Why’s my skin so itchy? Common causes and how to manage it

Your skin’s red raw, your nails are gross and you’re still itching. But what’s the cause? No matter what it is, you want to get rid of it. Rashy or weepy, cracked or flaky – we're here to help. Read on for tips on relieving itchy, scratchy skin (plus what might be causing it) with insight from H&B expert Angeli Moss...

Most likely, it’s down to a recurring skin condition or your skin disagreeing with something. But there are loads of potential reasons why like: 

This is the most common type of eczema, causing a dry, itchy rash and sore, cracked skin.³ The skin’s protective barrier may become weaker and less able to hold moisture, which causes dryness. As skin becomes more sensitive, it may be more prone to infection.²

Contact dermatitis is caused by interaction with a particular substance. It causes dry, itchy and cracked skin.⁴ There are two reasons a substance gives you contact dermatitis: either it’s an irritant or you’re allergic to it. Look out for flare-ups when you use certain soaps, washing powders or cosmetics. It might also get worse with regular contact with water or even handling raw fruit and veg.⁴

Sometimes called pompholyx, this causes tiny blisters on fingers, hands and sometimes the soles of the feet.⁶ The blisters are itchy and sometimes filled with fluid. It’s usually a long-term condition that comes and goes, lasting a few weeks at a time.⁶ The exact causes aren't obvious. However, stress, heat, sweating and sensitivity to metal compounds are generally agreed to aggravate it.⁶ 

As the name suggests, this causes ‘disc’ shapes of red, swollen and cracked skin. It can be extremely itchy.⁷ On lighter skin the sores will be pink or red and they might be dark brown in darker skin or lighter than the skin around them.⁷ It’s not known why discoid eczema happens, but it might be a result of having extremely dry skin.⁷ Without treatment, it may last for weeks or months and might sometimes return in the same spot.⁷ It’s best to see a GP or speak to a pharmacist if you think you’ve got discoid eczema.

You’ll usually find this on the lower legs, especially if you have varicose veins. Like other types of eczema, the affected area of skin becomes dry, flaky, itchy and swollen. It’s more common in the elderly and is linked to increased pressure in the veins of the legs and decreased circulation.⁸ If not treated, ulcers may develop on the legs.⁸ Treatment for varicose eczema varies, but methods involve moisturisers, corticosteroid creams, compression stockings and staying active where possible.⁸

This kind of eczema affects oily (sebaceous) areas of the body, like the scalp, nose and sometimes around the ears.⁹ It’s characterised by dry flakes, redness and yellow ‘scales’.⁹ If you know about cradle cap in babies, that’s actually seborrhoeic dermatitis.¹⁰ There’s no permanent cure for seborrhoeic dermatitis, but you can help improve flare-ups by using antifungal medication and/or anti-inflammatory creams.⁹

Itchy skin isn’t usually a sign of something serious, but you should see your doctor if the itching:¹

Sore no more? We hope this helped. But remember that not all itchy skin can be sorted out at home. “Some symptoms like a rash or swelling may give clues, but it’s important not to self-diagnose. If you’re worried, speak to a healthcare professional,” Angeli says.