itch101

The A-Zzzzzz’s of Nocturnal Itch

The A-Zzzzzz’s of Nocturnal Itch

Itch 101, Itch Basics ,

We’ve all had those nights where time keeps tick-tocking closer to the morning light but sleep is nowhere to be found. Now, imagine in your restlessness that you are super itchy on top of this.

Believe it or not, nocturnal itch is a “thing.” Majority of patients with inflammatory skin conditions (such as eczema, and psoriasis) experience increased itching at night. Nighttime itching can cause you to scratch in your sleep, which in turn irritates your skin and leads to sleep loss.

So – why do we itch more at night? Well, the short answer is, the doctors are unsure.

“Previously, the main explanation for nocturnal itch was that people are busier during the day, surrounded by distractions that take their minds off the itch but that is no longer the case,” said Gil Dr. Yosipovitch, Director of the Itch Center at Temple University Medical School and member of the Cosmederm Bioscience Scientific Advisory Board. “We are gaining a better understand of nocturnal itch and believe that variety of factors can lead to it.”

One theory explains that your skin temperature can fluctuate with your circadian rhythms – the changes in your body over a 24-hour period that often dictate sleep patterns. Your skin actually loses more water during the night, which can lead to increased itch. Also chemicals that induce itch may be increased at night time.

While the “usual suspects” of itch treatments can help nocturnal itch, doctors will also sometimes prescribe medications that can have a sedative effect.

“Drugs such as sedating anti-histamines such as Hydroxyzine as well as ant-epileptic drugs such as Gabapentin and Pregabalin and types of anti-depressants such as mirtazapine that cause sedation may help the patients have better sleep and less scratching at night time,” said Yosipovitch.

References: http://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/?doi=10.2340/00015555-0280&html=1

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Skin Tip

Skin Tip #1

“Every day my patients ask me how they can prevent wrinkles and brown spots. My advice is to first and foremost protect yourself from the sun and UV rays.” –Dr. Gigler

New Season, New Itch

New Season, New Itch

Itch 101, Types of Itch ,

Brilliantly colored leaves. Diminishing daylight. That first, tiny crocus. There are many markers of a new season…including changes in your itch.

Winter is generally the WORST time for itch-prone folks. Colder, drier weather combined with low humidity and the use of central heat often leave us with snake-like skin (think flakey and scaly). This so-called “winter itch” is most common in those with a history of eczema, allergies, or asthma, as well as in seniors. If you’ve been plagued by the winter itch, take solace in the fact that you’re not alone: a 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) suggests at least 81 million Americans share your pain.

While spring and summer provide warmer temps and higher humidity (which generally aids dry skin), these sunnier months also bring new itch ailments. Mosquito bites are one of the most common sources of summertime itch. When this pesky critter latches onto your skin, it injects its saliva while simultaneously extracting your blood. The saliva contains a cocktail of proteins that most people are allergic to, triggering an immune system response which then causes the telltale red bump and itch.

Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are warm weather plants containing an itch-inducing oil called urushiol. When urushiol grazes your skin, it frequently prompts a scratchy, blistering rash known as allergic contact dermatitis. These plants grow in most areas of the United States, but are less common in Alaska, Hawaii, and the desert areas of the Southwest.

So, when the seasons turn, take a moment to consider potential changes in your itch. Understanding the fluctuating environmental factors at play can help you avoid seasonal irritants and keep the scratching at bay!

 

References: MedicineNet/ Dry Skin, John Hopkins Medicine/ Winterzing Skin, The American Mosquito Control Association/Frequently Asked Questions, Healthline/Mosquito Bites, American Academy of Dermatology/Poison Ivy Tips, WebMD/Skin Problems and Treatments, Cleveland Clinic/The Poison Plants

 

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Skin Tip

Skin Tip #1

“Every day my patients ask me how they can prevent wrinkles and brown spots. My advice is to first and foremost protect yourself from the sun and UV rays.” –Dr. Gigler

Living with Sensitive Skin

Living with Sensitive Skin

Itch 101, Itch Basics, Managing Acute and Chronic Itch, Sidebar Feature , ,

Living with sensitive skin can be difficult in today’s world. With the plethora of skin care products available to you, navigating through the ingredient list to discern what causes your irritation can be aggravating. Depending upon the level of your skin’s sensitivity, your reaction to an allergen can be a minor skin rash or a traumatizing allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention.

