The constant itching can be an exasperating thing. Most people have experienced this to a greater or lesser extent, but it is usually self-limited that we can often relate to something specific.
But what happens when the itching doesn’t stop? When have you already made different attempts to improve it, but the symptoms continue? They can be thought of for various reasons such as infections, chronic disease, or maybe you have not thought about the insect bite?
In this FastlyHealarticle, you will find everything about itchy arms, the causes that generate it, and the possible treatments. We even present some beneficial natural remedies for this type of problem.
Table of Contents
Itchy arms from infections
Itching can be unbearable, and the worst thing is that the more you scratch, the more it tends to itch. Among the possible causes of itchy arms are infectious diseases, such as scabies, mycoses, and even bacterial cellulitis.
Viral infections
Certain viruses can cause rashes and itching on the body. The arms are often affected, for example, by chickenpox. In that case, you will notice small blisters that, when broken, give rise to very itchy scabs.
Other viral infections like fifth disease or measles can also cause itching.
What to do?
These eruptions are often self-limited, meaning they last for a while and then subside on their own. To deal with them in the best possible way, they may indicate painkillers and menthol powders.
Avoiding scratching is very important so that there are no residual scars.
Scabies
It is a skin infection caused by a type of mite. It’s more commonly known as scabies, but don’t panic. It’s more common than you might think and less complicated to treat. It is unnecessary to have lousy hygiene or terrible socioeconomic conditions to suffer it.
Itching is often significant after hot baths or when sleeping.
What to do?
All bedding and clothing need to be washed in hot water to remove the mites. Treatment is usually done with lotions or shampoo with the drug permethrin.
Mycosis
Some fungal diseases caused by fungi tend to settle mainly in moist areas of the skin. This often happens in the armpits and folds of the arms. In addition to itching, there may be irritation, redness, and even spots on the skin.
What to do?
It is essential to receive the proper diagnosis to receive the appropriate treatment. Usually, when the humidity in the area is reduced, and the defenses are in good condition, the infection subsides faster and without too much intervention, but antifungal creams with miconazole, for example, may be needed.
Infectious cellulitis
It is the infection of the soft tissues that are under the skin. Frequently, it occurs in people who have low defenses and who suffer a minor injury to the skin, this being the entry point for germs.
At first, there may be inflammation and pain. As the infection resolves, the skin tends to become drier and itchy.
It can occur in different areas of the body, including the arms.
Treatment
If there is only itching, the disease is resolving, so trying to keep the skin clean and fresh is the most necessary.
A medical consultation is necessary to corroborate the diagnosis since antibiotics are usually needed when the infection is active.
Dermatitis on the arms
Inflammation of the skin or dermatitis is a standard process in different causes, including:
Allergy
If your skin is sensitive and you’ve been in contact with an allergen, your skin may become red, and an itchy rash may appear. Often, those who suffer this type of reaction have previously had similar episodes or have a history of respiratory allergies.
What to do?
- Avoid contact with irritating substances: lotions, creams, soap.
- Wear loose clothing that allows the skin to air out.
- Eat light, easy-to-digest foods. In this way, you allow your body to deal with resolving inflammation and reduce the possibility of incorporating substances that promote these types of reactions.
- One or a medical professional will indicate antihistamines and, if the response is very important, corticosteroids, but do not ingest these substances for yourself since you can worsen the situation if you do not need them.
Contact dermatitis
It is usually suffered by those who have put their skin in direct contact with a very irritating substance. You may or may not have previously sensitive skin. It can be the component of a cosmetic product, hydrogen peroxide, parabens, alcohol, etc.
What to do?
In this case, it is essential not to put that substance near your skin again. Also, avoid humidity in the area and keep the affected areas aerated.
A doctor may prescribe creams or tablets with antihistamines and even corticosteroids but avoid self-medicating.
dermatitis nummular
It is about the appearance of coin-shaped spots on the skin, hence its name. It usually occurs in the arms and legs.
