What Causes Itching Hands?
- Written By: Scott Daniel
- Edited By: C. Wilborn
-
Copyright Protected:
2003-2013 Conjecture Corporation
Itching hands can be caused by several factors. If there is a temporary rash associated with the itching, it's most likely an allergen which has caused the discomfort. The skin likely came in contact with a substance or chemical which acted as an irritant. Alternatively, there are several chronic disorders, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema, which can cause various blemishes or rashes to regularly appear on the skin. Apart from allergies and disorders, itching hands can also be a result of overly dry skin.
Hands that itch due to dry skin are often the easiest to remedy. If the skin is cracked and flaky, it means the hands need more moisture. This over dryness can be caused by frequent washing of the hands or failure to protect the hands during various activities.
Applying lotion can usually help provide immediate relief for itching hands and fingers. Regularly applying lotions, even when not experiencing itchy palms, can help prevent future discomfort. Wearing gloves while doing the dishes, housework, or yard work protects the hands and may help prevent dryness and discomfort.
For instances of itching hands that seem to appear at random, it's likely the individual has come in contact with a foreign substance. Everything from a new laundry detergent to abrasive chemicals can irritate the skin and cause itching. This is because the body's immune system is reacting to the chemical and doing what it can to fight any toxins that may be entering the body. The result can be redness and itching.
For mild rashes caused by these chemicals, the individual can wash the effected area and apply lotions as needed. He or she should also avoid contact with any of those potentially harmful chemicals in the future. More serious rashes cause by foreign chemicals — especially those that can cause chemical burns or permanent damage — should be treated by a medical professional.
Itching hands can also be caused by an allergic reaction to something the individual consumed or breathed, increased stress, or even genetics. There is still debate about the various causes and triggers of conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema, as well as how to treat each condition. Skin disorders are varied and can manifest differently in different individuals, which means people will often need to discover for themselves how best to treat them. Over-the-counter antihistamines, topical creams, and cold compresses can help treat the itchy symptoms, although many skin disorders have no permanent cure.
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Discuss this Article
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ysmina
Post 7 |
@donasmrs-- Yes, celiac is probably the cause. I know about this because my sister also has celiac disease. The problem is that you're continuing to eat gluten. You can't! Gluten will cause many symptoms for people with celiac disease. One of them is inflammation and I believe the itchy hands and feet is a result of that. Advise with your doctor to make sure but I think it will go away if you follow your diet strictly. |
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donasmrs
Post 6 |
Can celiac disease cause itching hands and feet and no rash? I've been put on a gluten-free diet by my doctor to treat my symptoms. It's been going fairly well so far, although I'm not exactly one-hundred percent gluten-free yet. For the past two weeks though, I've developed a strange symptom. Both my hands and feet start itching out of nowhere. It usually goes away by the next day but can return at any time. I have no visible rash, swelling or anything else. I'm really confused. Could this be related to celiac disease in any way? |
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fBoyle
Post 5 |
I get itching hands (no rash though) only in winter time. I don't have extremely dry skin, but in winter, it becomes very dry because of the cold weather. It also doesn't help that I usually forget to wear gloves outside. Recently though, I make sure to wear gloves whenever I go out and I've also started carrying a thick hand lotion with me everywhere. I apply it whenever I remember throughout the day. My hands have stopped itching since I started doing this. |
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giddion
Post 4 |
My best friend struggles with eczema. It sometimes causes hand swelling and itching, and it looks very unattractive.
The parts of her hands that are affected turn red and develop pustules. Sometimes, a large area of the hand will swell. It almost looks as if she has suffered severe burns.
She has found that oatmeal baths are great for relieving the itch. Prescription strength steroid cream also helps. |
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OeKc05
Post 3 |
@seag47 – I also have a problem with dry skin on my hands. Mine occurs mostly during the winter, though. I have itching hands but no allergic rash.
My skin will get so dry that my knuckles will crack and bleed. If I catch the condition before the cracking stage, then I can treat it by putting an unscented moisturizing lotion on it several times a day and reapplying it after each time that I wash my hands. If they have already cracked, then I cover the cracked areas with liquid bandages. |
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JackWhack
Post 2 |
I hate getting bitten by mosquitoes and ants, and I really hate when the bites are on my hands. Itching and swelling always follow, and hands are a really annoying place to have itchy spots.
Mosquito bites swell up and look like they are filled with fluid. They are incredibly itchy, and if I keep scratching them, they start to bleed.
Ant bites are painful, and they don't begin to itch until the next day, when the pain has subsided. For all kinds of insect bites, I use an antihistamine cream as soon as possible. This keeps swelling to a minimum and works great at relieving the itch. |
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seag47
Post 1 |
Last month, my hands were itching and swelling every night. I had started using a new scented hand lotion, but it took me awhile to realize that this is what was causing the problems.
The lotion was raspberry scented, and at first, it seemed to help with my dry skin issues. My hands had been flaky because of excessive washing, and I wanted to try an ultra moisturizing lotion to fix the issue.
One night, I forgot to put the lotion on, and I noticed that my hands did not itch or swell. That's when it hit me that I must be allergic to the lotion. |
