10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief

10 reasons your skin itches

Mosquito biteschickenpoxand poison ivy aren’t the only reasons for itchy skin. See what else may be causing your itch and what can bring relief.

1. Very dry skin. Extremely dry skin can be intensely itchy.
   
   How to get relief: Dermatologists offer these tips for relieving dry skin atDry skin: Tips for managing.

2. Bug bites. When a mosquito bites youthe cause of your itchy skin is usually obviousand the itch tends to go away quickly. When bugs live on your skin or feed on you every nightthe itch can be long-lasting and uncontrollable. Bugs that can cause long-lasting itchinclude bedbugsliceand mites (scabies).
   
   How to get relief: You can find out what these bug bites look like and how to get rid of the itch at:

   • Bedbugs
   • Head lice
   • Scabies

3. Itchy skin condition. The list of skin conditions that can cause intense itch is long and includes:

   • Atopic dermatitis
   • Chickenpox
   • Dyshidrotic eczema
   • Folliculitis
   • Hand-foot-and-mouth disease
   • Hives
   • Psoriasis
   • Neurodermatitis
   • Ringworm
   • Seborrheic dermatitis
   • Shingles
   
   How to get relief: To get reliefyou must know which skin condition you have. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is to see a board-certified dermatologist.
   
   If you have been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis or psoriasisrelieving the itch can be a challenge. To help patients get reliefhere’s what dermatologists recommend:
   
   
   • 8 ways to relieve itchy psoriasis
   • What can relieve itchy eczema? (for atopic dermatitis)

4. Skin cancer. For many peoplethe only sign of skin cancer is a new or changing spot on their skin. Sometimesthat spot also itches and can be the only reason a person notices the spot.
   
   How to get relief: See a board-certified dermatologist to find out if you have skin cancer. If you have skin cancertreating it can get rid of the itch.

   When your skin itchesyou may have a rash; howeveryou can have intensely itchy skin and see nothing on your skin.

   

5. Warning sign of a disease inside your body. Long-standing itch can be a sign of several diseasesincluding:

   • Blood disease
   • Diabetes
   • Kidney disease
   • Liver disease
   • HIV
   • Overactive thyroid gland
   
   Itch is common in people who have a disease that affects their bloodsuch as Hodgkin’s lymphoma or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It can also be a sign of advanced kidney disease and often develops in people who are close to needing dialysis or currently receiving dialysis. In these peoplethe itch can be widespread and especially intense on the backarmsand legs.
   
   Itch is also common in people who have liver diseasesuch as hepatitis Ccirrhosisor an obstructed bile duct. When itch is a sign of liver diseasethe itch often starts on the palms and soles and spreads to other parts of the body.
   
   How to get relief: Getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment may relieve the itch. A dermatologist often plays a key role in diagnosing these diseases because itch can be the only symptom.
   

6. Allergic skin reaction. Our skin can develop an allergic reaction to many substances. One of the most common substances that can cause an allergic skin reaction is nickelwhich is found in many products that we touch every day. Products that contain nickel include cell phonesjewelryeyeglass frameszippersand belt buckles.
   
   Other substances that can cause an allergic skin reaction include nail polishfragrancesshampooslatexand cement.
   
   If you develop an allergic reactionyou’ll likely have a rash and an uncontrollable itch.
   
   How to get relief: You must find out what’s causing your allergy so that you can stop touching (or using) what’s causes the itchy rash. This can be challenging and often requires the help of a dermatologist or an allergist.
   
   Find out how board-certified dermatologists diagnose and treat these allergies atContact dermatitis: Diagnosistreatmentand outcome.

7. Reaction to a plant or marine life.
   
   Plants: Poison ivy is famous for causing an itchy rashbut it’s not the only plant that can do so. If you’re unaware that a plant is causing your itchthe itch can be long-standing. Here’s a guide to plants in the United States that can make you itch.
   
   Marine life: You can also get an itchy rash after being in watersuch as an oceanlakeor pond.
   
   Swimmer’s itch is caused by parasites that live in pondslakesor oceans. The parasites burrow into your skin while you’re in the water. Lateryou will see tiny red spots on the skin that your swimsuit didn’t cover. Sometimesintensely itch welts (hives) and blisters also appear.
   
   Seabather’s eruption is caused by newly hatched jellyfish or sea anemones getting trapped between your skin and your swimsuitfinsor other gear.
   
   Because it can take time for the itchy rash to appearsome people are unaware of the cause. If you go in the water oftenpay attention. If your rash tends to be more intense each timeit’s a good sign it’s caused by something in the water.
   
   How to get relief: If you stay away from the plant or marine life that causes your skin to itchthe rash tends to go away on its own within a few days to a couple of weeks.

8. You’re 65 or older. As we ageour skin changes. By the time we’re 65our skin is thinner and has less moisture. Dry skin can itch.
   
   How to get relief: Because itchy skin has many causesit’s best to see a board-certified dermatologist to find out why your skin itches. There could be more than one reason for your itchy skin.
   
   If the itch is due to dry skinyour dermatologist may recommend making some skin care changes and using generous amounts of moisturizer.

9. Medication or cancer treatment. Itch can be a side effect of taking some medicationssuch as aspirinprescription-strength pain relievers called opioidsand some blood-pressure drugs. It can also be a side effect of cancer treatment.
   
   How to get relief: Ask the doctor who prescribed the medication or treatment if itch can be a side effect. If it isyour doctor may give you tips that can help reduce the itch and continue treatment. For examplehere’s what dermatologists recommend when a patient needs radiation therapy to treat cancerHow to care for your skin during and after radiation therapy.

10. Nerve problem. When a nerve isn’t working properlyit can cause itchy skin. If there’s damage along a nerve due to disease or injuryyou can also develop itchy skin. This itch tends to occur in one place on your body and you don’t see a rash.
    
    Diseases that can cause this type of itchinclude:

    • Shingles
    • Stroke
    • Multiple sclerosis
    
    Long after the shingles rash clearsyou can have painnumbnessitchingand tingling that can last for months — or years.
    
    How to get relief: If you have severe itch (or pain)tell your dermatologistwho may prescribe a medication.

Itching for answers?

Long-standing itch can affect your quality of life. It can disrupt your sleepmake it difficult to concentrateand cause you to scratch until your skin bleeds. If you cannot figure out what’s causing your itcha board-certified dermatologist can help.

Have a skinhairor nail problem?

No one understands your skin better than a board-certified dermatologist. Partner with the expert for the best care.

What is a dermatologist?

Related AAD resources

• 10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief

• 10 ways to get relief from chronic hives

• 8 reasons your groin itches and how to get relief

• 8 ways to relieve itchy psoriasis

• Plants that can make you itch

• Home remedies: How to relieve itchy eczema

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References
Larson VATang Oet al. “Association between itch and cancer in 16,925 pruritus patients: Experience at a tertiary care center.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018; doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.08.044.

Yosipovitch G and Kwatra SG. Living with itch: A patient’s guide. The Johns Hopkins University Press. United States2013.

Written by:
Paula LudmannMS

Last updated: 9/19/24