Why does my whole body itch in different places in the evening and at night?

“Why do I itch when I go to bed?” Doctors hear a similar question quite often, because itching at night is a common phenomenon, the causes of which are hidden behind a variety of conditions occurring both inside and around the human body. Unpleasant sensations are almost always accompanied by sleep disorders, increased nervous excitability and damage to the integrity of the skin caused by constant scratching.

Remember, if you have itchy hands or itchy sensations on your back or other parts of the body, you should not put off visiting a doctor. Only timely diagnosis with determination of the causes of the disease and high-quality treatment will allow a person to get rid of such discomfort and significantly improve their well-being.

Causes of itching at night

Among the factors that can cause itching sensations that worsen at night, the most common are:

• scabies;
• insect bites;
• allergy;
• skin diseases;
• dry skin;
• psychological factors;
• diseases of internal organs;
• insect bites.

Let's look at each reason in more detail.

Scabies

When it comes to regular or constant itching that gets worse at night, the first thing to rule out is scabies, since this disease is contagious.
The intensity and increase in discomfort is associated with the activation of parasites that cause scabies, namely the scabies mite. Initially, when affected by mites, no rashes are visible on the skin; they appear later, since the incubation period takes about 6 weeks.

Insect bites and parasite activity

Mosquitoes and other blood-sucking creatures cause the formation of papules on the surface of the skin, which begin to itch unbearably almost immediately after the bite.
This effect is associated with the entry into tissues of saliva, which contains a number of irritating components or even poisons and toxins. Mosquitoes, bedbugs and fleas are most active at night, so increased itching at this time is not surprising. The bite sites are clearly visible on the skin; most often, insects attack those areas of the skin that were not covered during sleep.

In addition to insects, night sleep is disrupted by parasites that live in the intestines. It is at night that they come out to lay eggs in the folds of the anus. This process causes severe itching around the anus.

Allergic manifestations

Perhaps this is the most common reason that the skin itches intensely in various places at night.
The symptom occurs upon contact with an irritant. The allergen may be present in tissues that come into contact with the skin (clothing, bedding). In addition, a similar reaction can be caused by washing powder that is poorly rinsed during washing. In addition, itching may appear after water procedures carried out immediately before bed if detergents (shower gel, hair shampoo, toilet soap) containing components that irritate the skin were used.

Of course, the same remedies are used in the morning, but during this period the symptoms are less pronounced and there are much more distractions. In the evening, the friction of the skin on clothes and bedding increases when a person tries to sleep, and the slightest discomfort will not go unnoticed.

Skin diseases

Dermatoses of various etiologies (including herpes zoster or psoriatic rashes) are often accompanied by itching; the skin itches especially severely at night and in the evenings.

Xerosis

When the muscles located in the blood vessels of the skin relax, the itching intensifies, caused by excessive dryness of the skin. It can be caused by seasonal cold snaps, high bath water temperatures, aggressive detergents, or exposure to direct sunlight.

Psychological factors

During periods of severe stress and emotional overstrain, as well as due to disorders and disturbances in the functionality of the nervous system, itching may occur, which has a psychogenic etiology. During the daytime, skin irritation is minor, but in the evening attacks of scratching become worse due to increased skin contact with clothing and bedding and the lack of distractions.

Diseases of internal organs

The next set of factors that can cause the body to itch at night are diseases of various organs. More often than others, this symptom manifests itself when a malfunction of the endocrine system occurs. Thyroid dysfunction is accompanied by discomfort and itching, which affects the entire body and intensifies at night.

Another insidious disease that causes an unpleasant symptom is diabetes mellitus of the first and second types. Moreover, this manifestation usually precedes all other specific signs characteristic of diabetes.

This condition can be caused by liver dysfunction, in particular jaundice. The fact is that with this disease, bilirubin accumulates in the skin - a specific pigment that irritates nerve endings and leads to itching sensations that are not accompanied by visible rashes.

The variety of causes of night itching necessitates an examination to determine the etiology of the pathological condition.

Types of itching

Patients seek medical help with the complaint: “What should I do if I itch before bed, and what does this mean?” Itching is not a disease, but only a sign of it and most often indicates disturbances in organs and systems or the presence of an allergic agent.

