Diseases & Conditions

Why am I itchy all over?

The potential causes may be hard to pin down. Here are some of the most common ones — and what to do about them.

Potential causes

Generalized itching has many potential triggers. One is aging. "The skin barrier doesn't work as well as it used to, and things that may not have irritated you before may now be absorbed in the skin and cause itching," Dr. Arndt explains. "The skin also develops a somewhat impaired immune response, a reduction in fat and blood flow, and altered sensory perception, making it more prone to itching."

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