Types of Itching and Causes

Itching is a feeling that automatically or reflexively demands someone to scratch. This scratching causes the skin to become red due to irritation, itching due to allergic reactions to chemicals, food, insect stings, sunlight, and drugs. Although itching is not an alarming disease. But if left unchecked, it will experience more serious problems such as scratching wounds to become infections, bacteria and viruses become easy to enter, causing pus. This is what can enter other parts of the body and have fatal consequences even death.

Types and Causes of Itching

The skin functions as a barrier, protecting the inside of the body. The skin is filled with special cells from the immune system that protect the body and skin from viruses, bacteria and other hidden threats.

After the skin cells detect all kinds of suspicious substances, they trigger a reaction that causes the area to become inflamed. This inflammation is called a rash or dermatitis. This can cause itching.

Immune cells can react to something that touches the skin, infection throughout the body, or disease. Some red, painful, and other temporary rashes can cause blisters or blotches on the skin.

Itching is a symptom that often occurs in many skin complaints. The skin can itch all over the body or only in certain areas.

Here are some types of itching and identify the causes of itching on the skin:

1. Hives

Hives are also known as urticaria and welts, appearing as itchy pink and red lumps that appear on the body and fade in a few hours. New bumps appear and disappear and this condition can last for several days or six weeks or more. Skinsight notes that nearly 90 percent of hives have never been associated with a cause or trigger. Health professionals believe that hives are a reaction from the immune system. Hives are triggered by allergies, medical conditions, stress, drugs and infections.

2. Rash

The rash appears on the skin as a red and itchy skin area that may be irritated, swollen or wavy. Rashes can appear as blisters or the skin may become scaly or crusty. Causes of rashes include medical conditions, allergies and substances such as poison ivy or chemicals that irritate the skin.

Your genetic makeup or allergies can make you vulnerable to rashes. Rashes are often caused by contact dermatitis, according to MedlinePlu's . You may experience a rash very quickly or it may take several days to appear. Scratching a rash usually interferes with healing. Treatments may include ointments or medications that relieve itching.

3. Dry skin

The type of itch that is often experienced is dry skin, also called xerosis, is an itchy skin type, according to CNN Health . With dry skin, you don't see other skin changes and it seems that environmental factors are the cause of your dry skin. Extreme in weather, low humidity, and extensive use of central heating or air conditioning can cause dry skin.

Your skin can become dry if you bathe too often. You can treat and cure dry skin caused by environmental practices or personal habits by making changes and using products that reduce itching and replace moisture in your skin.

4. Round spots

Fungal or tinea infections develop in the upper layers of the skin and appear as flat, round, itchy patches on the skin, report the NY Times Health website . These infections include athlete's foot, ringworm, and itchy athletes. Treatment usually involves medicinal ointments.

5. Rough and scaly skin

Psoriasis, which is a skin disease, causes rough skin and silver scales. Psoriasis is a chronic condition of the immune system that causes the buildup of dead skin cells on the skin, MedlinePlus said. This condition often causes the development of red, dry, itchy patches that can become painful.

Itching treatment

Treatment for itching can be done by looking at what causes itching. For people who suffer from dry skin, a good moisturizer may be all that is needed.

1. Eczema, dermatitis, or itching

This and other skin conditions may be recommended by corticosteroid creams by skin specialists. This can be applied directly to the skin to help itch. Topical calcineurin inhibitors and oral antihistamines can also help relieve itching.

2. Allergy

Oral antihistamines are a common anti-allergic drug. They can be prescribed or purchased pharmacies. Examples include Zyrtec, Claritin, and Benadryl.

3. Fungal infections

Ringworm, athlete's foot, and other fungal infections can be treated with antifungal treatment. Topical treatments include creams and shampoo. For severe infections, your doctor may prescribe oral medications. Terbinafine, or Lamisil, is usually used.

4. Insect bites and stings

Topical antihistamines can relieve itching. To prevent bites, use insect repellents, use bed nets, and keep your body covered with clothes.

People who experience psoriasis or kidney failure may recommend alternative treatments if there is reason to avoid drug therapy. Light therapy or phototherapy is one such treatment method. Treatment involves exposing the skin to certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light to help overcome itching.