Question
(01/28/2011):
Hi, I
have really itchy skin all over my body, itchy red patches on my breasts
and itchy lumps over my body as well, and then the other day an itchy
bump come up on my old BCG scar.
I've
had these symptoms for over a month and its getting on my nerves always
itching everywhere
Answer:
In generalized
pruritus, or itching all over, a systemic disease (one that affects
a number of organs and tissues, or affects the body as a whole) may
be the cause in about 50 percent of people.
Symptoms
also may be caused by medication use, various infections (including
parasitic infections of the intestines), iron deficiency, liver disease,
kidney disease, high or low thyroid function, as well as certain cancers
such as lymphoma.
Chronic
urticaria (hives), especially dermatographism, and systemic forms
of contact dermatitis, are also common causes of generalized pruritus,
even if no visible rash is present.
Medications
that are well known to cause itching include opiates, such as Vicodin(acetaminophen/hydrocodone),
morphine and codeine.
Other
groups of medications causing itching include Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine),
aspirin, NSAIDs, and any of a large number of medications that cause
itching by affecting the liver.
Tests
for generalized pruritus, especially when no rash is present, may
include a complete blood count, kidney function, liver function, thyroid
function, iron level, stool studies for parasites, and a chest x-ray
(looking for evidence of lymphoma).
You can
find more information at:
Itching
in healthy people
