Why does my skin itch at night?
Sara P.
A dermatologist based in Canada.
Overview
Up to 65% of patients with inflammatory skin conditions including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria, have reported increased itching at night.
Unexplained itchy skin at night can disrupt even the deepest sleepers. But rest assured, nighttime itching, or nocturnal pruritus, is a common concern and can often be managed with home remedies or over-the-counter medications.
What are the causes of nighttime itching?
Common causes of itching are insect bites, infections such as ringworm or itching, and allergies to plants or metals in jewelry.
You can blame nocturnal itching in part on your body’s circadian rhythms. These are cycles that repeat every 24 hours, controlled by a “master clock” in the brain. Circadian rhythms influence sleepiness and wakefulness, hormonal activity, hunger, digestion and body temperature, among other things.
Nighttime itching can be a symptom of a skin condition such as atopic eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis.
Sometimes bedding can also cause allergies, and wearing clothes made from synthetic fabrics such as nylon or polyester can cause itching all over your body.
Your body temperature and blood flow naturally increase during the night to keep you warm. This rise in heat against the surface of the skin can cause you to feel itchy.
During the day, we are under what's called higher cortical executive control, meaning our brain is working hard to deal with the minute-to-minute decisions of life. In the evening, when these distractions are reduced and our attention is more singular, you're more likely to notice itching that may have been an annoyance you dismissed during the day.
Like it or not, a few natural factors of getting older can contribute to nocturnal pruritus. Dry skin, a decrease in immune function, and neural degeneration can increase the irritability of itchy skin.
Not only can the subsequent dryness cause itchy skin, Dr. Hart says, but a disrupted skin barrier also makes it easier for itch-causing substances (known as pruritogens) to be exposed. This is because the loss of transepidermal water can compromise the integrity of the skin barrier, which can then allow pruritus (any substance that causes itching) to enter the skin.
Wool, chemicals, soaps, and other substances can irritate the skin and cause rashes and itching.
There are also non-dermatological conditions that can cause itchy skin at night, such as restless legs syndrome (which can cause legs to itch at night), diabetes and thyroid problems, as well as kidney disease and skin cancer.
How to treat itchy skin at night?
Choose clothing made of soft fabrics like cotton or silk. Avoid wearing clothing made of rough wool, which can irritate your skin and make it itch.
Keep your nails trimmed short to avoid breaking the skin when scratching as this can cause you to become stuck in the itch-scratch cycle or for your skin to become infected.
You can apply a body lotion or moisturiser that is hypoallergenic and fragrance free to control and calming your dry skin . This will lock the moisture in your skin that is otherwise lost at night. Body butters and emollient rich creams can help.
You can use a cool compress for the part of the body that is itching the most or a gel calming to calm it down.
HiSqin™ Gotu Kola Calming Gel
This Seaweed-based soothing gel provides the ultimate hydration while calming botanicals tend to sensitive or irritated skin.
May be used daily or nightly as a moisturizer or as a post treatment on irritated or inflamed skin.
Rich in Shiitake and Mannentake Mushroom BioComplex, the unique gel texture immediately cools when applied to even the most sensitive skin.
When to call a doctor?
Call your doctor if you think there may be an underlying medical problem behind the itching. Call your doctor if you are an older adult with severe itching that doesn't go away in two weeks for no apparent cause. If you have severe poison ivy or a sudden itchy rash, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you.
Takeaway
Obviously, underlying skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or hives can cause excessive itching at night.
If you haven't been diagnosed with eczema yet, you should talk to your doctor about night itching symptoms to rule out other causes. If your skin isn't dry and you can't find an obvious reason for your persistent itching, be sure to talk to your doctor.
DISCLAIMER Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice.
