Inside chest itches
Itchy Lungs: Causes, Other Symptoms, Treatment
Have you ever experienced a sensation of itchiness in your lungs? This can refer to a tickle or scratchy feeling in your chest or irritation when you breathe.
Typically, an environmental irritant or a lung condition triggers this symptom. The term “itchy lungs” has become a catchall term for conditions that have similar symptoms, but it’s not a medical term.
Read on to learn more about “itchy lungs,” what causes them, treatment, and more.
Itchy lungs can have medical causes, like an illness. But they can also happen after exposure to environmental irritants or stress on the body.
Having certain health conditions like asthma can make exposure to irritants more bothersome.
Environmental causes of itchy lungs
Environmental causes can include:
- cold, dry air
- poor air quality
- smoke, whether from tobacco, cannabis, fire, or vehicles
- chemical fumes from sources like household cleaning supplies, pesticides, and industrial chemicals
Medical causes of itchy lungs
Medical causes can include:
- allergies caused by dust, pollen, pet dander, cockroaches, and mold
- asthma
- infections that attack the respiratory system, like the common cold
- certain medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve)
Physical and psychological causes of itchy lungs
Physical and psychological causes can include:
- stress
- overexertion
- chronic anger, which can worsen certain lung conditions
The feeling of itchy lungs can occur with other symptoms. Usually, these symptoms result from the underlying cause.
Symptoms of allergies may include:
- sneezing
- itchy eyes
- facial pain
- nasal discharge
- postnasal drip
Symptoms of asthma may include:
- wheezing
- coughing, especially at night, while laughing, or while exercising
- tightness in the chest or chest pain
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- trouble sleeping
Symptoms of a respiratory illness may include:
- painful coughing
- throat pain
- aches and pains
- fatigue
- fever
The first step in treating itchy lungs is to determine the cause. If you remember having exposure to a specific irritant or if you have other symptoms of the flu or a cold, it may be easier to pinpoint the cause.
If it’s easy to determine, you can often care for yourself at home if symptoms are mild.
If the cause is not obvious or the symptoms severe, you may want to make an appointment with a doctor for diagnosis so you can receive appropriate treatment.
Home treatment
Steps you can take on your own can include:
- Remove or protect yourself from likely external triggers like smoke, chemical fumes, or cold, dry air.
- Avoid allergy-causing substances.
- Keep your living area clean and well-ventilated.
- Consider using a humidifier and clean your humidifier regularly.
- Wash pillowcases and sheets frequently.
- Avoid physical overexertion.
- Find ways to relax and de-stress.
- Adopt a lifestyle that includes a nutritious and balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate hydration.
- Try a Neti pot for nasal irrigation and clean the device regularly.
If these steps don’t help relieve the itchy sensation in your lungs, you may want to make an appointment with a doctor. They’ll check to see if allergies, asthma, or another medical condition are responsible for your itchy lungs.
Allergies
A doctor may perform an allergy skin test to determine what substances you’re allergic to.
Once you know what’s causing your allergies, you may be able to avoid it.
But in some cases, avoiding triggers may not be possible.
If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms, a doctor may suggest an over-the-counter antihistamine like:
- cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- fexofenadine (Allegra), levocetirizine (Xyzal)
- loratadine (Claritin, Alavert)
- diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Depending on the severity of your allergies, a doctor may recommend a prescription antihistamine like:
- desloratadine (Clarinex)
- azelastine nasal (Astelin)
If needed, a doctor might prescribe a stronger course of action like:
- omalizumab (Xolair)
- allergy shots (immunotherapy)
Asthma
If you’re diagnosed with asthma, a doctor might create an asthma action plan that may include tracking your symptoms. They may classify your asthma as intermittent or persistent based on how often it occurs. This may help guide your treatment.
They may prescribe medications to treat your asthma. These may include:
- Inhaled corticosteroids: fluticasone (Flovent), budesonide (Pulmicort), or beclomethasone (Qvar)
- Leukotriene modifiers: montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate), or zileuton (Zyflo)
- Long-acting beta-2 agonists: salmeterol (Serevent) or formoterol (Foradil)
- Combination inhalers: fluticasone-salmeterol (Advair Diskus), budesonide-formoterol (Symbicort), or formoterol-mometasone (Dulera)
- Theophylline: Theo-24, Elixophyllin (not used as commonly as other options)
The sensation of itchy lungs is not uncommon. Often, it’s a symptom of an underlying cause that can be avoided or treated.
If the cause is environmental, emotional, or related to physical overexertion, you might be able to address it on your own with some simple and easy steps.
