What to do if you feel itchy

Some people feel itchy on their bodies in autumn and winter, which is caused by the temperature. In autumn and winter, due to the dry weather and low temperatures, some people will experience itching symptoms when they take off their clothes due to the rapid contraction of their pores. Of course, there are many reasons for itching, and body itching is not necessarily caused by the temperature.

Body itching can be divided into systemic itching and local itching. Weather, environment, disease, pathogenic microorganisms, etc. can cause itching. The causes of different itching are different. Below, let us learn about the causes and treatments of itching.

Itch is a common symptom of many skin diseases. If there is only skin itching without primary skin damage, it is called pruritus.

Systemic pruritus can be divided into:

(1) Pruritus senilis: It is usually caused by factors such as decreased secretion function of sebaceous glands, dry skin and degenerative atrophy, and is more common on the trunk.

(2) Winter pruritus (pruritus hiemalis): It is triggered by cold weather and is often accompanied by dry skin, which is aggravated by undressing and sleeping.

(3) Summer pruritus (pruritus aestivalis): High heat and humidity are often the triggers, and sweating often aggravates the pruritus.

2. Localized pruritus refers to itching occurring in a certain part of the body, which is common in clinical practice:

(1) Anal pruritus: the most common. The disease can occur in both men and women, but is more common in middle-aged men and in children who are infected with pinworms. The itching is often localized around the anus, sometimes spreading forward to the scrotum and backward to both sides of the buttocks. The skin around the anus is often grayish white or pale white with ulcers, thickened anal folds, and radiating fissures due to scratching. Secondary infection sometimes occurs. Over time, the skin around the anus thickens and becomes lichenified, and pigmentation may also occur.

(2) Vulvar pruritus: It mainly occurs on the labia majora and labia minora, and may also occur on the mons pubis and clitoris. Due to itching, the patient often scratches, and the vulva skin becomes thickened and grayish white. The clitoris and vaginal mucosa may become red, swollen and eroded.

(3) Scrotal pruritus: The itching occurs in the scrotum, but may also spread to the penis or anus. Due to constant scratching, the scrotal skin becomes thickened, pigmented, and lichenified. Some patients may experience erosion, exudation, crusting, and eczema-like changes.

(4) Others: such as pruritus on the head, pruritus on the calves, and pruritus on the palms and soles. In addition, there is hereditary localized pruritus, which is more common in women aged 20 to 30.

We should strive to identify the cause of the disease and cure it.

1. General treatment

Pay attention to skin hygiene and live a regular life. Avoid scratching, washing with hot water, drinking alcohol, strong tea and eating spicy and irritating foods. Those with systemic diseases should actively treat the primary disease; for patients with neurasthenia, sedatives and hypnotics can be appropriately used.

2. Systemic treatment

(1) Antihistamines: They are the first-line drugs. Various H1 receptor antagonists can be used. H2 receptor antagonists can also be used in combination. Calcium supplements, vitamin C, etc. can enhance the efficacy of antihistamines.

(2) Procaine hydrochloride intravenous blockade: Procaine 4 mg/(kg·d) dissolved in 500 ml of normal saline is intravenously dripped for 10 days as a course of treatment. In severe cases, intravenous lidocaine injection is effective, but the effect lasts only a few hours and may cause hypotension. Long-term use of procaine hydrochloride, lidocaine, etc. requires attention to the possibility of contact allergies.

(3) Sex hormones: Commonly used for elderly patients. Male patients can use testosterone propionate 25 mg/d intramuscularly twice a week, or methyltestosterone 5 mg/d orally; female patients can use diethylstilbestrol 1 mg/d orally in 2 doses, or progesterone 10 mg/d intramuscularly. Patients with reproductive system tumors or liver and kidney dysfunction should avoid using this medicine or use it with caution.

(4) Others: Naloxone injection is effective for patients with cholestasis. If it is ineffective, amitriptyline can be used.

3. Local treatment

(1) Topical medications: such as phenol calamine lotion, glucocorticoid ointment or cream; patients with vulvar pruritus or anal pruritus should avoid the use of irritating drugs.

(2) Local blockade therapy: Use 25 mg of diphenhydramine plus an appropriate amount of procaine to subcutaneously infiltrate the lesions once every other day. You can also use triamcinolone or dexamethasone plus an appropriate amount of procaine to block the lesions subcutaneously 1-2 times a week.

(3) Physical therapy: Systemic pruritus can be treated with ultraviolet irradiation, subcutaneous oxygen infusion, starch bath, bran bath or mineral spring bath, etc.; when localized pruritus is ineffective after multiple treatments, isotope or superficial X-ray treatment can be considered.

The above are the causes of itching and our treatment plans for different causes. From the above we can see that in fact, the treatment methods for different itches are different. So when we have itching on our body, we should understand the cause before treating it. Never use medicine blindly to avoid achieving a good treatment effect.