Are you having itchy palms with or without a rash and you would like to know their meaning? We have insight into the causes of itchy palm, both red and non-red itchy palms. We will also uncover some of the remedies and treatments that will provide relief to this condition as well as superstition on itchy palms and symptoms.
According to med-health.net, having itchy palms can be a result of a number of factors or diseases and conditions. Some may be serious while others are nothing to worry about.
Furthermore, the itchy palm will tend to be severe at night or during the day depending on what is behind the itching. For instance, one can develop Itchy hands and feet at night due to temperature variation or bites from some insects.
Let us examine some of the common symptoms you may have before looking at disorders that may contribute towards the itchy palm. Later we will look at how to relieve itchy palms.
Itchy palms symptoms and pictures
Palm itching can happen alone or be accompanied by other symptoms. Below are some of the symptoms that are normally experienced alongside itchy palm:
- Palm rash
- Palm lump or swelling or numbness
- Palm bruise, lesions (that could be red or purple in color) or blisters
- Red spots on your palms
- Mild to severe palm pain
- Thickened skin on palms
- Palm numbness or coldness
- Palm inflammation
Itchy palms meaning and superstitions
Apart from the medical meaning of palm itching, which is the main dwell of this work, they are also various meanings or itchy palm superstition available among different societies.
For instance, one old superstition is that, when your palm itches it means money. The superstitions suggest that left palm itching means money to be paid out while if one has a right itchy palm, it indicates incoming money. According to this superstition, rubbing your itchy palm with a piece of wood could be a relief.
Nevertheless, does this superstition or similar superstitions makes sense? Though receiving money and an itchy palm can coincide, in our opinion, we consider this just a superstition that holds no water. Sure, how can one just sit down with his/her itchy palm and wait to receive money!
If you have itchy palm, do not worry, we are going to look at some of the common causes in the medical context. Do not just believe in various superstitions connecting this condition with money or something else, otherwise, you may end up bankrupt while your palm itching is caused by something else.
What causes itchy palms?
If not superstitions, why are my palms itching? Here are some of the common factors that may trigger itchy palms.
Food allergies
A good number of people are allergic to certain types of food. Milk, meat, some vegetables, peanuts, seafood and eggs are major sources of food allergic reactions.
Symptoms of food allergies are not limited to itching alone. There are other symptoms but we have to acknowledge the fact that palm and soles of the feet itching may be part of the signs of food allergies.
In worse cases, allergic reactions to food can cause an itchy rash on hands as well as itchy bumps on hands too. Expect a number of other symptoms of food allergies.
Dry skin
Dry skin also known as xeroderma that may develop as a result of many skin conditions or harsh weather is another possible cause of itching. It normally triggers itchy palm and feet without a rash.
For instance, one can have dry skin including on hands due to adverse weather conditions or dry environment, which triggers skin dehydration. Good moisturizers are all you need to manage itchy hands due to skin dryness.
Eczema
Eczema refers to a number of skin conditions, which are commonly associated with general skin itching including itchy palm and feet. This condition can also make fingers to itch too.
It is normally accompanied by itching that becomes very intense during nighttime or during warm weather conditions. The Itchy hands and feet at night by eczema patients can be considered to be due to the warmth while one is covering him/herself.
Atopic Dermatitis (AD)
This condition is usually a subclass of eczema and it is connected to susceptibility to allergies. AD normally begins at an early stage of life and it can be linked to asthma or allergic rhinitis.
It is typically characterized by very itchy, flaky, scaly, thick and reddened skin rashes. When on palms, it can cause red itchy palm. AD can sometimes be triggered by histamine xenophobia and allergy among others.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
This autoimmune disorder usually attacks and kills healthy body cells. Its signs and symptoms include lesions and the development of red palm. The rash may be extra itchy causing a lot of discomfort to your palms.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This condition is induced by median nerve compression possibly because of too much typing, writing or other activities that overwork an individual’s fingers and hands. It can lead to general itchy hands, not only palm but also the whole hand. The symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is a pain coupled with numbing itchiness of a person’s palm and fingers.
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Primary biliary cirrhosis is another condition that can trigger itching. Even if this condition is just at its initial stage of development, one of the first or earliest symptom is itchy palm and the soles of the feet.
The severity of itching induced by this condition will vacillate depending on the strength of the underlying contributory factors. Actually, the itching triggered by this condition is due to the presence of free bile acid in one’s bloodstream due to issues with the bile duct system.
Palmar Hyperhidrosis
This is a term used to refer to excessive palms sweating. It is normally connected to abnormal nervous stimulation of the sweat glands in the skin. The persistent moisture of the palm can potentially trigger skin irritation and skin peeling at the same time. It will reach a point when the palm-sweating will ease and the skin will become very dry resulting in palm itching.
