. An overactive immune system response causes it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/b>Psoriasis vs. eczema vs. dry skin: How to tell the difference<\/b><\/p>\nStress and anxiety<\/span><\/h3>\nSometimes, emotional distress can manifest physically.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cFeelings like stress, anxiety, or fear can make itching worse,\u201d Dr. Kim says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSweating due to stress or anxiety can lead to itchiness. An overactive histamine response can also happen from stressful events or trauma, leading to itching.<\/span><\/p>\nMedication interaction\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\nItching can be a side effect of some medicines. Itchiness after taking a new medication can be a sign of allergic reactions. Some allergic reactions are mild and do not require treatment. Others progress quickly and become life-threatening, as in the case of anaphylaxis. If you started a new medication or are noticing itchiness associated with a current medication, seek medical attention immediately.<\/span><\/p>\nSystemic conditions<\/span><\/h3>\nIn rare cases, itchiness indicates a serious health condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cItchy hands can be a sign of deeper health problems like liver or heart disease,\u201d Dr. Kim says.<\/span><\/p>\nLiver disease symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Jaundice<\/span> (yellow skin color)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Abdominal pain and swelling<\/span><\/li>\n
- Swelling in the lower extremities<\/span><\/li>\n
- Itchy skin<\/span><\/li>\n
- Dark urine color<\/span><\/li>\n
- Pale stool color<\/span><\/li>\n
- Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite<\/span><\/li>\n
- Tendency to bruise easily<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Heart disease symptoms include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Dry cough<\/span><\/li>\n
- Fever<\/span><\/li>\n
- Heartbeat changes<\/span><\/li>\n
- Shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n
- Skin rashes or unusual spots<\/span><\/li>\n
- Swelling<\/span><\/li>\n
- Weakness<\/span><\/li>\n
- Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/b>15 signs of heart problems worth worrying about<\/b><\/p>\nShould I be worried about itchy palms?<\/span><\/h2>\nWhile itchy palms are not usually a sign that something is seriously wrong, it\u2019s worth it to get yourself checked out if the itching is severe or doesn\u2019t go away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIf itching lasts for a long time, gets worse, or comes with other symptoms that worry you, you should see a doctor to get a good evaluation and diagnosis,\u201d Dr. Kim says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nFiguring out the cause is key. \u201cWhether or not your itchy hands go away on their own depends on what\u2019s causing them to itch in the first place. Itchy hands could get better on their own with self-care, but in other cases, they may stay the same or get worse if nothing is done,\u201d Dr. Kim says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHow is the cause of itchy palms diagnosed?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe first way a healthcare professional will try to determine the cause of itchy palms is to take a history and perform a physical examination. To most easily diagnose you, it might be best to see your healthcare provider while you\u2019re having a flare. Or bring a photo of your skin when you\u2019re having symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\nTogether, you and your healthcare provider will try to discover what might be causing your itch, such as infections or environmental factors. Sometimes, you may have testing to look for allergies or chronic conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAre itchy palms contagious?<\/span><\/h2>\nMost causes of itchy palms are not contagious. Any chronic health condition causing the itch, such as eczema or allergies, can\u2019t be passed from person to person. Ringworm and yeast, however, can be <\/span>contagious<\/span>, so it\u2019s worth ensuring you don\u2019t have a condition that can spread.<\/span><\/p>\nHow long do itchy palms last?<\/span><\/h2>\nItchy palms may happen once for a short time, be ongoing, or may come and go. \u201cDepending on how bad it is, getting better could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months,\u201d Dr. Kim says. The severity of your case and how quickly you treat the symptoms will influence your recovery time.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t
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How to stop itchy palms<\/span><\/h2>\nIn general, trying over-the-counter medications like hydrocortisone cream, antifungal cream, moisturizers, or Benadryl can be your first step.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIf you notice that, in spite of your efforts, the itching is getting worse, get a professional opinion. Stopping the itch is only possible if you know what started it in the first place. \u201cHow to treat it will depend on what\u2019s causing it,\u201d Dr. Kim says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nLooking for external causes is the only way to figure out what to do next. \u201cIn order for itchy palms to resolve, you need to address the trigger,\u201d Dr. Wassef says.<\/span><\/p>\nIn the case of dry skin, you may see an improvement with seasonal or lifestyle changes. \u201cIf your symptoms are caused by dry skin, you can often get rid of them in a few days to a couple of weeks by moisturizing your skin often and avoiding strong soaps,\u201d Dr. Kim says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSimilarly, contact dermatitis is usually a temporary condition. Dr. Kim says, \u201cIf it\u2019s caused by irritants or allergens, you can get better in a few days by getting rid of the cause and using over-the-counter creams.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nEczema, psoriasis, and fungal Infections \u201cmay require medical treatment, such as topical steroids or antifungal medications,\u201d Dr. Kim says. \u201cImprovement may take several weeks to months, depending on the severity.\u201d Some medications include:<\/span><\/p>\nAdditional treatments for psoriasis may include:<\/span><\/p>\nMedical phototherapy, called photodynamic therapy, uses ultraviolet light and can help some skin conditions such as psoriasis.<\/span><\/p>\nThere are several systemic conditions that might have itchy palms as a symptom. \u201cThese diseases may need medical care, like oral steroids or antifungal drugs,\u201d Dr. Kim says. Or, if it\u2019s a more serious issue like liver disease or diabetes, treating the root cause can help alleviate itchiness.<\/span><\/p>\nHopefully, avoiding triggers and treating the itch directly will get rid of the unpleasant symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIf your itchy palms do not resolve within a month, I would recommend seeing a dermatologist,\u201d Dr. Wassef says.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t
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Living with itchy palms<\/span><\/h2>\nDealing with recurring itchy palms depends on their root cause. If you have a chronic condition like eczema or psoriasis or are prone to dry skin, you can manage the symptoms with any of the above treatments or talk to your healthcare provider about a more long-term solution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSome natural remedies, when used topically, help alleviate the cause or symptoms associated with itchy palms. These include:<\/span><\/p>\nMany people also find that a humidifier or a cool soak in the tub helps prevent dry skin, eczema, psoriasis flare-ups, and other causes of itching. The specific reason for your condition will determine whether or not these natural remedies help reduce or prevent itchiness.<\/span><\/p>\n
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