
Why are my hands so itchy?
Disease description:
My hands have been very itchy for the past two days, and I keep wanting to scratch them. What could be causing this itchiness?

Itchy hands are often caused by multiple factors, including allergic reactions to external contact substances, irritation from chemical detergents, dry skin, and fungal infections. Specifically, prolonged contact of the hands with hot water, soap, laundry detergent, or certain foods such as the sticky surface mucus of taro and yam—often encountered in specific occupations—can trigger allergic inflammation or contact dermatitis of the hands, manifesting as itching. Additionally, hand itchiness is commonly caused by fungal infections (tinea manuum), which are accompanied by symptoms such as scaling, redness, and blisters. Climatic factors, such as dry skin during autumn and winter, or skin dryness caused by frequent hand washing, can also lead to itchy hands. To relieve hand itchiness, it is recommended to identify and avoid allergens, maintain hand skin hydration, and seek medical treatment for antifungal or anti-allergy therapy when necessary.