Itching all over the body: diagnosis, treatment

Today, doctors often have to face such a problem in a patient as itching all over the body. The cause is not always clear. Without diagnosis, it is impossible to say why such a condition occurs. Moreover, it is impossible to choose an effective treatment.

Diagnostics of the itching all over

Diagnosis is very diverse, mainly consists of determining the exact cause of itching. This allows further selection of effective treatment. It is also important in the course of diagnosis to determine in which organ system the pathology is observed, what is the severity of the pathology, how long ago it occurred. To do this, various methods are used, ranging from clinical - examination, interviewing the patient, collecting anamnesis, and ending with specific laboratory and instrumental methods of research. Quite demanded and informative are instrumental methods that will trace the features of pathological changes in the body, identify the focus of inflammation, infection, allergies, or other conditions.

Analyses

Various methods of investigation are used. These may be standard clinical methods of investigation, such as clinical blood tests, urine. Despite the fact that the methods seem relatively simple and primitive, they are very informative and can have an important diagnostic value, quite clearly outline the boundaries and directions for further research.

Skin scrapings, mucous membranes, and swabs from the genitals, nose, and pharynx are often used. Almost all biological fluids can be tested:

• tears,
• saliva,
• phlegm,
• stomach contents,
• cerebrospinal fluid (liquor),
• vaginal and urogenital secretions, semen,
• cal,
• blood,
• urine.

Usually, after taking the material, taking a scraping for examination, its microscopic and cytologic (histologic) examination is performed. If there is a suspicion of viral infection, virologic, serologic methods of research are used. If oncology, malignant neoplasm is suspected, histologic examination, cytology, analysis for oncomarkers, biochemical examination may be required.

Biochemical blood tests are not only used when cancer is suspected. It can be very informative in assessing the condition of the body as a whole, in assessing the function of the kidneys, liver. Immunologic analysis (immunogram), can show the state of the immune system, the system of nonspecific resistance, mediators. If allergic reactions are suspected, allergy tests, screenings, functional tests are used. It may be necessary to analyze hormones.

If a bacterial infection is suspected, a bacteriological study is performed, the essence of which is to determine the composition of the microflora, to identify pathological microflora that causes infection, inflammation, itching. The study is quite complex, is carried out for at least 5 days (determined by the growth rate of the microorganism). It consists of several stages:

1. Collection of biological material.
2. Seeding on nutrient media.
3. Incubation (place a petri dish in a thermostat under optimal conditions, incubate the culture for 3 to 10 days).
4. Transfection on selective nutrient media (if necessary).
5. Pure culture isolation.
6. Identification of pure culture.

Additionally, biochemical and serological tests, antigenic reactions are performed, which allow to determine the exact quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the identified microorganism.

Often in parallel with the bacteriological examination, an antibiotic sensitivity test of the isolated microorganism is performed. The analysis allows to determine the most effective antibiotic, and to select its optimal dosage.

Instrumental diagnostics

Different methods may be used. Depending on what pathology is suspected, what preliminary diagnosis has been made. In the course of instrumental diagnostics, such methods as rheography, ultrasound, X-ray, CT, MRI, and other methods are used.

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Differential diagnosis

The essence of differential diagnosis is to differentiate the signs of one disease from the signs of another, similar disease that manifests itself in a similar way in the form of pruritus. For this purpose, various laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods are used.

Treatment of the itching all over

If you do not know how to treat itching that spreads throughout the body, it is better to treat it under the supervision of a doctor. To do this, you need to consult a dermatologist or district therapist, who will prescribe the necessary examination, select further treatment.

Treatment in most cases is etiologic, that is, it implies a focus on eliminating the cause that caused itching all over the body. Symptomatic therapy is also used, which implies the need to eliminate symptoms and pathological processes occurring in the body.

The most effective therapy is systemic therapy, that is, at the whole systemic level, implying an effect on the whole body, from within, and not just on the local area of itching. Various methods are used for treatment.

The most rational is considered to be complex therapy (includes medication, physiotherapy, homeopathic remedies, folk therapy and physiotherapy). Apply various heat procedures, hydroprocedures, massage, hardening, physical therapy, gymnastics, proper breathing, meditation. Sometimes help methods of psychotherapy, Gestalt psychology, aromatherapy, relaxation.

What to do for skin itching all over the body?

What to do with skin itching, especially if it spreads all over the body, only a doctor can say. The fact is that the causes of such itching can be many, and in order to find the right treatment, it is important to diagnose, correctly interpret the results obtained. For example, if the cause is allergy, prescribe antihistamines, if the inflammatory process is detected. Prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. With the development of bacterial infection - need antibiotic therapy, with pathologies on the side of the immune system - appropriate methods and forms of immunocorrection (immunostimulants, immunomodulators, immunosuppressors, or sorbents for the removal of autoantibodies, toxins). In case of vitamin deficiency, vitamin therapy is prescribed, in case of hormonal disorders - hormone therapy.

Usually systemic remedies are supplemented with topical agents. Various ointments, liniments, lotions, sprays, folk remedies and herbal remedies are used. Water procedures, massage, essential oils help well. It is recommended to prepare a mixture of essential oil and water in a ratio of 1:100 (1 ml of essential oil takes 100 ml of water). This solution wipe all areas that are subject to itching (wipe, wetting absorbent cotton or cotton swab, disk). You can apply therapeutic baths, compresses, applications, as a basis using herbal decoctions, infusions. Local creams, masks, scrubs help well.

Medications

• Enterosgel.

