Why Does Itching Intensify When Scratching?

The common symptom of skin itching is a sensation of prickling or irritation all over the body that becomes worse with scratching. There are many reasons for skin itching, which may be related to the season. For instance, during autumn and winter, the weather is relatively dry. If skin care is not taken seriously, this symptom is likely to occur. It may also be related to inflammation and allergies. To determine the specific cause, it is necessary to visit a hospital for a diagnosis and then use anti-itch creams prescribed by a doctor for treatment.

1. Dry Skin: It is one of the main causes of itching throughout the body. As people age, the sebaceous glands gradually deteriorate, often leading to reduced skin moisture retention ability in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Mild cases may manifest as dry and flaky skin, while severe cases may result in cracking and bleeding, especially in the lower limbs. Dryness itself can cause discomfort and itching, which is more common in winter due to the cold climate. To avoid irritation caused by dryness, one should avoid using excessively hot water.

2. Neurodermatitis: It often occurs on the back of the neck or its sides, forearms, thighs, and calves. It appears in patches, often with a light red or brownish hue. Severe itching is its primary symptom. It may be related to excessive mental stress, excitement, impatience, and changes in the living environment. Local irritation, allergies, and a diet high in spicy and stimulating foods may also contribute to the development of neurodermatitis.

3. Chronic Renal Insufficiency: In patients with chronic kidney disease, especially in the later stages (uremia), metabolites such as urea and uric acid accumulate in the blood due to their inability to be excreted. These metabolites are then excreted through sweat, leading to persistent and intolerable itching throughout the body.

4. Hepatobiliary Diseases: Itching associated with liver disease often occurs in conditions such as liver cirrhosis, gallstones, and biliary tumors. Bile stagnation can increase the concentration of bile salts in the blood, leading to the deposition of histamine in the skin and causing itching. In biliary cirrhosis, itching is often one of the earliest symptoms to appear.