ITCHING – KANDU
WHAT IS
ITCHING??
By definition itching means an unpleasant sensation on
the skin for scratching. The medical name of the itching is pruritis. It is a
type of tingling or irritating sensation on the body that compels the body to
scratch. This can be simple for a very less time but sometimes it can be all
over the body and can be chronic for many months or years and keep on coming
again and again. Itching can affect any area of the body. It can either be--
--Generalized – where itching
occurs over the whole body
--Localized – where itching only
occurs in a particular area
Sometimes, there is a rash or a spot where the itching
occurs.
WHY ITCHING
HAPPENS??
Itching is the stimulation of the free nerve endings in
the ends of the nerves those are coming from the nervous system. These nerve
endings are present in between the outer part of the skin, epidermis and the
inner layer of skin called dermis. The release of histamine from cells in the
epidermis is usually considered to incite most sensations of itching.
Scratching may temporarily relieve itching by interrupting the rhythm of nerve
impulses or by inflicting transitory damage to the nerves.
Itching associated with skin lesions (such as vesicles
and papules) generally indicates a dermatologic disease.
Generalized itching without skin lesions can occur in
systemic diseases such as those that occur in metabolic and endocrine conditions,
malignant cancers, drug reactions, and renal, blood, and liver diseases.
Excessive drying of the skin caused by pregnancy, old
age, or weather often produces itching.
A psychological cause for itching is considered only
after all other possibilities have been sufficiently excluded.
WHAT ARE THE
CAUSES OF THE ITCHING??
LOCAL CAUSES---
CONTACT DERMATITIS—it is a condition in which there is
itching, redness, selling and inflammation of the skin in response to a
stimulus which causes a reaction in the skin. This irritant can be a perfume, a
chemical, a plant, pollens and many more.
ECZEMA—it’s a chronic itchy, scaling skin disease
PSORIASIS—it’s an autoimmune disease represented by reddish
white, scaling, dry, itching patches on the skin.
DERMATOGRAPHISM--a raised, red, itchy rash caused by
pressure on the skin
INFECTIONS that cause itching include--chicken pox, measles,
lice, pinworm, scabies, fungal infections like candida,
DRY SKIN--Dry skin can occur for many reasons and is
marked by scaling, itching, and cracking. It is most common on the legs, arms,
and abdominal area.
BITES AND STINGS--Insect and spider bites and stings may
cause initial pain and are often followed by an allergic reaction to the
animal's venom.
HIVES--Hives, or urticaria, are itchy, raised welts on
the skin, often red and painful to touch. They are often caused by an adverse
reaction to medication or allergens.
SYSTEMIC CAUSES—DUE TO A DISEASE AFFECTING THE WHOLE
BODY—
HYPERPARATHYROIDISM---because it causes excesses of calcium
in blood but less in bones.
DIABETES MELLITUS—due to neuropathy of the nerve endings
IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA
JAUNDICE AND CHOLESTATSIS—bilirubin from the liver is an
irritant for the skin in large amounts
MALIGNANCIES LIKE HODGKINS DISEASE
MENOPAUSAL CHANGES
DISTURBED THYROID FUNCTIONS
PREGNANCY
HEPATITIS—present in almost all types of Chronic Hepatitis
SARCOIDOSIS---Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease in
which clumps of immune cells form in various organs, causing inflammation.
Skin, the body's largest organ, is commonly affected.
POYCYTHEMIA VERA--In polycythemia Vera, the body produces
too many red blood cells, possibly leading to clots. Fatigue, breathing
difficulty, and tingling hands and feet are early symptoms
SICKLE CELL ANEMIA---Sickle cell anemia is a genetic
disease affecting red blood cells. Symptoms include abnormal heart rhythms,
pain, anemia, and itching.
THALESSEMIA--Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder
in which the body destroys red blood cells, causing anemia. Symptoms include
jaundice, malnourishment, and enlarged spleen.
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE---Chronic kidney disease does not
cause symptoms until the kidney is mostly destroyed. The list of symptoms is
extensive and includes skin reactions, such as itching, color changes, and
brittle nails.
END STAGE RENAL DISEASE--In the final stage of kidney
disease, the kidneys are functioning below 10%, producing a wide range of
serious symptoms, some of the visible, like changes in skin color and dry,
itchy skin.
GLOMEROLONEPHRITIS---Glomerulonephritis occurs when blood
filtering vessels in the kidneys are damaged. This may contribute to kidney
failure, which causes fatigue, insomnia, itchy skin, and other symptoms.
SCARLET FEVER---Scarlet fever is an infection that
sometimes occurs after strep throat, causing a bright red rash, sore throat,
and fever. It mainly affects children between the ages of five and 15.
TREATMENT
OPTIONS---
The treatment for this symptom will depend on the individual
cause.
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