The itching in the palms of the hands is very annoying. We can go crazy when the irritating and burning itch won't stop. However, this could be the sign of an underlying problem.
Although itchy palms are rarely a sign of a larger, more serious problem. That's the good news. The bad news is that it can be a sign of a chronic skin condition that needs frequent treatment.
Causes
There are many conditions that can be responsible for itchy palms.
Dry Skin
Winter weather makes the skin dry. Dry skin can be irritating and itchy. It can also happen if we have been washing our hands more than usual. Both can dry out the skin on your hands and leave your palms itchy and tight. If the palms are really dry, we may also notice irregular scales, scales, or cracks on your skin.
Certain chemicals or substances can irritate the sensitive skin on your hands. Rubbing or brushing can also irritate the skin. This can cause dryness, flaking, and itchiness.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
The first signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, where the nerves in the palm of the hand become pinched or compressed, can sometimes include an itching or tingling sensation in the hands, wrists, or forearms. As the condition progresses, we may also start to notice itchiness on the palms of our hands.
Taking breaks from writing or other activities that make your hands or wrists uncomfortable and applying ice packs can be helpful for early carpal tunnel syndrome and may even make the problem go away. If the condition progresses, we may need to wear a wrist splint, take medication, or even undergo surgery.
Allergic reaction
If we are allergic to something you touch, we may experience itchy palms. The itching may not start right away. In some cases, you may not experience itching for several hours after coming into contact with the allergen.
If your hands don't seem to agree to a new soap, detergent, lotion or even a piece of jewelry, your itching could be caused by contact dermatitis. These common allergic reactions can develop when the skin comes in contact with an irritant, causing redness, itching, burning, hives-like bumps, and swelling.
Psoriasis
This common skin condition causes uncontrolled growth of skin cells. This accelerated pace means that the skin cells cannot slough off naturally. Instead, the extra skin cells accumulate on the skin's surface. In addition to itching, psoriasis can cause painful and swollen joints, cracked skin, and pain in nearby joints.
Psoriasis is chronic, but you may only experience infrequent or temporary bouts of the condition rather than a constant flare-up. It does not usually affect the palms of the hands.
Eczema
Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a condition that causes itchy skin. It can cause colored patches on the skin in the affected area. Some will be red in color, while others may be a darker brown or almost gray. Some people will develop small bumps that stick out of the skin.
These bumps can burst and leak fluid. The skin may also be dry. That could lead to cracks and even bleeding. Like psoriasis, eczema flare-ups can come and go. We may have symptoms for a few days or weeks and then not experience them for several months.
Diabetes
It's rare, but diabetes can cause itchy palms. Diabetes can cause poor blood circulation, and poor blood circulation can lead to itchy skin.
However, most people with diabetes-related itch experience it more on their legs than their hands.
Additional symptoms
Itchy palms are not always a symptom of a problem itself. Sometimes the palms just itch and do not pose any risk.
Other times, however, it can be an indication of a skin problem. Symptoms beyond an itchy palm can help us determine what is causing the itchiness. If we have any of these symptoms in addition to itchy palms, we may need to see a doctor:
- Red, inflamed skin with or without thick, dry scales
- Silvery-white scales
- Bleeding or cracking of the skin
- Small blisters that leak or burst
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Burning or stinging of the skin
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of the itchy palms. Matching treatment to the symptoms or condition will help you get relief faster.
If we have dry skin, apply a moisturizing lotion on the skin several times a day may be enough to relieve itching. We'll look for one that hydrates the skin with glycerin, lactic acid, topical urea, or moisturizers that reduce water loss, like petroleum jelly/ointments. Thinner lotions may not be as good at soothing the itch. An unscented option is recommended, too. Some of the highly scented lotions irritate sensitive skin.
When itching is allergy, with a antihistamine or allergy medication may be enough. An antihistamine lotion may also be helpful.
For both eczema and psoriasis, both conditions can be mild enough to treat itchy palms with lotion or steroid ointments. Some severe cases of these skin conditions require prescription medications. These drugs can slow or stop the body processes that cause these conditions.
Also, early diagnosis of diabetes or a blood glucose problem can help reduce symptoms and side effects. Once diabetes is diagnosed, symptoms may go away if blood glucose levels are properly controlled.
Prevention
Preventing itchy palms can be as simple as taking proper care of your skin. Some tips can be:
- stay hydrated. Hydrate the body from the inside out. We will drink a lot of water and eat foods rich in water.
- use lotion. Thick, moisturizing lotions that help skin feel more comfortable and hydrated. This can prevent the skin from becoming dry and itchy.
- protect hands. If the skin is sensitive, we will try to protect our hands whenever we are going to touch chemical products or solutions that can irritate the skin. We can prove that thick cotton gloves can be useful for daily activities in the cold and for handling dry substances.
- Avoid harsh cleansers and soaps. They can be irritating.