Itchy skin is very often a sign of a skin disease. Skin diseases are quite diverse, and in addition to itching, they are accompanied by various other symptoms. As a rule, skin itching is not a threat to the patient’s life, so it is often ignored by doctors. But for the patient this is a very painful symptom that causes severe discomfort and causes irritability and sleep disturbances.
Sometimes the skin on the body itches so much that it causes nervous breakdowns in a person. If skin itching appears for no apparent reason, that is, is not accompanied by rashes or other visible symptoms, most likely this is not a skin disease; systemic diseases can also cause itching and even a feeling of skin soreness.
Experts divide skin itching into physiological and pathological. Physiological burning of the body skin. The reasons may be quite understandable - a reaction to insect bites, climate change, exposure to chemicals, or it may simply be a lack of normal skin hygiene. Such itching can occur for no apparent reason, but does not last long, in addition, it can constantly change location. This itching is not associated with either systemic diseases or skin diseases - skin diseases and pathological itching manifest themselves somewhat differently.
Pathological itching of the skin - diseases of the skin itself or systemic diseases cause itching throughout the skin, it lasts for a long time, and over time can change its intensity. Sometimes itching can appear due to nervous diseases, stress or strong emotional tension.
Skin itching, the causes and treatment of which cannot be determined, is a manifestation of a somatic illness. There may be malfunctions in the functioning of internal organs. Itching can also occur with long-term use of certain medications.
To summarize, we can say that the causes of itchy skin can be the following:
Why does my skin hurt? The causes of painful skin can be fungal or bacterial infections, neuroses, allergic reactions, lymphadenitis, polyneuropathy, hidradenitis, carbuncle, etc. In some cases, the skin may hurt when receptors located in the dermis are stimulated; as a rule, such pain has a clear localization and goes away very quickly.
If the skin hurts severely and for a long time, and the intensity of the pain increases when touched, then this may be associated with the diseases listed above, each of which has its own characteristic symptoms.
If the skin is affected by a fungal or viral infection, then it may be papillomas. In some cases, pressing on the affected area causes itching and pain. Ringworm can also cause pain and itching.
Carbuncle is another reason why the skin may hurt. In this case, the sebaceous glands, subcutaneous tissue and hair follicle become inflamed. Touching causes pain, and at first no other signs are observed, but later swelling appears, pus accumulates under the skin, and then it is impossible to touch the inflamed area at all. A carbuncle can occur anywhere, but most often it can be observed under the armpit. Since there is always a favorable environment for the development of microorganisms. When you palpate the skin, you can find a solid body that resembles a ball - this is the source of inflammation.
Lymphadenitis is an inflammatory process in the lymph nodes. This process develops due to inflammatory processes occurring in the body. Most often, lymphadenitis develops under the armpit, near the ears, on the chest, in the abdomen, and on the thigh.
If the sweat glands become inflamed, they speak of hidradenitis. In this case, the process can be observed in the genital area, under the armpit, on the feet.
Skin pain also occurs with polyneuropathy. In this case, the receptors that are located under the skin are irritated. From them the impulse goes to the brain, which sends the signal to the skin. Moreover, this signal can be so strong that itching and painful sensations develop on all surfaces of the skin. But most often the pain is felt more strongly in the spine.
With neuroses, various symptoms may appear, including itchy skin. Most often the skin on the back hurts, but the entire skin can hurt, especially when touched.
Allergic reactions to food products or to the material from which clothing is made leads to severe itching, in addition, the skin may hurt, the mucous membranes of the nose and throat may swell, and watery eyes may appear. Allergic skin reactions to clothing often occur in places where it comes into close contact with the body - in the lumbar region, on the chest, on the wrists, and so on.
With allodynia, the skin on the leg hurts. This disease can occur against the background of various diseases - from neuropathy to stroke.
Given such a wide range of conditions and diseases that can cause itching and soreness of the skin, only a doctor can make a diagnosis. Therefore, if unpleasant and painful symptoms occur, you should not self-medicate, but rather consult a specialist - a dermatologist or neurologist.
Sometimes the itching is temporary, then medical consultation can be postponed for a while until the itching begins to bother you again. But in some cases you can’t delay going to the doctor:
First of all, when diagnosing skin itching, it is necessary to identify the cause that causes it. If itchy skin cannot be associated with any dermatological disease, it is important to continue to look for other causes. It is necessary to check the kidneys, liver, and organs of the endocrine system. Determine whether the patient has a nervous or mental illness, exclude malignant processes in the body, and also be sure that the patient is not taking medications that can cause itching. In addition, it is imperative to evaluate the patient’s hormonal background.
