Itchy palms can be a very annoying complaint. Sometimes, the more often you scratch, the worse the itching gets. Although often considered trivial and seem mild, this condition can be a sign of health problems, you know.
Itching is an uncomfortable sensation that makes you want to scratch certain parts of your body. In medical terms, this complaint is called pruritus. Itching can be experienced by anyone and attacks any part of the body, including the palms.
Itching that appears on the hands may be accompanied by a rash or redness of the skin, dry or scaly skin, bumps or spots, and blisters. The itching can last a long time and be very severe.
Sometimes, the itching doesn't subside even when you've scratched it and instead feels itchy more, causing damage or injury to the skin.
Some Conditions That Cause Itchy Palms
Itchy palms can be caused by a number of minor conditions, such as dry skin, skin irritation, fungal skin infection, impetigo, or an allergic reaction. Apart from these conditions and diseases, itchy palms can also be caused by several other things, such as:
1. Eczema
Eczema or dermatitis can occur in all parts of the skin of the body. Eczema that causes itchy palms and itchy feet is known as dyshidrotic dermatitis.
But not only that, itchy palms can also be caused by contact dermatitis, for example due to skin damage due to exposure to detergents, soaps, harsh chemicals, to allergies.
In addition to the itching sensation, other symptoms caused by this disease are blisters, red rashes, and cracked and scaly skin.
2. Scabies
scabies (scabies) is a contagious skin disease caused by tiny mites that enter and multiply in the outermost layer of the skin. This disease is characterized by several symptoms, namely itching at night, rashes, small blisters, and sores in several parts of the body folds, such as the armpits, elbows, and palms of the hands and feet.
Transmission of scurvy can occur through direct physical contact with people who have scabies or using personal equipment, such as towels and hand wipes, alternately with people with scabies.
3. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the skin in several parts of the body, including the palms of the hands and feet. This disease makes skin tissue grow very quickly, so that old layers of skin accumulate on the surface of the skin. This condition is not contagious.
In addition to itching and rashes, psoriasis is usually accompanied by small, water-filled bumps and when the bumps burst, can cause the skin to become dry and scaly. Psoriasis can also appear in other parts of the body, such as the elbows, knees, groin, back, and face.
4. Diabetes
Although rare, diabetes can actually trigger itching on the palms. This disease can cause poor blood circulation, thus triggering the appearance of itching on the skin. However, most people with diabetes feel itchy more often on the feet than on the palms.
5. Nervous Disorder
Some conditions that affect the nervous system can also cause the palms and other parts of the body to itch. Nerve disorders, including peripheral neuropathy, herpes zoster, spinal cord disorders, epilepsy, to brain tumors. In addition to itching on the hands or certain body parts, nerve disorders can also cause tingling and numbness.
6. Other diseases
Itchy skin on the hands and feet can also be a symptom of diseases in the internal organs or systemic diseases, such as:
- liver disease.
- Kidney failure.
- Iron deficiency anemia.
- Malnutrition or severe malnutrition.
- Cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
In addition to the hands and feet, itching can also appear in other parts of the body due to disorders of the internal organs.
Overcoming Complaints of Itchy Palms
Proper handling can help relieve itching on the palms quickly. The treatment steps taken depend on the cause. For example, itchy palms caused by allergies can be treated with anti-allergic drugs, such as antihistamines.
Meanwhile, itching caused by eczema can be treated with corticosteroid creams or ointments. If the itching on the hands has caused sores and infection, then this condition needs to be treated with antibiotic ointment. These drugs can be obtained from a doctor's prescription.
In addition to medicines from doctors, there are several ways to treat itchy palms that can be done at home, including:
- Use an anti-itch cream, ointment, or powder.
- As much as possible, avoid scratching your hands as this can cause sores and infections.
- Apply lotion to moisturize the skin and prevent dry skin.
- Take a warm shower and use a mild chemical bath soap. Avoid bathing too long, limit bath time to 5 minutes.
- Avoid using certain fabrics or materials, such as wool and synthetic fabrics, which can trigger itching.
- Apply a cold compress to your hand using a towel wrapped in ice to relieve itching.
You are advised to consult a doctor if the condition of itchy palms lasts more than two weeks and the itching gets worse or does not improve after the above treatment methods.