Introduction
Itching is basically a meaningful phenomenon that has arisen in human tribal history. If there are foreign bodies on our skin, or if we are stung by an insect, for example, itching can occur. We instinctively react to itching by scratching.
In this way, we unconsciously try to remove the potential dangers from our skin. An itchy skin rash, on the other hand, does not appear at first glance to be directly related to this protective mechanism. However, it basically triggers the same nervous stimuli as those caused by the causes described above. The consequence: itching of the skin, which is often perceived as very disturbing or even tormenting and can massively impair the quality of life in the short or long term. This makes it all the more important to know and recognize the causes of an itchy skin rash and to take appropriate measures to provide relief.
Causes
The reasons for an itchy skin rash are so numerous that it is not possible to describe all causes. Some common causes are presented below. However, a visit to a doctor remains indispensable for diagnosis and treatment.
In some cases, there are clear triggers for an itchy skin rash, such as an infection, an allergy or an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s defense system is directed against its own structures. In some people, an itchy skin rash in the form of hives (urticaria) can even be triggered by heat or cold, pressure on the skin, or sometimes even by mere contact with water. Unfortunately, some causes can also remain unknown.
More about the risk of infection: Is my skin rash contagious? In the vast majority of cases of itchy skin rashes, however, there are harmless causes. Nevertheless, there are also forms of malignant neoplasms in the skin area that can make themselves noticeable through these symptoms.
Common new causes in adults include allergic reactions and drug reactions, eczema, psoriasis, urticaria caused by various triggers and infections caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses or parasites. If an itchy skin rash occurs after the skin has been exposed to the sun for the first time in a year, it can be the so-called polymorphic light dermatosis, also known colloquially as sun allergy. However, strictly speaking there is no allergic reaction to sunlight.
Eczema, i.e. inflamed, red areas of skin that flake, is a very large and important group when it comes to itchy skin rashes. The causes of eczema are extremely diverse. They range from dry skin, which often occurs in older people, to allergic reactions, defensive reactions of the skin against yeast, bacteria or toxins and others.
In the case of psoriasis, a multifactorial development is assumed. This means that various environmental and genetic factors interact. The abnormal skin appearance is caused by an inflammatory reaction in combination with an increased cell division of the skin cells.
This causes reddening of the skin and the scaling that gives the skin its name. If an itchy skin rash appears quickly, the so-called lichen robber can be the trigger for it. The cause of this skin disease, also known as nodular lichen, is not known.
However, immune processes and genetic factors seem to be important for the development of the disease. Also with the so-called rose lichen (Pityriasis rosea) no exact causes are known. The disease can cause a skin rash with itching that develops over weeks.
In principle, other causes can be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic skin infections. A long-lasting skin reaction to an insect bite can also be a trigger. More rare causes are also autoimmune diseases and malignant changes in cells of the immune system, the so-called lymphocytes, which can cause an itchy skin rash.
Itchy skin rashes on the face can be caused by an allergic reaction such as to skin care products. Particularly in women, excessive care with creams, masks and other cosmetics leads to the so-called “stewardess disease”, which is called perioral dermatitis in medical terminology.This is accompanied by itchy skin rash and dry, scaly skin. In addition, the so-called childhood diseases such as rubella, measles and scarlet fever can cause itchy skin rashes on the face.
However, these rashes are usually accompanied by a general feeling of illness and fever. An itchy rash on the cheeks and forehead is typical of neurodermatitis. The itching is often so severe that the scratching causes open and weeping skin areas to appear.
Psoriasis can also cause itchy skin rashes on the face. Acne is often accompanied by severe itching and can act like a rash. Pustules filled with pus are also often present. In rare cases, an itchy rash on the face is also triggered by rheumatic diseases such as lupus erythematosus.
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