Our human body is designed to withstand outer environmental exposures that can be toxic to our internal organs. Skin, which is the largest orang in the human body has the primary work of enclosing all the anatomical structures inside and preventing them from harmful substances entering inside. Like every organ, they also have wear and tear as time ages or due to certain medical conditions. One such condition is pruritus, which is a medical term for itchy skin, indicating something wrong with your skin health.
In this article, we explain in detail the importance of your skin, symptoms of skin wear and tear, causes of itchy skin, and much more.
How Important is Our Skin?
Our skin is an embodiment of our body covering all the core organs that make up our anatomy. All the nerve endings have a link to the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin that gives you sense to the touch. Without a sense of touch, one cannot feel or sense anything. Such importance is our skin and it is our responsibility and the lifestyle habits that drive our skin health.
Symptoms of Skin Wear and Tear
There are multiple signs your skin can indicate you need to bring in additional care. Dry skin, rashes, wrinkles, and much more. Itchy skin, also known as pruritus in medical terms, is an irritating and uncontrollable sensation that makes you want to scratch to relieve the feeling.
Wrinkles and dry skin are some of the signs that your skin is aging proportionately to your age.
3 Most Common Causes of Itchy Skin
There are more than a dozen causes of itchy skin. Not all of them are caused by serious medical conditions like a disease. Most of them are allergic reactions or due to the aging process. Following are the three most common causes of itchy skin in both men and women –
1. Beauty Products or Jewelry
Itchy rash is caused by a reaction to something abnormal touching your skin. Sometimes the reason may not be obvious that you may have to do some detective work to figure out where it’s coming from. It could be due to the metals or chemicals in your jewelry or the cosmetics, toiletries, and cleaning products. Stop using the new cosmetics or wearing whatever you think might be the cause and see if the itching gets better.
2. Infections
Infections like bug bites and Urinary infections can cause skin allergic reactions. There are more than 10 different types of infections that cause skin irritation, itching, and other similar symptoms according to Healthline. Infections like Sexually Transmitted Diseases can also cause itchy skin. There are more than a dozen different types of STDs, but not all of them cause itchy skin. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are some of the types of STDs that cause itchy skin.
3. Allergies
Itchiness is often a symptom of something allergic. Stress, heat, exercise, or exposure to the sun can also cause itchy skin. Poisonous plants can also be a cause. Common allergy food-based allergens include cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, and soy.
Other than these common symptoms, even some medications can lead to itchy skin which may be a reaction to the new drug that you have been prescribed.
Can Itchy Skin be Cured?
Most of the causes of itchy skin can be cured. Depending upon the underlying cause, and the symptoms you experience, your physician will recommend medications to treat your condition.
Most of the time, regular and common itchy skin symptoms can be rectified with just home remedies like –
- Use moisturizer after you bathe.
- Drink lots of water to help your skin stay hydrated.
- Use a humidifier.
- Make your shower quick, and don’t use very hot water.
- Use mild, hydrating soaps.
If your skin is dry, it will let you know with an itch. It can be especially bad in the winter and in places where the air is dry. When you enter the elderly phase, it becomes even more common.
Conclusion
Skin is also an organ in our body, except it is exposed outside. Being exposed to outer environments leads to physical wear and tear than the organs inside our body. These damages come in any form, like allergic reactions, infections like STDs, and age factors causing dry skin and itchy skin. Conclusively, itchy skin is not a life-threatening condition unless and until it is addressed as early as possible.