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Woman surrounded by question marks and holding her palms up: Why are my palms itchy?
Health Education

Why are my palms itchy?

Itchy palms are usually caused by dry skin, burns, skin conditions, or infection
Laura Wheatman Hill
By | Nov. 17, 2023 Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH

Some cultures have superstitions regarding itchy palms. Some believe itchy palms indicate good fortune is in your future. However, several health conditions could be the real reasons behind your itchiness. Depending on what is causing you to itch, you may notice other symptoms like runny nose, rashes, or flaking skin. While itchy palms are often caused by something that will go away independently or with simple treatment, some reasons indicate a more serious health condition.

What causes itchy palms?

Itchy palms, also called pruritus palmaris, aren’t usually due to a serious health problem. Still, sometimes itchy palms are a sign of something that requires medical attention.

“Itchy palms are more of a symptom than a diagnosis,” says Cindy Wassef, MD, a dermatologist at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. There are several reasons someone might have itchy palms.

Dry skin

A common reason you might have itchy palms is simply dry skin. 

“The skin on your palms can get dry because of things like cold weather, low humidity, or cleaning your hands too often,” says Richard Kim, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to LabFinder. 

Sometimes, dry skin presents with dry, scaly, or peeling patches of skin. Sometimes the skin is red and painful. 

Dry, cracked skin is painful and, if left untreated, can lead to infection.

RELATED: Medications that cause dry skin

Sunburn or burn healing

Exposure to heat, whether from the sun or touching something hot, can burn your skin. As the skin begins to heal, you may notice itching. This may be accompanied by peeling, red, or bumpy skin. 

Serious burns may blister and require medical attention. 

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis, a blanket term for skin irritation caused by environmental factors, is another common reason someone would have itchy palms. 

“Itchy hands can be caused by chemicals, soaps, or plants that are irritating or allergenic,” Dr. Kim says. 

If you’ve never had an issue with your hands, see if a new soap, chemical, or natural exposure might contribute to your symptoms. For example, if your palms itch only after doing laundry, the soap may irritate your skin. Or, if they itch after weeding the garden without gloves, you may be allergic to a plant. 

You may notice a rash or spots when experiencing contact dermatitis, but it can also cause itchiness without a noticeable rash.

Eczema

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common condition in children. They often grow out of it as they age. However, adults also experience eczema. 

“Atopic dermatitis can cause swelling, itching, and small spots on the hands,” Dr. Kim says. 

External factors like exposure to an allergen or chemical can bring on eczema flares. Seasonal changes can also do this, such as dry skin in winter or sweat in warmer months. 

Eczema often appears as dry, scaly patches. But it can also cause a more widespread rash or a rash on one body part, such as the palms. Sometimes, skin flaking or peeling can occur. Broken skin due to scratching or irritations can lead to infection.

Fungal infections 

Fungal infections like ringworm or yeast infections are common and can make the hands itch. Fungal infections are more common in warm, moist skin areas, so you may notice them on your hands after wearing gloves or if you’ve been sweating. 

Ringworm often has a raised, dry ring around the edges, which can be red and painful. Yeast can present with only itching, or it can come with a red, bumpy rash.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that causes scaly, itchy plaques on the skin. This can happen on any part of the body, including the palms of the hands. More than 8 million people in the U.S. have psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. An overactive immune system response causes it. 

RELATED: Psoriasis vs. eczema vs. dry skin: How to tell the difference

Stress and anxiety

Sometimes, emotional distress can manifest physically. 

“Feelings like stress, anxiety, or fear can make itching worse,” Dr. Kim says. 

Sweating due to stress or anxiety can lead to itchiness. An overactive histamine response can also happen from stressful events or trauma, leading to itching.

Medication interaction 

Itching can be a side effect of some medicines. Itchiness after taking a new medication can be a sign of allergic reactions. Some allergic reactions are mild and do not require treatment. Others progress quickly and become life-threatening, as in the case of anaphylaxis. If you started a new medication or are noticing itchiness associated with a current medication, seek medical attention immediately.

Systemic conditions

In rare cases, itchiness indicates a serious health condition. 

“Itchy hands can be a sign of deeper health problems like liver or heart disease,” Dr. Kim says.

Liver disease symptoms include:

  • Jaundice (yellow skin color)
  • Abdominal pain and swelling
  • Swelling in the lower extremities
  • Itchy skin
  • Dark urine color
  • Pale stool color
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
  • Tendency to bruise easily

Heart disease symptoms include: 

  • Dry cough
  • Fever
  • Heartbeat changes
  • Shortness of breath
  • Skin rashes or unusual spots
  • Swelling
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue

RELATED: 15 signs of heart problems worth worrying about

Should I be worried about itchy palms?

