{"id":61612,"date":"2023-11-17T12:06:08","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T17:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=61612"},"modified":"2026-02-03T21:11:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T02:11:50","slug":"itchy-palms-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/itchy-palms-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Why are my palms itchy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes itchy palms?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Itchy palms, also called pruritus palmaris, aren\u2019t usually due to a serious health problem. Still, sometimes itchy palms are a sign of something that requires medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cItchy palms are more of a symptom than a diagnosis,\u201d says <\/span>Cindy Wassef,<\/span> MD, a dermatologist at <\/span>Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School<\/span>. There are several reasons someone might have itchy palms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dry skin<\/span><\/h3>\n

A common reason you might have itchy palms is simply dry skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe skin on your palms can get dry because of things like cold weather, low humidity, or cleaning your hands too often,\u201d says <\/span>Richard Kim<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to LabFinder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, dry skin presents with dry, scaly, or peeling patches of skin. Sometimes the skin is red and painful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dry, cracked skin is painful and, if left untreated, can lead to infection.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Medications that cause dry skin<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Sunburn or burn healing<\/span><\/h3>\n

Exposure to heat, whether from the sun or touching something hot, can burn your skin. As the skin begins to heal, you may notice <\/span>itching<\/span><\/a>. This may be accompanied by peeling, red, or bumpy skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Serious burns may blister and require medical attention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact dermatitis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Contact dermatitis<\/span><\/a>, a blanket term for skin irritation caused by environmental factors, is another common reason someone would have itchy palms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cItchy hands can be caused by chemicals, soaps, or plants that are irritating or allergenic,\u201d Dr. Kim says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You may notice a rash or spots when experiencing contact dermatitis, but it can also cause itchiness without a noticeable rash.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eczema<\/span><\/h3>\n

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis<\/span><\/a>, is a common condition in children. They often grow out of it as they age. However, adults also experience eczema.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAtopic dermatitis can cause swelling, itching, and small spots on the hands,\u201d Dr. Kim says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fungal infections\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Fungal infections like <\/span>ringworm<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>yeast infections<\/span><\/a> 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\u2019ve been sweating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Psoriasis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Psoriasis<\/span><\/a> 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 <\/span>National Psoriasis Foundation<\/span><\/a>. An overactive immune system response causes it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Psoriasis vs. eczema vs. dry skin: How to tell the difference<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Stress and anxiety<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sometimes, emotional distress can manifest physically.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFeelings like stress, anxiety, or fear can make itching worse,\u201d Dr. Kim says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medication interaction\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Systemic conditions<\/span><\/h3>\n

In rare cases, itchiness indicates a serious health condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cItchy hands can be a sign of deeper health problems like liver or heart disease,\u201d Dr. Kim says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Liver disease symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n