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Itching hands and arms are very annoying. It is much irritating especially when no rash is present in the skin. Generally, itchy hands and arms are medically termed as Pruritus and oftentimes, signs and symptoms represent skin disease or worst an internal illness.
It is noted that once itching is limited in a specific area of the body, most probably it is due to a certain disease covering mainly the body’s skin or may even caused by metabolic deficiency such as thyroid and iron insufficiency.There are also some cases where itching is mainly caused by certain medications including codeine and morphine.
Itching hands and arms caused by definite skin condition usually has their own individual causes and treatments. Most of the time, the definite or exact due of itching is not specified or even its complete cure is not guaranteed by any prescribed medication. Itching hands and arms may occur in any stage of our lives but it is more profound as we get older.
Diseases Causing Itchy Hands and Arms
1. Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis pilaris is a widespread skin disorder affecting many people in different ages. It appears as tiny red bumps on the upper area of the arms, thighs and buttocks. It is common to persons with dry skin and tends to be a genetic disorder. This kind of skin disease requires a long term therapy and definitely not curable but appearance tends to lessen in the long run.
Causes of Keratosis Pilaris
- The definite cause is unidentified but may be related with hypersensitivity body reactions as well as the dryness and roughness of the skin.
- The red bumps seem to develop due to extreme accumulation of keratin at the very opening of the skin’s hair follicles.
There is no cure currently available for this disease however there are many cases where it naturally diminish totally without any treatment. Keratosis Pilaris is not infectious. Fungus and virus is not even the basic cause but this disease tends to affect and more visible because of heredity and individual skin type.
Possible Complications
Very rare since it is only classified a cosmetic skin order but may indicate the following:
- Momentary skin discoloration
- Hyperpigmentation may appear
- Lifetime scarring due to profound pricking and hostile remedies
Treatment
A lot of remedies are available in order to lessen signs and symptoms of Keratosis Pilaris. Overall rule implies that treatments must be spontaneous since no cure is similarly effective for all. Since this type of skin disease heals itself, total clearing may never be possible. However, appearance of skin may eventually improve as it heals overtime. Below are some useful treatments that may help enhance skin overall appearance.
- Constant application of mild cleansers is very helpful.
- Moderate cases may be enhanced by using skin moisturizers
- In addition, therapeutic lotions and creams may lessen the appearance of red bumps.
2. Brachioradial Pruritis
Brachioradial pruritis is a skin condition which manifests obstinate itching on the topmost part of the forearms. Many people who suffer from this skin disease noted that the itch gets worse especially when they do scratching. It causes a burning and itching sensation on the arm area and symptoms gets even more painful as the condition gets worse.
Underlying Causes-unluckily, the main cause is not well identified, but is associated with skin sun damage or even with cervical nerve root impingement.
- The ultraviolet rays penetrate deep down in the skin which causes damages on pain nerve fibers.
- Impingement of cervical nerve roots also leads to nerve harm.
- The damage nerve creates a sensation to the arm which causes a burning and itching feeling.
Treatment
- Avoid too much sun exposure
- The use of hot pepper oil
- Manipulation of cervical spine
- Anti-inflammatory medicine
- Acupuncture
3. Pompholyx
This type of skin disease is commonly called dyshidrotic eczema. A type of eczema where blisters is usually limited on the hands and feet particularly on the sides of every finger, soles of both feet as well as on the palms of hands. This blister are said to be very itchy once they break causing pain at the same time. Once the blisters became dry, peeling positively occurs.
Causes
Just like any type of skin disease the main cause is not identified but a lot of triggering factors affect this illness. These are
- Sensitivity to nickel, cobalt and other metallic compounds
- Emotional Stress
- Excessive sweating
- Too much heat
Treatment and Cure
- Emollients lessen the heat and helps skin becomes less itchy
- Use other soap substitutes as soap tends to dry the skin.
- Topical steroids are very safe and effective to use in treating pompholyx
4. Hand Dermatitis
A type of skin disease brought about by constant exposure to certain substances which leads to skin allergy. Antihistamine is the most common treatment and in order to avoid itch due to this type skin disease, stay away from wet works and substances that may induce further irritation.
References:
www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/
www.talkeczema.com/webdocs/
My wife and I are 70 ish and at night when we go to bed our hands and arms
get really itchy.We do not have bed bugs and are clean people and there is no
signs of a rash or anything on our skin. Cortizone cream seems to help but what the heck could could cause this?
Thank you,
Tom Knapp
Daily oral antihistamines may help this but you need to find the root cause. If it’s purely a problem when you sleep in your bed then you have to reconsider the possibility of bugs, even if you cannot see them, they can be there.
I had a similar problem with itchy skin. I switched my laundry detergent to one that did not contain any perfume. It may be the fragrance causing the irritation.
I beg to differ with Dr Steve…..I developed a skin rash on my torso, legs and hands. I went to four doctors. No one could figure out what was causing this. The last doctor (and I use the term loosely) said “lLady,you have bugs! Get an exterminator!” I was horrified. I couldn’t sleep home, I threw out my stuffed chairs. I didn’t throw out my bed because I don’t sleep in the bed. The exterminator came. He said,”there are NO bugs here!” Your house is clean. He told me ,Yes you can see them…they do hide but leave behind their dirt and eggs and casings….you CAN see them. They bite in the early morning…you can’t feel them bite because they anesthetize you when they bite. My suggestion for these people is to get a special casing for their mattress or get a new bed. Something else is causing the itch if they’re only itching at nite. Btw they still can’t find out why I’m itchy and keep breaking out in hives. So now I’m going to an allergist. Wish me luck!
a few minutes under hot water relieves the itching for 24 hours
Tide makes me itch. I am now itching again, so will check my detergent again.
Hi my name is susan and i get ichy hands and arms a lot too.