Dry skin, bug bites and allergies – all perfectly good reasons to itch...
...but if you’re itchy without any of those, it could be a problem. Itching is a human defense mechanism that is actually an alert to a potential problem. On the surface, it’s a protection sensation that tells you to “get this thing off of me.” Itching that seems to come from below the skin can be a different type of alarm. It usually means that something is disrupting your body’s normal environment – and it’s worth getting checked out.
• Certain types of lymphoma and malignancies could cause itching – and so can anemia, diabetes or multiple sclerosis.
• Melanoma can cause severe itching. If you’ve got a skin growth or discoloration that won’t stop itching, see a doctor right away.
If you’ve got a chronic itch for no apparent reason – don’t scratch. That can actually damage the skin and increase the itching. Do get to a doctor if it’s not going away. And if you feel itchy right now – don’t panic. Itching is a contagious sensation and just thinking about it can trigger the urge to scratch.
Source: Zhou-Feng Chen, PhD, Washington University School of Medicine Pain Center
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