But itchy lungs could be a symptom of a more serious condition like asthma.
If the cause is medical, a doctor can diagnose and help treat the condition.
Itchy Lungs: Causes, Other Symptoms, Treatment
Have you ever experienced a sensation of itchiness in your lungs? This can refer to a tickle or scratchy feeling in your chest or irritation when you breathe.
Typically, an environmental irritant or a lung condition triggers this symptom. The term “itchy lungs” has become a catchall term for conditions that have similar symptoms, but it’s not a medical term.
Read on to learn more about “itchy lungs,” what causes them, treatment, and more.
Itchy lungs can have medical causes, like an illness. But they can also happen after exposure to environmental irritants or stress on the body.
Having certain health conditions like asthma can make exposure to irritants more bothersome.
Environmental causes of itchy lungs
Environmental causes can include:
- cold, dry air
- poor air quality
- smoke, whether from tobacco, cannabis, fire, or vehicles
- chemical fumes from sources like household cleaning supplies, pesticides, and industrial chemicals
Medical causes of itchy lungs
Medical causes can include:
- allergies caused by dust, pollen, pet dander, cockroaches, and mold
- asthma
- infections that attack the respiratory system, like the common cold
- certain medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve)
Physical and psychological causes of itchy lungs
Physical and psychological causes can include:
- stress
- overexertion
- chronic anger, which can worsen certain lung conditions
The feeling of itchy lungs can occur with other symptoms.
Usually, these symptoms result from the underlying cause.
Symptoms of allergies may include:
- sneezing
- itchy eyes
- facial pain
- nasal discharge
- postnasal drip
Symptoms of asthma may include:
- wheezing
- coughing, especially at night, while laughing, or while exercising
- tightness in the chest or chest pain
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- trouble sleeping
Symptoms of a respiratory illness may include:
- painful coughing
- throat pain
- aches and pains
- fatigue
- fever
The first step in treating itchy lungs is to determine the cause. If you remember having exposure to a specific irritant or if you have other symptoms of the flu or a cold, it may be easier to pinpoint the cause.
If it’s easy to determine, you can often care for yourself at home if symptoms are mild.
If the cause is not obvious or the symptoms severe, you may want to make an appointment with a doctor for diagnosis so you can receive appropriate treatment.
Home treatment
Steps you can take on your own can include:
- Remove or protect yourself from likely external triggers like smoke, chemical fumes, or cold, dry air.
- Avoid allergy-causing substances.
- Keep your living area clean and well-ventilated.
- Consider using a humidifier and clean your humidifier regularly.
- Wash pillowcases and sheets frequently.
- Avoid physical overexertion.
- Find ways to relax and de-stress.
- Adopt a lifestyle that includes a nutritious and balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate hydration.
- Try a Neti pot for nasal irrigation and clean the device regularly.
If these steps don’t help relieve the itchy sensation in your lungs, you may want to make an appointment with a doctor. They’ll check to see if allergies, asthma, or another medical condition are responsible for your itchy lungs.
Allergies
A doctor may perform an allergy skin test to determine what substances you’re allergic to.
Once you know what’s causing your allergies, you may be able to avoid it.
But in some cases, avoiding triggers may not be possible.
If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms, a doctor may suggest an over-the-counter antihistamine like:
- cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- fexofenadine (Allegra), levocetirizine (Xyzal)
- loratadine (Claritin, Alavert)
- diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Depending on the severity of your allergies, a doctor may recommend a prescription antihistamine like:
- desloratadine (Clarinex)
- azelastine nasal (Astelin)
If needed, a doctor might prescribe a stronger course of action like:
- omalizumab (Xolair)
- allergy shots (immunotherapy)
Asthma
If you’re diagnosed with asthma, a doctor might create an asthma action plan that may include tracking your symptoms. They may classify your asthma as intermittent or persistent based on how often it occurs. This may help guide your treatment.
They may prescribe medications to treat your asthma. These may include:
- Inhaled corticosteroids: fluticasone (Flovent), budesonide (Pulmicort), or beclomethasone (Qvar)
- Leukotriene modifiers: montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate), or zileuton (Zyflo)
- Long-acting beta-2 agonists: salmeterol (Serevent) or formoterol (Foradil)
- Combination inhalers: fluticasone-salmeterol (Advair Diskus), budesonide-formoterol (Symbicort), or formoterol-mometasone (Dulera)
- Theophylline: Theo-24, Elixophyllin (not used as commonly as other options)
The sensation of itchy lungs is not uncommon. Often, it’s a symptom of an underlying cause that can be avoided or treated.
