Introduction
Nocturnal itching is a symptom in which – especially during the night hours – there is sometimes tormenting itching which is hardly present during the day. Often there is a strong scratching reflex, but this often does not provide sufficient relief. Under certain circumstances, the itching can be so severe that the person concerned wakes up.
The causes
Itching can have various causes. If the itching occurs mainly at night, this can somewhat limit the wide range of possible causes. One of the most common causes of nocturnal itching is scabies, i.e. an infestation with scabies mites.
Worms, too, often cause itching, which is particularly noticeable at night or in the early morning hours. The itching is then primarily located in the anal area. Numerous other causes can trigger itching, which can occur during the day as well as at night.
These include various skin diseases such as neurodermatitis, psoriasis, urticaria, fungal infections, lice infestation or simply dry skin. Various metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal changes such as menopause or pregnancy can also cause itching. Itching can also occur in malignant diseases such as various types of lymphoma and leukemia.
Diseases of the liver and bile ducts such as hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or a bile stasis (cholestasis) can also cause itching. Furthermore, a restriction of kidney function (chronic renal insufficiency) and iron deficiency can be accompanied by itching. Various mental illnesses – such as schizophrenia, depression, eating disorders or delirium – can also have itching as a symptom.
Various allergies can also be triggers for itching. Furthermore, numerous drugs can trigger itching. Bedbugs are parasites that settle especially at sleeping places of humans and feed on human blood.
An infestation with bedbugs can lead to a disease called cimicosis. A leading symptom is itching. Since the saliva of the animals contains a kind of local anaesthetic, the itching often does not occur immediately after the bug bite but sometimes hours or days later.
Therefore the itching of bedbugs often does not occur at night but rather in the morning. The itching is caused by the bites of the bedbugs which in turn show up as red spots or pustules. Often, several such pustules stand relatively close together in a straight line.
The uncovered parts of the body like arms, shoulders and face are especially affected. There are different types of mites. While house dust mites, for example, are mainly known as allergy triggers, scabies mites – as their name suggests – cause the so-called scabies.
This is a disease that is mainly transmitted through close skin contact. This is why scabies outbreaks occur more frequently, especially in care facilities or daycare centers. Scabies is a disease caused by mites – the scabies mites.
The mites dig into the upper layers of skin and lay their eggs there. Scabies infestation is manifested on the skin by very different kinds of rashes, such as papules, pustules, blisters or wheals. The most characteristic symptom of scabies is itching, which increases sharply when the bed is warm (i.e. under the blanket) and can be very tormenting.
Scabies mites typically attack the inter-finger and toe spaces, the area around the nipples, the genital area as well as the wrists, armpits and the navel area. Dry skin is a common cause of itching. The itching can appear both at night and during the day. Accompanying symptoms can be a slight scaling of the skin and – if the itching is pronounced – a bacterial infection.
