What Causes Itchy Palms And How To Treat Them

  references
  
      Mayo Clinic: "Psoriasis"
    
      Medicines: "Pruritus Associated with Commonly Prescribed Medications in a Tertiary Care Center"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome"
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "The Best Ways to Find Relief From the Pain + Tingling of Carpal Tunnel"
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "Contact Dermatitis"

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Dry skin, allergies and a new medication are just a few of the potential factors that can lead to experiencing itchy palms.

Image Credit: m-gucci/iStock/GettyImages

Dry Skin
Hand Eczema
Allergies
Psoriasis
Medications
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
When to See a Doctor

And tuck your hands into gloves or mittens when you’re out in the cold. Exposure to dry winter air can make hands desert-like.

Fix it: Like with eczema that flares up elsewhere on the body, the first step is avoiding irritants that cause your skin to flare up. Next, regularly apply a glycerin- or petroleum-based hand cream to restore your skin’s barrier and heal cracks, which will ease dryness and itching. Try Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream ($7.49, Target). If you need itching relief ASAP, try an over-the-counter (OTC) steroid cream, Dr. Hsu recommends. Cortisone 10 Intensive Healing Lotion for Eczema ($10.99, Target) is a good option.

Next, regularly apply a glycerin- or petroleum-based hand cream to restore your skin’s barrier and heal cracks, which will ease dryness and itching. Try Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream ($7.49, Target). If you need itching relief ASAP, try an over-the-counter (OTC) steroid cream, Dr. Hsu recommends. Cortisone 10 Intensive Healing Lotion for Eczema ($10.99, Target) is a good option.

Fix it: Start steering clear of the offending substance right away to prevent further irritation, per the Cleveland Clinic. Healing could take several weeks, but in the meantime, you can ease the itch with an OTC anti-itch cream like Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Stopping Gel ($7.59, Target).

Fix it: Similar to eczema, applying an OTC steroid cream can soothe itchy patches, Dr. Hsu says. Keep in mind, though, that chronic skin conditions like psoriasis are best managed under the guidance of a dermatologist. Depending on your symptoms, you might opt for additional treatment including oral medications or phototherapy.

Fix it: Let your doctor know if you think your medication is making you itchy. It may be possible to adjust your dose or switch to another drug.

Fix it: Taking breaks from typing or other activities that make your hands or wrists uncomfortable and applying ice packs can be helpful for early carpal tunnel syndrome and even make the problem go away, according to the Mayo Clinic. If the condition progresses, you may need to use a wrist splint, take medication or even undergo surgery.

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      Mayo Clinic: "Psoriasis"
    
      Medicines: "Pruritus Associated with Commonly Prescribed Medications in a Tertiary Care Center"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome"
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "The Best Ways to Find Relief From the Pain + Tingling of Carpal Tunnel"
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "Contact Dermatitis"