Why is my hand red and itchy

6 causes, treatment, and prevention

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Itchy palms are often caused by common skin conditions, but they can also signal a more serious, underlying issue.

According to superstition, itchy left and right palms were thought to symbolize that a person is going to give away or receive some money.

However, there are some legitimate medical reasons why a person’s palms may start to itch.

In this article, we cover six possible reasons for itchy palms:

• hand eczema
• allergic reactions
• diabetes
• reactions to medication
• cirrhosis
• nerve disorders

The article also discusses ways to relieve the itching sensation, and prevent it from returning.

Itching can be annoying regardless of where it occurs. It can be especially irritating on the hands, as this can interfere with daily tasks.

The following conditions are some of the more common causes of itchy palms.

1. Hand eczema

According to the National Eczema Association, an estimated 10 percent of people in the United States have hand eczema.

This non-contagious condition can cause itching palms, red skin, cracking, dryness, and sometimes blistering.

A subtype of hand eczema exists called dyshidrotic eczema, which causes a person to have small, itching blisters specifically on the hands and sometimes feet.

People most likely to have hand eczema include those who work in certain professions where hands are exposed to excessive moisture or harsh chemicals.

Professions at risk of hand eczema include:

• catering
• cleaning
• hairdressing
• healthcare
• mechanic

Those with a family history of hand eczema are also at higher risk for the condition.

2. Allergic reactions

Sometimes itchy palms are the result of repeated exposure to an irritant or chemical that eventually results in an allergic reaction. This is called contact dermatitis.

An allergic reaction may appear 48 to 96 hours after contact with an allergen.

Common allergens or irritants include:

• metals, such as rings and other jewelry
• perfumes
• latex gloves
• soaps
• disinfectants
• antiseptics or antibacterial substances
• dust and soil
• highly chlorinated water

It may take repeated exposure before the allergic reaction develops. This is because, after a few times, the body begins to release itch-causing histamines that irritate the skin.

3. Diabetes

When a person has diabetes, too-high blood sugar levels can cause dry skin that also feels itchy.

This itchy skin may appear with or without red or flesh-colored bumps on the palms and other areas of the body.

4. Reactions to medication

Sometimes itchy palms can develop as a result of something that a person has ingested, rather than something their hands have been in contact with.

When a person has a mild allergic reaction to a new medication, the histamine reactions in the body can cause itching.

The palms, in particular, can be itchy in these cases because histamines tend to collect in higher numbers in the hands and the feet.

A person should speak to their doctor before stopping a prescription medication unless symptoms are severe.

5. Cirrhosis

An autoimmune disorder called primary biliary cholangitis or primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) can cause itchy, blotchy palms.

PBC affects the bile ducts that connect the liver to the stomach. Bile that travels between these two organs builds up in the liver, causing damage and scarring.

In addition to itchy palms, a person with this disorder may experience:

• blotchy palms
• nausea
• bone pain
• diarrhea
• dark urine
• jaundice

PBC is more common in women. There is no known cause.

A person with PBC can take a prescription medicine called cholestyramine (Questran) to reduce itching symptoms.

6. Nerve disorders

Sometimes nerve damage to the hands, resulting from conditions such as diabetes can cause itchy palms.

Other dysfunctions of the hand nerves can have similar effects, including carpal tunnel syndrome.

In carpal tunnel syndrome, pressure on the median nerve in the hand causes numbness, weakness, itching, and pain in the hands. The itching or discomfort will usually start in the palms and most commonly occurs at night.

If carpal tunnel syndrome is suspected, a person should see their doctor. The doctor may recommend avoiding repetitive activity or wearing a wrist brace. In extreme cases, surgery is an option to reduce pressure on the median nerves.

People often link the effects of diabetes with itchiness of the palms and feet.

One 2010 study suggested that itching is a common symptom in people with diabetes. Around 11.3 percent of the people in the study who had diabetes reported itchy skin, but only 2.9 percent of the sample without diabetes advised the same.

Diabetes can cause itchy skin in several ways:

• Diabetic neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that people with diabetes might experience, can lead to damaged nerve fibers in the hands and feet. Before this damage occurs, the body releases inflammatory chemicals called cytokines that cause itching.
• Complications of diabetes include liver and kidney failure, and both of these might cause itchy skin as a symptom.
• A person might experience an allergic reaction to a new diabetes medication, leading to increased itchiness.

If a person with diabetes experiences itchy skin, they should seek treatment as soon as possible. Irritated, itchy skin is more prone to infection, and diabetes reduces a person’s ability to fight infection if it occurs.

Share on PinterestIt is important to keep the skin on the hands moisturized, especially after washing them.

