Apart from skin diseases, Itching can be a symptom of many diseases, from anemia to parasites.

Pointing out that very common itching can be a symptom of many diseases, Yeditepe University Hospital Dermatology and Allergic Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Oktay Taşkapan said, "Apart from skin diseases, Itching can be a symptom of many diseases, from anemia to parasites. Therefore, long-lasting itching should be taken seriously.” 

What is Itching?

In many diseases, from eczema to lice, from drug rashes to scabies and fungal diseases, itching is the most significant complaint that leads an individual to a doctor. This sign, which sometimes causes as much discomfort as pain, leads to insomnia and depression and even brings the individual to the brink of suicide, can also be accompanied by many internal diseases.

Itching can be considered a sort of warning of the body or reaction of the skin. Although it may seem simple, itching can sometimes coexist with quite complex problems.

What are the Causes of Itching?

When investigating the causes of itching, factors such as the patient's age, existing diseases, medications they use, bathing habits, and psychological state should be taken into account. It should be noted that itching may develop without anything visible on the skin in some drug allergies. Widespread and idiopathic itching may occur during systemic (involving many organs) diseases such as intestinal parasites, diabetes, internal organ cancers (gallbladder, liver, bowel cancers); biliary tract blockages due to causes such as gallstones or viral hepatitis (jaundice), malignant blood diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, kidney failure, AIDS, or sometimes as the first symptom of these diseases. 

One of the most common causes of itching is dry skin. It is a very common type in elderly patients. Because as a person gets older, skin functions, skin elasticity, and the water retention capacity of the skin decrease. Frequent bathing with hard alkaline soaps and very hot water further increases this deterioration in the skin and weakens the protective lipid layer, leading to skin dryness and itching. The habit of scrubbing with a bath puff or glove, which is common in our country, also has a significant role in the skin's drying and itching.

If the patient complains of itching while nothing is visible on the skin, this should be considered a symptom of an underlying disease until proven otherwise.

What are the Investigation You Perform for Diagnosis?

Usually, the first physicians to whom people with the complaint of itching apply are dermatologists. Dermatologists try to determine the cause of itching through a skin examination and a general examination. If there are no visible signs on the skin, according to the examination results, investigations are performed in terms of anemia (iron deficiency), liver or kidney diseases, thyroid diseases, intestinal parasites, or other clinical tables mentioned above. According to the results of all these investigations, the help of specialist physicians from other relevant branches is also sought as needed.

How is the Treatment of Itching?

Causal treatment should be the first approach in itching. Existing skin diseases are treated with appropriate medications. Although antihistamines are commonly used to treat itching, they are generally only effective for itching associated with hives (urticaria) and have almost no effect on other types of itching. Antihistamines that are defined as the first generation and have sedative (sleep-inducing) properties can be used because of these properties. It should be noted that long-term use of menthol creams or powders may irritate. However, they can be used in combination with pomades containing vaseline or corticosteroid for a short time. In cases of itching that last long and cannot be attributed to a cause, the patient should be consulted with a psychiatrist.

A cool and air-conditioned environment, using light clothing and bedding made from cotton, and avoiding excessive sweating will reduce itching regardless of its cause. Wearing thick, woolen, or synthetic clothes and dressing too warmly irritate the skin and increase the body temperature, which can trigger itching. It will be appropriate to avoid alcohol intake and consumption of hot and spicy foods as well as hot drinks. These substances can increase itching by causing vasodilation (dilation of blood vessels) on the skin.

On the other hand, in order to avoid itching caused by dry skin:

• The bath should be taken with warm water, take a short time (for example, ten min.), and not exceed twice a week unless needed.
• Products defined as “syndet,” which are not hard (i.e., alkaline) and do not damage the lipid coating of the skin, should be used instead of soap in bathrooms. 
• Gloves or puff should not be used, and the cleansing product should be applied to the body by hand.
• After bathing, the skin should be dried with a soft towel without causing much irritation, and moisturizing or lubricating pomades or emulsions should be applied thoroughly to the skin within the first three minutes before it dries or tightens, allowing the moisture to be retained on the skin.
• It should be noted that substances such as cologne, alcohol, itch-relieving gel, and aqueous powders will dry out the skin and cause a further increase in itching.
• In individuals whose skin is dry and prone to itching, the clothes that first come into contact with the body should be cotton. Direct contact of synthetic products or woolen clothing with the skin increases itching.
• It should be kept in mind that high-temperature and low-humidity environments can also lead to skin dryness and itching.