What Causes Excessive Itchiness?

There’s nothing more irritating than itchy skin, especially when it gets worse with heat or contact with clothing. Excessive itchiness can be caused by a number of factors, and each requires a different type of treatment. The good news is, even if the itch is caused by an underlying condition, and even if that condition is difficult to treat, there are many products on the market to treat excessively itchy skin.

Dry Skin

Dry skin accounts for many cases of excessive itchiness. It also happens to be one of the most treatable causes. Dry skin can be treated with moisturizing lotion, like this fragrance-free product. If your skin is prone to itchiness, rashes or breakouts, fragrance-free formulas may be best for you.

Dry skin can sometimes be indicative of a dietary deficiency. If your doctor tells you that you have a chronic micronutrient deficiency, you might need to take multivitamins. This is advisable only when you're unable to get those vitamins through your diet. Deficiencies in water soluble vitamins like B12, B7 and vitamin C, as well as deficiencies in fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A and E can cause itchiness.

Allergies

Sometimes excessive itchiness can be attributed to a food or other allergy, especially if the itchiness is sudden or severe, or accompanied by redness, swelling of the skin, or bumps. It is important to diagnose allergies that cause severe discomfort so that you can prevent future triggers. 

Over the counter allergen products can treat allergy symptoms immediately. Consult your doctor if you’re having a severe or very painful reaction to an unknown allergen.

Recovering from a Sunburn

Sunburn is essentially damage to your skin. Like any form of damage, no matter how seemingly small, your body must work hard to recover from it. Sometimes even when the skin doesn't peel, the healing process can leave the skin excessively itchy. Topical products that contain aloe vera as an ingredient can help relieve some of this discomfort while your skin heals. Remember, it’s always best to protect your skin with sunscreen before a burn.

Diaper Rash

Of course, itchiness affects people of all ages. If your baby or toddler is dealing with the discomfort of excessive itchiness, it could be from a diaper rash. It’s important to change babies frequently to avoid the accumulation of moisture and other irritants that can cause pain and itch for them. Diaper rash skin protectant can also prevent and treat excessive itchiness for your baby’s skin when applied to the rash or rash-prone area.

No matter the cause of your excessive itchiness, proper diet and adequate hydration can usually help ease the condition. That said, there are many underlying conditions that can cause excessive itchiness. If your itchiness is persistent and unexplained, consult your doctor to help you identify the cause.