To screen out skin diseases, a thorough examination of the patient's skin is necessary. The entire skin must be examined - from the scalp to the feet, including the nasal cavity, anus and intimate organs. You should also pay attention to the condition of the lymph nodes.
Next, you need to find out whether there are any provoking factors for the occurrence of itching, find out at what time of day the itching bothers the patient the most. It is important to find out what lifestyle the patient leads, his diet, allergies, what his professional activities are, and so on.
It is necessary to ask the patient about the nature of the itching, the impact of itching on everyday life, when and under what circumstances the itching first appeared, whether there have been any recent trips abroad, etc.
After which it is necessary to conduct laboratory tests:
If necessary, it is necessary to conduct ultrasound and x-ray examination, as well as endoscopy. If an infectious nature of the itching is suspected, appropriate specific tests are performed.
It is clear that the treatment of itching depends on the disease or condition that caused it. However, in order to relieve unpleasant symptoms, the following medications are prescribed to all patients:
But it is necessary to understand that the use of these remedies can only relieve unpleasant symptoms, but not cure the disease. Therefore, it is very important to identify the root cause of the itching, otherwise, as soon as the patient stops taking these medications, the itching will begin to bother him again. With the permission of a doctor, you can use folk remedies, which will also only fight the symptoms.
Skin peeling or desquamation is the loss of the outer layer of epithelium. In some patients, the disease is chronic, with exacerbations at certain times of the year.
Below are the main causes that cause this condition and the corresponding procedures for treatment.
This is a fungal form of ringworm that usually affects the skin between the toes or the entire foot. Having a favorable environment between the fingers (dark and moist) is a good basis for the growth of this fungus.
It is worth noting that peeling and itching are the main symptoms of this condition, which creates great discomfort. This disease usually develops along with symptoms such as a burning sensation, cracking, enlargement of the affected area, softening and peeling of the skin of the toes, and redness between the toes.
Wet shoes provide an excellent environment for the growth of fungal bacteria. The signs and symptoms of trichophytosis will vary from one person to another.
One of the best and most effective treatments would be antifungal creams. Common over-the-counter antifungal medications include Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Terbinafine (Lamisil), and Tolnaftate.
It will also be helpful to use antibacterial soap to avoid bacterial growth. In addition, the use of natural products such as aloe vera and tea tree oil will be effective.
Do not self-medicate until an accurate diagnosis has been made. In addition, you need to make sure that the area between your toes is clean and dry, you can use corn starch for this. If the infection is severe and redness, cracking, or pain occurs, be sure to visit your doctor for oral antifungal medications.
This is another possible cause of this disease. Dry skin is most common during the cold season. Additionally, the searing heat during the summer months robs the skin between your toes of moisture, especially in dry climates.
The condition is aggravated by the lack of a humidifier in the house and is accompanied by itching and dry skin on other parts of the body.
In addition, the reason may be that you wash your feet too often, which dries out the skin and causes peeling.
In winter and dry weather, you should use a good moisturizer (lotions, creams and gels) for your feet. Also, make sure you drink enough water.
Install a humidifier and also apply sunscreen to protect your feet and hands from sun exposure. This will help reduce the rate of skin dehydration.
This is a condition that occurs when feet constantly sweat in shoes and do not get enough air. Because of this, the skin between the toes becomes very sensitive, inflamed, red and begins to peel.
If peeling is associated with dermatitis, you should wear shoes made of breathable materials, take off your shoes more often or change into lightweight shoes, and keep your feet dry. In warmer months, open-toe sandals should be preferred.
Again, to get rid of excess moisture, you can try using dryers, powders and sprays.
This is another common cause of flaking and is usually accompanied by itching.
Causes of an allergic reaction include swimming in chlorinated pools, walking barefoot, insect bites, and household cleaners.
All of these factors can cause skin irritation. Peeling can also in rare cases be caused by allergens that affect other parts of the body.
The first step is to identify the types of allergens you are exposed to and avoid them. You can consult your doctor, who will likely prescribe antihistamines.
Psoriasis is a form of eczema that also causes flaking of the skin. Doctors say the disorder is closely related to a person's immune and nervous systems and can be caused by several factors, including stress, infection (such as streptococcal infection), and certain medications.
