Itchy Face? Here's What Your Body's Trying to Tell You

Livestrong.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
And itchy face is usually a sign of dry or irritated skin, but it can sometimes signal an underlying medical condition.
Image Credit: CasarsaGuru/iStock/GettyImages

A short-lived tickle on your face can be annoying. But when an itch gets intense and won't ease up, it can get downright frustrating.

Advertisement

Finding lasting relief starts with figuring out what's driving your discomfort. "There are a number of causes of facial itching," says Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology in New York City.

Video of the Day

Video of the Day

Dry skin, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and eczema are some of the most likely culprits, but they're far from the only ones. Here's why your face is so itchy and how to treat it.

Advertisement

1. It's Dry Skin

Dryness can make your skin rough, tight or flaky, and it can also cause an itchy face with no rash.

Dry skin can occur anywhere on your body, but you might be more prone to dryness and itching on your face when the weather is cold or dry, especially if you spend long stretches of time outside, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Advertisement

Fix It

Manage dry, itchy skin on your face by making a few adjustments to your skin-care routine: "Repairing dry skin with the use of gentle cleansers and ceramide-containing moisturizers is often sufficient treatment," says Dr. Camp.

Keep in mind, though, that too much cleansing can be drying, so stick to washing your face once a day. Moisturizers can be used multiple times per day (e.g. in the morning, after bathing and before going to bed).

Try CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($12.08, Walmart) and Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion for Face ($13.47, Amazon).

2. It's Razor Burn

If your face is itchy after shaving, you might have razor burn, a type of skin irritation that looks like a blotchy skin rash, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Common causes of razor burn include dry shaving, shaving too quickly, using a dull razor or shaving against the direction your hair grows. It's slightly more common in people who have sensitive skin or acne.

Advertisement

Fix It

You can treat after-shave itchiness at home by applying a cool washcloth to the area or applying aloe vera or a gentle moisturizer, per the Cleveland Clinic.

To prevent razor burn in the future, make sure to take your time, shaving in the direction your hair grows and using soap and water or a moisturizing shaving gel. Also remember to replace your razor blade often and store it in a dry place between uses.

3. You've Got Eczema

Eczema, an inflammatory condition that causes dry, flaky or itchy skin, can strike anywhere on your body, including your face. "It often appears with dry, pink patches of skin," says Dr. Camp.

You might find that certain triggers make your symptoms flare up: Harsh soaps or detergents, scented personal care products, cold or dry weather and exposure to seasonal allergens are all common culprits, notes the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI).

Advertisement

Fix It

See a dermatologist if you think you might have eczema. Together you can come up with a management plan, including avoiding triggers and regularly applying moisturizers or creams to keep your skin hydrated. In some cases, your derm may write you a prescription for stronger topical or oral meds to help manage your symptoms.

4. It's Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition marked by a scaly, oily rash on the scalp or face, and it can cause redness, dandruff-like flaking and itching.

Advertisement

"The rash often appears in the eyebrow and beard areas," Dr. Camp says.

Advertisement

Anyone can be affected, but the condition is more likely to occur in adults over 50, especially men and people with Black skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Fix It

Using an anti-dandruff shampoo like Nizoral ($15.47, Amazon) can help manage itching and flaking on the scalp. (Dandruff is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis.)

Your dermatologist may prescribe an antifungal ointment or corticosteroid cream for your eyelids or face, which can ease flaking or crusting and take down swelling and itching, the AAD says.

5. It's Contact Dermatitis

If your itching started up after using a new cleanser, soap, lotion or cosmetic and is accompanied by a red rash, you could have contact dermatitis.

Advertisement

"It can occur as a result of skin irritation from an environmental allergen or an ingredient in a skin care product," like a preservative, fragrance or dye, says Dr. Camp.

Fix It

Contact dermatitis will usually clear up within a few days to a few weeks once you begin avoiding the offending irritant.

If you're not sure what exactly is causing your skin to react, make an appointment with a dermatologist, who can help you zero in on the culprit.

In the meantime, applying a cool compress for 10 to 15 minutes at a time may ease the itch. If that's not enough, calamine lotion ($6.35, Amazon) or a topical hydrocortisone cream like Cortizone-10 ($5.12, Amazon) can offer additional relief, notes the AAD.

6. You Got a Sunburn

A sunburn on your face isn't just uncomfortable — it can also be itchy.

Advertisement

"Inflammation within the skin, which presents as redness, swelling, warmth and pain, can impact superficial nerve fibers, which send the itch signal to the brain," Dr. Camp says.

If the sunburn is severe, your skin might start to peel or blister too.

Fix It

Home remedies for sunburn include keeping your skin cool and hydrated. Apply a damp cloth to your face for 10 minutes at a time, then slather on an after-sun lotion or gel containing aloe vera or soy, recommends the Mayo Clinic.

If you're still itching, an oral antihistamine like Benadryl ($7.92, Walmart) will give you some added relief (although it's likely to make you sleepy). Or you can try a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen ($10.06, Amazon), which will help decrease the inflammation and offer some pain relief, too.

7. You Have Psoriasis

About half of people with psoriasis — an autoimmune condition that causes thick, scaly skin patches — experience symptoms on their face. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, the most common spots are around the ears, mouth or eyes.

The patches tend to be dry and itchy and often flare up in response to triggers like an infection, cold weather or skin injury.

Advertisement

Fix It

If you think you might have psoriasis, see a dermatologist to come up with a treatment plan. Mild symptoms can be managed with ointments or creams like corticosteroids, vitamin D or retinol. For more severe cases, there are systemic medications like biologics or immunosuppressants, the Mayo Clinic notes.

8. It's Your Medication

Sometimes itching on your face or elsewhere on your body can be the result of a new medication like aspirin, some blood pressure drugs or opioid pain relievers. Radiation treatments for cancer can make your skin itchy too, according to the AAD.

Fix It

Let your doctor or care team know if you think a new medication or treatment is making your face itchy. You can talk about whether there are alternative treatments you may be able to try, or if not, strategize the most effective ways to manage your itchy skin.

Less Common Causes

Itching isn't always caused by as a skin issue. In some cases, it could be a symptom of another type of health problem. Per the Mayo Clinic, potential offenders include:

  • Anemia
  • Diabetes
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Shingles
  • Mental health conditions like anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder

Rarely, an itchy face — particularly an itchy mole on the face — could be a sign of skin cancer.

When to See a Doctor About an Itchy Face

You should let your dermatologist know if at-home measures haven't helped your facial itching within a week or two, Dr. Camp recommends. They can examine your skin to determine if you have an underlying condition like eczema or psoriasis, or refer you to your primary care doctor if the itching seems to be caused by another type of health problem.

Make an appointment with your dermatologist or primary care doctor if the itchiness is paired with a rash or if your skin appears yellow.

You should see your ob-gyn if you're pregnant and have an itchy face that doesn't go away. Mild itching is common during pregnancy, per the Mayo Clinic, but more intense itchiness could be a sign of a dangerous liver condition called cholestasis (though the itching is usually on the hands and feet in this case).

references

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top