The Causes of Itching
Itching is a condition in which the skin grows irritated. The instinctive response to an itch is to scratch. Itching is not a serious problem, and most people will itch hundreds of times in a single day. However, persistent itching may be the symptom of a serious problem.
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Insect Bites
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One of the most common and most easily treated causes of itching is insect bites. Most insect bites will cause itching; however, it is not an actual bite since insects do not have teeth. They secrete acid to dissolve their prey and this is what an insect does to your arm, causing it to itch momentarily. Some insects cause more intense itching, such as mosquitoes or bees. These insects actually secrete a minor poison when they attack, which causes minor swelling and skin irritation. If your arms have small bumps where you itch, you have most likely been bitten by an insect. Use a soothing balm to treat your itch.
Skin Disorders
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Another common cause of itching may be skin disorders and diseases. Eczema, dermatitis, scabies and shingles are just a few of the diseases that cause itching. Eczema causes your skin to become extremely sensitive to sunlight. This will cause major irritation to the affected area. To avoid this, you should wear long sleeve shirts and hats and avoid time in the sun. Scabies and shingles are serious diseases that cause major skin problems. If you think you may have these diseases, see a doctor immediately.
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Drugs
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One of the least known causes of itching among the general public is drugs. There are many kinds of drugs that cause itching. Illegal drugs, like cocaine and heroin, can cause itching for various reasons. Cocaine speeds up your mental processes and can make even minor skin irritation seem more intense. Heroin users use needles, and chronic use of needles can lead to irritated skin. Legal drugs like morphine, aspirin, and barbiturates have itching as a minor side effect. However, even drugs that normally don't cause itching can have an allergic effect on certain people. If chronic itching occurs after you have begun a new drug treatment, it may be worth investigating the possibility of an allergic reaction.
Poison Plants
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Another cause of itching is poison plants. Poison ivy and poison oak secrete a substance that, when it touches the skin, will usually cause skin irritation and major itching. The best way to know if you have poison ivy or oak is to ask yourself a few questions: Have you been in the woods lately? If so, were you in shorts and a short sleeve shirt? Is there an extremely itchy rash that seems to spread when you itch? If you answer "yes" to most of these questions, you probably have poison ivy or oak. This will eventually go away, but you have to be careful. Don't scratch your skin where it is irritated or it will spread onto your fingers and to anywhere your fingers touch. You can treat the itching with soothing balms. If your poison ivy is severe, however, you may need medical treatment. Emedicinehealth suggests that you should seek medical attention if your rash area becomes large enough to cause major discomfort. This could be an area the size of your chest, or more. It also suggests going to the doctor if you get a rash on your mouth, genitals or around your eyes; if your rash becomes infected; if your rash drains pus; or if you experience swelling. Your doctor may prescribe some topical or oral medicine to treat severe rashes and anti-infectants for an infection.
Dry Skin
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Sometimes itching can be caused by dry skin. Some illness can cause dry skin. The Mayo Clinic reports that psoriasis causes dead skin with "...rapid buildup of rough, dry, dead skin cells that form thick scales." They also report that hypothyroidism is a condition that "...occurs when your thyroid produces inadequate thyroid hormones, reduces the activity of your sweat and oil glands, leading to rough, dry skin." Not eating right can also cause dry skin. Skin Help states that fast foods like french fries and potato chips can rob moisture levels from your skin. This is because the salt in these foods will absorb moisture in the body, leaving it with little to moisturize the skin. Atmospheric conditions can make a difference. If it's hot the moisture in the skin will evaporate quickly. When a room is too dry it may also suck some of the moisture from your skin. If you have chronic dry skin, you may have to get a humidifier. To treat dry skin, use skin moisturizers.
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