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Whole-body itching, and scratching makes it worse – what's the reason?

Mar 20, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
With aging, the sebaceous glands in the skin experience reduced secretory function. Combined with environmental dryness, frequent bathing, and other factors, skin moisture is lost more rapidly, leading to dryness and itching. It is advisable to reduce the frequency of bathing and avoid using excessively hot water or strongly alkaline soaps. Long-term mental stress can cause the release of certain neurotransmitters from nerve endings, which may stimulate the skin's sensory nerves.

Generalized itching that worsens with scratching may be caused by dry skin, mental stress, eczema, urticaria, diabetes, or other factors. Management should be based on the specific situation. It is recommended to visit a hospital promptly and follow medical advice for treatment.

1. Dry skin: With aging, the sebaceous glands in the skin experience reduced secretory function. Combined with dry environments and frequent bathing, skin moisture is lost rapidly, causing dryness and itching. Daily routines should include reducing the frequency of bathing, avoiding excessively hot water, and steering clear of strongly alkaline soaps.

2. Mental stress: Long-term mental tension can cause nerve endings to release certain neurotransmitters that stimulate skin sensory nerves, producing a sensation of itching. The more tense or anxious a person feels, the more pronounced the itching becomes. Relaxation techniques such as listening to music, meditation, and yoga can help relieve stress and divert attention. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule and avoiding late nights can also help alleviate psychosomatic itching.

3. Eczema: This skin inflammation is caused by various internal and external factors, such as allergen exposure, genetic predisposition, and immune dysfunction. Symptoms may include redness, papules, and blisters on the skin, accompanied by intense itching. Scratching may lead to oozing and crusting. Under a doctor's guidance, patients can use medications such as zinc oxide ointment, desonide cream, and loratadine tablets to relieve itching and inflammation and improve symptoms.

4. Urticaria: Often triggered by food or drug allergies, infections, or other factors, this condition may cause skin welts of varying sizes accompanied by itching. Scratching may cause welts to enlarge and merge. It is recommended to use medications such as cetirizine tablets, ebastine tablets, and calamine lotion under medical supervision to alleviate discomfort.

5. Diabetes: Poor long-term control of blood sugar levels can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which may cause abnormal sensations in the skin's nerve endings, resulting in itching. Scratching may exacerbate the symptoms. Patients may also experience symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, and weight loss. It is recommended to follow medical advice to use medications such as metformin tablets, gliclazide tablets, and mecobalamin tablets to improve symptoms.

In daily life, it is advisable to apply moisturizing lotion promptly after bathing to retain skin moisture and relieve itching.

References:

[1] Shangguan Gui-zhen, Chen Qiao-lian. Effect of personalized intervention services on urticaria and its impact on sleep quality [J]. World Journal of Sleep Medicine, 2024, 11(12): 2824-2826+2830.

[2] Dou Yi, Zhang Jun. Clinical efficacy of Qingli Decoction combined with fluticasone propionate cream in the treatment of chronic eczema [J]. Modern Medicine and Health Research Electronic Journal, 2025, 9(04): 107-109.

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