Sudden itching all over the body

Itchy skin is a symptom of many dermatological diseases and often causes unbearable suffering to a person, depriving them of peace and sleep. In most cases, the skin turns red, becomes covered in a rash, and peels off. Sometimes unbearable and obsessive itching all over the body is not accompanied by any of the listed symptoms. Let's try to figure out why itching occurs without rashes and how to get rid of this problem.

Possible reasons

Itching itself is not a disease, but serves as a signal that there is some kind of malfunction in the body.. After all, the desire to scratch is a response of the nervous system to the influence of any irritants. Itching that appears all over the body can have many causes. Let's take a closer look at the most common ones.

Hepatitis and cirrhosis

Severe itching accompanies many liver diseases, and in most cases it occurs long before all other symptoms. This occurs due to the fact that the cells of a diseased liver cannot fully cleanse the blood of toxins that accumulate and gradually poison the body.

Liver itching begins on the palms and soles of the feet and then spreads throughout the body. Its characteristic feature is the impossibility of elimination with the help of antihistamines.

Most often, with cirrhosis and hepatitis, the body itches at night, causing unbearable suffering to the patient.

Diabetes

Even in the very early stages of the disease, high levels of glucose in the blood contribute to the clogging of small vessels with sugar crystals and prevent the normal elimination of toxins. At the same time, the skin, losing moisture, dries out and begins to itch.

Itching in diabetics is localized in the groin, genitals, buttocks and abdomen. Sometimes the palms, feet and elbow joints itch. As a rule, diabetic itching is observed in older and older people, especially women.

Depression and psychosis

This symptom is a frequent accompaniment of many mental and nervous disorders.

Experts have found that under the influence of overexertion and stress, the body produces an increased amount of histamine, which is the cause of allergic reactions. Nervous itching most often occurs on the arms, legs or scalp.

In some cases, itching sensations in mental illness take the form of tactile hallucinations. The patient feels as if insects or animals are crawling all over his body. More often women suffer from such disorders after 40-45 years of age.

Oncological diseases

The connection between itching without a rash and oncology was discovered by doctors back in the 19th century, but the mechanism of its appearance is still not clear. Most likely, the cause lies in an increase in the level of toxins in the blood, which causes responses in the body. Most often it accompanies cancer of the pancreas, intestines, and genitourinary system.

Itching in oncology can be generalized or localized in certain parts of the body. So, with uterine cancer in women, the genitals itch, with neoplasms in the intestines - the area around the anus, with brain cancer - the nostrils.

People who have a hereditary predisposition to cancer, if itching without a rash appears, should undergo a full examination and take all the necessary tests to prevent the development of a terrible disease.

Parasite infestation

If a child or adult begins to complain that he is itching in the anal area, then the cause of this will most often be pinworms or other worms. As a rule, deworming eliminates this unpleasant phenomenon. Not all parasites are concentrated in the intestines. For example, roundworms, moving forward, can get into the bile ducts, genitourinary organs and even the respiratory tract. In such cases, the itching can become generalized and spread throughout the body.

The cause of severe itching of the scalp can be pediculosis, an infestation with lice that often occurs in children's groups. To prevent the appearance of parasites, attention should be paid to the child’s hygiene, and for girls, long hair should be braided or tied high on the head.

Itching in the absence of a rash is caused by scabies mites, which can be infected through someone else's clothing, bedding or other household items.

In this case, the stomach, elbow cavities and areas between the fingers most often itch. The feeling intensifies in the evening or at night.

Blood diseases

Many blood diseases are accompanied by itching, which can be localized in a specific area or be widespread. The most common cause is iron deficiency anemia, which is characterized by dizziness, pale skin, and changes in taste. The itching is concentrated in the pelvic organs, chest or genitals.

Reaction to medications

Taking certain medications can cause severe itching of the head and entire body. More often, the reaction occurs to antibiotics, acetylsalicylic acid, vitamin medications, as well as to oral contraceptives and anabolic steroids.

If itching occurs, you should immediately stop taking the medication and consult a doctor who will prescribe antihistamines or other drugs to eliminate the unpleasant symptom.

Other reasons

Not only the listed diseases can cause itching without skin rashes. Other reasons include the following:

1. some food products;
2. personal hygiene products;
3. synthetic clothing or bedding;
4. washing powder and detergents;
5. animal hair;
6. chlorinated water when swimming.

