Chronic itch is the hallmark symptom of a delusional state of parasitophobia, and has also been reported in obsessive compulsive disorders, somatoform disorder and depression. This type of itch has been coined “psychogenic itch” (1–4). It can be a severe and incapacitating symptom.
Not only is itch associated with greater anxiety, but stress has also be shown to exacerbate itch, leading to a true itch-anxiety cycle. Many chronic itch patients report that psychological stress is a factor that aggravates their itch.
Many people with chronic itch report that psychological stress is a factor that aggravates their itching. Research has also shown a link between itching and symptoms of depression. People who report severe depression also report higher itch intensity, compared to people who report low symptoms of depression.
Psychological factors are known to modulate itch in all patients, but there is a specific diagnosis of psychogenic itch that must be proposed cautiously. Neurophysiological and psychological theories are not mutually exclusive and can be used to better understand this disorder. Itch can be mentally induced.
A rash from stress or anxiety usually resolves in 24 hours, and topical treatments may help to reduce the rash and any uncomfortable symptoms. Focusing on calming techniques and tools to reduce anxiety may help people feel less anxious, and also help to treat the rash.
In schizophrenia, tactile hallucinations can occur and these may present as feelings of being touched, burning or tingling sensations, or itch. A more common psychotic condition presenting with itch is delusion of parasitosis.
An itch, also known as pruritus, is a general sensation arising from the irritation of skin cells or nerve cells associated with the skin. While it can be a nuisance, pruritus serves as an important sensory and self-protective mechanism, as do other skin sensations such as touch, pain, vibration, cold and heat.
Feeling itchy from anxiety is known as psychogenic itching. It occurs when psychological factors such as anxiety or depression exacerbate itching and generally feels like an unpleasant sensation that leads to the need to scratch.
Scratching an itch causes minor pain, which prompts the brain to release serotonin. But serotonin also reacts with receptors on neurons that carry itch signals to the brain, making itching worse.
For example, you may have severe skin burning and itching once in a while and not that often, feel it off and on, or feel the burning and itching all the time. This burning itching skin sensation may precede, accompany, or follow an escalation of other anxiety sensations and symptoms, or occur by itself.
Common causes of itching
skin conditions – such as eczema. allergies or skin reactions. parasitic infestations – such as scabies. insect bites and stings.
Considered physiologically, neuropathic itch is a pathological form of itch where the stimulus-response curve that governs normal sensation has become distorted and the itch sensation is out of proportion or even completely independent of any pruritogenic stimuli.
A neuropathic itch may produce an itching sensation or a feeling of pins and needles. The itching may be very severe. Neuropathic itch may also produce the following sensations: burning.
The causes of skin itching, or pruritis, are usually harmless. They are often temporary issues such as dry skin or a bug bite. Less commonly, nerves, kidneys, thyroid, or liver issues can cause itching sensations without necessarily causing a rash.
Both vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies may also cause itchy skin, so if you are experiencing chronically itchy skin, getting your level of these vitamins tested can be helpful. This testing will help determine whether these deficiencies are at the root of your skin sensitivities and itchiness.
Conditions that may cause itching are varied and include liver disease, kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, thyroid problems, and even certain cancers in rare cases (leukemia, lymphoma). In these cases, itching will typically affect your whole body while your skin appears normal.
Symptoms of itching with liver disease
Itching associated with liver disease tends to be worse in the late evening and during the night. Some people may itch in one area, such as a limb, the soles of their feet, or the palms of their hands, while others experience an all-over itch.
Stress causes a number of changes in the body, such as hormonal fluctuations and changes in the nervous system, which could lead to unpleasant sensations along one or more nerves. These sensations can cause a burning or itching feeling anywhere in the skin.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disease characterized by chronic widespread pain and tenderness for at least 3 months and is associated with various dermatologic symptoms including itch.
Complementary diagnostic exams, especially laboratory tests, determination of the intraepidermal nerve fiber density via a skin biopsy and radiological examinations may be indicated to confirm the diagnosis of neuropathic itch and to identify underlying etiological factors.
Dry skin: Your body loses moisture at night, which can make your skin itchy. Hormonal changes: At night, your body doesn't produce as many hormones as it does during the day and certain hormones reduce inflammation (swelling). As you have fewer hormones at night, your skin could be itchy.