What causes itchy skin? Related conditions and treatments

Medically reviewed by Jesse P. Houghton, MD, FACG
Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology
Updated Jun 10, 2024  •  Published Aug 7, 2023
Datos Verificados
In this article:

Overview: What does itchy skin look/feel like?

Itching is the body’s way of telling people that there’s a problem with the skin. The activation of itch nerves automatically provokes a scratching reflex. Scratching is a way of removing whatever is causing the problem from the skin. In normal circumstances, scratching usually fixes the problem. Sometimes, however, the whole itching process goes wrong, and scratching won’t do any good (and may even cause more harm) In these cases, itchiness is a symptom of an underlying condition rather than a temporary threat to the skin. Healthcare professionals call this pruritus. The itchy feeling can occur anywhere on the skin or in any of the mucus membranes (such as mouth or nose). It can be highly localized or be felt over large areas of skin. The itch may be mild or severe enough to cause pain. In many cases, scratching only provides temporary relief and, over time, will make the pruritus worse. Most people will notice that the itchiness gets worse at night.

Key takeaways:

  • Itchy skin is a common symptom that irritants, allergies, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, infections, neurological disorders, blood disorders, liver disease, metabolic disorders, drugs, pregnancy, and psychiatric disorders may cause.

  • Typically, itchy skin does not require immediate medical attention unless it’s chronic, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms.

  • Itchy skin generally does not require treatment, but this depends on whether it’s chronic, persistent, or covers a large body area. It typically resolves without treatment within minutes or hours. Chronic itchy skin may resolve with treatment, but the time course depends on the cause.

  • Treatments for itchy skin vary by cause. Read more about treatments for allergies here, treatments for eczema here, treatments for hives here, treatments for dandruff here, and treatments for psoriasis here. 

  • Itchy skin can be managed by avoiding irritants or allergens, protecting the skin from sunlight, or using moisturizers, colloidal oatmeal, cold compresses or wraps, warm baths, and wet wraps.

  • Use Singlecare coupons for itchy skin treatments, like Cortizone-10 (hydrocortisone cream), Zyrtec Allergy (cetirizine), and Protopic (tacrolimus ointment), to save up to 80%.

What causes itchy skin?

There are dozens of reasons why skin gets itchy. Most of the time, it’s a skincare issue. The most common causes of itchy skin are irritants and contact dermatitis, and in these cases the itchiness is usually limited to a few minutes or hours. Some skin problems, such as psoriasis, cause more chronic or persistent itchy skin. However, itchy skin isn’t always caused by skin problems. Sometimes the skin feels itchy because the nervous system, liver, blood, or glands have a problem. Infections can also make the skin feel itchy. Some psychiatric disorders make people feel itchy or at least more sensitive to itchy skin.

Common skin conditions that cause itchy skin include:

  • Dry skin

  • Sunburn

  • Bug bites or stings

  • Irritants such as fragrances or poison ivy

  • Allergic reactions such as atopic dermatitis or hives (urticaria)

  • Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)

  • Constant or habitual scratching or rubbing of the skin

  • Autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis or lichen planus

  • Skin infections such as folliculitis or fungal infections

  • Parasite infestations such as lice or scabies

  • Cancer such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Skin itching causes can also be neurological. The nerves are damaged in these cases, sending the wrong signals to the brain. They include:

  • Diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)

  • Shingles (a herpes infection of the nerves in the skin)

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Stroke

  • Damage to a specific nerve, such as the arm’s nerve (brachioradial pruritus)

Various illnesses can cause itchy skin. Healthcare professionals aren’t always certain why. The most common are:

  • Metabolic disorders such as chronic kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and hyperparathyroidism

  • Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, parvovirus B19, and many types of parasite infections

  • Pancreas and liver diseases that produce bile blockage, including chronic pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis

  • Blood disorders such as iron deficiency anemia or polycythemia

Itchy skin may be caused by psychological disorders, a condition called psychogenic itch. In some cases, the itch may be entirely created by the disorder, such as skin-crawling hallucinations called formication. In other cases, the disorder may worsen an already existing itch.

Causes of itchy skin can also include:

  • Pregnancy

  • Rapid weight loss associated with eating disorders

  • Use of certain drugs like opioids

Should I be worried about itchy skin?

Localized and temporary itchy skin is nothing to worry about. However, see a healthcare provider if itchiness lasts longer than two weeks, is severe, painful, or spreads over a large area of the body. Chronic itching can result in skin complications due to excessive scratching. Additionally, if blisters, pain, or other symptoms are present, see a healthcare provider. However, symptoms such as severe pain, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or high fever may be signs of a serious condition that needs immediate medical care.

RELATED: When to see a dermatologist

How is the cause of itchy skin diagnosed?

A healthcare provider diagnoses itchy skin by asking questions about your symptoms, medications, and medical history, as well as performing a physical exam. The clinician will look closely at the affected area to see if any visible signs of a skin problem like redness, lesions, welts, blisters, or swelling. The clinician may also examine other parts of the skin to detect any signs of an infection or parasite.

The clinician will probably order a blood test to get a more complete picture of your overall health. Other tests, such as an allergy test, chest X-ray, skin scraping, skin biopsy, or culture, may be used depending on the suspected cause.

Most people will first see a family doctor, but that clinician may refer the case to a dermatologist, allergist, neurologist, or immunologist, depending on the suspected cause.

