12 Reasons Your Skin Is So Itchy–and When to Talk to a Doctor - Article Health

Around 10% of people experience notable itching, officially called pruritus. You can have itchy skin due to simple dryness, poison ivy, chickenpox, bug bites, or more serious conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Sometimes itching plagues your whole body, other times just one place. Itchy skin can last for weeks–or more. Sometimes itchiness comes with redness, rashes, bumps, or cracked skin, and sometimes it doesn’t.

Dry skin
This is one of the most common causes of itchy skin, and one that usually doesn’t come with a rash. Dry skin is especially common in older folks or people who smoke, spend too much time in the sun, or overuse skin products. It’s also prevalent in the winter and in dry environments.

Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. It can appear as dry, red, irritated skin. If it becomes infected, you may also have small, fluid-filled bumps, which can break and crust over.

Allergic contact dermatitis
This type of itchy rash usually shows up where you came into contact with something you’re allergic or sensitive to, be it a chemical, paint, wool, or a fragrance. You may also have swelling or blisters that pop and leak fluid.

Poison ivy
Itching and a raised rash from poison ivy are classic examples of allergic contact dermatitis. You get poison ivy from touching the three-leaved plant or, more specifically, coming into contact with its urushiol oil. The oil might touch your skin while it’s still on the plant, or it could have spread to clothing or a lawn tool.


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