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Published on: 4/28/2025

Why Do I Have a Prickly, Itchy Feeling All over My Body?

A prickly, itchy feeling everywhere on your body might be from sweat irritating the skin, nerves sending extra signals, or even stress, and it's helpful to get advice if it becomes very uncomfortable.

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Explanation

When your skin feels prickly and itchy all over without a clear rash, several things might be causing it. First, sweat can sometimes irritate the skin, especially if you have sensitive or atopic skin. This irritation can trigger an itchy feeling. Second, the nerves in your skin might be sending extra signals that make you feel itch, even when there's no visible problem. This kind of nerve-related itch is sometimes called neuropathic itch. Third, emotional stress or other psychosomatic factors can also play a role in making your skin feel uncomfortable. Researchers have found that sometimes when people sweat or feel stressed, the signals between the brain and the nerves in the skin change, causing a prickly sensation. If you find that the itching is very bothersome or does not go away over time, it is important to speak with a doctor. They can help figure out exactly why you're experiencing these sensations and suggest treatments, such as gentle skincare, medications, or other therapies, to help ease your discomfort.

(References)

  • Murota H, Yamaga K, Ono E, Murayama N, Yokozeki H, Katayama I. Why does sweat lead to the development of itch in atopic dermatitis? Exp Dermatol. 2019 Dec;28(12):1416-1421. doi: 10.1111/exd.13981. Epub 2019 Jul 3. PMID: 31152459.

  • Pereira MP, Wiegmann H, Agelopoulos K, Ständer S. Neuropathic Itch: Routes to Clinical Diagnosis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Feb 24;8:641746. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.641746. PMID: 33732722; PMCID: PMC7959783.

  • Tey HL, Wallengren J, Yosipovitch G. Psychosomatic factors in pruritus. Clin Dermatol. 2013 Jan-Feb;31(1):31-40. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2011.11.004. PMID: 23245971; PMCID: PMC3690364.

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