Skin Itch Relief
Chickenpox, mosquito bites, and poison ivy are not the only causes of itchy skin. The skin can develop an itch due to a variety of reasons. If the condition does not resolve on its own or causes severe discomfort, the patient should consult with an experienced dermatologist.
Texas Surgical Dermatology, led by board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen, provides safe and proven skin care treatments to patients in Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and surrounding locations.
Common reasons for itchy skin and how to get relief
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Very dry skin
Skin that is extremely dry can be intensely itchy.
How to get relief: The dermatologist may provide a prescription topical or oral medication to address the skin condition. In mild cases, the dermatologist may recommend an over the counter cream or lotion for quick relief.
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Bug bites
In the case of mosquito bites, the reason for itchy skin is apparent, and the itch usually goes away quickly. But the itch can be long-lasting and uncontrollable when bugs live on the skin and feed off the person every night. Bugs can lead to long-lasting itch, including lice, bed bugs, and mites (scabies).
How to get relief: The dermatologist may prescribe the following treatments for bug bites:
Allergic response: Some individuals may need an injection of corticosteroid, antihistamine, or epinephrine (adrenaline) for a severe allergic response.
Infection: Antibiotics may be necessary to treat an infection. In case the infection is mild, the dermatologist may recommend an antiseptic medication that the patient can purchase without a prescription.
Itch: A prescription antihistamine liquid or pill may help.
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Itchy skin condition
The list of skin conditions that can lead to an intense itch includes the following:
- Chickenpox
- Atopic dermatitis
- Neurodermatitis
- Dyshidrotic eczema
- Folliculitis
- Hand-foot-and-mouth disease
- Hives
- Psoriasis
- Ringworm
- Shingles
- Seborrheic dermatitis
How to get relief: For relief, the patient should understand which skin condition they have. The ideal way to get a correct diagnosis is to consult a board-certified dermatologist.
If a person has been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, itch relief can be challenging.
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Skin cancer
The only indication of skin cancer is a new or changing spot on the skin for many people. At times, the spot also itches and can be the sole reason an individual notices the spot.
How to get relief: A person should consult a board-certified dermatologist to understand if they have skin cancer. Treating this condition can eliminate the itch.
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Warning sign of disease inside your body
A persistent itch can be an indication of various diseases, including:
- Diabetes
- Blood disease
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- HIV
- Overactive thyroid gland
How to get relief: Itch relief is possible with a correct diagnosis and treatment. A dermatologist typically plays a vital role in diagnosing these conditions as an itch can be the only symptom.
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Allergic skin response
Allergic reactions develop on the skin due to various substances. One common substance that can lead to an allergic skin reaction is nickel, which is found in multiple everyday items. Cell phones, eyeglass frames, jewelry, zippers, and belt buckles are some products that contain nickel.
In addition, substances such as nail polish, shampoos, fragrances, latex, and cement can cause an allergic skin response.
How to get relief: The patient must determine what is causing their allergy so that they can stop touching or using the itch-causing product. This can be difficult and usually requires professional care from a dermatologist.
Board certified dermatologist Dr. Tri H. Nguyen at Texas Surgical Dermatology receives patients from Houston, Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Texas, and nearby areas for advanced skin care procedures.
For more information on procedures and treatments offered at Texas Surgical Dermatology PA please call 832.663.6566 or click here to contact our dermatologists. Helping patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Springs, Katy and other surrounding areas of Texas.