Treatments will vary based on the underlying cause of itchy palms. Some recommended treatments include:

Cool, damp cloth

Placing a cool, damp cloth onto the palms for 5 to 10 minutes can relieve the itching sensation. An ice pack may also be effective.

Topical steroids

Corticosteroids can reduce itching and redness on the palms during a flare-up. They can be bought over the counter or obtained by prescription.

Avoid using steroid creams too regularly as they can cause thinning of the skin.

Moisturize often

Moisturizing often can help reduce itching. Keeping the moisturizer in the refrigerator can make this treatment even more effective.

When itching is caused by eczema, moisturizing may be especially important after washing, or when the hands feel particularly dry.

The National Eczema Association list some recommended moisturizing products, sunscreens, and household cleaners on their website.

Mositurizers are available to purchase in supermarkets, drugstores, and online.

Ultraviolet light therapy

A person with hand eczema or severe irritation may respond to ultraviolet light therapies. Placing the hands under a special light that emits ultraviolet-A rays may help to reduce symptoms.

Share on PinterestWearing gloves will help protect the hands from chemicals and detergents.

If a person has a condition such as contact dermatitis or hand eczema, avoiding known triggers of the condition might help prevent a flare-up.

If the cause of the itching is not known, it may be worth doing a patch test before using any new lotions or creams on the hands. Apply the product to a small area of skin and leave it on overnight to make sure it does not cause a reaction.

Other steps that can prevent itchy palms include:

• Avoiding gloves made of synthetic fabrics. Cotton gloves should be gentler on the skin.
• Washing hands with lukewarm water. Avoid water that is too hot or cold.
• Using fragrance-free soaps or cleansers to wash hands.
• Applying a moisturizer immediately after drying the hands. Those with higher oil contents are more likely to lock in moisture.
• Using a moisturizer recommended by the National Eczema Society.
• Wearing protective gloves when doing chores or working with chemicals or detergents. A person can wear cotton gloves inside latex gloves to prevent irritation from the latex.
• Avoiding gel-based hand sanitizers as these often contain high concentrations of drying alcohol.

Keeping the skin moisturized and avoiding irritants can help with most causes of itchy palms.

If a person experiences itchy palms along with symptoms such as difficulty breathing, they should seek immediate medical attention. This could indicate a skin reaction that results in anaphylaxis or difficulty breathing.

If the cause of itchy palms is not known, a person should consult their doctor to find out the cause. The doctor can then recommend the best course of treatment.

Itchy forearms: Causes and treatments

Itchy forearms are not usually a cause for concern. Nonetheless, the sensation can be irritating.

The forearms may itch because of an allergic reaction. Or, the itchiness may be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as psoriasis or eczema.

The best treatment for itchy forearms depends on the cause of the discomfort. If a person is not sure of the cause, they should consider seeing a doctor.

A few common issues can cause the forearms to itch. Keep reading to learn more about the possible causes and how to treat them.

Brachioradial pruritus is a chronic condition that causes a burning sensation or itchiness on the forearms. Rarely, these sensations can extend to the neck and shoulders.

Although anyone can get brachioradial pruritus, it is most common in white, middle-aged females.

The medical community still does not know what causes this condition, but research suggests that brachioradial pruritus results either from recurring sun damage or nerve root entrapment caused by degenerative disease of the spine.

Extensive exposure sunlight in a short period can trigger the symptoms. People who live in colder climates often find relief from symptoms during cooler months, when there is less sunlight.

Brachioradial pruritis does not cause marks or blemishes on the skin. However, it can cause a person to scratch a lot, and this could lead to skin changes, such as a darkening and thickening of the skin.

Treatment

Anyone with brachioradial pruritus should limit their exposure to sunlight. Topical creams and ointments, such as those that include corticosteroids or capsaicin, may help.

A person may also benefit from oral medications, such as:

• gabapentin
• hydroxyzine (Atarax)
• amitriptyline (Elavil)
• risperidone (Risperdal)
• chlorpromazine (Largactil)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any treatments specifically for brachioradial pruritus, and doctors and researchers have yet to understand the condition fully.

As a result, anyone using a medication above for brachioradial pruritus would be doing so on an off-label basis.

Share on PinterestA person with psoriasis may experience dry, scaly, and red skin.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that results from immune dysfunction.

Psoriasis causes the body’s skin cell production to increase dramatically, creating plaques of dry, scaly, and red skin. The plaques are occasionally itchy.

Though it is most common around the knees, elbows, lower back, and scalp, it can also appear on the forearms.