In addition, itching can be a harbinger of dermatological diseases, appearing before other symptoms - redness, swelling or rash. This may be at the initial stage of atopic dermatitis, seborrhea.

Itching during pregnancy

Women expecting a baby often complain of constant itching in the abdomen and chest. However, there are no other signs indicating skin diseases. In medical practice, this condition is called “polymorphic dermatosis of pregnancy” and is explained by natural muscle stretching. During this period, hormonal changes occur in the woman’s body, which can also cause itching.

In the vast majority of cases, after childbirth, the unpleasant symptom completely disappears. However, if itching brings discomfort to the expectant mother, then it must be eliminated with the help of medications or folk remedies, which should only be prescribed by a doctor.

If itching in a pregnant woman is localized in the genital area, this may be one of the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis or thrush. In this case, a visit to a dermatologist and gynecologist is required, since the disease can cause serious complications for the mother and the unborn baby.

Senile itching

This diagnosis is often given to people over 65 years of age. It has been observed that men are more likely to experience age-related itching than women. Initially, one area itches, and then spreads to the entire body, becoming generalized. Unpleasant sensations appear in the late afternoon and disturb the person throughout the night.

If we exclude the presence of skin or internal diseases, then the cause of senile itching should be sought in age-related changes in the body. In older people, drying and thinning of the epidermis, disruption of keratinization processes, degeneration of nerve endings, and atherosclerosis of the vessels supplying the skin with blood are observed.

To eliminate this unpleasant symptom, it is enough to moisturize the skin well, using special nourishing creams intended for older people. To improve sleep, you can take soothing teas or tinctures of medicinal herbs - motherwort, valerian, mint, lemon balm.

Diagnostics

Itching without a rash can be a symptom of many serious illnesses that require immediate treatment. Before you start taking medications and undergoing procedures, you need to accurately determine the cause that caused the itching.

It is necessary to make an appointment with a dermatologist who will conduct a thorough examination. If there are no skin pathologies, the doctor will refer you for consultation to other specialists - a therapist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, allergist, urologist, gynecologist or neurologist.

The patient will need to undergo laboratory tests, undergo an ultrasound of internal organs, computed tomography and other types of studies. Only after doctors have reconstructed the full picture of the disease can we talk about prescribing treatment procedures.

Treatment

The list of drugs and the method of their use are determined by the disease or condition that caused the itching in the patient. To relieve symptoms, both traditional medicines and equally effective folk recipes are used.

Drug treatment

The fastest way to get rid of itchy skin is to treat the problem area with ointment. To do this, it is recommended to use the following drugs:

1. non-hormonal - Fenistil gel, Panthenol spray, Skin Cap cream;
2. hormonal - Advantan ointment, Prednisolone ointment;
3. ointments with antibiotics - Levomekol, Erythromycin ointment;
4. ointments for scabies - Benzyl benzoate, sulfur ointment;
5. ointments with an analgesic effect - Menovazin, Menthol ointment.

Oral antihistamines will help eliminate itching: Cetrin, Suprastin, Zodak, Tavegil, Diazolin, Clemastine, Telfast.

Sedatives - motherwort tincture, peony tincture, Persen, Notta, Novopassit - will help normalize sleep and relieve nervous tension caused by constant itching. The doctor may prescribe physiotherapeutic procedures - electrophoresis, electrosleep, aromatherapy, radon or sulfur baths, hypnosis.

Each of the listed drugs has contraindications and side effects. Therefore, it is not recommended to use them without the prescription of a specialist, so as not to aggravate the condition.

Folk recipes

Along with pharmacological agents, you can get rid of itching using traditional medicine recipes. The most effective, according to patient reviews, are the following:

1. Mix equal parts of string, sage, lavender, chamomile and nettle. Pour 1 liter of boiling water into 5 tablespoons of the mixture and let it brew for 1 hour. Use the infusion for taking a bath before bed, the duration of the procedure is at least 15 minutes.
2. Wipe itchy areas with a 5% solution of apple cider vinegar or half a lemon.
3. Pour pine buds or young needles with water at the rate of 1 liter per 100 g of raw material and bring to a boil. Wrap in a blanket and leave until completely cool. Use as compresses on problem areas of the skin or for baths.

