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Why Do I Have Itchy Palms?
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Your palms can itch for various reasons, such as dry skin, an allergy, or a skin condition like psoriasis. Rarely, it may be a sign of something more serious like diabetes.
Itchy palms are certainly annoying. They can drive you mad when the irritating, burning itch doesn't stop. But an itchy palm is rarely a sign of a bigger, more serious problem.
That's the good news. The bad news is that itchy palms can be a sign of a chronic skin condition that needs frequent treatment.
Identifying what causes your palms to itch, what helps stop the itch, and any other symptoms that occur can help you and your doctor diagnose what's happening. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment can begin, and in most cases, it will provide quick relief.
Several conditions may be responsible for itchy palms. These include:
Dry skin. Winter weather causes skin to dry out. Dry skin can be irritating and cause itching.
Skin damage. Certain chemicals or substances can irritate your hands' sensitive skin. Scrubbing or brushing can irritate your skin, too. This can cause dryness, peeling, and itching.
Allergic reaction. If you're allergic to something you touch, you may experience itchy palms. The itching may not start right away. In some cases, you may not experience any itching for several hours after coming into contact with the allergen.
Psoriasis. This common skin condition causes uncontrolled growth of skin cells. This increased pace means skin cells aren't able to naturally slough off. Instead, the extra skin cells pile up on the surface of your skin. In addition to itching, psoriasis can cause:
Psoriasis is chronic, but you may only experience infrequent or temporary bouts with the condition instead of a constant outbreak. It does not typically affect the palms.
Eczema. Atopic dermatitis, or eczema as it's sometimes called, is a condition that makes your skin itch. It may cause colored patches of skin in the affected area. Some will be red, while others may be darker brown or almost gray. Some people will develop small bumps that stick up from the skin. These bumps may burst and leak fluid. The skin may also be dry. That could lead to cracking and even bleeding. Like psoriasis, eczema outbreaks may come and go. You may have symptoms for a few days or weeks and then not experience it for several months.
Diabetes. It's rare, but diabetes can cause itchy palms. Diabetes can cause poor blood circulation, and poor blood circulation can lead to itchy skin. However, most people with diabetes-related itching experience it in their legs more than in their hands.
What's causing my skin to itch? »
Itchy palms are not always a symptom of a problem on their own. Sometimes, your palms just itch.
Other times, however, it may be an indication of a skin issue. Symptoms beyond an itchy palm might help you determine what is causing your itchiness. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in addition to itchy palms, you may need to see your doctor:
Treatment depends on what's causing your palms to itch. Matching treatment to symptoms or condition will help you get relief faster.
Dry skin. Applying a moisturizing lotion to your skin several times a day may be enough to ease the itching. Look for one that hydrates the skin with glycerin, lactic acid, topical urea, or moisturizers that decrease water loss, such as petroleum jelly/ointments. Thinner lotions may not be as good for healing. Look for an unscented option, too. Some of the highly scented lotions are irritating to sensitive skin.
Allergies. Treat the allergy with an antihistamine or allergy medication. An antihistamine lotion may also be helpful.
Eczema and psoriasis. Both of these conditions may be mild enough that you can treat the itchy palms with lotion or over-the-counter steroid ointments. Some severe cases of these skin conditions require prescription medications. These medications can slow or stop the bodily processes that cause these conditions.
Diabetes. Diagnosing diabetes or a blood glucose issue early can help you reduce symptoms and side effects. Once diabetes is diagnosed, symptoms may subside if blood glucose levels are properly managed.
What oral medications are available for psoriasis? »
Itchy palms are rarely a chronic condition. In most cases, the itching will stop once a cause is identified and a treatment is chosen.
If the itching is more chronic — for example, because you have psoriasis that relapses and affects your hand — certain treatment options may help you find relief. It is certainly annoying, but itchy palms are in no way life-threatening.
Once a cause is identified, make sure you're doing all you can to avoid additional risk factors that may increase the itching. Also, be sure to use preventive methods that may stop any itching before it has a chance to begin.
