itching Archives - Healthhype

Itchy Stomach (Abdomen) Causes, Treatment, Prevention

Dr. Chris — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 23:47:46 +0000

The abdomen is often referred to as the stomach although the stomach is technically a digestive organ in the upper part of the abdominal cavity. Like any part of the body, the skin over the abdomen may be itchy at times, either with or without a rash. This itching can occur for various reasons and is usually not a problem unless it is severe, intensifying and persistent, especially if there is a rash that is present. Why does the stomach itch? Itch receptors are present on the skin surface and internal organs do not experience any itching sensations. Itching is believed to be a mechanism to alert the body of an impending danger. When we scratch an area, we may then remove the physically remove the threat or at least become aware of the potential for tissue damage. This is a normal protective mechanism. However, sometimes itching occurs when the skin is irritated or inflamed. Depending on the underlying cause, the itching can persist and not ease with scratching. In some cases, a person may experience such intense itching that vigorous scratching damages the skin and even causes bleeding. Itching is a symptom of a disease and the underlying disease [...]

The post Itchy Stomach (Abdomen) Causes, Treatment, Prevention appeared first on Healthhype.

Itching After Bathing or Shower – Causes, Prevention, Remedies

Dr. Chris — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 23:17:27 +0000

It is not uncommon to experience a bout of itching after bathing. It may last a short period of time and we often do not give it much thought thereafter. However, for some people itching after a shower or any other bath can persist for hours but then subsides. For others the itching may be due to some underlying disease and is therefore constantly present but may worsen after bathing. Understanding why itching may occur after bathing is important to prevent it and find remedies to ease the itching quickly once it starts up. Itching and Triggers Itching is the body’s response to irritants on the skin surface. Studies have found that itching is due to stimulation of a different type of receptor from those that detect temperature, touch and tissue damage (pain). Just like pain an itch is a warning signal at times and may prompt the body to remove the irritant before it does damage. For example, a tiny insect crawling on the skin may feel itchy and scratching may remove the insect from the skin surface even if it is not visible. However, there are times when itching is triggered by various substances and alterations that are [...]

The post Itching After Bathing or Shower – Causes, Prevention, Remedies appeared first on Healthhype.

Morning Itch – Causes of Scratching When Waking Up

Dr. Chris — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:32:31 +0000

Waking up in the morning and scratching our head, buttocks or other areas is a common practice among most people but the reason why we do this is unclear. It could be to attend to itching that we did not notice while we were asleep, or there may be an even more complex evolutionary reason where we attempted to remove any insects or toxic plant material that may have adhered to the body while sleeping. Irrespective of the cause, scratching a few areas of the body for a few seconds is not uncommon or abnormal. However, when there is significant itching upon waking in the morning then it needs to be investigate from a medical perspective. It may be isolated to one part of the body or there may be itching throughout the body which is known as generalized pruritus. Why do we scratch? We scratch an area when we feel it itchy. Sometimes a burning sensation or even pain may prompt us to scratch but usually we rub an area when these sensations are experienced. Itching signifies discomfort in an area that is different from pain. It arises with stimulation of itch receptors which can detect the presence of [...]

The post Morning Itch – Causes of Scratching When Waking Up appeared first on Healthhype.

Bedtime Itching – Causes and Other Symptoms

Dr. Chris — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 17:15:05 +0000

Itching may occur at any time of the day and is not always caused by a skin disease. We all experience itching every now and then. It may be due to dry skin or minor skin irritation and it is quickly relieved by light scratching. Itching in these cases is not a cause for concern. However, when itching is persistent or recurrent then it needs to be investigated, particularly if these is a skin rash present. Sometimes itching may occur with specific events that would otherwise not be considered as a trigger for itching, such as itching when in bed. There may be reasons why bedtime itching occurs and it can be easily alleviated with minor changes. Itching When In Bed As stated, itching may be linked to skin diseases. It is a common symptoms associated with most skin conditions, such as eczema, contact dermatitis and psoriasis. In these cases the skin is irritated, inflamed or damaged and the barrier function of the skin is compromised. Bedtime itching in these cases will occur for several reasons, such as the fabric of bedding making contact with the affected skin. However, when bedtime itching occurs without any skin disease then several factors [...]

The post Bedtime Itching – Causes and Other Symptoms appeared first on Healthhype.