Itching is a very common occurrence that has many causes, ranging from yeast infections to bacterial infections. The intensity of itching varies with the severity of the condition that is causing it. Itchy skin is commonly referred to as pruritus. The probable cause of pruritus could be internal illnesses or skin infections.

Persistent itching requires medical intervention if the intensity increases and it does not have any obvious cause. Underlying conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, liver disease, kidney failure, and vaginal infections could also cause skin irritation and itching.

Causes of itching
Itching could be caused due to a multitude of problems. Stress, anxiety, or emotional issues may cause itching. Skin infections like psoriasis and fungal infections may also cause pruritus. Liver disease may also cause itching. Here are the common causes of itching:

• Emotional disturbances like stress, anxiety, and depression
• Excessive dryness of skin and scalp
• Prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun
• Hyperthyroidism
• Lymphoma
• Cancer
• End stage kidney disease
• Reaction to medication
• Insect bites
• Allergy to certain food stuff
• Skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, and dandruff
• Bacterial infections
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Head lice
• Candida
• Liver failure
• Diaper rash in children

Infections that cause Itching
In this section, we look at some of the common infections that cause itching.

Fungal skin infections : Fungal infections of the skin are the most common cause of pruritus. Athlete’s Foot is a fungal infection that occurs in the feet. It causes redness, peeling of skin, and itching. Severe conditions of Athlete’s Foot exhibit blisters and sores. Jock itch is a fungal infection that causes itching in the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks. Itching is accompanied by redness of skin, burning sensation, and peeling of skin. Ringworm is another fungal infection that appears anywhere in the body. It resembles red, flat sores with raised skin that can be itchy.

Yeast infections : These infections are also called candidiasis and are caused by yeast like fungi called candida. Yeast infections are not contagious, but can be troublesome. They appear like red, scaly rashes on the skin causing intense itching. This infection is common in obese people and those affected by diabetes. Vaginal yeast infection is a common infection that causes itching, swelling, burning sensation, and rash. There are many causes of yeast infection such as stress, tight fitting undergarments, unchecked diabetes, weak immunity, and hormonal imbalance.

Psoriasis : This is a chronic skin infection that causes red, elevated, plaques of skin. There are different types of psoriasis, based on where they occur.

Scalp-related infections : Head lice may cause itching. Other conditions like dandruff, dermatitis, or dry scalp also cause itching. Severe form of these scalp conditions may result in hair fall.

Conclusion
Although itching is not a health disorder, it may indicate an underlying condition that requires medical attention. Persistent itching that is chronic requires immediate diagnosis and treatment of the root cause.