Dermatologist cautions on medical risks of itching

A dermatologist with the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Olanrewaju Falodun, has warned people about itching of the body, as it could be a sign of more serious medical problems.

Falodun, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), warned against the risks associated with itching of the body which he said could occur with or without rashes.

He, therefore, advised people to consult a physician if they experienced itching of the body.

“There are a number of things that can cause itching of the skin, but the dermatologist approach to itching of the skin would be based on if there is a rash associated with the itching or if there is no rash.

“The itching without the rash is much more complex to handle because you need to take a long history and you need to do some investigations because a number of things can give rise to itching of the skin.

“For some people it can just be psychological; for others it can be an internal malignancy. We have things like leukaemia, blood cancer, and some other cancers in the body (that) can give (or cause) itching.

“Things like thyroid disease can give rise to itching of the skin, even chronic kidney disease can give (rise) itching of the skin. “Even Iron deficiency anaemia can give rise to itching of the skin, even without a rash,” he said.

The dermatologist explained that the itching which occurred with rashes could be caused by an allergic dermatitis, which is an inflammation of the skin.

According to him; “Someone has contact with something and the person becomes sensitive to that thing; sowhenever the person comes in contact with that thing, the person reacts to it, rashes appear, accompanied with itching.’’

He added that dry skin could cause skin itching, and, therefore, encouraged people to drink a lot of water and apply moisturisers on the skin. (NAN)