If lately you have felt itchy skin and you have no idea what it could be. It may well be a common symptom of skin diseases, a discomfort that is sometimes so intense it is almost impossible not to scratch; in fact, in some cases a person's quality of life can be affected by this condition. If you want to know more about it, stay and read all the content carefully.

What is itchy skin?

Itching on the skin is usually a fairly frequent problem; it is a sensation that can be a warning that something is happening to your skin, such as conditions known to cause damage to the barrier that protects it. It causes irritation and intense itching that should be treated by a professional dermatologist to prevent the itching from becoming a vicious cycle that is hard to break.

Depending on the cause of the itch, the skin takes on a normal, rough, bumpy or reddened appearance. If you do not avoid scratching constantly, you will create thickened areas, which can later bleed and become infected.

Most people who suffer from these itches relieve their discomfort with self-care habits such as applying moisturiser daily, using soap for delicate skin and showering with lukewarm water. However, to fully fight this condition, it is necessary for a professional to identify how you can treat it and completely eliminate the itching. Generally, the most commonly used treatments are wet dressings, oral medications and medicated creams.

Symptoms

Itches usually affect small areas of the body, such as the arm, the leg or the scalp, but sometimes they can even cover the whole body. Although it can also occur without any noticeable symptom on the skin, some of the symptoms may be the following:

• Scratch marks.
• Cracked and dry skin.
• Redness.
• Rough, scaly patches.
• Bumps, blisters or spots.

The itching can last for a certain period of time and can even be very intense. The more you scratch, the more the itching increases, and the more it itches, the more you will scratch. It is a very hard cycle to break, but it is not impossible. You can do it!

Causes of itchy skin

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition that affects the skin; it is usually very common in children and can be caused by its strong hereditary component. Some of its symptoms are extremely dry and itchy skin areas and eczematous plaques, that is, inflammatory lesions. On the other hand, skin with atopic lesions has a very high risk of superinfection.

Dryness

Not drinking enough fluids can cause dehydration of the skin. As well as a fairly advanced age and not carrying out the necessary moisturising care to keep the skin hydrated. Not having the required hydration habits and routines will cause dry skin and, consequently, produce itching, a condition also known as xerosis.

Bites

Insect bites can cause you to itch. This happens because the mosquito, when biting, introduces saliva into the skin, and the body's reaction is to cause itching and produce a small prominence.

Scabies

Itching can also be a symptom of scabies, a condition that causes a rash and itching due to the mites that are in the skin. To make sure it really is scabies, you should go to a specialist so they can take a sample and examine it under a microscope.

Fungus

The presence of fungus on the skin or in areas such as between the fingers, on the feet, armpits, hands and back can cause constant itching. It usually causes an alteration of the pigmentation of the skin in the areas affected by the fungus and produces white, brown or red spots.

Medications

Itches are among the side effects and unfavourable reactions of some medications; even dryness is one of their side effects. So we recommend that you read each of their effects and avoid a bad time.

When should I go to the doctor?

Sometimes you may not worry too much about the itching on your body; however, it is important to know when it is necessary to go for a consultation. You should see a doctor if:

• The itching is not relieved.
• The itching lasts more than two weeks.
• It appears suddenly.
• The itching spreads throughout the body.

Remember not to wait too long and to see a specialist doctor to avoid any complications.

Allergy to polyester or other synthetic fabrics

Sometimes itchy skin is caused by allergies triggered by contact with the chemical additives used during the weaving of textile fibres.

Synthetic fibres such as rayon, rubber, fibreglass, polyester (or recycled polyester) or nylon can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Generally, cases of dermatitis are caused by contact with additives such as formaldehyde resins, anthraquinone- and azo-based disperse dyes, and latex, rubber, chrome and cobalt accelerators, among others.

Its reactions are redness, itching and flaking. They usually appear within a few hours, after contact with the synthetic fabric. Although sometimes the reaction shows up days later.

The most frequently affected areas are the armpits, the folds of the arm, the groin and the knees, places that are constantly in contact with clothing. In addition, it is important to mention that irritated areas can get worse with sweating in humid and warm environments.

On the other hand, fast fashion garments can also cause itchy skin, since most garments of this type are produced with methods that require the use of toxic chemicals. In addition, the synthetic fabrics used are also made of materials that can cause allergic reactions.

We recommend that you go for sustainable fashion and buy garments made of natural fibres, vegan and sustainable clothing, free of chemicals and polyester at Clotsy Brand. Avoid allergic reactions and skin breakouts, since all our garments are made with 100% natural materials such as organic cotton and linen. What are you waiting for to get your vegan garment?

Fabrics or natural fibres that do not cause allergies

Organic cotton

Organic cotton is one of the most popular fabrics for being hypoallergenic, which makes it ideal for babies and for people with sensitive skin. One of its great benefits is that it does not irritate the skin, so if you suffer from conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, you should not worry. Prevent itchy skin with organic cotton in sheets, garments, pillows and more. You can find a wide variety of organic cotton clothing or corduroy clothing at Clotsy Brand.

Linen

Linen fabric is hypoallergenic, antibacterial and antistatic, and it is characterised by being extremely soft and ideal for sensitive skin, since it has the ability to suppress pathogenic microflora. It absorbs up to 20% of moisture, which makes it excellent for those who tend to sweat too much. In addition, if you take good care of it, it can last you a long time thanks to its strong fibres. You can find linen clothing at Clotsy Brand too.

Viscose

Viscose is a man-made fibre derived from cellulose, which in turn is a natural compound found in plants. Although viscose is produced synthetically, it is considered a natural fibre because it is derived from natural materials. Viscose is known for its softness and its ability to mimic the appearance of natural fibres such as cotton, silk and wool. It is widely used in the manufacture of clothing, bedding and other textiles.

At Clotsy we have a 100% viscose set; we show you the trousers so you can see the beautiful print.

Tencel

The Tencel is a natural fibre derived from cellulose. In particular, Tencel is produced from eucalyptus wood pulp, which undergoes a chemical process to produce fibre filaments. Although the production process is synthetic, the basic material used is natural and renewable, which makes Tencel considered a natural fibre.

Tencel is valued for its softness, breathability and ability to absorb moisture, and it is used in the manufacture of clothing, bedding and other textiles. In addition, Tencel's production process is more sustainable than that of other synthetic fibres, which makes it a popular choice for those looking for greener materials.

Conclusion

Remember how essential it is to take care of the health of your skin as much as your physical health. Do not wear garments made of synthetic fabrics, because otherwise they can cause you skin irritations. Another measure you can take is to wash your garments with ecological detergent and see whether its use helps at all.

Avoid at all costs what causes you itching and go to a specialist if necessary. Promote the use of garments that do not harm the health of your skin!