Preventing itchy palms can be as simple as taking proper care of your skin. Here are some tips.
Stay hydrated. Moisturize your body from the inside out. Drink plenty of water, and eat water-rich foods.
Use lotion. Thick lotions and moisturizers that help the skin feel more comfortable and hydrated. This may keep the skin from drying out and itching.
Protect your hands. If your skin is sensitive, try to protect your hands whenever you're going to be touching chemicals or solutions that might irritate your skin. Try latex gloves for liquids. Thick cotton gloves may be useful for day-to-day activities in the cold and for handling dry substances.
Avoid harsh cleansers and soaps. They can be irritating.
Why Are My Lips Itchy?
Most of the time, having itchy lips is related to a contact or seasonal allergy. Sometimes, having itchy lips is a symptom of other less common health conditions.
An itchy sensation on your lips can happen suddenly and be quite uncomfortable. Keep reading to find out what could be causing your lips to feel itchy.
Allergic contact cheilitisAllergic contact cheilitis is the term for itchy or inflamed lips caused by exposure to an allergen. Lip cosmetics, sunscreens, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and medications can all cause your lips to have this kind of reaction. Foods that contain preservatives, fragrances, or artificial flavorings are also common culprits.
This condition makes your lips look swollen and creates patches of scaly or itchy skin on your lips. This condition is temporary and should resolve within 24 hours of contact with an allergy.
Drug-induced cheilitisThere are some prescription medications that cause itchy lips as a side effect. Retinoid treatments (isotretinoin, acitretin, alitretinoin) are known to have this side effect. They can also make your lips crack and bleed. Allergies to penicillin-based antibiotics, like amoxicillin, can also cause your lips to feel itchy.
Traumatic cheilitisThis kind of lip inflammation is caused by overstimulating the sensitive skin on your lips. Habits like lip licking and lip biting can cause your lips to become swollen and feel itchy. This condition will go away if you're able to stop the behavior that's irritating your lips, but it could continue to recur as long as your lips are being irritated. This condition is most common in children and adolescents.
Weather-induced cheilitisAs the name suggests, this kind of lip inflammation comes from your lips being exposed to extreme heat, wind, or cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time. This condition is more likely to occur in people who live in climates where extreme temperatures happen often, and in people who work outside. This condition is frequently accompanied by cracking or bleeding lips.
InfectionsThere are some bacterial, viral, and fungal infections that can make your lips feel itchy. The herpes simplex virus, candida overgrowth, and strep (group A Streptococcus) and staph (group A Staphylococcus) infections are all common causes of itchy and uncomfortable lips. In the case of an infection, your lips should feel normal again once the other infection symptoms go away. In some cases, antibiotics may be required to control the infection.
Other causesOther causes of itchy lips symptoms include:
You can experience one without the other, but sometimes your lips might simply feel itchy because they're dry. Lips that have become dry because of environmental factors can start to feel itchy. Skin that's dried out has a weaker barrier. This can make your lips feel irritated and appear red or inflamed, or give you the urge to scratch.
Having dry lips usually isn't an indicator or symptom of anything besides the environment around you, such as excessive heat or dry climate. But lips that are itchy can be a symptom of something more. Though the two symptoms are often linked, it's important to be able to determine the difference.
Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following:
You should make an appointment with your doctor if you have persistent symptoms of itchy lips, especially if your symptoms are accompanied by lips that are cracked or bleeding. Make sure to tell your doctor about any medications you're taking and cosmetics you have used recently when you discuss your symptoms.
If you don't already have a primary care provider, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.
Your doctor may refer you to an allergist to rule out any allergic reactions to products or food. Blood tests can tell you if what you're experiencing is allergic contact cheilitis. Your doctor may also do a culture or swab test to determine whether you have an infection or a candida overgrowth.
