AARP Hearing Center
Why Is My Skin So Itchy?
Dry skin becomes more common as we age, but persistent itching can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue
James Yates
My skin is always so itchy. Can you tell me why and what I can do about it?
If you’ve been scratching your skin more than usual, the first question is a very simple one: Do you have a rash, or is your skin itchy without a rash? This distinction is important because it can offer a useful clue about what may be causing your problem. Itchy skin, which doctors call pruritus, is extremely common, particularly as we get older. A study in the British Journal of Dermatology found that around 43 percent of people age 65 and older experience itchy skin.
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One of the most frequent causes of itching is dry skin. As we age, our skin tends to become drier. Cold, dry weather can make matters even worse, and while it’s less common, some people experience itchy skin when it’s hot and humid. You may notice that your skin looks rough or scaly, and even though scratching may momentarily make you feel better, it can leave rash-like red marks or even cause small breaks in the skin. Dry skin may also lead to itchy bumps, even swelling.
For common cases of dry, itchy skin, I’d start with basic measures. Moisturize regularly, especially after bathing. A fragrance-free cream moisturizer helps trap moisture in the skin and can make a significant difference when dryness is the culprit. Use gentle cleansers rather than harsh or scented soaps, and take lukewarm rather than very hot showers or baths, which can further dry the skin. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
A cool compress can provide temporary relief when a specific area is itchy. It’s better than scratching, which can create an itch-scratch cycle: The more you scratch, the more irritated the skin becomes, and the more it itches.
If those measures don’t improve things within about a week, or the itching is significant, I suggest that you visit your primary doctor or make an appointment with a dermatologist. If you have widespread blistering or pain along with an itchy rash, don’t simply assume it’s dry skin. You may have a condition that requires treatment with a prescription medication.
Eczema, psoriasis, allergic reactions or certain infections can all cause an itchy rash. Also, think whether you may have been exposed to poison oak or poison ivy, or gotten a bug bite or been stung. Sometimes the cause is quite obvious; other times, a dermatologist may need to take a closer look.
What if you have itching without a rash? Then the problem is most likely originating in the skin itself. If your skin looks completely normal but has been itching for a couple of weeks, I would definitely want you to speak with your doctor.
Why? Because your skin is one of the body’s largest organs, and occasionally it can give us a clue that something else is happening inside the body. One of the first things I would consider is medication. Think back over the past several months. Have you started a new prescription drug, over-the-counter medication or supplement? Medication-related itching can sometimes appear well after you begin taking a drug, so don’t assume that a medication is unrelated simply because you didn’t start it last week.
Persistent itching without a rash can also occur with certain medical conditions, including thyroid disease, iron deficiency and more advanced kidney disease. Liver or gallbladder problems can also cause itching. Some vitamin deficiencies, including a lack of B vitamins, can also cause widespread itching. Less commonly, persistent unexplained itching is associated with blood cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia.
That kind of constant itching deserves a medical evaluation. Please keep in mind that there could be many more explanations. But if you have widespread itching without an obvious rash, particularly if it persists, your doctor may want to examine you and order blood tests to look for an underlying problem.
There are a few other reasons to make an appointment sooner rather than later. See your doctor if the itching is severe enough to interfere with sleep or daily activities, affects your entire body, comes on suddenly without an obvious explanation, or you experience other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fever or night sweats.
Don’t panic, but don’t dismiss persistent itching, either. Your skin may simply need more moisture, or it may need a dermatologist’s attention. A little bit of detective work could be the key to finding relief.
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