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.

Updated on Monday, March 16 2015 at 11:58AM EDT
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