Most people will experience itchy skin at some point in their lives. While the cause may not always be clear, there are a few common culprits and inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, that may cause skin to itch, blister, and become swollen and painful. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes of itchy skin:

1. Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
Eczema is a common skin condition. The word ‘eczema’ is a broad term that covers several different skin conditions, all of which cause the skin to become inflamed and itchy. The main problem for anyone suffering from eczema is that they experience dry, sensitive, and intensely itchy skin. It’s commonly thought that eczema is caused by a defect in the skin barrier, allowing irritants and allergens to cause inflammation. Eczema can affect people of any age, but it’s most common in children and also affects more women than men. Once you have a history of eczema in your family, you could be genetically predisposed to developing the condition yourself.

2. Psoriasis
This is a chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly patches to form on the skin. It’s estimated that around 2% of the world’s population suffers from the condition, and it can cause a great deal of physical and emotional distress. There are different types of the condition, including tremfya plaque psoriasis, ponesimod psoriasis, and stelara pediatric psoriasis. The condition has been linked to other psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression. In addition, having this condition can sometimes increase your risk of developing other health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

3. Allergies
Allergies are one of the most common causes of itchy skin. When you have an allergy, your immune system reacts to a substance (allergen) that it perceives as harmful. This can cause a range of symptoms, including itchy skin. Allergens can come from many different sources, such as dust mites, pollen, pet fur, or even certain foods. Even the environment around you can be a cause of allergy-related itchy skin. Allergies are very common, and it’s estimated that around 1 in 5 people suffers from them.

4. Vitamin D deficiency
A lack of vitamin D is becoming an increasingly common problem, particularly in developed countries. A lack of vitamin D can cause several health problems, including itchy skin. This is because vitamin D plays an important role in regulating the immune system. If you’re experiencing itchy skin and think you may be deficient in vitamin D, it’s worth visiting your doctor to get your levels tested.

5. Scabies
This is a very contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites. The main symptom of the skin condition is intense itching, particularly at night. The best way to tell if you have it is to look for bites created by the mites in your skin. However, these may be difficult to see, so if you suspect you have scabies a doctor may perform a procedure to look for the mites under the microscope.

6. Insect Bites or Parasites
Insect bites or parasites are another common cause of itchy skin. Insect bites can cause an allergic reaction to proteins in the saliva of insects such as mosquitoes. It can be difficult to know if an insect has bitten you, especially if the bit doesn’t leave a mark or isn’t itchy immediately. A mosquito bite, for example, may only start to itch a few hours after being bitten. Parasites like scabies can also cause intense itching.