Peppermint oil or ice compresses made from frozen herbal decoctions will help quickly relieve severe itching. But, since each of the proposed remedies can cause an allergic reaction, their use must be agreed with a doctor.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

Sudden itching without a rash should alert a person and become a reason to visit a specialist. But sometimes it’s not just about consultation, but about immediate medical assistance.

An ambulance should be called if the patient has the following symptoms:

1. a sharp increase in temperature;
2. choking, difficulty breathing;
3. formation of abscesses and ulcers on the body;
4. severe swelling of the skin;
5. mental disorder, obsessive states.

The faster the patient receives help in such cases, the greater the likelihood of a speedy recovery and relief from unpleasant symptoms.

Prevention measures

The most important principle of preventing bothersome itching is the timely detection and treatment of any chronic diseases and the prevention of their relapses. In addition, the list of preventive measures includes the following:

1. Lead a healthy lifestyle, get rid of bad habits.
2. Spend more time outdoors.
3. Avoid nervous overload and stressful situations.
4. Do not use medications haphazardly.
5. Follow a hypoallergenic diet.
6. Strengthen immunity.
7. Select cosmetics according to your age and skin condition.

By following these simple but effective rules, you can forever forget about itchy skin and maintain health for many years.

The itching sensation is not always accompanied by rashes and other symptoms. But this does not reduce the discomfort. In addition, itching on the body without rashes may indicate various diseases, the outcome of treatment of which depends on a quick response.

Most pathologies are not related to dermatology and pose varying degrees of danger.

Causes of itching without rashes

The body can itch periodically or constantly, moderately or severely. It is possible to completely eliminate body itching without a rash only by establishing the exact cause of its occurrence.

Dry skin and seasonal itching

Dry skin can occur at any time of the year, depending on various factors:

1. in summer, the skin may itch due to photodermatoses, sunburn, and lack of vitamin E;
2. in the fall, discomfort may appear from warm clothes, stress due to lack of light;
3. in winter, itching without rashes occurs due to hypothermia and allergies to thermal underwear;
4. in spring - in most cases due to a lack of vitamins.

In cold weather, discomfort on the skin can be caused by dry air in the room from heating devices. In this case, it is necessary to ensure humidity of at least 60% by installing a humidifier or periodically spraying water with a spray bottle.

Age (senile itching)

With age, the skin undergoes significant changes. It becomes less elastic and drier. Older people experience itchy skin. Most often it is felt after removing clothes, is localized on the back, and then spreads throughout the body. Also, in old age, the functioning of the liver and kidneys slows down, which causes insufficient blood purification.

Usually it does not cause moderate itching or severe discomfort. You can eliminate discomfort by using high-quality moisturizing creams.

Reaction to medications

Taking medications can cause itching all over the body without a rash. This is an individual intolerance to the components of the drug. Most often you want to scratch your skin after taking antibiotics, acetylsalicylic acid, contraceptives in tablet form, or anabolic steroids. Sometimes discomfort cannot be dealt with without antihistamines.

Pregnancy

More than a third of pregnant women experience body itching without other visible symptoms. This is due to hormonal changes in the body and stretching of the skin. The less elasticity, the more discomfort a woman feels. In most cases, itching of the body without a rash is localized in the abdomen, buttocks and chest. It does not require treatment and goes away after childbirth. But you should definitely consult a doctor, because itching on the skin during pregnancy may indicate incipient kidney disease, liver disease, or endocrine disorders.

Diseases that cause itching without rash

If your whole body itches without rashes, you can’t expect the discomfort to go away on its own - the reason may turn out to be very serious.

Infections and parasites (helminth infections and HIV)

Altitude and decompression sickness

People can suffer from oxygen deficiency at different altitudes. Some people do not feel discomfort at the level of 4000 meters, for others the climb to 2000 meters can be fatal.

Caisson disease is observed during a rapid transition to a normal environment from an area of ​​low atmospheric pressure or, conversely, at low temperature or too high humidity. A person's blood flow slows down and vascular spasm is possible. The first symptom is severe itching of the entire body and burning of the skin without rashes. Then comes loss of consciousness.

Diagnostics

To eliminate itching, it is necessary to establish the exact cause of its occurrence. If you experience any discomfort, you should visit a dermatologist. But in most cases, just examining it is not enough. If a pathology is suspected, he will refer you to specialized specialists: endocrinologist, therapist, allergist, immunologist, gastroenterologist and other colleagues.