My back itches

According to the prevalence, itching is divided into:

1. Localized. Individual parts of the body itch, for example, legs before going to bed.
2. Generalized. In case the whole body itches.

The body or a separate part of it can itch constantly or periodically before going to bed or during the night's rest. Sometimes a person wakes up from scratching his skin in a dream. The consequences of such movements are the appearance of scratching, micro-abrasions and injuries, which are dangerous due to the rapid addition of a bacterial infection.

Causes:

1. allergic reaction;
2. dermatopathies;
3. insect bites;
4. diseases of internal organs.

To understand the mechanism of itching and burning, it is necessary to consider each factor separately in detail.

Causes of itchy body skin

To get rid of discomfort, it is necessary to find out why it arose. There are many reasons for itchy body skin. It is caused by skin diseases, problems with internal organs, or even a certain emotional state. Regardless of why the skin of the body itches, this condition must be eliminated. It is worth taking a closer look at the most common factors that provoke it.

Causes of itching all over the body without rashes

A very common occurrence. The following causes of itching all over the body without rashes may be noted:

• chronic renal failure;
• old age (as we get older, the skin becomes drier, so itching may occur);
• development of liver diseases;
• pregnancy;
• mental disorders;
• pancreatic head cancer;
• blood diseases;
• blocking of the duodenal opening by a neoplasm;
• infectious invasions;
• diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders (very common causes of itchy body skin without a rash);
• stress;
• a side effect of taking a drug.

Causes of severe itching all over the body

Sometimes the irritation is simply unbearable. The causes of severe itching all over the body are:

• allergies (usually atopic dermatitis, urticaria);
• stress (the degree of irritation varies from mild and unnoticeable to very strong, causing uncontrolled scratching of the skin);
• seasonal weakening of the body (especially in people with vegetative-vascular dystonia);
• lymphogranulomatosis;
• kidney disease;
• Hodgkin's lymphoma;
• multiple sclerosis;
• erythremia.

Rash and itching on the body in an adult

The most common, but far from the only cause of such symptoms is allergies. In general, the factors that provoke rash and itching on the body in an adult are divided into infectious and non-infectious. Each group requires detailed consideration. Infectious causes of skin itching with rash:

1. Syphilis. In the second stage of the disease, the body becomes covered with spots, and in the third - a small rash similar to a nettle lesion. The route of transmission is sexual.
2. Lichen. Absolutely all types of rashes are characteristic of such skin lesions. Always accompanied by itching and irritation.
3. Herpes. It most often appears on the face, but can also be located in other areas. It starts with a spot of redness that you want to scratch unbearably, then in its place small bubbles with water inside appear, then crusts.
4. Rubrophytia. A fungus that affects the feet.
5. Pemphigus.

Non-infectious reasons why the skin on the body itches and a rash occurs:

• lupus erythematosus or systemic lupus;
• seborrheic dermatitis (affects areas of the body where there are many sebaceous glands);
• hives;
• psoriasis (at first the rash does not itch, but later leads to severe discomfort);
• Diaper rash.

Subcutaneous itching

This phenomenon does not occur as often as others, but it causes a lot of inconvenience for both adults and children. Subcutaneous itching begins due to:

• allergic reactions;
• mental disorders;
• neurodermatitis (this disease is caused by stress);
• problems with the digestive system;
• fungi;
• parasitic infestations.

Causes of dry and itchy body skin

These two states are closely interrelated. The main causes of dry and itchy body skin are aging and dehydration. The cells gradually become less elastic than before. In addition, dry itchy skin occurs when:

Treatment

Until the cause is determined, you can use some harmless methods:

1. Use moisturizing creams after baths and sauna procedures to relieve dry skin.
2. Humidify the air in the room. For example, place a container of water or a special humidifier.
3. If pathology occurs after wearing clothes, you need to remove them from your wardrobe. Also observe the body’s reaction after washing things with one or another powder. If the previously described reaction occurs, use another synthetic product or wash with laundry soap.
4. Select care products according to your skin type. Itching on the skin is a manifestation of an allergic reaction.
5. Do not scratch, but apply a moistened cotton swab in cold water or herbal decoction.

After making a diagnosis, the therapist will prescribe a medicine whose action will be aimed at the root of the problem, and not mask it.