According to [healthline.com], the discomfort is caused by abnormal cell growth that "accumulates on the surface of the skin, forming patches of thick, red, dry, itchy skin" and may be accompanied by flaking.
To relieve the symptoms of this disorder, you can use moisturizer and mild soap. Your doctor may also recommend the following products:
Remember that psoriasis is an immune system condition, so if treatment doesn't work, your doctor may recommend more effective therapy:
Although cellulite (a bacterial infection) is a minor cause of flaking, we should mention it as well. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection and is accompanied by symptoms such as burning, irritation, peeling, redness, fever and pain.
Although cellulitis is not a serious infection, it can cause severe symptoms.
Before visiting your doctor, try preventative measures such as using antibacterial creams and regularly cleansing your skin. In a severe case of the disease, the most likely treatment your doctor will offer you is antibiotics.
Trench foot usually develops when the foot is exposed to a damp environment for a long time. In addition, wearing rubber boots when working in hot conditions can also lead to the onset of this disease.
The resource Just-health.net says that this condition most often occurs in winter, but it also happens in other seasons. Please note that chronic exposure to cold may cause blistering, erythema or redness, and peeling of the skin between the toes.
In this case, the best treatment is prevention. First, keep your feet warm and dry.
Secondly, control excessive sweating. However, it is recommended to use warm compresses because this will help improve blood flow. If there is no improvement, consult a doctor.
The skin on the legs is naturally moist, as it does not contain sebaceous glands, and is moistened by sweating. But may be too dry for some people. The degree of dryness varies from one person to another and causes unnecessary problems. The skin can become dry for a number of reasons, but there are measures that can prevent this, namely keeping the skin of the feet moisturized and avoiding damage, any wounds or scratches.
Dry feet are usually a symptom of another medical condition, which may be accompanied by itching, redness, cracking, peeling and rashes.
Some of the main factors for dry feet include:
Skin conditions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, peeling skin syndrome, and a side effect of certain medications can also cause peeling skin between the toes.
Peeling and itching of the skin between the toes in children is uncomfortable and can be caused by direct damage to the skin or a wide range of mild and severe diseases, disorders and conditions, including allergic and infectious causes. It is worth considering that the skin can peel off anywhere and affect different parts of the body. Depending on the cause, sometimes you can get by with home remedies, and sometimes you may need to treat the underlying condition.
If home remedies don't help, visit your pediatrician.
In most cases, peeling skin between the toes is not transmitted unless it is caused by an infectious condition. The recovery period will depend on the skin's reaction to certain medications.
Any remedies will be useful only if the cause is identified. Some of the most effective home remedies are:
Blisters on the feet bring a lot of discomfort. Bubbles are skin formations filled with exudate. When blisters appear, they take on different shapes and sizes.
The skin that holds the fluid in the middle of the blister may break down, creating a sore. Through it, an infection enters the body.
Only a qualified dermatologist can accurately name the cause of the appearance of bubbles filled with liquid.
In many cases, blisters appear for one of the following reasons:
Incorrectly selected shoes lead to the formation of water calluses. If the shoes are tight, hard, the skin areas in contact with them are subject to friction. Sweaty feet or a hole in the sock will accelerate the appearance of a watery blister.
The areas where callus blisters appear are the heels, bones, and toes.
Mycosis becomes infected when visiting the pool, sauna on the beach, if you do not use replaceable shoes. Mycosis develops slowly, affecting the fingers, feet, heels, and skin areas between the toes. In the initial stage, the disease is asymptomatic.
As the disease progresses, red spots and rashes appear on the body. After a while, if no action is taken, bubbly, itchy blisters appear, which open when the liquid flows out.
Prolonged exposure to the sun causes small, watery pimples to appear. The area of the rash is not only the legs, but the entire body. On the legs, blisters with fluid on the skin cause not only itching, but also pain.
To reduce pain, anti-burn products are used, which, in addition to relieving pain, protect the skin from the spread of infection and have wound-healing properties.
The disease occurs due to increased sensitivity of the body to certain irritants.
Rashes can be caused by the following reasons:
An allergic rash appears on the foot, thigh, and lower leg.
Exposure to internal allergens causes swelling - fluid in the subcutaneous tissue. The formation of a dense swelling of the skin area is not accompanied by pain. There is pallor of the skin.
