Itch causes

Itch Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Itch from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Itch causes On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Itch causes All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Itch causes
CDC on Itch causes
Itch causes in the news
Blogs on Itch causes
Directions to Hospitals Treating Itch
Risk calculators and risk factors for Itch causes

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, Docetaxel, Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, Ergotamine tartrate, Hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen, Ketorolac tromethamine, Meropenem, Mometasone furoate,Naproxen sodium, Piroxicam, permethrin, Ribavirin, Tacrolimus, Trimethoprim, Von Willebrand factor
• 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 ,capsaicin, Rifampin
  • Lovaza
  • Sorafenib
  • Triazolam
  • Tazarotene
  • Travoprost
• Cholestasis
• Related to pregnancy:
  • Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP)
  • Gestational pemphigoid
• Drug side effects: Acetaminophen, Acetylcysteine, Conjugated estrogens, Betamethasone valerate, Betamethasone dipropionate, Ipilimumab,Spironolactone, Hydrochlorothiazide, Ivermectin, Tolbutamide