What makes the human body itch?
Not Medical Advice:
According to MedlinePlus, here are some of the causes of itching:
- Aging skin
- Atopic dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis (poison ivy or poison oak)
- Contact irritants (such as soaps, chemicals, or wool)
- Dry skin
- Hives
- Insect bites and stings
- Parasites such as pinworm, body lice, head lice, and pubic lice
- Pityriasis rosea
- Psoriasis
- Rashes (may or may not itch)
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Sunburn
- Superficial skin infections such as folliculitis and impetigo
Generalized itching may also be caused by:
- Allergic reactions
- Childhood infections (such as chickenpox or measles)
- Hepatitis
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease with jaundice
- Pregnancy
- Reactions to medications and substances such as antibiotics (penicillin, sulfonamides), gold, griseofulvin, isoniazid, opiates, phenothiazines, or vitamin A
Learn itchy skin treatments and drugs at Mayo Clinic.
Check out 7 Tips to Soothe Your Dry, Itchy Skin at WebMD.
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