RELATED: What a dermatologist can do for you

Is itchy skin contagious? 

If itchy skin is caused by an infection or parasites, the cause may be infectious. This includes parvovirus B19, HIV, ringworm, lice, and scabies. As long as the infection is rampant, other people can catch it through close contact, physical contact, contaminated objects, or sexual contact. Parvovirus B19, however, spreads in the same way as a respiratory infection. 

RELATED: How to identify—and treat—fifth disease (parvo) in kids

How long does itchy skin last?

Itchy skin will last for as long as something is activating the itch nerves. Most of the time, itchiness will be brief. Some problems, like poison ivy, can last for days to weeks. Sunburn can also cause days of itchy skin. Other conditions, such as psoriasis, shingles, and fungal infections, can cause chronic and even persistent itching. In some cases, itching may be a lifelong problem, such as itching due to diabetic neuropathy.

How to stop itchy skin

Healthcare professionals usually focus on treating the underlying condition, not just the itchy skin itself. Sometimes, they suggest or prescribe treatments or medications to relieve the itching. Otherwise, treatments are specific to the cause:

  • Dry skin is treated with moisturizers

  • Allergic reactions are primarily treated with antihistamines

  • Dandruff is treated with medicated shampoos 

  • Bacterial infections of the skin are usually treated with topical antibiotics

  • Fungal infections are treated with topical antifungal medications

  • Lice, head lice, and scabies infestations are treated with topical insecticides

  • Shingles, chickenpox, and HIV/AIDS are treated with antiviral medications

  • Autoimmune disorders like psoriasis will be treated with drugs that block the immune system, such as corticosteroids or immune suppressants

  • Cancers that cause itchy skin are most commonly treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy

  • Psychogenic itch is often treated with antipsychotics, antidepressants, or hydroxyzine

Healthcare professionals may or may not prescribe or advise treatments to stop the itching. If they do, some treatments work for some conditions but not others. The most common medications used to stop itchy skin include:

  • Moisturizers found over-the-counter

  • Topical counterirritants like capsaicin or menthol

  • Topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone cream

  • Antihistamines

  • Topical immune suppressants

Living with itchy skin 

No matter what the cause, living with itchy skin can be a trial. Scratching the itch may provide temporary relief, but given enough time, scratching may worsen the itch. That’s because scratching irritates and damages the skin more, causing skin cells to generate more chemicals that activate itch nerves. Healthcare professionals call this the “itch-scratch” cycle. To avoid this cycle, several home remedies can relieve itching and prevent scratching: 

  • Apply moisturizers regularly to the affected skin to keep it moist

  • Lubricant lotions or essential oils can help keep the skin moist and protected from irritants and allergens

  • Wrap the skin in cool, wet compresses to numb the skin, protect it from irritants, and prevent scratching

  • Use a humidifier to prevent dry skin

  • Instead of scratching, try nonprescription counterirritants like capsaicin, camphor, or menthol creams, or lotions that essentially drown out the itching sensation

  • Instead of scratching, rub the area with the palm of your hand

  • Instead of scratching, use ice packs or a cloth packed with ice to numb the skin

  • Avoid hot water

  • Avoid caffeine or alcohol

  • Use unscented soaps and skin products

Most importantly, avoid scratching Occasional itching can be successfully quelled by scratching the itch. However, persistent or chronic itching is only made worse by scratching. Most of the complications of itchy skin are due to excessive scratching. There’s no doubt about it: resisting the impulse to scratch is not easy. The first step is to see a doctor. Find out what’s causing the itch and if it can be treated. Once diagnosed, adopt other alternatives to itching, such as counterirritants, cold compresses, and moisturizers. They may not stop all scratching, but they can help break the itch-scratch cycle that can make itchy skin worse.

FAQs about the causes of itchy skin

What vitamin deficiency causes itchy skin?

A serious and prolonged vitamin D deficiency can result in dry, scaly, and itchy skin. This is a result of overactive hyperparathyroid glands brought on by vitamin D deficiency.

What causes itchy bumps on skin?

Itchy rashes are usually caused by allergic reactions, either skin allergies or systemic reactions. Other causes include insect bites, psoriasis, dandruff, infections, or parasite infestations. 

What causes itchy skin without rash?

Most itchy skin causes do not involve a rash. This includes many skin problems, such as dry skin or sunburn, and systemic causes, such as diabetes.

What’s next? Additional resources for people with itchy skin

Test and diagnostics

Treatments

Scientific studies and clinical trials

Psychogenic itch, Translational Psychology

Medically reviewed by Jesse P. Houghton, MD, FACG
Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology

Jesse P. Houghton, MD, FACG, was born and raised in New Jersey, becoming the first physician in his entire family. He earned his medical degree from New Jersey Medical School (Now Rutgers Medical School) in 2002. He then went on to complete his residency in Internal Medicine and his fellowship in Gastroenterology at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in 2005 and 2008, respectively. He moved to southern Ohio in 2012 and has been practicing at Southern Ohio Medical Center as the Senior Medical Director of Gastroenterology since that time.

Dr. Houghton is the author of What Your Doctor Doesn't (Have the Time to) Tell You: The Gastrointestinal System. He is also an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the Ohio University School of Osteopathic Medicine. He has been in practice since 2008 and has remained board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology for his entire career. He has lent his expertise to dozens of online articles in the medical field.

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