How to Know What Causes Itchy Skin

Itchy skin can be very irritating and uncomfortable to deal with. If you develop itchy skin with a rash or other obvious skin condition, then you should see your doctor right away. There are many different ailments itchy skin can come with like eczema, chicken pox, hives, scabies, psoriasis, allergies and other conditions. If you notice any other signs besides just itchy skin you want to make sure to see your doctor to treat the condition correctly.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. If you do not notice any other skin conditions, then you may just have xerosis, which is simply dry skin. There are different reasons one may encounter dry skin, and you do not need to worry to much. Just find the right method of treating your dry skin and it should heal quickly. Different causes of dry skin can be from the following.

2. Weather, this plays a big part on your skin,
   Central Heating,
   Air Conditioner,
   Bathing to long or showering to long,
   Low Humidity,
   Allergies to Weather,
   Reactions to Medications,
   Food Allergies,
   Allergies to Fabrics

3. With so many different reasons for dry skin to occur, just think about the reasons you think it may be from. After a a shower or bath apply a good quality moisturizing cream. you should apply it right after you get out of the bath or shower to lock in the moisture. This is the best time to do so.

4. Besides the obvious factors of dry and itchy irritated skin sometimes it can something much more serious. If your itchy skin does not go away rather quickly then you may want to see a doctor. It could something internal and there may be no other signs present. Some internal conditions may include kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, leukemia, thyroid conditions, lymphoma and more.

5. Don't freak out and think it may be something internal! If it is then the itching usually occurs all over the body and not one specific area. When I say the itching should go away rather quickly I men after you moisturize it and a couple of days. If it is still present you may want to see your doctor and be tested for some other conditions.

6. If you recently started taking a medication it can be a cause of that medication. Usually a rash will be followed by the itching, you want to see your doctor right away. The same goes for if you tried a new fabric. Check the labels on the clothing you have recently worn. It may be a reaction to the fabric.

7. Pregnancy is also another reason some develop itchy skin. Due to a woman's skin stretching it can cause itching. Be careful not to scratch to much! Use a good moisturizing cream on the area. To much scratching can cause stretch marks! If you had a condition before the pregnancy that caused itchy skin, pregnancy can worsen the condition.

[melissa0024]

on 1/28/2010 Great information & tips to resolve itching skin.

[cherry67]

on 6/25/2009 great article

[sanderdoe]

on 3/23/2009 Interesting article on how to know what causes itchy skin. Very helpful. 5*

[hnatalieann]

on 3/2/2009 great tips!

[tachic]

on 2/26/2009 Great info- and if pregnant and you start itching towards the end, could be pupps! Very rare and yet I got it anyway, having no idea why my skin was so itchy.