The use of drugs for the treatment of allergic rashes on the legs can only be carried out as prescribed by a doctor.
Allergic rashes are often treated with ointments and creams. It is strictly forbidden to scratch acne, so as not to complicate the healing process.
Basic medications for the treatment of allergic rashes:
For allergic rashes, antihistamines are also prescribed:
When treating allergy blisters, you must follow a diet. Careful handling of perfumes and cosmetics will help avoid allergic reactions.
Creams and ointments are used to treat mycotic rashes on the arms and legs. Some of them are sold without a prescription, tempting the patient to self-medicate, which can lead to disastrous results.
The most effective drugs for fungal rashes are:
In case of burns on the skin of the leg, it is necessary to place the affected limb in cold water and bandage the burn site. After this, you need to take actions to prevent severe consequences of the burn:
There are many ways to treat burn blisters with home remedies.
For burns, traditional healers advise using chicken eggs. The burn site is lubricated with egg white.
After an hour, gauze soaked in a decoction of celandine is applied to the affected area of the skin.
For a decoction of celandine, take 1 tbsp. spoon of dry plant, pour 200 g of boiling water, simmer for 30 minutes, infuse for 3 hours.
The compress is kept for 40 minutes. Then brush it again with egg white. This is how the procedures alternate during the first 3 days after the burn.
Toothpaste is applied to the skin lesion immediately after the burn. After an hour, the paste is washed off with cold water.
If a small calloused blister does not cause severe pain, it is better not to touch it. Small bubbles are sealed with antibacterial patches.
Large blisters are carefully punctured. For this you need a sterile needle. Before puncture, the blister is thoroughly disinfected using alcohol, iodine, and brilliant green.
To open a large callosal blister containing fluid, you must:
After 2-3 days, the dead skin is cut off with alcohol-soaked scissors. A gauze patch is applied to the area where the blister was.
If you suddenly discover that inflammation is developing, you should seek medical help.
If treatment is completed, care should be taken to ensure that blisters on the feet do not recur. To this end, the following recommendations must be followed:
To avoid complications, it is important to start treatment in a timely manner. You need to be especially careful if blisters appear on the child’s skin. Children, participating in outdoor games, often open blisters unintentionally, and, continuing to play, infect the resulting wound.
By following the listed recommendations and generally strengthening the body's defenses, you can protect your feet from damage by watery blisters of various origins.
Erysipelas of the legs is one of the most common, with severe symptoms. It is caused by a staphylococcal infection that affects the skin. How to properly treat this disease? What can be done to prevent it from activating? Why does erysipelas on the leg become chronic in some people?
Erysipelas on the leg is a fairly common disease that is of an infectious nature. The provoking factor is group A hemolytic streptococcus, which causes intoxication of the body with external manifestations of inflammatory processes on the skin.
Erysipelas on the leg appears more often in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle
On a note. As medical statistics show, erysipelas of the leg ranks 4th among infectious diseases in terms of frequency of manifestations.
Doctors say that the causes of erysipelas on the leg for many are related to professional activities. For example, in men 20-30 years old, whose work requires constant carrying of heavy loads, is associated with construction, and the use of sharp objects, the disease is diagnosed more often than others. Injured skin quickly becomes contaminated with construction debris, so optimal conditions are created for streptococcus - it penetrates and spreads quickly.
When choosing a future job, you need to take into account all the risks associated with health
In women, erysipelas on the leg appears more often after 40 years. In all cases, the reasons may be:
Sunburns require proper and timely treatment, as they can cause erysipelas.
It is important to know! Erysipelas can also occur in children. The most common cause is stress or sunburn that was not treated correctly.
Symptoms of erysipelas of the leg are directly related to the type of disease. Today, doctors classify the disease depending on:
Any signs of intoxication require consultation with a doctor
If erysipelas on a person’s leg appears for the first time, then on the first day after activation of streptococcus in the body:
A day later, the symptoms of erysipelas on the leg are complemented by burning, swelling, and redness of the skin. The skin in the affected areas becomes hot and swelling appears.
At the first sign of erysipelas on the leg, you should contact a surgeon or dermatologist
The disease itself got its name because of its external manifestations on the skin. A bright red color appears on the lower limb, the lesion looks like a flame, has clear edges .
The acute phase of the course takes from 5 to 15 days, after which the inflammation subsides and signs of peeling remain on the surface of the skin.
