Itchy skin, also called pruritus, is an unpleasant sensation that triggers the urge to scratch. Although scratching may temporarily relieve itching, excessive scratching can cause irritation and superficial wounds, making the situation worse. The disorder can affect anyone and can vary in intensity and duration.
Itchy skin can be triggered by a variety of factors, both external and internal. The most common cause is dryness, which can result from excessive sun exposure, winter cold, dry environments and overexposure to water. With ageing, the skin tends to become drier due to the loss of natural oils.
In addition to dryness, other factors that can cause itchy skin include:
External factors: Temperature changes, pollutants and insect bites can damage the skin barrier, triggering an inflammatory response that sends itch signals to the central nervous system. These factors can vary according to geographical location and environmental conditions.
Internal factors: Illness, stress and pregnancy are some of the internal factors that can cause itchy skin. Skin sensitivity varies between individuals, so the same external agent may cause itching in some people and not in others. In addition, certain medical conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema can increase susceptibility to itching.
Intense itching or itching that lasts more than six weeks is known as chronic itching and can affect quality of life, disturbing sleep and causing anxiety or depression. Prolonged scratching can increase the intensity of itching, leading to skin lesions, infections and scarring. It is important to identify and treat the underlying cause of itching to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
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