Why do I feel itchy and weird?

It’s not uncommon to experience feelings of itchiness and weird sensations on your skin from time to time. There are a number of potential causes for these symptoms, ranging from minor to more serious underlying conditions.

Table of Contents

What causes itchiness?

Itchiness, also known as pruritus, has many possible causes:

Dry skin – Skin that lacks moisture is a common cause of itchiness. Dry environments, over-washing, and certain soaps can strip skin of oils leading to dryness and itching.
Allergic reactions – Allergies to foods, medications, insect bites, jewelry metals, detergents, skin care products, and other substances can trigger itchiness and rashes.
Skin conditions – Eczema, psoriasis, hives, dermatitis, and other skin conditions often have itching as a main symptom.

Insect bites and stings – Bites from mosquitos, bees, spiders, bed bugs, and other insects commonly cause local itching and skin irritation.
Skin infections – Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections like ringworm and athletes foot can lead to itchy rashes.
Nerve disorders – Diseases like multiple sclerosis, diabetic neuropathy, shingles, and pinched nerves can cause itching sensations.

Circulatory disorders – Reduced blood flow can deprive nerves of nutrients and stimulate itchiness.
Cancer – Lymphomas and cancers affecting the skin, bones, breasts, and internal organs may produce generalized itching.
Pregnancy – Hormonal changes and skin stretching during pregnancy often cause itchy skin.

Medications – Antibiotics, opioids, chemotherapy drugs, and many other medications list itching as a potential side effect.
Psychological factors – Stress and emotions can also play a role in itch and other skin sensations.

Why do I feel weird sensations on my skin?

In addition to itchiness, people may experience odd or unusual feelings on their skin such as:

Tingling
Burning
Prickling pins and needles

Crawling
Stinging

These types of sensations can be caused by:

Nerve compression or damage – Pressure on nerves from a herniated disc, carpal tunnel syndrome, or other conditions can elicit strange skin sensations.
Neuropathies – Damage to the peripheral nerves from diabetes, chemotherapy, HIV, autoimmune diseases, infections, and toxins disturbs normal nerve signaling resulting in odd skin sensations that may persist even after the inciting cause is treated.
Shingles – Reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox leads to inflammation of spinal and cranial nerves, producing burning, itching, tingling, and pain along the affected nerve pathways.

Multiple sclerosis – This autoimmune disease destroys the protective myelin coating around nerves, disrupting conduction of signals and causing sensory changes including itching, pins and needles, numbness, and hypersensitivity.
Psychogenic causes – Emotional and psychological distress can manifest physically with complains of odd itching, tingling, crawling, burning, or numbness that have no underlying medical cause identified.

Common locations for itchiness and strange skin sensations

Itching and unusual skin sensations can occur anywhere on the body, but tend to be most bothersome in the following locations:

Hands and feet
Arms and legs
Back, chest, and torso

Head and scalp
Groin area
Face and neck

When to see a doctor

Occasional minor itching that resolves quickly is usually not a concern. However, see your doctor if you experience:

Severe or widespread itching
Itching that disrupts sleep or daily activities

Itching that persists more than a few days or recurs frequently
Itching along with a rash or skin changes
Itching with no identifiable cause

Tingling, burning, numbness, or other odd sensations
Itching associated with other symptoms like weight loss or fatigue

Evaluation of chronic or severe itching involves taking a detailed history, physical exam, and possible diagnostic testing to pinpoint the cause. Blood tests, skin biopsies, imaging studies, and referrals to specialists may be needed. Identifying and treating the underlying problem is key to resolving bothersome itch symptoms.

Treatments for itch relief

A range of self-care measures and medical treatments can provide relief from itching:

Over-the-counter antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) block histamine’s role in allergic itching
Moisturizers – Frequent, liberal use of fragrance-free creams and ointments adds moisture to dry skin

Cold compresses – Applying something cool to the itchy area soothes inflamed skin
Wet dressings – Wrapping itchy skin in cool, wet bandages can reduce itching
Steroid creams – Low potency topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone relieve inflammation and itching from rashes and dermatitis

Oatmeal baths – Colloidal oatmeal softens and soothes irritated skin
Prescription anti-itch drugs – Medications like gabapentin or tranquilizers relieve severe itching
Phototherapy – Ultraviolet light therapy helps suppress an overactive immune response in the skin

Immunosuppressants – Drugs that dampen the immune system, like methotrexate, provide relief for autoimmune skin conditions
Allergen avoidance – Eliminating exposures to substances that cause allergic reactions
Treatment of underlying conditions – Targeting associated medical problems like infections, kidney disease, diabetes, or cancer

Lifestyle measures to prevent itching

Making certain lifestyle adjustments can help prevent and reduce itching:

Use gentle cleansers and moisturize skin daily
Take short, lukewarm showers and baths

Avoid very hot water which strips oils
Limit use of irritating soaps and detergents
Wear soft, breathable fabrics like cotton

Use laundry detergent for sensitive skin
Apply sunscreen when outdoors
Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water

Use a humidifier during dry weather
Keep nails trimmed to avoid damaging skin from scratching
Reduce stress through relaxation techniques

When to see a dermatologist

Consult a dermatologist for evaluation and treatment if:

Your symptoms are severe or impact quality of life
You have a persistent rash

Standard over-the-counter products provide little relief
Your itching has no obvious cause
You have additional concerns like new skin lesions

A dermatologist has specialized training to accurately diagnose and manage skin conditions causing chronic itching and other sensory problems. They have access to specialized equipment to fully examine your skin and perform necessary testing. In addition to prescribing medications for symptom relief, they can treat any underlying skin disease and tailor a treatment plan for your situation. Getting expert dermatological care provides the best chance of resolving distressing itchiness.

When to consider seeing a neurologist

Consult a neurologist if your itching or odd sensations:

Follow a nerve pathway or dermatome

Are associated with numbness, weakness, or pain
Are accompanied by coordination problems or balance issues
Occur without evident skin pathology

Are associated with other neurologic symptoms like vision changes

A neurologist can perform a thorough neurological exam, assess nerve function, order specialized diagnostic tests, and determine if your symptoms are caused by an underlying neurological condition. They can also provide treatment to address neuropathy, nerve compression, and other neurologic causes of strange skin sensations. Getting the input of a neurologist leads to the most appropriate therapy when dealing with neurologically-mediated itching or sensory disturbances.

Conclusion

Itchy, tingling, crawling, or burning skin is understandably distressing. While occasional mild symptoms are common and benign, ongoing severe itching or weird skin sensations warrant medical evaluation. The list of potential causes is extensive – from dry skin to infections to nerve conditions. But a detailed history, physical exam, and directed testing can pinpoint the source in most cases. Simple over-the-counter and lifestyle measures can provide relief for mild symptoms. Prescription medications, specialized skin and nerve treatments, and addressing underlying medical conditions clears up more stubborn, severe, or recurrent itching. With the right diagnostic workup and tailored treatment plan, bothersome itching and strange skin sensations can be successfully managed.