the reflex to scratch the area of the skin from where the sensation arises. The itch can be caused due to a vast number of reasons ranging from environmental to hygiene to allergies as well as adverse effects of medication as well as illegal drugs. We will take a closer look at all of these causes.

• Dry Skin: Dry skin or winter itch, is quite common in older people and may be triggered by natural causes such as cold weather, sunburns, prolonged exposure to water and frequent hot baths. Using soaps and other detergents like washing powder and house cleaners can also thin the protective oil layer on the skin and thus enable losing water through the skin.
• Sweat: Microbes in the skin break down sweat (especially in the armpits and groin area) and yield the substances that cause itching. Excessive sweating can be observed in persons with increased activity of the sympathetic nerves (hyperhidrosis) possibly caused, but not yet confirmed, by psychological reasons.
• Insect bites: Are another reason one could develop itchy skin. Mosquitoes, flies, tics, bees, etc. may cause minor / localized itchy or painful skin infections when they bite a person. However, these usually heal within a few hours or days. Some bites, like that of a bee, might trigger an allergic reaction with generalized skin itching and swelling.
• Infections and infestations: There are a number of fungi that will cause itchy skin such as:
i. Fungi: Will thrive on feet and moist folds of the body such as the groin and under breasts. Dandruff, which is shedding of the scalp skin, is also caused by fungi.
ii. Parasitic skin infections: Like scabies, lice and mites are common contributors to itchy skin.
iii. Intestinal worms: Have also been known to cause skin itching.
iv. Childhood skin infections: Like measles, rubella and chicken pox result in itchy skin.
v. Viral infections: Such as AIDS and viral hepatitis also cause skin itching.
• Irritant substances: Like detergents, which remove fat from the skin and dry it, and fiberglass, which use insulation material such as glass wool, can cause skin and throat itching.
• Allergies: Allergic reactions can occur in minutes or can even take upto 72 hours. A number of allergic reactions also include an extreme level of itchy skin as well.
• Illegal drugs: Such as cocaine, heroine, ecstasy and LSD abuse may all cause skin itch.