What Causes a Skin Rash or Bite to Itch?
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Bites
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Itchy bites, often a result of an attack by a mosquito, can be among the most unpleasant and lingering forms of itchy skin. It happens because these blood-feeding insects inject an anti-coagulant into our bodies so that blood will flow freely into their open proboscis. Our immune systems respond to this salivary injection, and that is what causes the area of the bite to swell and itch for a short time. The itching dissipates when the anti-coagulant is dispersed, which may take anywhere from a few hours to a full day.
Rashes
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Rashes are among the most common causes of persistent itchy skin, which is induced by histamines, whether as a result of a bite, eczema, psoriasis or a fungal infection more closely related to jock itch or athlete's foot. It is typically not a good idea to scratch these itches, even though you may desperately want to, as scratching can break small (possibly microscopic) pustules in the rash, causing it to spread further.
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Treatment
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When it comes to treating itchy bites or rashes, the best course of action is to identify the specific problem. Antihistamines are a common treatment for rash-induced itch, and topical creams such as cortisone may also be used to alleviate symptoms. Bug bites can be controlled by using topical analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication. It may also be worth it to use an antibacterial soap to prevent infection.
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