Itching on the body indicates ten diseases

Everyone has experienced "itching". Sometimes it makes people laugh, and sometimes it makes people cry.

Studies have shown that itching is a more unbearable feeling than pain. Sometimes the itching can last for several hours, making people feel uncomfortable all over and even unable to sleep. When the "annoying itch" visits frequently, it is a wake-up call for your health.

"Itch" bothers many people

According to the reporter's investigation, more than 70% of people have experienced unexplained skin itching in their lives, among which the elderly have skin itching as high as 90%; 60% of people said that "they won't care if the itching is not severe", 30% of people will "find ways to relieve the itching themselves" (such as using drugs), and only 10% of people will "go to the hospital to find out the cause of the skin itching"; the occurrence of skin problems among young white-collar workers is clearly on the rise due to lifestyle habits, work pressure, etc.; because most children cannot express themselves correctly, it is difficult to find the cause of their skin itching.

Molly, 28, has recently been feeling inexplicably itchy all over her body, her skin has become dry, and her thighs and calves have even become cracked and painful, and she often gets scratched. Molly said that this unexplained "itch" sometimes occurs and sometimes disappears, which makes her very distressed. Aunt Liu feels this even more deeply. "Many elderly people suffer from itching on their bodies, just like they didn't wash their bodies thoroughly after taking a bath. It is especially uncomfortable in winter." Aunt Liu said that most people will endure it and will also exchange remedies for itching.

Yang Shuxia, deputy chief physician of the Department of Dermatology at Peking University First Hospital, said that since the beginning of winter, there has been an endless stream of patients coming to the hospital for treatment due to skin itching. "Some patients can't help scratching because of the itch, and secondary damage such as scratch marks, blood scabs, and pigmentation have appeared on the skin. Some patients also used hormone drugs on thin skin areas such as the face, armpits, and thighs, which caused skin atrophy, capillary dilation, and secondary infection."

Skin degeneration in middle-aged and elderly people

The skin of middle-aged and elderly people shrinks and becomes thinner, the water content decreases, and the secretion of sebaceous glands and sweat glands decreases, causing the skin to lose its lubricating and protective function and appear dry. In cold seasons, the dry climate makes the skin rough and even causes peeling of the epidermis, making the nerve endings in the skin more easily irritated and itchy. This is the reason why many elderly people suffer from itching.

allergy

Professor Liu Guanghui, chief physician of the Allergy Department of Wuhan Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, said: "One-third of the patients who come to the Allergy Department for clinical treatment have symptoms of itchy skin." Allergies to food, pollen, dust mites, etc., and contact with certain chemicals may cause allergies, thereby making the skin feel itchy. This type of itching usually gets better after you stop coming into contact with the allergen.

Gynecological inflammation

If women find that their vulva is itchy, they should check for gynecological inflammation such as Trichomonas or Candida albicans infection. Surveys show that 73% of women experience local skin itching during menstruation, which may be related to poor quality sanitary napkins or overly tight clothing.

Emotionally tense. Negative emotions such as depression, tension, and irritability may cause local or systemic skin itching. A lack of B vitamins can also easily cause skin itching.

Hepatobiliary diseases

Hu Liming, deputy chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology at the Oriental Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, said: "Many systemic diseases can also cause skin itching." Studies have shown that approximately 40%-60% of patients with hepatobiliary diseases will experience skin itching when they have liver discomfort, abnormal liver function, and jaundice.

diabetes

The incidence of skin itching in diabetic patients is as high as 15%-35%. About 10% of early patients will experience systemic or local skin itching, which is relatively stubborn, with the most severe symptoms in the vulva or anus.

Thyroid dysfunction

Whether it is hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, itchy skin may occur, but the itching caused by hyperthyroidism usually develops slowly, the skin is often dry, and it will worsen in winter.

Malignant tumors

Some tumors may be accompanied by itchy skin, such as cancer of the lymphatic system, stomach, intestine, liver, ovary and prostate. This kind of itching caused by tumors is mostly stubborn. If you have itching on your body for a long time without any reason, you need to pay attention to it.

What should you do if you find unexplained itching on your body? Professor Liu Guanghui said that first of all, you need to determine whether it is an allergic reaction caused by contact with certain allergens. Secondly, you should go to a dermatologist to rule out problems with the skin itself and see if the skin itself is "sick". Finally, if skin itching occurs due to other diseases, treatment should be started promptly on the root cause.

"Before finding out the cause, you must not use alkaline soaps with strong cleaning properties too frequently, and use hormone drugs under the guidance of a doctor," Yang Shuxia emphasized. In autumn and winter, people's itching is more caused by lack of moisture in the skin, especially in middle-aged and elderly people. If it's just a minor itch, try these tips:

No need to take a shower every day

In autumn and winter, you don't need to take a bath every day, especially for middle-aged and elderly people. The bath water temperature should be around 40 degrees Celsius and not too high. Just wash for 5-10 minutes each time. It is best to choose a neutral or weakly acidic shower gel, or even not use shower gel at all.

Apply lotion first and then dry your body. Applying lotion to your skin after bathing before it is completely dry can allow moisture and nutrients to be more fully absorbed.

Keep a tank of goldfish to replenish water in the room. If your body allows, turn down the heat a few degrees, use a humidifier or keep a tank of goldfish to hydrate the room, which can reduce skin itching caused by high temperature and dry air.

Choose pure cotton underwear. Soft, less irritating clothing can prevent the itching from spreading further, increase breathability, and will not cause allergies after contact with the skin.

Overnight tea effectively relieves itching

Use warm overnight tea to wash your hair or wipe your body. The fluoride contained in the tea can quickly relieve itching and also help prevent and treat eczema.

Eat more foods that moisten the lungs and promote salivation. Drinking more water, eating more vegetables, fruits and soy products in winter can reduce water loss in the body. You can also eat foods that moisten the lungs and produce body fluids, such as pears, lilies, dates, lotus seeds, white fungus, etc., and avoid or eat less spicy food. You should also eat more foods rich in vitamins A and B.