Itchy Elbows
Common Causes Of Itchy Elbows
Your itchy elbows could be caused by a few different things. Unless it is simply a bug bite of some type, it is probably some form of annoying rash. A rash does not refer to one specific kind of disorder or disease. It is a general term used to easily describe an outbreak of redness, bumps or itchiness on the body.
Rashes can be spread over your entire body or localized in one area like your itchy elbows. There are three primary rash categories.
- Scaly skin patches that have not been caused by an infection.
- Scaly skin patches that have been produced by either a bacterial or fungal infection.
- Itchy red bumps or patches that are either scattered over the body or localized in one area.
Itchy elbows or any other type of rash is rarely dangerous but if you feel what you have may be severe, self-diagnosis is not recommended. You should visit your health care professional to determine which category that your specific rash falls under.
Atopic Dermatitis
There is a good chance that your itchy elbows are caused from atopic dermatitis. This is the most common type of eczema. It is actually a hereditary skin issue that often starts with chapped cheeks in childhood. Later, it affects the knees and elbows and as an adult it can be found anywhere on the body including your eyelids and genitals.
Atopic dermatitis refers to anything allergy related. It comes and goes but is usually worse in the winter because the air is dry and cold. The skin that is affected by this type of skin problem becomes inflamed and itchy and sometimes appears red, cracked and swollen or crusty and weepy. This condition is not contagious and is usually treated with prescription-strength cortisone creams.
Contact Dermatitis
Another cause of your itchy elbows could be due to contact dermatitis, a rash that is developed due to your skin coming in contact with an irritant. Poison oak or poison ivy are two prime examples or reactions to jewelry, soaps and other materials are other common irritants as well. It usually only affects whatever skin that has been in contact with the allergen.
Treatment of contact dermatitis usually consists of avoiding the irritant and using topical steroids. Tap water soaks using Burow's solution are quite helpful in drying up any oozy dermatitis.
Psoriasis
This is a skin condition that is not contagious that is a very popular cause of itchy elbows. Psoriasis causes very rapid reproduction of skin cells that results in dry, red patches of thickened skin. It commonly affects the scalp, elbows and knees.
For some people, it is such a minor condition that they may not even suspect that they have anything more than dry skin. Other individuals have such severe cases that almost their entire body is covered.
Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that there is not currently a cure for. Over time it may improve or worsen and occasionally it will clear up for years but stay in remission. Most people report an improvement in the warmer months and with an increase of sun exposure.
This is a condition that is seen in both sexes and all races and around the world. It can affect babies to seniors but most initial diagnosis occurs in early adult years. The exact cause is unknown but it is believed to have a connection with environmental influences and a weak immune system.
If psoriasis is causing your itchy elbows, it will look like pink or red areas of raised, thickened and dry skin or it may appear as flattened bumps, red patches, pink dry skin or large thick patches of flaky dry skin.