After a first stage in which small blisters appear, they break, giving rise to huge scabs that itch significantly. The reason why these types of lesions appear is not known.
What to do?
- Avoid irritating substances.
- After reaching the correct diagnosis, you may be prescribed creams or lotions.
Since the cause is unknown, the primary tool you have is to improve your health so that your body can get rid of these injuries. It is essential to obtain good digestion to improve eating habits, rest, and exercise.
Itchy arms from psoriasis
Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that may occur in various ways and in different body areas. It is a pathology with an incendiary origin of which the first cause is unknown.
They usually appear in reddened patchy areas that peel and itch a lot. They occur in different areas of the skin. These injuries are generally typical in the arms, sometimes in the fold areas, and others in the elbows.
Treatment
Psoriasis usually occurs in flare-ups. While you have one, try to avoid scratching, as it further worsens your skin condition.
On the other hand, creams and lotions can be applied to improve itching.
You must review what may be triggering such a problem in your skin, both in crisis and outside of them. It is usually associated with:
- Poor digestion
- Stress.
- Unhealthy habits such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, excesses in food, or consumption of harmful products such as: processed, refined (sugar, white flour), or even a lousy combination of healthier products.
Itching from dry skin
The skin is one of the areas where imbalances can most easily be seen: spots, dryness, and what to say if a symptom as annoying as itching appears. Dry skin can make it itchy, flaky, dull, and dull.
The skin condition is not only improved externally through the application of moisturizers, but it is essential to provide unctuousness to the diet from healthy sources of fat such as ghee or clarified butter, avocado, or the consumption of seeds like flax or sesame.
Dried fruits, precisely because they are dry, dehydrate if you do not soak them previously.
Alcohol and tobacco generate internal dryness and, therefore, external also.
But not only food dries the body, anxiety and the recurrence of disturbing thoughts, the daily use of screens, sleeping very late, and even not maintaining a particular order in your daily routines can affect you in this sense.
What to do?
- Moisturize your skin on the outside. Choose natural substances such as sesame, coconut, or almond oil.
- Review your habits to find what is drying your skin.
- Incorporate healthy eating habits.
Bites on the arms
Sometimes something as simple as bug bites can cause the terrible itchy arms you’re feeling. Perhaps someone else in your environment has injuries or a similar itch. Various small insects can cause hives and redness: mosquitoes, fleas, spiders, etc.
What to do?
- Avoid scratching, as you can cause an infection if you damage the skin.
- Apply mentholated talcum powder.
- You can find products in pharmacies to reduce itchy skin, although using them in large quantities or for several days is not recommended.
- Look in the area where you live for the possible cause of the bites.
Itching from diseases in internal organs
When certain diseases are triggered in the body that affects internal organs, such as the liver or kidneys, the whole organism is in a significant imbalance.
On certain occasions, itching appears all over the body or only in some parts. It can be accompanied by other discomforts such as poor digestion, enlargement of the belly, pain to urinate, yellowing of the skin, etc.
What to do?
You can choose to undergo treatment to improve the liver or kidney problem, use some medication to reduce the itching, or settle for a chronic disease diagnosis.
You can also review your habits and go to the root of your problem. If you improve your digestion by incorporating healthy habits, your entire body will slowly return to balance.
Home remedies for itchy arms
In addition to the particular guidelines for each problem, you can use one of the following medicinal plants to relieve itchy arms. Choose one and apply it two or three times a day. If one doesn’t work, let your skin rest, and after a couple of days, try another.
Calendula
It is a plant widely used to treat different skin lesions. It is healing and anti-inflammatory. You can prepare an infusion with the flowers and apply it directly to the affected area.
Manzanilla
Chamomile has also been widely studied for the treatment of multiple skin disorders. In itching, it is pretty useful. You can apply an infusion two or three times a day.
Mint
It is refreshing and soothes itchy skin quite a bit. You can use menthol powders, but the realistic option will always be better because you avoid other irritants.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why do I have itchiness in my arms and how to relieve it, we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair, and nails category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.