First, the doctor finds out the general condition of the patient:

1. chair;
2. fatigue;
3. dream;
4. vomit;
5. weight change;
6. headache;
7. visual impairment;
8. Body temperature;
9. pressure.

For a detailed examination, different methods and techniques are used:

1. blood, urine and stool tests;
2. genital swab;
3. ultrasonography;
4. coagulogram;
5. Magnetic resonance imaging;
6. CT scan;
7. electrocardiogram.

How to relieve body itching without rashes

To eliminate itching, comprehensive measures are required. In most cases, discomfort will only subside after identifying the underlying cause and targeted treatment.

General recommendations are:

1. Complete and correct hygiene. It is better to use baby care cosmetics so as not to cause greater irritation of the entire skin with chemical components. After water procedures, moisturize the epidermis with cosmetic oil.
2. Wear clothes made from natural fabrics, paying special attention to underwear and underwear.
3. As a mild sedative, drink tea with mint and lemon balm, milk with honey, walk in a forested area before bed, take a bath with the addition of decoctions of string, chamomile, and essential pine oil.
4. Follow a diet that excludes spicy and sweet foods. The diet should consist of plant foods, lean meat and fish, eat no more than 1 egg per day, exclude citrus fruits.
5. Take vitamins as prescribed by your doctor.

Drug treatment

Let's look at the drugs that are prescribed for this or that disease.

Itching is a specific uncomfortable sensation in the upper layers of the epidermis that occurs in response to irritation of nerve receptors. Itching occurs in response to external or internal irritants and, according to some scientists, is a type of pain. Our article will tell you why itching may occur and what to do in such cases.

Types of itching

There are many criteria for assessing itching: by localization, intensity and nature of occurrence. For proper diagnosis and treatment, it is also very important to determine the accompanying symptoms: rash, peeling, hair loss in this area of ​​the body, as well as the formation of cracks and wounds.

Itching is divided into the following categories:

1. Localizedwhen a certain place itches. This can be the scalp, elbow and groin folds, the anus (anal itching), perineum and other parts of the body.
2. Generalized, in which itching occurs throughout the entire body at once. May indicate the presence of tumors, diseases of internal organs, hormonal imbalance, allergies and mental disorders.

The frequency of occurrence of itching of any location is also important. Usually, with constant itching, other alarming symptoms occur: insomnia, irritability, soreness and hypersensitivity of the skin. If your body itches, there is a high risk of scratching and infection in the wounds.

You should definitely visit a dermatologist, even if the itching occurs without rashes or redness. The doctor can recommend local painkillers, and, if necessary, schedule a consultation with more specialized specialists: an allergist, immunologist or endocrinologist.

Causes of itching without rashes

Most dermatological diseases manifest themselves as rashes of various types. At the same time, there is a certain category of diseases in which there are no skin rashes or they manifest themselves only slightly. Usually the skin on the body itches under the influence of the accumulation of toxins and histamines in the upper layers of the epidermis, and there may be several reasons for such phenomena.

The main factors influencing the appearance of itching:

1. Overdrying of the epidermis due to temperature fluctuations, lack of moisture or under the influence of external negative factors.
2. Fungal infections of various localizations.
3. Liver and kidney diseases. In this case, the body is susceptible to intoxication by metabolic products.
4. Side effects after taking certain medications.
5. Negative reaction of the body to stress or deterioration of mental health.
6. Hormonal imbalance occurs especially often during pregnancy.
7. An allergic reaction of the body upon contact with plant pollen, chemicals or toxins.

On the mucous membranes, itching most often occurs with fungal infections (a common example is thrush in women), with some sexually transmitted diseases or bactericidal inflammation of the skin. In these cases, additional symptoms are added to the main symptom: mainly a rash, the nature of the itching (usually in the evening and at night), as well as fever, weakness and changes in blood counts. If itching appears without a rash, you should look for other causes.

What diseases does itchy body skin indicate?

Skin itching without the appearance of rashes may indicate a high content of toxic substances in the blood. These may be metabolic products that are not excreted from the body due to liver or kidney dysfunction. This kind of itching is often called toxic, and it will go away only after the main problem is eliminated.