If the cause is environmental, emotional, or related to physical overexertion, you might be able to address it on your own with some simple and easy steps.
But itchy lungs could be a symptom of a more serious condition like asthma.
If the cause is medical, a doctor can diagnose and help treat the condition.
Causes of itching in the chest - Kvitna
News
In most cases, chest itching is not dangerous, and, understanding the causes of its occurrence, a person can easily eliminate it. But it happens that breast itching can be the primary symptom of a rare form of inflammatory breast cancer or nipple cancer. Therefore, experiencing itching, a woman needs to understand the reason for this reaction of the body.
Main causes of itchy chest:
- Dry skin.
Dryness of the skin of the breast can cause a feeling of tightness, irritation, peeling and itching.
Dryness can result from a number of reasons, including:
- natural "dry" skin type;
- use of "hard" skin care products;
- UV exposure;
- sweating.
The use of moisturizers and sunscreens can significantly improve skin condition and reduce dryness. nine0005
- Breast growth
Breast growth also stretches the skin around the breast, which can cause discomfort and itching. In the case of a sharp growth of the mammary gland, skin breaks are possible, the so-called stretch marks, which can also itch.
Breasts usually grow due to:
- puberty;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- weight gain;
- hormonal changes, including the menstrual cycle. nine0018
- Prickly heat
A common occurrence in young children, prickly heat, can also occur in adults during prolonged exposure to a hot room, in the sun or during intense sports training.
- Allergic reaction
Itching is one of the most common symptoms of allergy, which can be caused by the body's reaction to:
- soap;
- washing and detergents; nine0018
- cosmetic products;
- perfumery.
- Breast cancer
Breast cancer is divided into several types, including an extremely rare form of the disease - inflammatory breast cancer, the symptom of which can be itching.
In addition, women with inflammatory breast cancer report other symptoms such as breast swelling and fever.
Itching may also indicate the presence of another rare disease - Paget's cancer. In this case, the woman's nipple or halo area itches. nine0005
When to see a mammologist
The most common causes of breast itching are breast growth and dry skin and in most cases do not require a doctor's consultation.
But there are a number of symptoms that a woman should not ignore, these are:
- constant and severe itching;
- chest itches for a long time, more than a week;
- itching is felt in the area of the nipple or areola and possible peeling of the skin;
- severe sensitivity of the breast, it is possible to combine several symptoms at once, for example, swelling and itching of the organ; nine0018
- rash on the chest or on the organ itself.
We remind you that earlier Kvitna wrote about the causes of pain in the mammary gland and what symptoms a woman needs to see a doctor without delay.
Source: MedicalNewsToday
Itching in the chest
- Features of symptoms
- Why does itching appear in the chest?
- Diagnostics
- What to do if itchy chest bothers you?
- Itching in the chest with increased dryness of the skin
- Itching in the chest with allergies
- Itching in the chest with dermatitis
- Itching in the chest in reaction to drugs
- Itching in the chest due to infection
- Itching in chest due to development of glands
- Itching in the chest during pregnancy and lactation
- Itching in the chest during menopause
Itching in the chest can become a constant worry affecting the quality of life. Wearing clothes and underwear with such a problem becomes doubly difficult, since the burning sensation may intensify upon contact with tissues.
With itching in the chest, it is sometimes quite difficult to determine what it could be caused by. nine0005
Doctors believe that in the vast majority of cases this is a symptom of dermatological diseases, dermatitis or allergic reactions to an irritating agent. However, few of the patients know that in some cases the manifestation of itching in the chest is due to hormonal changes in the mammary glands. In what cases is treatment really required, how to stop itching and not limit yourself in anything when choosing clothes?
Itching in the chest can be like a strong or mild burning sensation, tickling. Sometimes it may seem that something inside the mammary glands is itching, but sometimes the sensation extends mainly only to the superficial tissues of the breast or to the nipple area. nine0005
Itching in the chest is often accompanied by other accompanying symptoms (depending on the cause of concern):
- redness of the skin of the chest due to ongoing inflammatory processes;
- puffiness and swelling of the breast;
- breast lumps easily palpable;
- soreness of the chest , manifested by the slightest mechanical impact on it; nine0018
- rash on chest;
- fever.
Why does itching appear in the chest?
