Questions Your Doctor May Ask - and Why!
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in his assesment of the symptom: Itching skin.
These may include a physical examination or other medical tests.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- How long have you had itchy skin?
Why: to determine if acute or chronic.
- Is the itchy skin localized or generalized?
Why: localized itching is generally caused by common skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), urticaria (hives), dermatitis herpetiformis, scabies, skin lice, asteatosis (dry skin), lichen planus, chicken pox, contact dermatitis and insect bites.
- Are there any skin lesions that preceded the itching?
Why: may suggest a primary skin condition as a cause of the itching rather than a systemic condition.
- Are you, or is it possible that you may be pregnant?
Why: pregnancy may cause itching all over especially in the third trimester. The itch usually disappears after childbirth.
- Contact with anyone that also has itching all over?
Why: e.g. may suggest scabies.
- Past history of skin disorders that may cause itching?
Why: e.g. atopic dermatitis (eczema), hives, scabies, dermatitis herpetiformis, asteatosis (dry skin).
- Past medical history?
Why: some systemic conditions may cause generalized itching including primary biliary cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice , lymphoma, myeloproliferative disease, chronic renal failure, iron deficiency, polycythaemia rubra vera, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus and carcinoid syndrome. Primary biliary cirrhosis may be associated with Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis. Celiac disease may be associated with dermatitis herpetiformis.
- Medications?
Why: some medications may cause sensitivities such as aspirin, morphine and codeine.
- Known allergies?
Why: e.g. food allergies, insect allergies, drug allergy.
- Family history?
Why: e.g. allergies.
- Occupational history?
Why: e.g. exposure to fiberglass may cause a generalized sensitivity.
Questions your doctor may ask about related symptoms:
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse
your condition. These may include:
- Generalised skin rash?
Why: almost every generalized rash may be associated with itching all over but the most common ones are urticaria (hives), dermatitis herpetiformis, eczema, scabies and pemphigus.
- Weight loss, fatigue, fever?
Why: may suggest lymphoma, leukemia.
- Excessive thirst, excessive hunger and frequent urination?
Why: may suggest diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism or pregnancy.
- Symptoms of polycythaemia?
Why: e.g. tiredness, dizziness, ringing in the ears, facial redness, redness of the eyes, severe itching of the skin especially triggered by a hot bath. May be complicated by angina chest pain, intermittent claudication and gout.
- Symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Why: e.g. lethargy, weight gain, constipation, puffiness of face and eyes, hair loss, dry itchy skin.
- Symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Why: e.g. emotional lability, agitation, nervousness, tremor, palpitations, loose bowel motions, intolerance to heat, facial flushing, sweating of the hands, muscle weakness, weight loss despite normal or increased appetite, itchy skin.
- Symptoms of causes of iron deficiency anemia?
Why: e.g. heavy periods, rectal bleeding, vomiting blood, melena.
- Symptoms of carcinoid syndrome?
Why: e.g. spontaneous or induced bluish-red flushing, usually of the face or neck, abdominal pain, recurrent watery diarrhea - This syndrome occurs in only 5% of patients with carcinoid tumors and only when there is liver metastases.
- Symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis?
Why: e.g. earliest symptom is itching all over but is most marked on the palms and soles. Later may develop jaundice and enlarged liver and spleen.
- Symptoms of chronic renal failure?
Why: e.g. tiredness, reduced appetite, insomnia, frequency of urination, nausea, vomiting.
- Symptoms of Hodgkin's disease?
Why: e.g. painless enlarged lymph nodes (especially in the neck), malaise, weakness, weight loss, fever, night sweats, itchy skin, pain in the enlarged lymph nodes with consumption of alcohol.
» Next page: Types of Itching skin
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