During pregnancy, complaints of itchy skin are also common. This is due to hormonal changes in the body, stretching of the skin due to an enlarged abdomen, as well as purely psychological discomfort.

What diseases can cause severe itching:

1. Neurodermatitis. A chronic disease of the nervous and immune system that occurs against the background of allergies.
2. Xerosis - increased dryness of the skin. It can be hereditary, but most often appears with constant contact with harmful substances, poor hygiene, or excessive sun exposure. It may be a concern in old age, when the skin regeneration functions are noticeably weakened.
3. Diabetes. Exceeding normal blood sugar levels can cause severe itching of the body's skin without rashes.
4. Neurasthenia. A mental illness in which itching occurs against a background of general irritability, obsessions and disorders of consciousness.
5. Haemorrhoids. In this case, the itching is localized, occurs in the anus and is accompanied by a strong burning sensation, especially after visiting the toilet.
6. Parasitic infections. Itching can occur when infected with parasites. Most often, patients complain of itching in the anus and perineum. When infected with scabies mites, any part of the body can itch.
7. Pediculosis. A lice infestation can cause severe itching on the scalp. There is also a separate type - pubic lice, in which the perineum itches.
8. Oncological diseases. About 3% of cancer types have itchy skin as a symptom. This is usually how lymphoma manifests itself, but a complete examination of the patient is necessary for a reliable diagnosis.

After taking certain groups of medications, persistent itching may also occur. Usually, no specific treatment is required in this case; the unpleasant symptom will go away after stopping the drug. Most often, medications based on the hormone estrogen (including contraceptives), erythromycin, opium drugs, anabolic steroids, acetylsalicylic acid and its derivatives can boast of such an effect.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

Itching is not the most uncomfortable symptom, but it may indicate more serious problems in the body. For any pathologies, you should consult a doctor, but in some cases this may even become vital.

1. Against the background of itching, rashes or purulent wounds appeared.
2. The temperature has risen.
3. Itching is accompanied by swelling and star-shaped spots on the body.
4. There is a mental disorder and behavior changes.
5. Breathing is difficult, signs of anaphylactic shock appear.

Only a doctor can determine what this may be and the appropriate treatment. Itching is not a separate disease, but only a symptom, so the patient will not get better with temporary measures. If the problem is dry skin, using moisturizers will eliminate the problem, but most often constant itching is a sign of more serious pathologies.

How to help yourself if your whole body itches but there is no rash

Home methods for eliminating such discomfort can be used in extreme cases when, for some reason, seeing a doctor is temporarily unavailable.

To help relieve severe itching:

1. A contrast shower will help relieve the itching for a while.
2. A warm bath with medicinal herbs will also help relieve discomfort.
3. If the itching area is small, you can apply an ice pack or a wet wipe.
4. Cooling creams with menthol are also used, but only on areas without wounds or rashes.
5. Mild sedatives (valerian, motherwort tincture) will help get rid of nighttime itching.
6. To humidify the air in the room, use steam or a proven method - drying wet clothes on a radiator.
7. If you experience night itching, you can wear soft gloves on your hands to avoid scratching the skin.

All these measures will help relieve itching if there is no rash. In case of skin reactions, you should definitely go to a dermatologist without self-medicating. For some diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, it is necessary to limit contact with water for a while, so a relaxing bath can only do harm.

Prevention measures

You can protect yourself from itching in advance. It is enough to follow the rules of hygiene, regularly change underwear and bed linen, choosing the most natural and hypoallergenic fabrics. In winter, it is very important to properly care for your skin, preventing it from drying out and chapping. Daily washing with a warm decoction of herbs, which soften and soothe inflamed skin, works well. Detergents should be chosen with the most non-allergenic composition.

It is also very important to follow the principles of a healthy diet, give up smoking and alcohol, as well as “harmful” foods: canned and smoked food, sweets with a chemical composition and carbonated drinks. Timely examination by specialists and control over existing diseases will help prevent the development of serious pathologies. In addition, it is imperative to avoid stressful situations and conflicts.

Itching in different places on the body is an unpleasant symptom. It can occur under the influence of various factors and be a sign of serious diseases. Most often, itching occurs due to irritation of nerve receptors in the skin. If the itching is constant or localized, you should definitely visit a doctor to determine the causes of this discomfort.