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Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
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Itchy Skin - Common Ways To Identify It!

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Dr. Sandeep Gupta The DermatologistDermatologist • 20 Years Exp.MBBS, MD - Dermatology, observership Dermatosurgery IADVL
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Itchy skin is a very common skin condition, which is a potential source of discomfort by forcing you to scratch your skin and cause irritation. Itchy skin is a very common condition, which happens very often among individuals. But, it can also be one of the symptoms of a larger disease. Itchiness of the skin may vary in intensity from mild to severe and it is mostly treated by anti-irritant measures that can be done by anybody at home.

Key identifiers: Itchy skin condition is mostly limited to certain areas on the skin, but it may also affect all body parts with an uncontrollable urge to scratch. Some of the additional key identifiers of the medical condition are listed below: 

  • Skin redness
  • Bumps or patches on the skin
  • Swelling or inflammation of the skin
  • Cracking of the skin
  • Leathery or scaly texture of the skin

Causes: Skin itching can happen due to a variety of reasons, some of the most common ones being:

Common skin conditions: The most common kinds of skin disorders like eczema, etc. often lead to skin itching. Itching is mostly accompanied by other skin conditions like redness, breakouts, inflammation, and such others.

Internal diseases: Diseases related to the kidney and liver often lead to skin related disorders among which the most common one is skin itching. Additionally, itching may also happen due to serious diseases like cancer.

Nerve-related disorders: Diseases that affect the nervous system, either directly or indirectly also act as a catalyst to the skin itching process. Examples of such diseases would be diabetes mellitus, pinched nerves, sclerosis, and shingles.

Pregnancy: Pregnant women often experience itching on body parts like abdomen, thighs, breasts, and arms.

Drugs: If you are regularly taking antibiotics or antifungal medicines, then these might have some unwanted effects of the skin among which skin itching is the most common one.

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