Photo: Engin Akyurt
It can be more than a mild nuisance when your skin is sore and itchy. It can impact your self-confidence, social life, and sleeping patterns. Some people may even feel so disheartened that they resign themselves to their sore and itchy circumstances. However, it’s important to look for a solution to these problems.
Of course, you should always visit a doctor to diagnose any symptoms you’re experiencing. Dermatologists can get to the root of things capably. That said, it can be helpful to attend your appointments with a few possibilities in your mind. You can then be an active part of the dialogue about your well-being and perhaps better understand any guidance you receive. Here are four reasons why your skin might feel irritated and itchy.
#1. Allergic Reactions
An allergic reaction can cause itchy and sore skin. There’s a wide range of possible complications, so it’s important to be mindful of them all.
Many consumable products can cause sore and itchy skin if one has an allergic reaction to them. You should note what they are so that you can closely monitor any changes to your condition. Some of the consumables you should watch out for include:
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Peanuts
• Eggs
• Fish
• Wheat
These are just some of the common types of consumables that can trigger an allergic reaction that leads to inflammation of your skin. Keep a diary around your diet. Try to undergo a process of elimination to see how you get on with certain foods compared to others.
Other things can cause allergic reactions too. Soaps and other chemical-based products can cause complications. Sore and itchy skin can also be triggered as a bodily reaction to certain drugs.
Additionally, the number of people with allergies keeps rising every year. You may have developed an intolerance to something. If you suspect or know that you’re prone to allergy-related discomfort with your skin, you should keep researching to have all the latest medical guidance available.
#2. Bedbugs
Allergic reactions don’t stop with what you consume. Bedbugs can sometimes trigger a serious allergic reaction with their bites too, but these cases are incredibly rare.
Nevertheless, you should still try to learn everything you can about these insects to know what to look out for and how to repel them. Their bites can cause sore and itchy skin. Your research will also help you find out where bedbugs might be unexpectedly found in clothing, within plug sockets, or in soft furnishings. Their lifespans and any signs of their presence are also detailed, so it’s good to be prepared to combat their presence.
Bedbugs are not the cause of any diseases. That said, the bedbug problem is becoming more common over time. If you seem to be getting sore and itchy skin overnight, then keep an eye out for these insects. They are visible to the naked eye, so you’ll soon get to the bottom of things if they’re responsible.
Photo: Ron Lach
#3. Skin Conditions
The most common type of eczema, atopic eczema, often develops in young children. However, there are known cases of it occurring for the first time in adulthood too. It often occurs in people who get allergies too.
For example, sufferers of hay fever and asthma can be more likely to be afflicted with atopic eczema too. Keep your medical history in mind as you try to diagnose this problem. Your doctor will also ask about any allergies when you see them with a suspected case of atopic eczema, so answer with as much detail as you can.
It’s worth reading about atopic eczema in more detail as symptoms can come and go. Sufferers can sometimes mistakenly attribute a flare-up to some other condition when it’s more likely to be eczema making an uncomfortable return.
Atopic eczema can also be passed down through generations. Therefore, try to research your family’s history too. Try to be sensitive when asking your older relatives if they have atopic eczema. After all, it may be a subject they’re sensitive about or something they’ve tried to conceal thus far.
Hives, psoriasis, and scabies may be less likely to occur but are still worth contemplating. Visit your healthcare professional for diagnosis or assurances.
#4. Disorders and Diseases
Itchy and sore skin can sometimes be the symptom of disorders and diseases. These could be:
• Diabetes
• Anemia
• Thyroid problems
• Kidney or liver disease
• Multiple lymphoma or myeloma
It is more likely these underlying illnesses are the cause if you’re experiencing itchiness across your entire body. Other health problems, such as nerve disorders, can present similar complications. Examples like shingles and multiple sclerosis are often mentioned.
There is a lot to cover here. Consequently, it would help if you tried to conduct some further research with a reputable source or consult your healthcare professional. That way, you can explore these matters in more depth and receive crucial guidance on how to resolve your issues. Keep an open mind and be proactive, and a fix may be found.
Lots of love,
Liz