Itching All Over: Causes

What causes itching all over?

Many different diseases, disorders and conditions can lead to mild to severe itching. Itching all over can be a sign of dry skin or irritation from clothing or detergent. Itching all over can also be caused by a viral infection, scabies, or an allergic reaction to a medication. In some cases, itching all over can be due to a life-threatening allergic reaction associated with difficulty breathing called anaphylaxis. Itching all over can also be a sign of other serious diseases, including liver disease, leukemia and lymphoma.

Infectious causes of itching all over

Itching all over may be caused by infectious diseases, such as:

• Bacterial infection of the skin

• Chickenpox

• Measles

• Viral infection

Allergic causes of itching all over

Itching all over can be caused by an allergic reaction including:

• Allergic contact dermatitis caused by an allergy to a soap or detergent

• Drug reaction

• Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

• Food allergies

• Irritant contact dermatitis caused by contact with an irritating substance

• Scabies, an allergic reaction to mite bites

Autoimmune and inflammatory causes of itching all over

Itching all over can be caused by autoimmune and inflammatory disorders including:

• Celiac disease

• Psoriasis

• Sjogren’s syndrome

• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Parasite or insect bites causes of itching all over

Itching all over can be due to insects and parasites that bite the skin or burrow in the skin including:

• Bedbugs

• Body lice

• Multiple mosquito bites

• Scabies

Other causes of itching all over

Itching all over can also be caused by other conditions including:

• Anxiety or stress

• Dry air or dry climates resulting in dry skin

• Hormonal changes

• Iron deficiency anemia

• Methamphetamine abuse and other drug abuse

• Pregnancy

• Stress

Life-threatening causes of itching all over

In some cases, itching all over may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition including:

• Allergic reaction with anaphylaxis (tightening and closing of the airways)

• Hodgkin’s lymphoma

• Kidney failure

• Leukemia

• Liver disease and liver failure

What are the potential complications of itching all over?

In some cases, an itching all over can lead to complications, especially if there is severe itching and scratching that leads to breakdown of the skin. Scratching can introduce bacteria or fungus in the layers of skin, resulting in infections.  Complications include:

• Bacterial or fungal infection of the skin

• Cellulitis (an infection of the skin and surrounding tissues caused by a growing bacterial or fungal infection)

• Open sores and lesions

• Permanent change in skin texture, scarring

• Permanent skin discoloration

• Complications of underlying causes of itching all over can also occur. You can reduce the risk of complications of itching all over and its underlying causes by following the treatment plan you and your health care provider develop specifically for you.