The itchiness on the body is undoubtedly an annoying condition such as maddening, mainly when they occur at night when we get to bed and we are looking for rest. Every time you lie down in your bed ready to sleep, you start to feel itchy in various body parts and do not know the cause; the reason may be hidden in your sheets. Night itches are common, so in this FastlyHealarticle, we explain the causes of itchy skin at night and how to solve them.
Table of Contents
Allergy to dust mites
One of the most common causes of itchy skin at night is the presence of dust mites on your mattress. Dust mites are tiny insects that live as parasites, feeding on the scales that your skin is shedding. This type of arachnid prefers dark places with a specific humidity, so textile pieces such as mattresses are ideal.
For most people, its presence is not even noticed; however, if you have sensitive skin or have an allergy to these insects, it is most likely that when you lie down in your bed, you will begin to feel discomfort and itching on the skin, in addition to presenting dermatitis as a consequence of the allergic reaction. Other symptoms could be sneezing, a stuffy nose, coughing, or trouble breathing.
To solve this problem, it is essential to:
- Go to a dermatologist to diagnose an allergy to these arachnids.
- Ventilate our house daily and try to expose our mattress to the sun and air at least once a month.
- Use anti-dust mite mattress protectors that must be washed with a specific frequency at a temperature of at least 60 ºC or more. It is recommended to change them every year or year and a half.
- Wash the sheets frequently, at least once a week, at a temperature of 60 ºC or more since it is with this level of heat that mites and their young die.
The cortisone creams over the counter can help lessen the itch, so it is recommended to moisturize the skin with lotion if urea-based accounts with a sensitive dermis.
Allergy to detergents and soaps
Using detergents with solid perfumes or soaps that are not of neutral pH can lead to annoying allergies that are incredibly intense at night. One of the causes of itchy skin or itchy legs at night occurs regularly when we change detergent for more robust or with a different aroma. When washing the sheets, we do not adequately remove the residues of this product. The chemicals contained in the detergent can cause an allergic reaction to our skin resulting in itchiness. It is best to use a detergent without perfume or indicated for sensitive skin.
The same goes for the soap you use on your body. If you always bathe at night and have observed that the allergy occurs during these moments, it is advisable to change your soap for one with a neutral pH that is kinder to your skin.
Dry skin
Dry skin can give rise to various dermatological conditions, increasing our chances of suffering from dermatitis. If you never worry about hydrating your skin, drink little water, and have noticed that it looks dry and dull, this may be the cause of the problem.
Although you may feel itchy during the day, it is at night that the discomfort intensifies because you are more relaxed. This can be increased if you shower before going to sleep with hot water, increasing the itchiness. Moisturizing your skin daily with a special lotion for dry skin that preferably contains urea will help you improve this condition.
Nervous allergy
The nervous allergy, also known as nervous dermatitis, is a condition characterized by itchy skin and allergy outbreaks in situations of anxiety, stress, or tension. Suppose any of the times that you go to bed, you do not stop thinking about what causes you tension, annoyance, or anxiety, and you have observed that as a result of this behavior, you begin to manifest the itch. In that case, this may be one of the causes of itchy skin at night.
In this case, a visit to a dermatologist is essential; however, in addition to receiving the appropriate medication to reduce skin lesions, it is necessary to reduce tension or nerves. Otherwise, recovery can never be fully effective. In our article nerve allergy: symptoms and treatment, we explain everything you need to know about this condition.
Presence of insects in the room
Another common problem that can trigger this situation is the presence of insects such as bed bugs or fleas in the room, which attack your skin, causing annoying itchy bites. When you wake up, you find your body full of tastes and do not know the cause, which could be the problem.
This situation is common in country houses, in homes with animals, or in old mattresses where bed bugs may have lodged. Checking your mattress in detail in search of insects or their stools, changing it if it is ancient, and fumigating your home, are the most appropriate measures to end this problem.
If it’s not about any of these causes …
These are the most frequent reasons why this problem occurs. Still, if you have ruled out any of these causes and the itching in the skin at night continues, it is best to visit your GP for a complete analysis that allows you to evaluate the grounds of the possible problem.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Causes of itchy skin at night, 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.