Itchy Arm

Arms | Dermatology | Itchy Arm (Symptom)


Description

Itchy arm is a sensation that causes a desire to scratch the skin of the arm.

Causes

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of arm itch, including diseases and drug side effect causes. There are likely to be other possible causes. The condition include: xerotic eczema, senile pruritis, scabies, insect bites, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, infestations, infection, chronic hepatitis, sunburn, obstructive biliary disease, chronic renal failure, HIV, malignancy, parasites, medications, neurodermatitis, arm rash.

People who have intensely itchy arms but have skin that appears totally normal may be suffering from condition called brachioradial pruitus. It can occur to one or both arms. Typically the itching is on the back of the forearm but may extend to the upper arms and shoulders.

Scratching the itching areas seems to only make it worse and some people find that applying ice packs are the only way to get some relief. There are two theories believed to be the cause of brachioradial pruritus. The first is the sun hypothesis, where it is thought that people who have had chronic sun exposure develop an allergic type of histamine response in their skin. The alternate cause of brachioradial pruritus is believed to be due to some type of cervical (neck area) nerve damage.

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