Itchy All Over? Here's What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You

Of all the pesky and uncomfortable things that can happen to your body, itching definitely ranks pretty high on the list. And when you have itchy skin all over? Talk about annoying (and inconvenient).

Itchiness might first make you think you have a skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis.

Here's a look at some of the possible causes of all-over body itching — and what you can do to fix it.

One of the most common causes of itchy skin, especially during the cold and dry winter months, is dry skin. If your skin is dry, you may notice it's especially rough to the touch and may even be flaky or scaly.

The lack of moisture in the skin can lead to itching, notes Marisa Garshick, MD, dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York.

Commonly, an allergic reaction presents as a skin rash and an uncontrollable itch, says Aanand Geria, MD, dermatologist based in Verona, New Jersey. Sometimes, though, allergic reactions can cause itchiness without a rash.

"Substances such as nickel, fragrances or latex can be common causes of such reactions and appear in many products we use daily," he adds.

Eczema is an inflammatory condition that causes itchy skin and sometimes dry or scaly skin, rashes, blisters and skin infections, according to the National Eczema Association. It can first appear in childhood or start in adulthood, usually when someone is in their 20s or over age 50.

Mild eczema typically causes small areas of dry, itchy skin, but in more severe cases, eczema can spread all over the body and cause constant itchiness, according to NHS. If the person is fair, the affected skin often looks red, while it might appear as dark brown, purple or grey on dark skin.

Eczema usually occurs in a cycle, with periods when symptoms are better followed by flare-ups, when they get worse.

Some infections or infestations can cause itching all over the body, including the following:

• Chickenpox
• Fungal infections
• Scabies
• Bed bugs or mites
• Fleas

Anemia is usually associated with symptoms like weakness and fatigue. But you can also get itchy skin all over with or without a rash.

While doctors don't know exactly why people with iron-deficiency anemia can develop a rash, one theory is that low iron levels cause thin skin and water loss, leading to itching. Itching from aplastic anemia could be due to low platelets — a condition called thrombocytopenia, per the Cleveland Clinic.

If you do get a visible rash, it can look like tiny red or purple dots under your skin called petechiae, according to the Cleveland Clinic. While they can get bumpy and form patches if you scratch, they usually aren't painful.

One of the lesser known (but common) symptoms of hyperthyroidism — or overactive thyroid — is itching.

With hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland makes too much of the thyroid hormone, Dr. Garshick says. "Hypothyroidism can cause dry skin, which can lead to itching as well as an associated rash or changes in the skin."

Kidney disease means your kidneys are damaged and can't filter blood the way they should, per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). While fatigue, frequent urination and swelling are common symptoms, so is dry, itchy skin.

"Generally with chronic kidney disease, there can be findings associated with full-body itching which is not fully understood," Dr. Garshick says. "That said, it is important to care for the skin to minimize dryness and use gentle products on the skin."

Although rare, itching all over without a rash may be an early indicator of a nerve disorder like Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis, according to Raman Madan, MD, director of cosmetic dermatology at Northwell Health.

"In these conditions, the itch is caused by stimulation of nerve endings," he says. "When they are overly sensitive, they can cause itch."

In addition to itching, Parkinson's disease can cause other skin issues like oily skin and inflamed (red) skin, per the Parkinson's Foundation. Other early symptoms include hand tremors, lack of facial expressions, soft or slurred speech and stiff or slow movements, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis can vary widely from person to person but may include the following, per the Mayo Clinic: tingling, numbness or weakness in the limbs, lack of coordination, unsteady gait, blurry or double vision, vertigo, fatigue and slurred speech.

Some medications can cause itchy skin, including over-the-counter aspirin, prescription-strength opioids and even some antidepressant medications like Prozac and Zoloft, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).

While the most common symptoms associated with diabetes are frequent urination and thirst, there are many others, including itchy skin without a rash.

This increased itchiness is due to elevated blood sugar, which can cause the skin to dry out more easily, says Eric Bricker, MD, internal medicine physician and Medical Director at SimplePay Health.

Cholestasis is a condition in which bile from the liver becomes slowed or blocked, according to the National Library of Medicine. It can be caused by a variety of things, including alcoholic liver disease, pancreatitis, tumors or cysts, lymphoma or viral hepatitis. In addition to itching, symptoms might include dark urine, pale or clay-colored stools, nausea or vomiting, pain in the upper right abdomen and yellow skin or eyes.

Cholestasis can also occur during pregnancy, usually in the third trimester, according to the American Pregnancy Association. It typically causes itchy palms and feet, but some people may have all-over body itching with no rash.

Certain things can put you at a higher risk for cholestasis of pregnancy, including carrying multiples, past liver damage and a family history of cholestasis.

Given that dry skin is one of the most common causes of itching, first try to relieve your symptoms with an over-the-counter skin moisturizer or steroid cream like hydrocortisone.

If neither of these solutions resolve the itching, seeing your doctor is a great next step.

"Going to see a primary care physician for appropriate health screenings like for hypertension and diabetes is also a great time to bring up concerns regarding itching with your doctor," Dr. Bricker says.