Contact Dermatitis
When we talk of dermatitis, we simply mean skin inflammation. There are various types of skin inflammation, so contact dermatitis is just one of them.
This condition develops when an individual’s skin comes into contact with substances that triggers irritation and for such a case it will be referred to as irritant contact dermatitis.
It can also develop when the skin comes into contact with substances that lead to allergic reactions and for that case, it will be referred to as allergic contact dermatitis.
Contact with substances like water soap, water, detergents, certain lotions, latex, animal hair among others has got close ties with contact dermatitis.
Fungal Infections
It should be understood that fungal infections are caused by dermatophytes. It characterized by a round ring-like rash which are normally known as ringworm. Most of these skin conditions are very itchy and can befall any part of the body.
Again, various dermatophytes species can cause fungal infections. For instance, dark brown to black patches on the palms can be caused by a type of fungal skin infection called Tinea nigra.
Trauma
Another thing that can lead to skin itching is the injury to the skin. This can occur due to various factors. Many people think that itching only develops after serious burning, swelling and exposing your skin to heat. However, but you should understand that sometimes, minor trauma may result in itching without evident pain and discomfort.
Scabies
This is a skin infestation caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei hominis. This condition can be easily treated and prevented but scabies can rapidly spread among people in close contact.
Itching therefore will be the most common symptom as the mites will be burrowing into the skin to lay their eggs. The laid egged sometimes does trigger an allergic reaction that would lead to itching. Itching palm due to scabies is a common condition that is mostly experienced among children.
Other causes
There are also other factors that can also trigger palm itching, this factor includes kidney failure, burns and bites, lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, eruptive xanthomatosis. Palm itching can also be due to liver and gallbladder diseases.
Relief home remedies and treatments for itchy palms
How can I relieve or stop itching palm? Well, what we have to bear in mind is that relief and treatment for itchy palm will depend on what is triggering it.
A great challenge we have to admit in relation to itchy palm is that dermatologists and doctors normally experience had times trying to diagnose the exact causes of itchy palm. If the cause is unearthed, treating the root of the trigger will automatically clear the symptom of the itchy palm.
Now, let us see the ways of treating and relieving itchy palm with or without rash.
Try oatmeal soak
One can relieve his/her palm itching by soaking his/her itchy palm in oatmeal. Since oatmeal provides effective soothing to itching skin all over the body, it can be ideal for itchy palm too.
Change your soaps and cleanser
It is very important to note that soaps contain perfumes or antibacterial substances that can cause irritation and itchy skin. The allergens present in some soaps that can affect some people but not everyone.
Therefore, the only solution is to switch to the use of unscented soaps that do not contain such perfumes and antibacterial substances.
Try baking soda
Again, the itching palm can be soothed quickly using baking soda. It has been in use for a long period as a natural anti-inflammatory remedy.
Lemon juice and aloe vera
Itching palm can also be treated through the application of some of the home products such as aloe vera, dab lemon juice among others. Lemons for example are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anesthetic, and anti-irritating if applied on closed skin. These various lemon properties make it very effective for itchy palm. Aloe vera on the other hand reduces inflammations and infections.
Antihistamines, antibiotics and steroids
In cases where itchy palm cannot be managed using home remedies, there an option for various medications. Antihistamines drugs for instance can be used to treat itchy palms induced by primary biliary cirrhosis, allergies and eczema.
Antibiotics (bacterial infections), emollients and steroids can also be applied to relieve itchy palms depending on the cause. It is upon the person with itchy palm to consult his/her doctor for appropriate information and instruction about these kinds of medications.
Surgical approach
Some conditions may need a surgical approach. Carpal tunnel syndrome for example will require a surgical approach involving severing the tissue that causes the pressure on the median nerve.
However, this condition can also be treated by non-surgical methods such as the application of corticosteroids like prednisone. Corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide are known to be immune-suppressing drugs that can also be used to treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Wear cotton gloves to avoid scratching your palms
If you develop itchy palm without a rash and sometimes you do develop the urge to scratch it, you can wear cotton gloves. The cotton gloves will prevent you from scratching and instead, they will soothe and protect your palm skin. Remember scratching can influence your itch to worsen.
When to contact a Doctor
Please book an immediate appointment with your doctor if you experience the following:
- Itching all over your body
- Itching alongside severe tiredness, loss of weight, fever and bowel habit changes
- Itching that is persistent for a period longer than one week and the home remedies can’t solve it
- The serious itchy palm that keeps you awake or prevents you from performing your daily chores