Treatment for itchy lips depends on the cause. Your doctor may prescribe medication if they suspect an infection. Oral antibiotics and antifungal creams may help your lips feel less itchy. A topical or oral antihistamine may clear up itching and hives if you are having an allergic reaction.
Lips that are itchy and dry may need a moisturizing treatment to seal the barrier between your lips and the air while your skin heals. Your doctor can recommend a hypo-allergenic, fragrance- and chemical-free product that you can use daily to protect your lips from dry conditions and severe weather.
Discuss any medications you're taking with a doctor or pharmacist to see whether they can cause itchy lips as a side effect.
To keep itchy lips from recurring, there are a few things you can do.
Protect your lipsAll year long, protect your lips with a medicated lip balm that contains a sunscreen. The Mayo Clinic recommends covering your mouth with a scarf when you go outside in freezing temperatures to protect your lips from cold air. Choose unflavored, unscented, hypoallergenic products that will shield your lips without exposing your skin to chemicals.
Change your habitsDo your best to avoid licking your lips. While it may seem like licking your lips hydrates the area, it actually causes your lips to become even drier than before. You may also want to consider changing your daily skin care and makeup regimen to limit your mouth's exposure to ingredients that strip out moisture. And be mindful of the way you breathe, too; breathing through your mouth instead of your nose can dry out your lips.
Stay hydratedGetting enough water is important to your health for about 100 reasons. Consider this reason No. 101. Drinking plenty of fluids, and using a humidifier in your home during the winter months, can restore proper hydration to your skin and keep your lips from getting chapped and itchy.
Having itchy lips is usually a benign symptom of having dry, itchy skin around your mouth. This symptom tends to resolve on its own, sometimes without any treatment. There are cases when itchy lips can indicate a deeper health condition, so pay attention to other symptoms that might occur along with itchy lips.
Health Headlines: Injectable Radiation Used To Treat Neuroendocrine Cancer
© Provided by Lake Charles KPLC Health Headlines: Injectable radiation used to treat neuroendocrine cancerDENVER, Colo. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – NET cancer is short for neuroendocrine tumors. It's a type of cancer that is slow growing and can happen anywhere in your body. As with most cancers, treatment can start with surgery, chemo, and radiation. But now, doctors are using a very targeted, missile-like therapy to destroy the tiniest of these cancer cells.
Steve Jobs and Aretha Franklin both lost their battle to what most people thought was pancreatic cancer, but the real culprit of their cancer was neuroendocrine tumors.
Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers neuroendocrine cancer specialist, Eric Liu, MD says, "It can come from any part of your body, from your lungs, from your pancreas, from your intestines."
Symptoms can be varied and go misdiagnosed for years. In fact, 90 percent of neuroendocrine cancers are misdiagnosed.
"Just imagine if you had abdominal pain every six to 12 months," Dr. Liu says.
But some very common symptoms could be neuroendocrine cancer, that's what happened to Robert Hammer.
"I started coming up with this very itchy rash under my skin and I have a lot of seasonal allergies in Colorado, so that's what I maybe thought was happening," Hammer remembers.
But a scan revealed that Hammer had a tumor the size of an orange on his pancreas. Surgery to remove his pancreas was too risky. After several other therapies, including hormone therapy, Dr. Liu treated Hammer with a new injectable radiation called PRRT.
Dr. Liu explains, "The little hormone-guided missile takes it right to the tumor. The tumor absorbs the radiation. And the neat thing about it is the treatment goes to every single tumor in the body."
The radiation is given through an IV over several months. Before the radiation, Hammer was given eight to 12 years to live, now that number is 18 to 20 years.
"I count every day as joy," Hammer exclaims.
Studies show that on average, it takes five years from the onset of symptoms, for patients to get the right diagnosis and begin proper treatment. Using injectable radiation to treat it is just the beginning. Dr. Liu believes the PRRT will be used to treat prostate cancer, as well as other kinds of cancer in the near future.
Contributors to this news report include Marsha Lewis, Producer; Roque Correa, Videographer & Editor.
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