Beyond the effects on the skin, psoriasis may cause pitting and other changes to the nails. Also, it can affect the joints and cause psoriatic arthritis.

Treatment

Treatment for psoriasis may involve a combination of topical creams, gels, or ointments, light therapy, and oral or injectable medications.

Some typical oral medications for psoriasis include:

• acitretin (Soriatane)
• cyclosporine (Neoral)
• methotrexate
• apremilast (Otezla)

Some typical topical treatments include:

• corticosteroids
• calcineurin inhibitors
• vitamin D analogs, such as calcipotriene (Daivonex)
• topical retinoids, such as tazarotene (Tazorac)

People should note that treating psoriasis with calcineurin inhibitors constitutes an off-label use.

Biologic drugs, or biologics, are also popular psoriasis treatments. Some options include:

• adalimumab (Humira)
• secukinumab (Cosentyx)
• ixekizumab (Taltz)
• ustekinumab (Stelara)

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that causes red, itchy skin.

If a person scratches the affected skin, it thickens, becomes redder, and may become more itchy.

Eczema is not contagious and can last for a long time. People with eczema may also experience asthma and hay fever.

Researchers have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of eczema. However, they believe that it may be connected to environmental and genetic factors.

Treatment

A person can often relieve some eczema symptoms by:

• using gentle soaps
• limiting the length of showers and baths
• bathing in cool or warm water
• gently patting the skin dry after bathing, then applying a moisturizer
• moisturizing the skin regularly

However, topical steroids are the foundation of eczema care. Other treatments include light therapy, oral immunosuppressants, and an injectable medication called dupilumab (Dupixent).

Contact dermatitis causes an itchy, swollen, red rash to form on the skin. It may be:

• irritant contact dermatitis, when it results from contact with an irritant
• allergic contact dermatitis, when the rash is a reaction to an allergen

The irritant may be water, if a person washes their hands too often, for example.

Poison ivy is an example of allergic contact dermatitis. Depending on the cause, allergic contact dermatitis can clear up within 1–3 weeks, if the person has avoided contact with the allergen.

Some additional symptoms may include:

• blisters
• dry skin
• a burning or itching sensation
• cracked skin

Treatment

If a person has allergic contact dermatitis, they should identify the allergen and prevent further exposure. The primary treatments are topical steroids and avoidance of the allergen.

Treating irritant contact dermatitis involves avoiding the irritant, treating the inflammation with topical steroids, and repairing the skin barrier with another topical product, such as a petroleum jelly-based ointment.

Some people find oral medication helpful as well, including:

• antihistamines, for their sleep-inducing effects
• corticosteroids
• antibiotics, if an infection has resulted from broken skin on the rash

Share on PinterestA person should seek medical assistance if they experience confusion or difficulty breathing.

The cause of itchy forearms is rarely severe.

However, if a person experiences any of the following symptoms, they should seek emergency medical treatment because they may be experiencing a severe allergic reaction.

Symptoms to watch for include:

• swelling of the face or throat
• confusion
• difficulty breathing

A person may also want to see their doctor if they do not know the cause of the itchiness. A doctor can diagnose the issue and help determine the best course of treatment.

Read more about rashes and 57 possible causes.

Itchy forearms are not typically a cause for concern unless they are accompanied by symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.

If a person experiences swelling of the face or throat, confusion, or difficulty breathing, they should seek emergency medical aid. A less severe allergic reaction may cause hives on the skin.

A variety of treatments — including topical creams and ointments, oral medications, and changes to skin care — can help with forearm itchiness. The best course of treatment will depend on the underlying cause.

If the itchiness does not go away or the cause is unclear, consult a doctor, who can advise about the next steps.

Skin itching as a symptom of diseases of internal organs and skin

Types of itching

In the literature, the term “itch” is understood as a sensation that causes a purposeful scratching reflex. In the scientific literature, itching is also referred to by the term "pruritus" (from the Latin prūrio - to scratch). Often, this phenomenon is one of the first symptoms of not only skin, but also internal diseases, diseases of the nervous system, hormonal disorders, and even tumors. That is why itching is currently regarded as an "interdisciplinary symptom" and in some cases even isolated as a separate disease.

Allocate general (generalized) and local (localized) pruritus. Acute generalized - more often it is a consequence of food, drug allergies, reactions to cold, heat, etc. Often, generalized pruritus is a symptom of serious illnesses: diabetes mellitus, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, malignant neoplasms, etc.

Localized itching occurs most often in the scalp and anogenital zone and is paroxysmal in nature. The reasons for the development of this phenomenon in the anal region, as a rule, are considered chronic inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs, infections, incl. helminthic invasions, etc. Long-term sensations are often complicated by the development of a bacterial infection, candidiasis. Localized itching is also observed in the area of ​​rashes in various skin diseases: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, etc.

