Why does my skin feel itchy?

Itchy skin can be irritating and annoying, especially when you cannot pinpoint the cause. One day, you might feel fine, the next you are ceaselessly scratching your arms, legs and body.

Here are a few common reasons for itchy skin, and how to get relief:

Itching all over is an indication of dry, dehydrated skin. The lack of enough sebum (an oily and waxy material produced by the body’s sebaceous glands) and natural oils causes the skin to become dry.

When the skin’s barrier is damaged receptors in the skin respond by changing the type of signal being sent, resulting in the sensation of itchiness.

The solution: Rinse your skin with a gentle body wash to remove any irritants. Afterwards, apply a soothing moisturising lotion or oil, which will help your skin retain moisture.

More importantly, focus on moisturising from the inside out. Make sure to drink around eight glasses of water per day and eat a healthy, balanced diet. It is also important to steer clear of hot showers – they strip your skin of natural oils and irritate it.

If you feel itchy after spending lots of time outdoors, it is possible your skin is recovering from a sunburn. Skin that has been sunburned is dry and tight, which can cause itching.

Sunburn causes your skin to become irritated and itchy by releasing inflammatory cytokines, messengers that make your skin have uncomfortable itching sensations.

The solution: Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day. This will prevent your skin from further sun damage. To treat sunburns, apply an aloe vera lotion. You can also cut a fresh aloe vera leaf and apply the juice and rinse off after 10 minutes.

While your sun is healing, take care to stay out of direct sunlight. Wear clothes that cover your arms, chest, and legs. It is also a good idea to wear a hat and sunglasses whenever you need to go outside.

If you notice itchiness after a long workout session at the gym or spending time outdoors, sweat may be the culprit. Sweating, especially when it is more than usual has been linked to acute itching or even hives. Luckily, this phenomenon is quite rare.

Combined with water contact, perspiration – such as while showering, swimming, or simply getting caught in the rain, can cause itching skin, a condition known as aquagenic urticaria. This is an immune-related histamine reaction that causes hives to appear on your skin after it comes into contact with water.

You may also have another immune reaction known as cholinergic urticaria – where the skin breaks out in hives due to the body’s fight or flight response. This can sometimes happen when your body temperature increases - such as during exercise or being outdoors in the sun.

The solution: Work with a dermatologist to determine if this is the cause of your itchiness. That said, you can prevent sweat-related itchiness by wearing a strong antiperspirant and showering daily.

Another possible culprit for your itchy skin could be a new skincare product. It could be a new cleanser, lotion, sunscreen, or even the detergent you are using on your clothes and bedsheets.

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen. The body responds by releasing an inflammatory response that can irritate and itch the skin.

If you suspect one of your products might be to blame, track when the itching begins. Is it triggered by the application of a new body lotion or a spritz of perfume? You can easily stop the itching at the source once you identify the right product.

The solution: Always perform a skin patch test before using a new product all over your delicate facial skin or body. For facial products, you can apply the new product to the underside of your jaw.

For body products, apply on the upper arm. If you cannot pinpoint, which product might be the problem, consult your dermatologist for an allergy test.

Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can also cause itching. Eczema is an inflammatory response that compromises the skin barrier and causes itchy skin. Eczema can be triggered by a variety of topical triggers, as well as lifestyle causes like stress and food sensitivities.

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes a build-up of skin cells. When skin cells do not shed, they form thick plaques that can be itchy, painful, and may even become infected.

The solution: These skin conditions can be managed with prescription medication, healthy diet choices, and stress-relieving measures.