What Makes You Itch?

by
Angela Epstein
Daily Mail



AS IF ANTS
ARE CRAWLING ON YOU

PROBABLE
CAUSE:
Menopause. Changes in hormone levels can produce an itchy
skin condition called formication.

Sufferers have
the phantom sensation of insects crawling on their skin, though
itÂ’s not clear why. One theory is that fluctuating hormone
levels may affect nerve endings in the skin.

TREATMENT:
Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids (found in oily fish)
can help improve skin condition, and if the skin is less dry it
may be less prone to itching, says Dr Tabi Leslie, a dermatologist
at St ThomasÂ’ and Barnet hospitals in London.

Drinking plenty
of water to keep the skin hydrated may help reduce irritation, as
can avoiding smoking, excess sun exposure, stress and lack of sleep.

Hormone replacement
therapy may also help. The condition should settle after the menopause,
says Peter Bowen Simpkins, medical director of the London WomenÂ’s
Clinic.

FIERY ITCH
AND RED, WEEPY SKIN

PROBABLE
CAUSE:
Allergy. Often referred to as allergic contact dermatitis,
this occurs when the skin reacts to something touching it.

Common triggers
include nickel jewellery, rubber gloves or a buckle from a belt.

It can also
be caused by irritants such as chemicals in soaps or perfumes.

Allergens produce
an immune response in the skin, which triggers the fiery itch.

In severe cases
the skin can become scaly with painful cracks developing on the
fingers, says Dr Andrew Wright, a dermatologist at Bradford Hospitals
NHS Trust.

People with
a tendency to asthma, eczema and hay fever develop contact dermatitis
more easily than others, possibly due to a compromised immune system,
and this tendency can run in families.

TREATMENT:
The first step is to identify the cause, says Dr Wright, so
monitor what you use when you get an outbreak. Patch testing may
help.

Here, small
pieces of sticky tape – each containing a small sample of a
potentially allergic substance – are applied to the skin for
48 hours and any reaction is then analysed.

Moisturise
regularly as this helps maintain the skinÂ’s protective barrier
and use hypoallergenic shampoo and soap because this is free from
common allergens.

PRICKLY,
INTENSE ITCHINESS

Other symptoms:
Sudden rash or mild red patches.

PROBABLE
CAUSE: Eczema.
One in five people will be affected by eczema
(also known as dermatitis) at some time in their lives.

The condition
is caused by an over-reaction of the immune system. Atopic eczema
tends to be hereditary and many sufferers will also have hay fever
and asthma, conditions linked to a compromised or overactive immune
system function.

Prime sites
are behind the knees, elbows, side of neck or around the eyes and
ears as these areas become hot and clammy.

Pompholyx eczema
affects one in 20 people, and produces a burning itching along with
tiny blisters on the sides of the fingers, palms and feet.

The cause isnÂ’t
known, but it can be triggered by perfume, athleteÂ’s foot or
stress.

TREATMENT:
Keep the skin well moisturised because dry skin is more easily
irritated, says Dr Leslie. Use creams free from chemicals such as
parabens. Hydrocortisone can also be soothing.

A new treatment,
Tacrolimus ointment, is available on prescription for those with
moderate to severe eczema, and helps calm an overactive immune system.

An oatmeal
bath can help, too, says GP Dr Paul Griffiths of the Blemish Clinic
in Manchester. Oats contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can
reduce itching.

ITCHY RED-BROWN
RASH

PROBABLE
CAUSE:
Medication. Some drugs, such as penicillin and other
antibiotics, can cause itchy skin, says Dr Wright.

This is because
the drugs are treated as a foreign chemical in the body and produce
an allergic reaction within hours.

TREATMENT:
Speak to your doctor about changing your medication.

‘Desensitisation’
can be used for penicillin allergy if the drug has to be taken regularly.

Read
the rest of the article

September
7, 2012

Copyright
© 2012 Daily
Mail