While itchy palms are not usually a sign that something is seriously wrong, it’s worth it to get yourself checked out if the itching is severe or doesn’t go away. 

“If itching lasts for a long time, gets worse, or comes with other symptoms that worry you, you should see a doctor to get a good evaluation and diagnosis,” Dr. Kim says. 

Figuring out the cause is key. “Whether or not your itchy hands go away on their own depends on what’s causing them to itch in the first place. Itchy hands could get better on their own with self-care, but in other cases, they may stay the same or get worse if nothing is done,” Dr. Kim says. 

How is the cause of itchy palms diagnosed?

The first way a healthcare professional will try to determine the cause of itchy palms is to take a history and perform a physical examination. To most easily diagnose you, it might be best to see your healthcare provider while you’re having a flare. Or bring a photo of your skin when you’re having symptoms.

Together, you and your healthcare provider will try to discover what might be causing your itch, such as infections or environmental factors. Sometimes, you may have testing to look for allergies or chronic conditions. 

Are itchy palms contagious?

Most causes of itchy palms are not contagious. Any chronic health condition causing the itch, such as eczema or allergies, can’t be passed from person to person. Ringworm and yeast, however, can be contagious, so it’s worth ensuring you don’t have a condition that can spread.

How long do itchy palms last?

Itchy palms may happen once for a short time, be ongoing, or may come and go. “Depending on how bad it is, getting better could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months,” Dr. Kim says. The severity of your case and how quickly you treat the symptoms will influence your recovery time.

How to stop itchy palms

In general, trying over-the-counter medications like hydrocortisone cream, antifungal cream, moisturizers, or Benadryl can be your first step. 

If you notice that, in spite of your efforts, the itching is getting worse, get a professional opinion. Stopping the itch is only possible if you know what started it in the first place. “How to treat it will depend on what’s causing it,” Dr. Kim says. 

Looking for external causes is the only way to figure out what to do next. “In order for itchy palms to resolve, you need to address the trigger,” Dr. Wassef says.

In the case of dry skin, you may see an improvement with seasonal or lifestyle changes. “If your symptoms are caused by dry skin, you can often get rid of them in a few days to a couple of weeks by moisturizing your skin often and avoiding strong soaps,” Dr. Kim says. 

Similarly, contact dermatitis is usually a temporary condition. Dr. Kim says, “If it’s caused by irritants or allergens, you can get better in a few days by getting rid of the cause and using over-the-counter creams.”

Eczema, psoriasis, and fungal Infections “may require medical treatment, such as topical steroids or antifungal medications,” Dr. Kim says. “Improvement may take several weeks to months, depending on the severity.” Some medications include:

Additional treatments for psoriasis may include:

Medical phototherapy, called photodynamic therapy, uses ultraviolet light and can help some skin conditions such as psoriasis.

There are several systemic conditions that might have itchy palms as a symptom. “These diseases may need medical care, like oral steroids or antifungal drugs,” Dr. Kim says. Or, if it’s a more serious issue like liver disease or diabetes, treating the root cause can help alleviate itchiness.

Hopefully, avoiding triggers and treating the itch directly will get rid of the unpleasant symptoms. 

“If your itchy palms do not resolve within a month, I would recommend seeing a dermatologist,” Dr. Wassef says.

Living with itchy palms

Dealing with recurring itchy palms depends on their root cause. If you have a chronic condition like eczema or psoriasis or are prone to dry skin, you can manage the symptoms with any of the above treatments or talk to your healthcare provider about a more long-term solution. 

Some natural remedies, when used topically, help alleviate the cause or symptoms associated with itchy palms. These include:

Many people also find that a humidifier or a cool soak in the tub helps prevent dry skin, eczema, psoriasis flare-ups, and other causes of itching. The specific reason for your condition will determine whether or not these natural remedies help reduce or prevent itchiness.

Most importantly, figure out the root cause of your itch

Itchy palms causes may include topical dermatological conditions like eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, or serious health conditions like liver problems. 

The cause of itchy palms may resolve on its own without treatment. However, if itchy palms continue, worsen, or are accompanied by breathing issues, rashes in other parts of the body, or signs of a more serious health condition, it could be a sign of severe allergic reaction or a medical issue that requires immediate medical attention. 

Only your healthcare provider can rule out infection or other serious health conditions. Visit your doctor to determine the best treatment for itchy palms.