Itch causes

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Causes

The feeling of itchiness can be caused by a movement of hair or the release of a chemical (histamine) from cells under the skin. Itchiness is regarded as protective, as it helps creatures remove parasites that land on their skin.

Itching can be caused by:

• Xerosis. This is the most common cause, frequently seen in winters. Associated with older age, frequent bathing in hot showers or baths, and high temperature and low humidity environments.
• Skin conditions (such as psoriasis, eczema, sunburn, athlete's foot and many others). Most are of an inflammatory nature.
• Insect bites, such as those from mosquitos or chiggers.
• Allergic reactions to contact with specific chemicals, such as Urushiol from Poison Ivy or Poison Oak.
• Hodgkin's disease
• Jaundice (bilirubin is a skin irritant at high concentrations)
• Polycythemia, which can cause generalized itching due to increased histamine
• Scabies or infection with lice or worms
• Thyroid illness
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Dandruff (an unusually large amount of flaking is associated with this sensation)
• Drug Side Effect- acetaminophen, caspofungin acetate, Ketorolac tromethamine, Naproxen sodium, Piroxicam, Tacrolimus
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Parasitic infections
• Psychiatric
• Medication:
  • Allergy - (due to reaction of an individual's immune system to certain chemical compounds)
  • Photodermatitis – (sun)light reacts with chemicals in the skin, leading to the formation of irritant metabolites
  • Directly (e.g. morphine)
  • Other drugs- Ofloxacin, Tretinoin
  • Lovaza
  • Triazolam
  • Tazarotene
  • Travoprost
• Cholestasis
• Related to pregnancy:
  • Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP)
  • Gestational pemphigoid
• Drug side effects: Acetaminophen, Acetylcysteine, Conjugated estrogens, Spironolactone, Hydrochlorothiazide, Tolbutamide