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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- MedlinePlus: Itching
- MayoClinic.com: Poison Ivy Rash
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: What is Shingles?
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Atopic Dermatitis
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
What Are the Causes of Intense Painful Itching?
有很多原因的,痛苦的瘙痒。According to MedlinePlus, itching causes skin tingling or irritation that compels a person to scratch the affected area1.This itching is a symptom of many medical conditions, although most itching is not serious. Certain causes of itching may require medical attention, however, especially if the itching is persistent, painful or has no apparent cause.
Poison Ivy
Poison ivy can cause intense, painful itching. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, poison ivy is a plant that contains urushiol. Poison oak and poison sumac also contain urushiol. When urushiol makes contact with the skin, it can cause an allergic reaction and an intense, painful rash. The AAD states that there are three ways a person can acquire a poison ivy rash: direct contact with urushiol, indirect contact with urushiol and airborne contact with urushiol2.MayoClinic.com称,常见的体征和计算机协会toms associated with poison ivy rashes include redness, itching, swelling and blisters in the affected area2.According to the AAD, an allergic reaction usually does not occur the first time a person is exposed to urushiol. With repeated exposure, however, a urushiol sensitivity develops that leads to rash formation.
- Poison ivy can cause intense, painful itching.
- When urushiol makes contact with the skin, it can cause an allergic reaction and an intense, painful rash.
Shingles
Diseases Causing Skin Rash
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Shingles can cause intense, painful itching. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an outbreak of rash or blisters that occurs in a band on one side of the body3.It is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.
The shingles-related rash or blisters are usually preceded by a burning or tingling pain, numbness or an itch in the affected area. A rash of fluid-filled blisters will eventually appear anywhere from several days to a week after a person feels the initial symptoms.
The NINDS notes that shingles pain ranges from mild to severe, although some people experience only itching. Some people with shingles exhibit extreme skin sensitivity, such that light touch, clothing or even a breeze can cause pain in the affected area.
- Shingles can cause intense, painful itching.
- Some people with shingles exhibit extreme skin sensitivity, such that light touch, clothing or even a breeze can cause pain in the affected area.
Eczema
Eczema can cause intense, painful itching. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic or long-lasting inflammatory skin disease4.The NIAMS states that eczema is not contagious. Eczema occurs among people with an inherited tendency to develop a variety of allergic conditions, including asthma and hay fever.
People with eczema often have extremely itchy skin. Scratching the affected skin causes redness, swelling, cracking, crusting and scaling. Eczema sufferers usually experience periods of exacerbations--worsening of symptoms--followed by periods of remission or reduced symptom intensity. In some cases, as a person grows older, her eczema may improve or disappear entirely. The skin of eczema sufferers, however, usually remains dry and easily irritated, even if there are no apparent signs or symptoms of the disease.
- Eczema can cause intense, painful itching.
- The skin of eczema sufferers, however, usually remains dry and easily irritated, even if there are no apparent signs or symptoms of the disease.
Related Articles
References
- MedlinePlus: Itching
- MayoClinic.com: Poison Ivy Rash
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: What is Shingles?
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Atopic Dermatitis
- Boston Children's Hospital. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac: Who gets a rash and is it contagious?
- Prok L, McGovern T. Patient education: Poison ivy (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate. Updated March 25, 2019.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Other Poisonous Plants. Updated August 6, 2016.
- Porter R. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac. National Capital Poison Center.
- Usatine RP, Riojas M. Diagnosis and management of contact dermatitis. Am Fam Physician. 2010;82(3):249-55.
- MedlinePlus. Bentoquatam Topical. Updated February 15, 2018.
- American Academy of Dermatology. (2018). Poison ivy, oak, and sumac. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/itchy-skin/poison-ivy-oak-and-sumac
- Curtis G, Lewis AC. Treatment of severe poison ivy: a randomized, controlled trial of long versus short course oral prednisone. J Clin Med Res. 2014 Dec;6(6):429-34. doi: 10.14740/jocmr1855w.
- Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. Elsevier; 2016.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2016). Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Its Cousins. https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm049342.htm
Writer Bio
Martin Hughes is a chiropractic physician, health writer and the co-owner of a website devoted to natural footgear. He writes about health, fitness, diet and lifestyle. Hughes earned his Bachelor of Science in kinesiology at the University of Waterloo and his doctoral degree from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Ore.