What you should know about itching with digestive complaints
Itching of the skin, ears, eyes, palate, vagina and anus is an uncomfortable, irritating sensation that creates the urge to rub or scratch. Itching is an unpleasant condition in which the skin may look normal, red, rough with blisters, or have patches of eczema. The itching is often associated with an allergy, food intolerance, histamine intolerance or parasite infection. In severe cases, itchy skin can be a symptom of liver disease or kidney failure.
AnaphylaxisA severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. A very itchy skin rash then develops suddenly. In severe cases, the lips, throat or eyelids swell. Shortness of breath, hoarseness, a very fast or slow heart rate and low blood pressure, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and headache are part of this syndrome. Worldwide, 1 to 2% of people are at risk of having an anaphylactic reaction. The first symptoms often develop a few minutes after contact with the substance you are allergic to. The symptoms occur almost exclusively in people who know that they are allergic to something. The most common reactions are caused by consuming peanuts, nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs and fruits such as kiwi. In young children, a cow’s milk allergy can cause an anaphylactic reaction. In adults, a severe response to milk is rare. As a rule: the faster the reaction occurs, the more severe its course.
Symptoms of itching
- Skin irritation
- Red spots or bumps
- Red eyes or ears
- Changes in bowel movements
- Sleep may decrease
- Fatigue
- Acute; when the itching starts suddenly, a food allergy or contact allergy, an infection or a reaction to medication (or cosmetic products) is most likely
- If the condition lasts longer than a week, consult your doctor
- Chronic; with long-term itching, food intolerances and digestive complaints should be considered
Testing for itching and digestive complaints
For recurring itching or other skin complaints in combination with digestive complaints, stool testing through Darmklachten.nl may help, and we recommend modules or packages when looking for the cause.
Additional blood tests
For itching complaints, in addition to stool testing, it is advisable to also have blood tests carried out for the following parameters:
- Allergy tests
- Liver values
- Thyroid
- Iron and anaemia
Causes of itching with digestive complaints
- Parasites
- Gluten intolerance
- Candida infection
- Histamine intolerance
- Liver and gallbladder problems
- Malabsorption
- Iron-deficiency anaemia
- Hay fever
Other causes of itching
- Dry skin
- Washing or bathing too much
- Scabies, lice, mosquitoes
- Eczema, psoriasis and hives
- Pregnancy
- Liver disease
- Kidney failure
- Thyroid
- Diabetes mellitus
- Medication
- Latex or wool allergy
- Chemical products
- Soap and cosmetics
- Medicinal cream containing antibiotics or antifungal agents
More information about the tests
- Intestinal parasites – Testing for infections with intestinal parasites – read more…
- Antigliadin and anti-ht-Transglutaminase – Markers for gluten intolerance – read more…
- Intestinal parasites – Testing for infections with intestinal parasites – read more…
- Histamine intolerance – Testing for the absence of the enzyme diamine oxidase – read more
- Bile acids – Digestion of fat – read more…
About Darmklachten.nl
Darmklachten.nl is an initiative of MGlab&Advies, a laboratory specialising in stool testing. …read more