Dosage: a tablespoon of remedy dissolved in a glass of warm water, drink once a day. Mechanism of action: promotes the removal of toxins, also removes toxins, cleanses the blood, liver, removes dead and altered cells and its own body.

Precautions: together with toxins, removes from the body and medicines, so if you take other drugs, you need to observe an interval between intake of 2-3 hours, otherwise they will not work. Do not take in hemophilia.

Side effects: possible blood thinning, tendency to bleeding.

• Suprastin.

Dosage: take 1 tablet 1-3 times a day.

Side effects: may cause drowsiness and slowed reaction time.

Precautions: do not take if the work requires attentiveness, high concentration of attention.

• Spasmalgon.

Dosage: drink a tablet 2-3 times a day.

Precautions: with prolonged use it may be necessary to increase the dosage, as addiction develops.

Side effects: none.

• Diazepam.

Dosage: one tablet at night, before going to bed.

Precautions: Do not take during pregnancy.

Side effects: drowsiness, dependence formation, dizziness, uncertainty when walking, slowed thinking and speech impairment.

Mechanism of action: has a soothing effect on the body, relieves itching.

• Prednisolone ointment

Dosage: squeeze out the ointment - about the size of a pea. Thoroughly rub into the skin, in the area of itching until completely absorbed. Apply the ointment 2-3 times a day for at least 10 days.

Precautions: apply only externally. Do not apply to mucous membranes.

Side effects: flatulence, nausea, dyspeptic disorders, hypertension, increased sweating, weakening of immunity.

Vitamins

The following vitamins are recommended (daily dosage indicated):

• At 2 to 3 mg.
• PP - 60 mg
• A - 240 mg
• E - 45 mg
• C - 500-1000 mg.

B vitamins are especially important, as they significantly affect the condition of the skin, normalize metabolic processes in it, normalize sensitivity, relieve itching.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

The main physical therapy treatments that can help with itching are:

• ultrasound treatment,
• Infrared radiation, microcurrents,
• treatment with different wavelengths,
• electrophoresis,
• cryo treatments,
• heat treatments.

Folk treatment

Usually, folk treatment helps quite well to get rid of itching of any origin. There are many remedies that are used both externally and internally. Let's consider some recipes.

• Recipe #1.

As a basis take about semolina. Pour it with a small amount of previously prepared warm vegetable broth. Prepare a mass of homogeneous consistency. The mass should be such that it is easily applied to the skin and solidified (consistency is approximately like sour cream). Vegetable decoction is prepared in advance from the herb of jasmine flowers and roots of aira. When the mass is prepared, just before applying to the skin add 2-3 drops of concentrated essential oil of orange, cloves and geranium. Apply for 15-20 minutes on the place of itching, then wash off and apply a fat cream (any).

• Recipe #2.

As a basis take about 20 grams of sour cream and honey, mixed together. Pour a small amount of previously prepared warm vegetable broth (angelica, cardamom, coriander, laurel). Prepare a mass of homogeneous consistency (like sour cream). Just before applying to the skin add 2-3 drops of concentrated essential oil of lemon, half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons of lemongrass extract. Apply for 15-20 minutes on the body, then wash off and apply a fat cream (any). It can also be used as a remedy for therapeutic baths, adding a small amount of oil to a warm bath (about 2-3 tablespoons per bath).

• Recipe #3.

Take approximately equal parts of strawberry jam and milk, mix until a homogeneous consistency is formed. Mix well so that no lumps remain. Before applying to the skin add 2-3 drops of essential oil of musk, musk, fir, pine, thuja, once again mix thoroughly, and apply for no more than 10 minutes. Then wash off with warm water. It can be used as an additive in a therapeutic bath.

• Recipe #4.

Mix in equal parts rapeseed oil and mustard oil (about a tablespoon of each component), add about 2 tablespoons of starch and 1 tablespoon of egg powder. All this is thoroughly mixed, to a homogeneous consistency, heated over low heat, or on a steam bath with constant stirring, add thuja leaves and ground citronella. Boil for about 5 minutes. Apply to the skin in the area of itching. Apply as a cream to the itchy area or use as an additive in a therapeutic bath.

Herbal treatment

Herbal treatment helps to get rid of itching all over the body, even if the cause of itching is unknown.

The herb bitter wormwood has proven itself well. It is used in the form of decoctions and infusions, used according to the scheme internally or externally. Add to the composition of creams, ointments. It can also be used as a solution or lotion to lubricate the body, itchy areas. Used under a compress, in the form of applications. It has anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antiseptic action, thinning the blood. In addition, has a positive effect on immunity (stimulates).

Decoction of sage herb is used as the main anti-inflammatory agent. When used internally, as well as externally in the form of compresses, lotions, applications, for therapeutic baths.

Leaves of sweet pepper are used in the form of decoction: a glass of boiling water about 1-2 sprigs of pepper. The whole glass of decoction is drunk in a day. It can be used for applications, local medicinal baths.

Prevention

The basis of prevention is a nutritious diet, maintaining a normal balance of vitamins and mineral components, ensuring a normal drinking regimen. It is necessary to undergo regular preventive examinations by a gynecologist (urologist), allergist, immunologist. It is important to prevent dysbacteriosis, immune disorders. Do not get hypothermia, avoid stress, nervous overstrain.

Forecast

If you have itching all over your body - you need to see a doctor. To begin with, it is worth going to the district therapist, and he will already give the necessary referrals, if necessary. Directs to other specialists. Usually with proper and timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable. If you identify the cause, and eliminate it, the problem can be completely solved. If nothing is done - the situation may worsen, and take over other areas, become the cause of inflammation, allergies, infection.