Frequency of pruritus in skin and systemic diseases

Itching that persists for more than 6 weeks is defined as chronic. Its frequency among the adult population is, according to studies, 8-9%. Chronic phenomena are observed in various skin diseases (atopic dermatitis / neurodermatitis, eczema, prurigo, psoriasis, etc.) and systemic diseases.

Itching in various skin diseases

Mechanism of pruritus development

Mechanisms of pruritus development in chronic kidney disease are not fully understood. The role of metabolic disorders is assumed, as well as the involvement of opioid receptors in the process and increased dryness of the skin. Itching develops, as a rule, after 2-3 months. after the start of hemodialysis, in 25-50% of cases it is generalized, in other cases it is localized. As a rule, itching is most pronounced in the back and face.

In diseases of the liver, itching is a very common symptom (observed in 80% of cases of cirrhosis of the liver, in 15% of all cases of viral hepatitis C). As a rule, it begins in the area of ​​​​the palms and soles, as well as in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bfriction of clothing. It is characterized by its intensification at night. Over time, itching takes on a generalized character, while scratching the skin brings almost no relief.

In case of endocrine pathology, such as diabetes mellitus and hyperfunction of the parathyroid glands, itching may be accompanied by a burning sensation, stinging, “crawling”. The lack of vitamin D, minerals, iron also in some cases leads to the development of this phenomenon. With iron deficiency, “aquagenic itching” (on contact with water) is often observed. As a rule, the restoration of normal levels of iron and minerals leads to the disappearance of any sensations within 2 weeks from the start of therapy.

Itching can be one of the symptoms of tumors and blood diseases. As possible mechanisms of its occurrence, toxic effects, allergic reactions to tumor components, as well as a direct irritant effect on the nerves and the brain (in case of brain tumors) are assumed.

Systemic diseases that may be accompanied by itching

• Metabolic and endocrinological disorders: chronic renal failure, liver disease, diseases of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, iron deficiency.
• Infectious diseases: HIV infection, parasitosis and helminthic infestations.
• Blood diseases: polycythemia vera, myelodysplastic syndrome, lymphoma.
• Neurological diseases: multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, tumors of the brain and spinal cord, postherpetic neuralgia.
• Psychosomatic and psychiatric disorders: depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorders.

Is your skin red and itchy?

Komsomolskaya Pravda

Medical On Group. Delicate question: Dermatology

March 31, 2012 23:00

Dermatologist's advice to patients diagnosed with neurodermatitis

We were inspired to write this article by a letter that came to us:

“Hello. For a year now, I have been worried about a terrible skin itch, which appeared after severe stress. If any part of the skin comes into contact with something, it immediately turns red and itches. And if you scratch, then spots with small pimples appear, which then become whole wounds. Itching is especially evident when I go to bed. When I undress, the clothes rub against the body and away we go .... what could it be? Is it contagious? Help, I can't do this anymore! What means to accept? Waiting for your reply. Thanks in advance!"

Itching on any part of the body is indeed a very unpleasant sensation and causes considerable inconvenience to a person. Usually, itching is the response of the body to remove the irritant from the surface of the skin. In other cases, itching can be a symptom of certain diseases. There are many reasons for itchy skin. Severe persistent itching can cause thinning of the skin, its damage in the form of scratches and cracks, as well as inflammation, in case of infection. Treatment for itching depends on the underlying cause. Itching is diagnosed by dermatologists. A number of skin diseases, one of the manifestations of which is itching, the science of dermatology has combined into a group of "itchy dermatitis". It's scabies, urticaria, pruritus, contact or atypical dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and many others. But the most common cause of itching is neurodermatitis .

We asked dermatovenereologist Sergey Valeryevich Shavelsky (Medical On Group International Medical Center - Nizhny Novgorod) to tell us about this disease and methods of its treatment.

– Sergey Valeryevich, let's start with the most important thing - what is neurodermatitis and what symptoms can be used to recognize the disease?

Neurodermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of neurogenic-allergic origin. The disease begins with severe itching , which increases in the evening or at night. Lesions on the skin remain visually normal for a long time, after some time redness appears in these places. Due to constant scratching, the skin becomes dry and rough. It thickens and thickens, small, flat nodular rashes appear, consisting of smaller cone-shaped papules and prone to confluence. The lesions are mostly oval in shape. Hemorrhagic crusts form on scratches from scratching, which can lead to infection of the skin. Basic a sign of neurodermatitis - the natural skin pattern clearly appears on the affected areas.