Itchy hands can be both an annoying and worrying symptom and a reason for embarrassment and shame due to the visibility of the gesture of continually scratching or the consequent marks on the skin.
It is a very widespread disorder and is usually due to exposure to cold or the use of soaps or detergents that are too aggressive, therefore basically to phenomena of dehydrated or irritated skin.
In these cases, itchy hands are usually associated with chapped, dry and peeling skin, redness, burning and discomfort on the back of the hand and between the fingers.
However, this sensation can also be caused by allergic reactions due to exposure to certain substances or to insect bites or to infections and parasites. In this type of cases , skin manifestations such as blisters or pustules that can affect one or both hands are added to itchy hands , redness and swelling.
Underlying itchy hands can also be systemic causes that seemingly have nothing to do with the hands, such as anemia, hypotension, neurological disease, liver disease, or autoimmune disease.
In this type of cases, itching can occur even without skin manifestations, generally it affects both hands and can affect both the back, the palm and the area between the fingers.
What criterion must be used
If the itchy hands appear as a sporadic and mild event, perhaps associated with a slightly dry and dehydrated skin, it will be sufficient to apply soothing and moisturizing creams to restore hydration to the skin.
When, on the other hand, the itching persists, if it also affects other areas of the body such as the feetand skin folds and if it is accompanied by skin manifestations, then it is necessary to speak to your doctor, who will give an indication of the diagnostic investigations to undergo to determine the cause of the disorder and to identify the correct therapeutic strategy.
Given the various manifestations that can accompany itchy hands , we are going to offer a more in-depth overview of the most common causes of the disorder.
What are the main causes of itchy hands
Dry and dehydrated skin Without
a doubt the most common reason of itchy hands, but generally for the whole body. It is a phenomenon that occurs especially in the cold months or when too aggressive soaps are used that do not respect the pH of the skin or in dehydrated subjects.
The skin therefore tends to crack, peel and sometimes split, causing itching, a feeling of skin tightening and pain.
Dermatitis
This is a large group of skin diseases which together affect almost 2% of the population.
By examining the specific symptom of itchy hands , we can identify three types of dermatitis most responsible for the phenomenon: contact dermatitis, allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.
- Contact dermatitis: triggered by contact with skin irritants, such as acids, detergents and solvents. The itching and the extent of the lesions triggered by these substances will go hand in hand with the composition, concentration and duration of their contact with the skin. These are not allergy pictures, in fact the injuries and itching in the hands are not due to individual reactions, but to the very nature of the irritating substances;
- Allergic contact dermatitis: unlike the previous condition, the itchy hands, and any skin lesions, are due to an allergic reaction. It can be said that exposure to a given substance in most subjects will have no effect, while in predisposed subjects it will give rise to allergic manifestations;
- Atopic dermatitis: it is a form of chronic eczema that occurs in periods of acute manifestations alternating with periods of normalcy. It is a genetically transmitted disease that affects women more than men. The triggers can be many, from simple rubbing, to reduced sweating to exposure to viruses and bacteria. The main symptoms include itchy hands and wrists, skin infections, red skin, dry and wrinkled skin, abrasions and the formation of papules.
Hormonal alterations These affect
especially pregnant women , in whom hormonal fluctuations easily lead to widespread itching throughout the body, especially during the last 3 months of gestation.
Blood pressure and anemia
In both situations there is a lower supply of oxygen to the tissues, especially at the level of the extremities of the body ( hands and feet ), which results in slight itching that lasts over time.
Sweating In case of strong sweating, both in relation to heat or contact with heat sources, and to pathological conditions such as hyperhidrosis (in which the sweat glands produce excess sweat) severe itching in the hands
may occur .
The pores of the skin are blocked and this condition facilitates bacterial proliferation, causing itching and a sense of discomfort.
Psoriasis
It is an autoimmune disease in which there is a thickening of the epidermis due to an accelerated cell proliferation.
Psoriasis is characterized by the presence of pustules that cause severe itching and what are referred to as whitish-looking scales.
These manifestations are rather unsightly, especially if they are located in an exposed area of ​​the body. It is a multifactorial disease due to both genetic factors and stress, bacterial infections (responsible for stimulating the immune system), but also from the intake of drugs and hormonal alterations (by virtue of this factor they are more exposed to the disease. adolescent subjects and pregnant women).
Insect bites and wounds
In the first case, insect bites can result in allergic manifestations, due to the inoculation of irritating substances; in the second case, however, if not well treated, the wounds can cause small collections of pus to appear and then resolve into scabs that can trigger itching.
Parasitosis We
refer in particular to scabies, a parasitic infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei hominis.
These parasites deposit their eggs at the level of the epidermis and once hatched the parasites will begin to feed by digging burrows in the skin of the affected subject.
The scabies infestation results in the formation of vesicles, pustules, abrasions, blisters and above all it triggers a strong and persistent itch that cannot be soothed and which intensifies at night.
The regions most affected are the hands, feet, wrists, armpits, groin, genitals and breasts and the infection occurs through direct contact with a person (not an animal), affected by the infestation through sexual intercourse. or again through the exchange of clothes.
Multiple Sclerosis
Neurodegenerative disease that leads to the progressive destruction of the myelin sheath that lines the nerves and that allows the correct transmission of the nerve impulse.
When the myelin sheath is damaged there is a transmission defect that leads to fatigue, itching and paraesthesia.
Paresthesias and itching, mainly localized at the level of the extremities, therefore in the hands and feet, are a very common symptom among multiple sclerosis sufferers, so it is recommended not to underestimate the problem if it persists.
Liver
disorders Itchy hands can also be linked to states of overload of toxins in the body when the liver is unable to perform its function of converting ammonia (a substance that derives from the degradation of proteins) into urea.
As you can see, the causes that can trigger itchy hands are really many and all different by etiology. Therefore, before taking any type of action it is recommended to report the problem to the doctor who will try to trace the triggering causes.
How is the diagnosis made
and what are the most effective therapies to solve the problem
How is the diagnosis made
and what therapies exist
A mild and sporadic itch in the hands should not cause any concern, especially if the skin is chapped and dry.
It will be sufficient to restore the correct hydration of the skin, applying soothing and moisturizing creams and integrating a greater quantity of fruit and vegetables to your diet.
It is also important to use soaps and cosmetic products that respect the pH of the skin and that do not contain irritants
On the other hand, when there are small wounds it will be necessary to first disinfect the area, and then proceed to keep it clean and dry until it heals.
When the scabs appear, itching also appears, however it is recommended not to scratch the area, this because the nails could both reopen the wound (causing the appearance of a scar), and carry bacteria and therefore generate an infection.
When the itching in the hands , on the other hand, is persistent, it is accompanied by lesions, redness, swelling, skin manifestations such as pustules, vesicles or erythema, it is recommended to promptly seek the attention of a dermatologist, who has examined the subject’s skin and evaluated the cause of the disorder through allergy tests eblood test, you can prescribe a targeted treatment.
When itching occurs continuously and without skin manifestations, the disorder can be linked to a systemic condition.
The doctor will be able to measure blood pressure to check for hypotension, take a blood sample to see if the subject shows anemia , changes in electrolytes or urea, if there are traces of autoimmune diseases or ongoing infections.
It is of fundamental importance to entrust the care of one’s skin, or of the systemic pathologies underlying the symptoms, exclusively to the attention of a doctor: the only one who possesses the knowledge that allows to identify the nature of the symptoms and to prescribe the most appropriate therapies.
No photo found on the internet can allow self-diagnosis and no do-it-yourself remedy will guarantee to solve the problem, on the contrary, this attitude would waste time and increase the potential risks associated with this disorder.
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