Itchy face: Causes, symptoms, and treatment – Medical News Today

A person may experience an itching sensation, or pruritus, on their face for a number of different reasons.

Although pruritus can occur due to visible conditions, such as psoriasis or an insect bite, it might also indicate the presence of an underlying condition.

This article will look at the different causes of pruritus on the face, as well as some options that may provide relief.

Dry skin on the face can be a cause of pruritus. A person might have dry skin on their face for many reasons.

These may include:

The American Academy of Dermatology recommend following these tips to prevent dry skin:

If pruritus occurs due to dry skin, a person can moisturize to ease the itching. The purpose of a moisturizer is to prevent water loss and add water to the skin.

Moisturizers contain different ingredients that serve different purposes. For example, occlusive moisturizers containing petrolatum prevent water loss from the skin by forming a barrier.

Humectants, such as urea and glycolic and lactic acids, attract and bind water to hydrate the skin.

Learn more about dry skin on the face here.

Pruritus appears to be particularly prevalent among older adults. As people age, their bodies' pH levels can change. There may also be decreased hormone levels and a reduced ability to retain water.

As the skin retains less moisture and becomes thinner, this may cause dry skin and pruritus.

Treatments for pruritus among older adults will depend on the cause. However, a person may be able to ease the itching by moisturizing the skin.

Learn how to improve skin health here.

Some people may experience pruritus on their face as a result of a mosquito bite.

Typically, a mosquito bite will clear up by itself. However, other bugs including lice and bed bugs may live or feed on the skin.

Home treatment for bug bites may include:

If a person is experiencing anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction, they or someone near them should seek immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include wheezing, the feeling of a lump in the throat, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

Learn more about insect bites here.

People with the following skin conditions may experience pruritus on the face:

To control the itch, a doctor will first need to diagnose the condition. Once they have confirmed the diagnosis, they can develop a treatment and management plan to provide relief from the itch.

Some treatments may include calamine lotion, topical medications, and antihistamines.

Learn more about skin conditions here.

A visible sign of skin cancer, or melanoma, is a new or changing spot on the skin. This spot may sometimes feel itchy.

In this case, pruritus may occur due to the skin's reaction to a tumor becoming cancerous or to cancer forming elsewhere in the body.

The treatment options for melanoma include cryotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and surgical excision.

To reduce the itch, a doctor may prescribe histone deacetylase inhibitors and oral corticosteroids.

Learn more about skin cancer here.

A long-term itch without a rash or any other visible marks may suggest that a person has an underlying condition.

Specifically, conditions that affect the blood, kidneys, liver, or thyroid gland can cause pruritus. Some people with diabetes and HIV may also experience pruritus.

People with chronic kidney failure who are close to requiring dialysis may have a chronic itch. In fact, researchers suggest that about 40% of people with end stage kidney failure experience pruritus.

Liver disease can also cause pruritus. According to one 2015 study, 69% of those with primary biliary cirrhosis experienced pruritus, and 75% of those people reported experiencing pruritus before receiving their diagnosis.

Chronic pruritus can affect a person's mood and sleep, which may affect their quality of life.

In these cases, treatment for pruritus will depend on the exact condition a person has. For example, people with liver disease may require creams or ointments for mild and local pruritus. Some may need systemic medications if the itch is severe or generalized.

Treatment for pruritus more generally may include opioid receptor antagonists, antihistamines, bile salts, and rifampicin.

People can develop allergic skin reactions to many different substances. Nickel, for example, is a common substance that can cause allergic reactions.

Many products that can come into contact with the face including jewelry, cell phones, and eyeglass frames may contain nickel.

People who develop an allergic reaction to a substance might develop a noticeable rash.

In order to treat allergies that affect the skin, a person can use steroid creams or ointments.

Learn more about allergic reactions on the face here.

Some plant and marine life can cause pruritus.

Plant life

The following is a list of plants that may cause a reaction on the skin:

Marine life

"Swimmer's itch," for example, may occur when a person develops an allergic reaction after coming into contact with parasites in a pond, lake, or ocean.

"Seabather's eruption," on the other hand, is a reaction that can occur when newly hatched jellyfish or sea anemones become trapped between a person's skin and their swimsuit.

Treatment for allergic reactions to plant and marine life includes steroids and antihistamines.

Some medications may cause itchy skin, including:

In some cases, a person can stop taking a drug and replace it with another that does not cause pruritus.

Some people may not be able to change their medication, however, so they must discuss the treatment and management of this side effect with their doctor.

Learn more about side effects here.

Some people may have pruritus on the face as a result of nerve damage. Typically, pruritus due to nerve damage is localized.

Stroke and multiple sclerosis can both affect or damage the nerves, potentially resulting in pruritus.

It can be difficult to treat pruritus that occurs due to nerve damage. However, person may use local anesthetics, gabapentin, or capsaicin patches to alleviate the itch.

There has not been much research into effective treatments for pruritus due to nerve damage.

Learn more about the nervous system here.

Health professionals suggest that almost everyone develops an allergic reaction on their skin at least once.

In making a diagnosis, they will examine the skin carefully. They may also ask about any current and past health concerns.

They may also ask about work, free time, pets, and skincare products to find the substance that caused the reaction.

Some people may need to undergo patch testing. For this, a doctor will place a patch containing small amounts of substances that may cause an allergic reaction on the skin. A few days later, they will remove the patch and check the skin to see if another rash appears.

People with underlying health conditions may require a full medical examination to determine the cause of the itch.

People experiencing pruritus should consult with a doctor, as this can be a symptom of several chronic health conditions.

Other symptoms that may point to an underlying condition include:

Conditions that give rise to pruritus such as psoriasis, folliculitis, and allergies may require medical attention.

When topical creams and antihistamine pills do not work to control the itch, a person may need to see a doctor to determine the exact cause.

Some people may experience an allergic skin reaction without knowing which substance caused the rash. In this case, a person may need to consult an allergist.

An itchy face is a common skin condition that, in severe or persistent cases, can affect quality of life.

Sometimes, the cause is dry skin. People with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis may also experience itchiness on their face.

When a person has an itchy face but no rash or other visible marks, they require a thorough physical examination from a doctor to determine the cause.

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Itchy face: Causes, symptoms, and treatment - Medical News Today