What causes itchy skin all over?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
The most common cause of all-over itch is dry skin - winter, hot showers, heating, and age. But itch without any rash can be the first sign of an internal problem: thyroid, liver, kidney, iron deficiency, or diabetes. Itch WITH skin changes points to eczema, hives, scabies (night-itch with burrows between fingers), psoriasis, or a contact allergy to a new detergent. Relief while sorting it: short lukewarm showers, fragrance-free moisturizer within minutes of drying, gentle detergent, cool rooms, short nails. See a doctor for itch lasting over two weeks despite moisturizing, sleep-wrecking itch, itch plus weight loss, fatigue, fever, or yellowing eyes, or itch that started with a new medicine. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you map your pattern.
What to do
- Fix the dry-skin basics first: lukewarm short showers, immediate moisturizer, gentle detergent.
- Sort itch-with-rash from itch-without: the second group deserves blood tests.
- Check the medicine cabinet: opioids and some BP drugs cause itch.
- Escalate at two weeks: persistent unexplained itch earns thyroid, liver, kidney, and iron labs.
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