There are four categories of sensitive skin:

  • Acne
  • Rosacea
  • Burning and stinging
  • Contact dermatitis (this includes allergies and irritants)

Many people determine they have sensitive skin if they frequently experience allergic reactions that can produce redness, rashes or acne outbreaks after using certain soaps or lotions. Some people have severe sensitive skin where they experience redness and tenderness with the slightest touch, inhibiting their ability to live life to the fullest.

The number of people who say they have sensitive skin has increased over the last 30 years. Some doctors credit this to factors such as climate and seasonal conditions, which can have a direct influence on one’s skin. Environmental factors such as UV exposure, frequent contact with water, soaps and cleansers can break down the skin’s natural barrier and leave skin dry, itchy and red.

Some common causes for sensitive skin include:

Allergies: Allergies can be caused by foods you digest or chemicals found in common skin care products. Allergic reactions can include itching, rashes, hives, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, exhaustion, nausea, swelling, redness, pain, stomach cramps diarrhea and vomiting.

Genetics: Research studies have concluded that fair-skinned people tend to develop more severe cases of skin sensitivity. This may be due to the lack of melatonin within their skin, which acts as protection from harmful environmental factors.

Poor Digestion: Poor digestion can also play a role sensitive skin. People with poor nutrition tend to have an inflamed digestive tract. This kind of inflammation can affect many other organs including skin. Studies have also shown that poor nutrition can lead to sluggish elimination. If toxins in you body are not flushed out properly through the digestive tract, they are more likely to penetrate the skin.

Treatments for sensitive skin:

If you have sensitive skin you will want to first determine the source of your reactions. If you are suddenly having acne breakouts, they may be caused by a new cleanser, lotion or even a new food you are eating. The best way to determine what might be causing your allergic reaction is to watch out for certain patterns.

Once you have discovered what might be causing your skin to react, avoid using that product or any other product with those ingredients. If your skin is dry and irritated, finding a thick moisturizing cream will help protect your skin’s barrier allowing it to heal. Using TriCalm hydrogel will help stop the itch, providing you and your skin relief.

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Skin Tip

Skin Tip #1

“Every day my patients ask me how they can prevent wrinkles and brown spots. My advice is to first and foremost protect yourself from the sun and UV rays.” –Dr. Gigler

Defining Itchiness: Acute vs. Chronic

Defining Itchiness: Acute vs. Chronic

Itch 101, Sidebar Feature, Types of Itch ,

Now that we’ve established that itching is quite common, let’s talk about acute and chronic itch.

Acute itch is any type of itch that lasts less than six weeks. It frequently can be the result of environmental factors, such as a bug bite or an allergic reaction. Again, most people at some time have experienced a form of acute itch.

Itch lasting longer than six weeks is defined as chronic itch. Dermatologists consider chronic itch notoriously difficult to treat – the mechanism that occurs in your skin to actually cause the itch is not widely understood, so there is no general treatment “path” that doctors can follow. What works for one person might not work for the next, so dermatologists typically will devise an individualized approach.

While doctors find it difficult to treat chronic itch, if you’re the itch-ee, you may find it difficult to live with. A recent study shows that chronic itch can affect your life the way that chronic pain does. Imagine being so itchy you can’t go about your daily life?

There are many ways to treat itch – with over-the-counter creams, a prescription from your doc, and home remedies like cold compresses.

 

References: BMJ Best Practices, JAMA Dermatology/ The Impact of Pruritus on Quality of Life; Annals of Dermatology/Chronic Pruritus: Clinics and Treatments

Around the Web

Skin Tip

Skin Tip #1

“Every day my patients ask me how they can prevent wrinkles and brown spots. My advice is to first and foremost protect yourself from the sun and UV rays.” –Dr. Gigler