Treating itchy skin that occurs at night

The rationality of treating skin irritation will be if you begin to treat the main reason for which itching occurs on the body.

When itching occurs as a result of an allergy, it is important to avoid contact with the allergen and start using antihistamines (Suprastin, Erius, etc.). If the reason lies in a malfunction of the internal organs, you should visit specific specialists to choose the right treatment

If you have diabetes, you need to start taking medications that lower blood sugar levels as soon as possible. This is necessary to ensure that the disease does not progress rapidly and lead to undesirable consequences.

If the reason lies in a malfunction of the internal organs, you should visit specific specialists to choose the right treatment. If you have diabetes, you need to start taking medications that lower blood sugar levels as soon as possible. This is necessary so that the disease does not progress quickly and lead to undesirable consequences.

Skin parasites can be gotten rid of with the help of medications, as well as disinfection of bed linen and clothing.

Traditional ways to relieve itching

You can relieve the symptoms of itching yourself at home:

1. Soda paste. The remedy is effective especially after mosquito bites and allergies. It prepares very quickly, you just need to dissolve a little baking soda in boiled water. Apply to the itchy area of ​​skin and leave for 30 minutes. Symptom relief occurs after 5 minutes and the effect lasts up to 6 hours.
2. Medicines based on table vinegar. It is enough to take 30 ml of water and pour 1 tbsp into it. l. vinegar. It is necessary to moisten a piece of cloth and apply it to the irritated area, after 10 minutes the itching stops.
3. For severe itching, you can take boric acid and add it to a tea decoction with alcohol. The product is a little more difficult to prepare, but can be used for all types of itching.
4. A good option would be to use fresh dill. You just need to crush the dill to the consistency of porridge and apply it to the affected area of ​​the skin. Twenty minutes is enough to relieve discomfort.
5. Aloe vera leaves. In addition to relieving itching, the plant is good at relieving inflammation and possible suppuration during scratching. The cut leaves are soaked in cold water, cut and applied to the itching area. You can repeat the procedure several times.

Diagnostics

First, the specialist collects anamnesis and, at the same time, asks the patient how long itching occurs before bed, what medications were taken the day before, etc. Based on the information received, he prescribes diagnostic measures. They depend on what symptoms are bothering you.

Analyzes

Donating blood and stool can determine the presence of parasites. To determine glucose levels, hormone tests are prescribed. The last option is necessary to confirm or refute diabetes mellitus.

Allergen tests

In medical language, this is called allergy tests. They are applied to the skin or injected under the skin. If the result is positive, then it is just an allergic reaction to one or another pathogen. A specialist may take blood for analysis. When detecting immunoglobulins “E” and “G”. These are antibodies formed after an allergen enters the bloodstream.

To determine the presence of parasites, a scraping is taken from the anus. To analyze the functioning of internal organs, MRI, CT or ultrasound is prescribed.

Senile itching in the back

When old age comes, people begin to experience various ailments associated with the aging process. They often complain of constant itching in the back. Itchy shoulders and shoulder blades, spine, sides and lower back. The itching can be in one place or another, or it can immediately cover the entire back and spread to the body. The sensations are annoying and intensifying; it is impossible to get rid of them by simply scratching.

This signal should not be ignored under any circumstances, and although it occurs as a consequence of age-related changes, and the signs are harmless, it can indicate a serious pathology of the systems.

The main differences between senile itching and other diseases

In old age, the skin on the back itches for the following reasons:

1. Parasitic microorganisms.
2. Manifestation of allergies.
3. Disturbances in nerve structures.
4. Pathologies of metabolic processes.
5. Other pathologies.
6. Tumors.
7. Actually, age-related problems bring changes.

Physiology of senile itching

First of all, this phenomenon is characterized by the fact that, despite the method of its occurrence, it is aggravated by the loss of moisture from the skin layer, which accompanies the aging process of the body and skin, among other things.

Manifestation of xerosis on the hands

Why does older people have dry and itchy skin?

As we age, skin cells, like all tissues and organs, gradually atrophy. Because of these processes, the skin begins to dry out, due to the body’s inability to fully moisturize it.

The sebaceous glands also atrophy, their activity decreases significantly, which contributes to dryness and aggravates discomfort.