Only a qualified specialist can accurately determine the cause of this symptom. At the same time, it is usually difficult to establish a diagnosis with the naked eye: examinations and tests are necessary, according to the results of which the doctor will be able to determine the cause of itching in the chest and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
The cause may be related to the following factors:
- dermatological diseases;
- allergic reaction;
- hormonal changes;
- infectious disease;
- side effect after taking drugs.
Diagnosis
If a dermatological disease is suspected, affected tissue may be scraped for further laboratory analysis. General clinical blood and urine tests may be needed to identify a specific infection in the patient's body, mammography or ultrasound of the mammary glands to exclude pathological processes in their tissues.
nine0005
What should I do if my chest is itchy?
If the cause of itching in the chest is associated with the reaction of the body to any agent provocateur, it is necessary first of all to completely eliminate it, only then, if necessary, begin treatment.
For allergies, antihistamines are prescribed, for dermatological diseases, medications and medicinal ointments will be needed. For tumors, hormonal therapy or surgical treatment can be performed. Also, the doctor can advise specialized cosmetics for breast skin care. nine0005
Itching in the chest with increased dryness of the skin
Dry skin in the area of the mammary glands is associated with its dehydration and insufficient supply of the required amount of moisture. As a rule, dryness occurs in hot climates.
For example, during holidays in hot countries, when wearing tight-fitting synthetic clothing, the problem of diaper rash under the breasts, as well as the itching and burning that accompany them, is quite common.
Beauticians in this case recommend using special cosmetics with the function of moisturizing and toning the skin in the decollete area. nine0005
In addition, to prevent the recurrence of itching of the chest skin, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs. If severe irritation or diaper rash occurs, it is recommended to abandon synthetic fabrics, since the skin does not breathe through such materials.
Allergic reactions to food, chemicals, herbs, and other natural ingredients can show up in unexpected places on the face and body. Itching in the chest is often associated with allergic irritation, therefore, after the elimination of the irritant, the intensity of the manifestation of the reaction in most cases decreases. nine0005
If your chest itches due to allergies, do not scratch your skin, as this will only increase the irritation and may cause a complication in the form of urticaria.
If you have an allergy, take an antihistamine as soon as possible and see your doctor for further treatment.
Allergies are often accompanied by rashes on the skin of the chest, its redness and swelling.
Itchy chest due to dermatitis
If your chest suddenly itches, it may be due to dermatitis. With dermatitis, blisters, vesicles, rashes, and redness may appear. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature. nine0005
To eliminate itching in the chest, you will need to undergo examinations and treatment, which will be prescribed by a specialist. In no case do not get carried away with self-treatment methods and folk remedies, listen to the recommendations of a specialist, do not try to get rid of blisters on your own.
Chest itching due to drug reaction
A common problem can be a side effect after taking certain types of medicines, which manifests itself as itching in the chest. Medicines used to treat certain diseases can cause a response from the body. The reaction may be associated with the individual characteristics of the organism to the components of the drug, with an overdose or improper use of medications.
nine0005
Itching in the chest due to infection
Infection, when penetrated into the tissues of the mammary glands, can cause inflammation, itching in the chest, redness, swelling, deformity or changes in the skin.
Before starting treatment, you will need to be tested to determine the type of infection that caused itching in the chest. In case of infection, in no case should you scratch the skin or use folk remedies, ointments, compresses.
Before the first appointment, try not to touch the affected areas, refuse to wear synthetic underwear, so as not to increase irritation. If blisters, rashes and discharge from the nipples appear during the disease, you should immediately contact a dermatologist and mammologist. nine0005
Itching in the chest due to development of the glands
Itching in the chest is sometimes observed in young girls during puberty, when the gradual development of the mammary glands takes place. The symptom in this case is associated with tissue growth and stretching of the skin.
Most often, itching in the chest is noticed in girls after menarche at the age of 10-14 years.
Special treatments are not prescribed by a doctor, but medicated ointments and medications may be recommended to relieve symptoms. nine0010
The mammary glands can itch up to the age of 22, since the full formation of the breast is completed at this age. With some hormonal changes, the shape of the breast in a teenage girl changes, sometimes mild pain occurs. It is worth seeing a doctor and undergoing additional examinations if itching in the chest has a pronounced manifestation and worries too often.
Under the influence of natural hormonal changes during childbearing and after childbirth, the shape and size of the mammary glands changes. With the growth of glandular tissues and the influx of mother's milk, a burning sensation may be felt inside, due to which it may seem as if the breast itches. nine0005
Therapy for this phenomenon is not prescribed, but with frequent itching in the chest, you should see a doctor, because sometimes burning with itching is associated with the penetration of infection into the body of the expectant mother.
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