To diagnose neuropathic itch from stroke, your doctor may run tests and do a comprehensive physical exam. Diagnosis may be challenging, as your doctor has to rule out other causes for your symptoms.
Diabetes makes it more difficult for the body to produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Itchy skin without a rash is common in people with diabetes, and it often affects the lower limbs. If you have diabetes, you can help relieve itching by keeping your blood sugar in target range as much as possible.
This includes treating diabetes with medication and lifestyle changes, as well as moisturizing the skin and using anti-itch creams. Itching from shingles often occurs 1 to 5 days before you notice a blistering rash on your body. This happens because the shingles virus kills off some of your sensory neurons. Sometimes nerves become pinched or compressed due to injuries, osteoporosis , or excess weight that shifts bones or muscles directly onto a nerve.
Treating the underlying cause of your pinched nerve through physical therapy, surgery, or lifestyle changes can help relieve pressure on your pinched nerve and any itchiness that results. There are a number of medications your doctor can prescribe for this kind of itch. Typically, they are the same categories of medications that treat neuropathic pain, seizures, and depression, such as some classes of opioids and antidepressants.
The itch can feel stronger after you bathe or drink alcohol. In rare cases, itchy skin without a rash is a sign of other cancers. Other types of cancers affecting the skin, such as melanoma , commonly cause itching. This itchiness most often occurs on the legs and chest. Usually, this itching resolves with cancer treatment such as chemotherapy. In some cases, cancer treatments may also cause itchiness without a rash.
Itchiness with other cancer treatments may be a sign of an allergy to a specific drug. Certain mental health conditions may cause itchy skin without a rash. Anxiety and depression are often linked to random pain and itching without a rash, while people with psychosis and obsessive compulsive disorder OCD may feel like their skin is itching.
Courses of treatment can include talk therapy , medication, and lifestyle changes. Itchiness with or without a rash is a common symptom in people living with HIV.
Treating any skin conditions and taking sedating antihistamines may also reduce itching. In some people, phototherapy exposing the skin to light may also help reduce itchiness. If your doctor is unable to identify any underlying medical issues that could be a cause, they may refer you to a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in skin disorders. While the most effective way to stop your itchy skin is to address the underlying cause, certain home remedies may provide you with instant, short-term itch relief.
You can connect with a dermatologist in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool. It often occurs along with a rash and has a clear cause, such as an insect bite or sting or a sunburn. This type of itchiness usually goes away on its own. However, sometimes skin may itch without a rash. In these cases, an underlying condition could be the cause.
It could be something as simple as dry skin or as serious as cancer. Medical treatment for your condition, home remedies, or both can help ease your itching. Itchy skin at night, called nocturnal pruritus, can regularly keep you from getting a good night's sleep.
There are a number of reasons you might…. Dry skin is an uncomfortable condition, marked by scaling, itching, and cracking.
It can occur for a variety of reasons. Meanwhile, production of corticosteroids — hormones that reduce inflammation — slows. On top of these factors, your skin loses more water at night. As you might have noticed during the dry winter months, parched skin itches. When itchiness hits during the day, work and other activities distract you from the annoying sensation. At night there are fewer distractions, which can make the itch feel even more intense.
These include:. If a condition like a nerve disorder or restless legs syndrome is causing the itch, see your doctor to get it treated.
To treat nighttime itch yourself, you can try an over-the-counter or prescription medicine. Some of these medicines relieve just the itch. Others help you sleep. A few do both. To help you sleep, you could try melatonin. This natural hormone helps regulate sleep.
When you take it nightly, it has a sedative effect that can help you sleep through the itch. If stress aggravates your skin, try techniques like meditation, yoga, or progressive muscle relaxation to calm your mind. You can also meet with a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy CBT. This program helps reverse some of the harmful thoughts and actions that aggravate your stress. It can cause a lot of discomfort and may even become a….
Conditions that increase sweating should be avoided, and an air-conditioned environment is ideal. People should avoid overdressing and using thick ointments. Once the rash develops, corticosteroid creams or lotions can be used, sometimes with a bit of menthol added.
However, these treatments are not as effective as keeping the skin cool and dry. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Merck Manual was first published in as a service to the community. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge.
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