Elderly itching can be caused by abnormalities in the functioning of the immune system. Since protective capabilities decrease with age, the risk of becoming infected with subcutaneous mites increases significantly. Also, in older people, the likelihood of neuralgic diseases increases. As a result, the back and the whole body begin to itch in a state of stress or emotional distress.

Signs and symptoms of demodicosis

In some episodes of senile itching, its nature, despite numerous examinations, cannot be diagnosed. Doctors examine the patient’s skin, conduct examinations of internal organs, test the functioning of systems, do tests, check the central nervous system and the functionality of the digestive system, trying to identify the cause. But sometimes the itching stops only after taking medications that eliminate the feeling of discomfort.

Causes

If the causes of itching cannot be determined visually, then it is called “itching of unknown etiology” and we begin to determine one of the possible provoking factors:

The patient has increased sensitivity. This phenomenon is observed in the case of:

1. neurasthenia;
2. states of hysteria;
3. as a consequence of previous infectious and colds;
4. for mental illness and stress.

• The man is simply too suspicious. He may just think or remember something that, in his opinion, may be causing symptoms of itching (fleas, previous illnesses, allergies) - and immediately begin to itch.
• There was contact with real irritants - plants, insects, household chemicals, rough synthetics, etc.
• An itchy patient was faced with the impact of internal irritants on the body. This is the so-called toxic itch. This happens with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the liver and bile ducts, diseases of the blood and endocrine system, obesity and hyperhidrosis.
• It is impossible not to mention the so-called “pregnancy itch”. During pregnancy, the female body undergoes significant restructuring, as a result of which, due to changes in the properties of the vaginal mucosa, a suitable environment for the proliferation of bacteria and fungi is created for some time.

Pregnant women quite often experience body itching, which is called “pregnancy itch.”
The most common diseases in which the phenomenon of skin itching is observed are:

• Neurodermatitis is a multifactorial disease of a chronic nature, most often caused by so-called neurogenic-allergic factors and manifests itself in the form of specific skin rashes. This pathological condition develops as a result of disturbances in the functioning of two systems - the immune and nervous, as well as allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis) and hereditary predisposition.
• Hives. Pale pink itchy papules with this allergic disease appear quite quickly and also disappear in just a few hours.
• Increased dryness of the skin (xerosis). Develops as a result of exposure to frequently used detergents, sun and during the natural aging process. The amount of sebaceous gland secretions decreases, which causes skin irritation, and as a result, the skin is constantly itchy.
• In diabetes, the level of glucose in the blood increases, which in turn leads to severe itching. There is no rash. Typically, the body of patients suffering from this disease is dehydrated, and this in itself is a very good reason for the development of itching of the skin. In some cases, dry skin is complicated by fungal infection and cracks.
• Scabies is caused by scabies, the itching with this disease is intense and mainly manifests itself at night.

With urticaria, small reddish papules appear on the body, which itch and soon disappear

Basic treatment for the problem

Itching that occurs at night is always very annoying and can not only disturb the peace of the affected person, but also significantly worsen his general condition. In some cases, people suffering from this scourge become depressed or, conversely, feel uncontrollable rage. That is why finding the true cause of the disease and eliminating it is very important. Although this often takes a long time, this waiting period is fully justified.

Any person knows that after eliminating the cause that provokes itching of the body without a rash or with a rash, which occurs in the dark, complete relief and peace will come. To achieve this goal, a complete diagnostic study and subsequent comprehensive treatment are necessary, which includes drug therapy accompanied by nutritional correction. The main treatment is as follows:

• In order to reduce the negative sensations that torment the patient throughout the evening and night, experts recommend taking antipruritic medications.
• If a pronounced skin rash is caused by an unspecified allergy, antihistamines, powders that should be poured directly onto the affected area, as well as creams and ointments with a cooling and moisturizing effect are prescribed.
• If a person has an inflammatory process, he should use non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs with an antipruritic effect and local steroids as prescribed by a specialist.

All medication prescriptions must be carried out against the background of an appropriate diet. Nutrition correction involves excluding salty, hot and spicy foods from the diet.