If the disease is severe, then after the skin peels off, the affected areas are filled with serous or hemorrhagic contents.
Considering that the disease can be recurrent, the symptoms and treatment of erysipelas on the leg cannot be ignored in order to avoid consequences.
Remember! Erysipelas is contagious and can be transmitted through household contact.
Symptoms of erysipelas of the leg and treatment are always closely related. Doctors, through a visual examination and laboratory tests, determine the severity of the disease and choose the optimal treatment option.
In case of a mild course or relapse, treatment of erysipelas on the leg can occur on an outpatient basis; if the disease has acquired a severe or advanced form, the doctor will definitely suggest hospitalization.
First of all, regardless of the form and course, the doctor will recommend which antibiotics to take for erysipelas of the leg. The drugs can be administered orally or intramuscularly. The most effective and efficient drugs in the fight against streptococcus remain the penicillin group of drugs (Amoxicillin, Ospamox). Furazolidone and Erythromycin can be combined with them to enhance the effect.
An antibiotic ointment for erysipelas of the leg for external use (Iruksol) is also recommended . The course of treatment with these drugs can vary from 7 to 10 days.
The antibiotics prescribed by the doctor must be taken or injected in full course!
Treating the symptoms of erysipelas with ointment has its own characteristics. It should be applied only to the prepared area of skin. It is recommended to pre-treat it with a solution of furatsilin, which will help avoid secondary infection and the addition of additional infection.
To help the body resist the disease on its own, it is necessary to treat with immunostimulants. These can be vitamin complexes or biostimulants, which ensure rapid healing of wounds and restoration of the body after severe intoxication. To strengthen the nerve endings in the affected limb, B vitamins are prescribed.
Eating foods with vitamin B will help the body recover faster
If the patient has a high temperature and inflammatory processes on the skin begin, it is recommended to use antipyretics ( Aspirin, Ibuprofen ), anti-inflammatory drugs ( Baralgin, Reopirin , Diclofenac ).
If the signs of intoxication of the body are pronounced and do not disappear for a long time, then the patient is given an intravenous glucose solution, drinking plenty of fluids and diuretics is recommended.
In case of frequent relapses, treatment can be supplemented with hormonal therapy with Prednisolone.
Remember! Erysipelas requires a lot of time to completely cure, and therapy should be aimed not only at recovery, but also at preventing serious complications.
Ultraviolet light helps kill infection in wounds and skin
In addition to drug treatment of erysipelas of the leg, the following procedures are prescribed:
If lymph drainage is impaired in a limb, it is recommended to:
The use of these methods allows you to avoid the development of elephantiasis in the affected limb.
In case of severe disease or a high likelihood of complications, surgical intervention may be used. The doctor opens the watery blisters and removes the accumulated fluid out . After this, the resulting wounds are treated with an antiseptic. After surgery, an antibiotic ointment with an analgesic effect can be used until the wounds are completely healed.
Surgery is a last resort method prescribed by a doctor.
How to treat erysipelas of the leg at home? First you need to consult a doctor and determine the severity of the disease.
Remember! The use of traditional medicine recipes is possible only after agreement with the attending physician!
Among the most popular and effective recipes are the following:
Remember! Ointment made from chamomile and yarrow helps to avoid frequent relapses and speeds up recovery.
Celery and cabbage must be thoroughly processed before use to avoid additional infection of the diseased limb.
Medical practice has proven that ignoring proper medical care can lead to serious complications. Among the common complications, doctors identify the following:
Remember! Any of the listed diseases can pose a serious threat to health and lead to disability.
Taking care of your health and the condition of your skin is the responsibility of every person!
Preventing the development of erysipelas is possible if inflammatory processes are treated in a timely manner and factors that will contribute to the appearance of the disease are eliminated. It is extremely important to carry out timely treatment for diabetes mellitus, disorders of the vascular system in the lower extremities, and fungal infections of the foot.
Unfortunately, erysipelas is characterized by frequent relapses. If the disease appears more often than 2 times a year, then doctors already talk about the presence of a chronic form. To avoid frequent relapses, you must adhere to the following rules:
Remember! By starting treatment for skin inflammation, you can block the spread of the disease at the initial stage!
Erysipelas of the leg is a fairly common disease that has bright and unpleasant symptoms. To avoid the development of the disease, you need to systematically monitor your health, exercise, eat right and not self-medicate. Consulting a doctor will always help to avoid the development of serious complications and health problems.