Tag Archives: itching

12 Potential Causes of Skin Itching

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Do you experience recurrent skin itching? There are many potential causes of itchiness, some may be surprising! Let’s look at a few:

  1. Allergies trigger the release of histamines which can lead to urticaria (hives) and itching. This type of itching can be caused by virtually any type of irritant and can be remedied by OTC allergy creams or medications.
  2. Ringworm or hookworm may cause a scaly rash of round red dots that can be very itchy.
  3. Eczema leads to very dry, itchy and uncomfortable skin. There are various medicinal topical treatments available to treat eczema, talk to your doctor (or one of ours!) about eczema itching today.
  4. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition whereby excess skin cells lead to reddish plaque-like formations that can be itchy and uncomfortable. If you have psoriasis, you may benefit from UV therapy, or may require special prescription cream to help the itching.
  5. Dermatitis means inflammation and redness of the skin. It can have various underlying causes and usually results in itching.
  6. Chronic kidney disease may not have many early signs, but it can cause such symptoms as lower-limb edema, urination problems and generalized, pervasive itching (pruritus).
  7. Run-of-the-mill dry skin can cause terrible itching as well. If your skin is lacking moisture, itching may be one of the first signs it is too dry.
  8. Hepatitis can raise bilirubin levels which can lead to intense itching, especially during the nighttime.
  9. Bug bites (especially from bed bugs) can cause localized or widespread itching of the skin, often accompanied by a rash of little bumps. If you are noticing patches of tiny bug bites appearing on your body, see your doctor to get tested for bedbugs.
  10. Bacterial or fungal skin infections of almost any kind can cause itching along with other unpleasant symptoms such as rashes, pus, a fever or illness.
  11. Scabies is a contagious skin disease that causes small red bumps that are very itchy. It requires a doctor’s visit to identify and treat.
  12. Angioedema is swelling that occurs in the dermis (lower layer of skin). As it is a relative of allergies, it can cause similarly unpleasant symptoms such as patches of discolored, itchy skin.

Is your skin crawling yet? Hopefully not! These are only a few of the many causes of skin itching. If you have persistently itchy skin, our board certified DocChat physicians are standing by 24/7/365 to assist you. Feel free to check out our Amazing Facts About Your Skin next, thanks for visiting!

Why Allergies Should Not Be Neglected

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Young woman blowing her nose while being in the nature

Exposure to common allergens like pollen, animal dander, weed, and even some foods makes your immune system vulnerable, thereby causing allergic reactions. You are likely to be at more risk to develop allergy when your body is weak and healing after suffering through a fever or viral infection. Even though it is the allergens that trigger allergic reaction in your body, in reality it is when you neglect them that they worsen.

Although there is no cure for allergies, you can however treat them in order to control them and not let it worsen. Since allergy is a form of chronic illness, if you do not treat it in due time, it will aggravate.

Here are some problems that you could face if you neglect your allergies.

· You are likely to develop additional allergies

Common symptoms of allergy are cough, watery eyes, sore throat, runny nose, and itchiness. With time, people who already have some sort of an untreated allergy notice that their symptoms have become much more severe and unbearable. This might mean that you have developed additional allergies. For instance if people suffer from pollen allergy, they may also suffer allergy triggered by foods that contain similar elements.

· Your symptoms are likely to worsen

Allergies are chronic and they don’t go away on their own. If you don’t undergo a proper treatment plan in order to control the allergic reaction, it is likely to lead to much more severe symptoms like sinus infection, ear infection and advanced asthma.

· You may suffer from life threatening asthma

Basic symptoms of asthma are similar to most of the allergies, except that they are on a much more severe scale. Almost all sorts of allergies result in the allergic person suffering from cough. If you neglect it and leave it untreated, your allergy is likely to turn into a much more serious problem including asthma. Symptoms like severe coughing, shortness in breath and chest tightening are common in asthma. Delayed treatment of preexisting allergies like food allergy may cause chronic asthma.

Whether, you are an adolescent or an adult, neglecting allergies can cause severe problems and diseases in the future. One should avoid exposure to allergens, and in case it worsens, you ought to have a doctor’s advice and treat it with medicine such as nasal sprays and allergy shots.

Five Most Common Allergy Triggers

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Knowing your allergies is extremely important. But, knowing what caused those allergies is even more important. Being exposed to a pollution-congested environment can make the body more prone to infections. Around 50 million people in the United States are estimated to have some kind of allergy, and this figure continues to escalate.

Listed below are five of the most common allergy triggers.

· Pollen

Many people suffer from allergies caused by pollen which is widely known as ‘hay fever’. Various plants, trees, flowers, and grass produce pollen which ultimately causes an allergic reaction in your body. Among many others, these trees are known to cause allergies: cedar, oak, juniper, birch, and olive.

It is advisable that you avoid being around these trees by staying indoors or closing windows, especially during the season when the pollen count is high. Possible symptoms of pollen allergy are sneezing, nasal congestion and watery eyes. Steroid sprays and allergy tablets should be included in the treatment course.

· Mold

Molds are tiny fungi plants with spores. They tend to float in the air and flourish in areas which are damp, warm, and dark like bathrooms, basements and around heaps of leaves. Thus, mold can trigger your allergies all year-round.

Allergies triggered by mold have almost the same kind of symptoms as pollen allergy – itching, sneezing and congestion. Thus, you should follow the same treatment as well.

In order to avoid allergic reaction from molds, it is necessary to take proper action that prevents its growth. Replacing rugs frequently in your bathroom and laundry room, while emptying and cleaning the trash can regularly will help. If you are clearing leaves or mowing the grass, then wear a mask as a precaution.

· Dust Mites

These are microscopic spiders which contribute to the major part of allergic reactions among people. Allergies from dust mites are usually caused during warm weather, specifically August.
The symptoms are much severe as it can cause shortness in breath apart from sneezing, coughing, runny nose and itchiness. People who suffer from dust allergy tend to feel asthma-like symptoms. If you are going through a serious allergic reaction, then it is important that you take steroid nasal sprays and allergy shots.
Similar to the rest of the allergies, you should limit your exposure to dust mites. This can be done by covering your pillows and beds with dust proof covers. Since they are frequently found in carpets and stuffed toys, you should keep them away from your home.

· Animal Dander

Your pets contain fluids in their saliva and other allergens in their fur and skin that may cause instant allergic reaction. Having a dog and cat is very common among American households.
You are likely to experience stuffy nose, swelling of membranes, and red blotches on your skin. Avoiding any sort of contact from your pets is the best course of action if you wish to avoid allergy. However, if you still prefer to keep pets in your home, it is important that you clean them regularly and remove the dander outside of your home.

· Weeds

Ragweed carries, quite possibly, the most allergens, which is then followed by others such as sagebrush and pigweed.

Sneezing, nasal congestion, problems in sleeping, and puffy eyes are the most common symptoms of ragweed allergy. To avoid allergies from weed, you should stay indoors when the pollen count of weeds is high, especially during ragweed season. Washing your hands often when you touch weeds or come from outdoors can also help.

Now that you know the most common allergens we’re hopeful you will find it easier to stay healthy. However, if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, please get in touch with us as help is here.