It is also not recommended to consume foods that can cause allergies and strong coffee. As for alcoholic beverages, they are strictly prohibited. In addition to following a diet, patients prone to night itching are advised to adhere to the following rules:

• avoid prolonged contact with hot or cold water;
• Use cleaning, detergents and detergents only with rubber gloves to avoid direct contact with skin.

All unpleasant sensations that arise in the dark can have either a mild cause that does not cause serious consequences or a cause that is dangerous to health. That is why the help of a specialist is needed to eliminate it. An experienced doctor will do everything possible to identify with the greatest accuracy the factor that provokes the development of the disease. The doctor will also select medications that will relieve a person of night itching in the shortest possible time and return him to healthy sleep.

When it's all about the skin

Itching affects the skin directly, and often the causes lie there. The sign signals the following dermatological diseases and disorders:

• Scabies is a contagious dermatological disease caused by parasites – scabies mites. Pathogens feed on particles of the dermis, move through its layers, “swarming” passages, and secrete waste products that have irritating and toxic effects on the skin. Ticks are active in the dark, which causes symptoms to intensify in the evening before bedtime and at night. Characteristic signs: severe itching, rashes, whitish lines on the body, crusts, peeling.
• Xerosis is increased dryness of the skin. This is not an independent disease, but a symptom caused by vitamin deficiency, improper skin care, exposure to adverse factors, and dermatological diseases. The situation is aggravated by temperature changes (especially cold weather), aggressive detergents and hygiene products, synthetic bedding and clothing, taking a hot bath or shower, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
• Psoriasis is a hereditary dermatological disease that manifests itself in the form of itching, localized skin rashes, and peeling.
• Dermatitis is an inflammatory lesion of the epidermis caused by damaging factors.
• Eczema is an inflammatory non-contagious disease accompanied by a recurrent rash, burning, peeling, and itching.
• Ringworm can develop in both children and adults. This is a group of contagious dermatological diseases caused by fungi, bacteria or viruses. With lichen, the skin itches severely day and night, rashes, peeling, and sometimes ulcers, crusts and blisters appear.
• Seborrhea is a pathological condition accompanied by an increase or decrease in the activity of the sebaceous glands. Symptoms often affect the scalp, causing dandruff, flaking of the skin, itching, and hair loss. At night, increased manifestations are caused by contact with bed linen and active friction against it.

Measures to improve the condition

To get rid of itchy skin, a person should consult a doctor and determine the main reason why the whole body itches, especially at night. After a high-quality diagnosis and clarification of the nature of the disease, specialists will recommend the patient a course of treatment for the underlying ailment, which will simultaneously eliminate night discomfort.

If your body itches for no apparent reason, then simple tips will help you get rid of the discomfort, including:

• air humidification in rooms with a dry microclimate, which will prevent the loss of excess moisture from the skin and eliminate the discomfort associated with this process;
• At times, people are helped to eliminate excessive dryness of the skin by warm, soothing baths, as well as by using baby soap instead of regular soap;
• Wet bandages will allow a person to forget about the strong, pronounced itching and sleep peacefully;
• in the case of the allergic nature of the condition, which is accompanied by the body itching in different places, it is necessary to remove from the bedroom all sorts of things that can provoke the development of hypersensitivity of the body (most often these are indoor plants, soft toys, scented candles);
• if the body is itchy, you should improve the quality of your diet, do not drink carbonated drinks, give up bad habits and chocolate, and also limit contact with pets;
• Often a person’s hands itch at night after working with household chemicals, so by eliminating this factor in the development of itching, you can count on an improvement in the condition;
• if your head itches, you should try changing the shampoo or using anti-seborrhea products;
• sometimes to disappear itching sensations it is enough to stop being nervous, calm down and try to relax or take a sedative before going to bed;
• if your hands or other parts of the body itch, you should not scratch them, as such actions can cause infection to attach to the affected areas;
• It is better to avoid contact with synthetic fabrics, as they can increase nighttime itching.

A healthy night's sleep is very important for a person. It is its quality that determines how the working day will go, what your mood and well-being will be. Therefore, you should not ignore discomfort in the form of itching, which prevents you from falling asleep when going to bed. Remember, as soon as you begin to experience unpleasant sensations, you must immediately seek advice from specialists who will help establish the true nature of the disorder and recommend the most effective option for its treatment.