8 Causes of Itchy Skin without Itching
Itching and itching are symptoms that often occur together. However, it is possible to experience itchy skin without a visible rash and other noticeable skin changes.
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Causes of skin rashes, or hives, are usually harmless. These are often temporary problems like dry skin or bug bites.
Less commonly, nerve, kidney, thyroid, or liver problems can cause a tingling sensation without necessarily causing the skin rash.
Depending on the cause, a person may experience itching all over their body or in a specific area.
If a person is concerned about unexplained itching, severe itching, or prolonged itching, they should see a doctor determine the cause and seek treatment advice.
This article explores eight possible causes of itchy rash and the various treatment options available.
- Dry skin
Dry skin, or xerosis, is a very common problem of this. When the skin loses moisture, it starts to feel itchy. Dry skin can appear as flaky or rough. It is common in older adults, especially during the colder months. Book an appointment through the online doctor consultation.
Home Remedies
The following tips and home remedies can help to relieve dry skin and prevent it from drying out further.
Do not use soaps with harsh chemicals, as they can dry out the skin. Instead, try using hypoallergenic and fragrance-free soaps and skin care products.
Use a humidifier at home to add moisture to the air, which helps to prevent winter-related dry skin.
Apply moisturizer regularly, especially after getting out of the shower and bath. Vaseline or heavy creams like Van Cream or Serra are popular options.
Avoid taking showers longer than 10 minutes. Also, keep the water lukewarm instead of hot.
Do not shower multiple times a day.
Avoid scratching dry skin, as it could damage the skin’s surface. If the skin breaks, a person may experience scarring and infection.
- Insect bites
Bites from mosquitoes, spiders, and other insects can cause the skin around the bite to itch and burn.
A bug bite may leave a very small hole or pin-like area. However, they can be so small that a person may have an itch but not see the actual bite.
Many insects can bite a person — including bed bugs, mosquitoes, and lice — and treatments can vary depending on the insect.
If a person has persistent itching after an insect bite, they should contact a doctor.
Home Remedies
- A person should not overuse topical antibiotics such as Neosporin, as some people may develop an allergic reaction to their skin.
Any person can also try the following remedies.
- Getting relief from oral pain
- Using a steroid cream or anesthetic cream can reduce the pain.
- Taking an antihistamine
- Side effects of certain medicines
Itchy skin is a common side effect of many medications, which can occur with and without itching. However, not everyone will experience this when taking these medications.
Prescription pain relievers, which fall under the category of opioids, can cause skin rashes, such as:
- Acetaminophen
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
- Some medications that lower blood pressure can also cause skin problems.
If one suspects that a drug is causing a skin rash, one should talk to a doctor before discontinuing the drug. A doctor can advise on the best course of action and alternative medications if needed.
Home Remedies
Sometimes, the doctor may stop the current medication to determine if it is causing the rash.
Other times, they may recommend taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or hydroxyzine to ease the symptoms of itching.
- Neurological disorders
Nerves send messages from the skin to the brain. Nerve problems can cause itching or pain on the skin without causing any real damage, called neuropathic itching.
Injuries that affect or damage nerves can also cause the skin to feel itchy. The location of the rash will depend on the location of the injury. For example, a pinched nerve occurs when there is pressure on a part of the nerve, causing it to send a warning signal to the brain.
A damaged nerve usually causes a pinched nerve, and symptoms can include pain, numbness, weakness, and itching. Many nerve-related conditions can cause itching or other sensations on the skin without itching. These conditions include:
- A stroke
- Diabetes
- Postherpetic neuralgia, a complication of shingles
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, diabetes can cause many skin problems. For example, itching can result from diabetic neuropathy, a complication of diabetes that damages the nerves. Learn about scabies and diabetes here.
Treatment for nerve-related itching depends on the underlying cause. If a person suspects that they have a neurological disorder, they can consult a doctor to find out what the specific symptoms might be.
- Kidney disease
Kidney disease, especially in advanced stages, can cause a rash without any itching. First, the cause of a rash in kidney disease is unknown, but scientists believe that many factors are involved.
If a person knows they have kidney problems and the skin starts to itch, they should contact a doctor. Their doctor will do tests to see how well the kidneys are working.
Sometimes, a person may need dialysis, a medical procedure in which a doctor uses a machine to replace the kidneys in filtering the blood.
Dermatologists may prescribe one of several medications to help people with skin rashes from kidney disease. You can buy medications from the best online pharmacy in Pakistan.
- Liver disease
Liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis can cause skin rashes. First, It’s not clear why, but some people attribute this feeling to excess bile in the body.
Itching is more noticeable on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Exposure to heat usually worsens the rash, and people usually find it worse at night.
Learn more about other symptoms of liver disease.
Treatment usually depends on the type of liver disease a person has. Some doctors may prescribe choleseolum (Welchol), which reduces itching. If you think you are suffering from this then you can also buy medications from the best online medical store.
- Skin cancer
Skin cancers do not always cause significant symptoms. However, some people may see itchy skin as an early sign of a previous or new skin lesion. Other symptoms may include the development of new or changing lesions on the skin. People should check their skin regularly and reliably report any unusual moles or skin changes to their doctor.
If a doctor isn’t sure what’s causing the skin change, they may take a small sample of skin and send it to a lab for testing, called a skin biopsy. A good treatment option for skin cancer depends on its type, location, and stage.
- Hodgkin lymphoma
However, People with Hodgkin lymphoma or cancer of the blood cells may also have a rash without a rash.
Other symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma include:
- Swollen lymph nodes, such as in the neck, back, or armpits
- Loss of appetite
- It’s getting cold
- fever
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
Treatment options for Hodgkin lymphoma include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
Appraisal
When diagnosing possible causes of itchy skin without itchiness, a doctor will likely look for common causes first. This includes excessively dry skin and as a side effect of new medications.
A doctor will consider any other symptoms a person has to guide the other diagnostic methods. Examples include blood tests for liver, kidney, thyroid, or blood cell problems.
Most causes of scabies are treatable without a rash.
Abstract
If a person uses moisturizer, applies a humidifier, and takes good skin care but still has itchy skin, they should talk to a doctor about possible underlying causes. Any online pharmacy in Pakistan can be very helpful.
Although there are some serious causes of scabies without scabies, they are relatively rare. A doctor can help a person determine the likely cause and identify the best treatment.