6 Possible Reasons Why You Have Itchy Palms

Itchy palms can stem from a number of possible culprits. Most of them are harmless and easy to manage. But in some cases, nonstop itching could be a sign of an underlying health problem, says Jeffrey Hsu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Itasca, Illinois.

Here’s a look at the most-likely causes and what you can do to get relief fast. Plus, find out when itchy palms warrant a call to the doctor.

1. You Have Dry Skin

Washing your hands more than usual or spending time in cold, windy weather without gloves can dry out the skin on your hands, and leave your palms feeling itchy and tight, Dr. Hsu says.

If your palms are really parched, you might also notice patchy scales, flakes, or cracks in your skin.

To relieve the discomfort, slather on a hand cream with ingredients like glycerin, lactic acid, or topical urea, Hsu says. “These are moisturizers that reduce skin water loss.” If frequent handwashing is drying you out, suds up with a liquid soap containing added moisturizers.

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

2. You Have Hand Eczema

Inflammatory skin conditions like eczema can flare up on your hands and palms, causing itchiness. You could also have dyshidrotic eczema, a skin condition that causes small blisters on the palms of your hands, according to the National Eczema Association (NEA).

According to the NEA, common triggers for eczema flare-ups include:

• Stress
• Humidity and hot weather
• Environmental and food allergies
• Autoimmune diseases

It’s easy to mistake the problem for a simple case of dry skin, but there are differences, Hsu says. “Eczema on your hands can present itself not only as itchiness, but as redness, crusting, and inflammation. You might also notice a burning sensation or blisters.”

Keeping eczema at bay starts with avoiding irritants that cause your skin to flare up. To relieve dryness and itching, apply a glycerin- or petroleum-based hand cream to restore your skin’s barrier and heal cracks. If you need itching relief ASAP, try an over-the-counter (OTC) steroid cream, Hsu says.

3. You’re Allergic to Something

Contact dermatitis might be the cause of your itchiness if your hands don’t seem to agree with a new soap, detergent, lotion, or even a piece of jewelry.

Dermatitis on your hands (due to common allergic reactions) can develop when your skin comes in contact with an irritating substance. This results in a rash — red palms, itching and burning — or hive-like bumps and swelling.

According to Cleveland Clinic, the best way to prevent irritation is to steer clear of the offending substance. An OTC anti-itch cream can ease the itchiness.

4. You Have Psoriasis

If you have thick, red, or silvery patches on your palms, you could be dealing with psoriasis.

The condition, which is sometimes confused for eczema, is an autoimmune disorder. It speeds up the growth of skin cells, resulting in raised, scaly skin growths or bumps. The patches and itching can flare for weeks or months at a time, clear up, and come back again, often in response to environmental triggers, according to Mayo Clinic.

You can soothe itchy patches by applying an OTC steroid cream, 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 need other treatments, such as oral medications or phototherapy.

5. You Started a New Medication

Itchy skin on your palms or elsewhere can sometimes be the result of taking a new drug. According to Mayo Clinic, opioids can have itching as a side effect. And according to U.S. Pharmacist, some antibiotics and blood pressure medications may also cause itching.

Let your doctor know if you think your medication is making you itchy. They may adjust your dose or switch you to another drug.

6. It's a More–Serious Health Issue

Itchy palms without a rash may indicate an underlying health issue, such as an overactive thyroid gland, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or a neurological condition, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA).

People with liver disease tend to have higher levels of bile salts built up under their skin, which can cause itching, according to the Liver Foundation.

Autoimmune diseases can cause itchy palms, too. Lupus, hyperthyroidism (Grave’s disease), type 1 diabetes, and HIV can all cause an itchy rash that can appear on your hands and other parts of your body, according to the AADA. Other autoimmune blood disorders are also common causes of itchy hands.

Finally, if you’re itching and sweating from your palms more than usual, you may have hyperhidrosis. With this condition, overactive sweat glands cause excessive sweat, according to Cleveland Clinic.

If you’re itching and you think you may have one of the above conditions, make an appointment with your doctor for a checkup. Symptoms like itchy palms typically subside once these conditions are managed with medications or other treatments.

How to Prevent Itchy Palms

It helps to take the following steps:

• ‌Avoid your triggers. If you know that you have an allergy to a particular substance or food that causes itchy palms (or causes you to be itchy all over), try to stay away from those triggers.
• ‌Moisturize. You can also prevent itchy palms due to dry skin by applying a daily moisturizer and washing your hands with soap made for sensitive skin.
• ‌Protect your hands. If you’re cleaning with irritating substances, you could also choose to wear rubber gloves to protect the skin on your hands.
• ‌Talk with your doctor. Ask about the side effects of any new medication or supplement that you plan to try.