Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin.Allergic reactions to food, insect bites, pollen, and medicines.Itching is a symptom of many health conditions. Along with the itching, you may also have a rash or hives. Often, you feel itchy in one area in your body, but sometimes you may feel itching all over. Sometimes it can feel like pain, but it is different. Itching is an irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch your skin. Don’t miss a thing by downloading Apple News here and following Prevention. Like what you just read? You’ll love our magazine! Go here to subscribe.
If you aren’t quite sure what’s going on, head to your doc for a full work-up to see if a prescription is needed and to make sure a more serious condition isn’t to blame. Itching can be mysterious and a lot more complicated than you might think, says Dr. If you can’t figure out the source of your itching without a rash or at-home remedies aren’t cutting it, don’t try to tackle the problem alone. Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the blood cells, may also cause itching without rash, along with swollen lymph nodes (you know, those bumps under your neck, armpit, or groin), fever, night sweats, and unexpected weight loss. For example, a sore, scar, or mole that’s itchy, changing in appearance, or just won’t heal could be basal or squamous cell skin cancer, per the American Cancer Society. “Problems with the liver or kidneys will cause an accumulation of certain toxins in the system which can then cause itching, too,” he says.Īnd while far less common than dry skin and bug bites, itchy skin without a rash can sometimes be a sign of certain types of cancer (just note that this is very rare). Numerous conditions including stroke, diabetes, and shingles can cause itchy skin without a rash in sight. While rare, itching without a rash can signal problems with your nervous system, says Dr. It could be the result of an underlying health condition. As ICP can come with health risks, contact your doc for the proper diagnosis and treatment, which may include itch-relief meds like ursodiol. Typically, itching begins during your third trimester, in the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, but it can also spread up through your torso. But severe itching without rash is also the main indicator of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), the most common liver condition pregnant moms encounter, per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Sometimes, itchy skin can arise during pregnancy thanks to your ever-stretching belly (bet you can guess the fix: moisturize!). To ease your itch, avoid harsh soaps and moisturize regularly, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
In particular, falling estrogen levels during menopause can thin and dry out your skin, resulting in itching without a rash. “Any time your body changes and fluctuates hormonally, it could affect the skin, making it drier or more sensitive,” says Dr.
Even more: Dermatologists often see more rashless itching in patients who are dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression, says Dr. Nearly a third of skin conditions are impacted by your mental health, including itchy skin, per a study published last year. For example, prescription pain relievers like opioids, some blood pressure medications, and certain cancer medications can cause itchy skin, research shows. It could be a side effect of certain medications.Ĭertain medications can trigger itching without rash as a side effect or due to funky interactions with other medications you’re taking, says Dr. Case in point: Tell-tale bed bug bites become slightly swollen and red, but may not pop up for two weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Īntiseptic creams or lotions and over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl can help dull your itch, but it’s always best to know what’s going on first (read: Call the doc!). Lice, fleas, bed bugs, and scabies may cause relentless itching without a rash, especially early on. But other bug bites aren’t so visible to the human eye, says Dr. Bug bites could be the culprit.Ĭommon offenders like mosquitos often come with easy-to-ID itchy red bumps. The, you can soothe the skin with a moisturizing lotion, like this one from CeraVe. Stopping the itch starts with, well, reducing your exposure to whatever’s pulling moisture from your skin.
Yep, pretty much anything can cause dry skin, so think about what you’ve been up to.