what would cause itching all over the body
Causes of Itching all Over the Body. All-over-body itching can be caused by a variety of conditions. Photo Credit skin image by Robert Kelly from Fotolia.com. Itching, also called pruritus, commonly occurs due to skin disorders, and may affect sleep or quality of life if the condition is severe. Rooted in the nerve endings, itching all over the body is called generalized pruritus.
One of the most common causes of itchy skin all over the body is dry skin, which can be brought on by a number of conditions. 1  Allergies-An allergy to a specific material can cause the body to develop an itching sensation. 2  Nickel, perfume or chemical allergies among others can cause this type of reaction.
A Systemic Form of Contact Dermatitis. Itching all over the body can also be caused by exposure to environmental allergens. For example, a nickel sensitivity aggravated by drinking tap water that contains nickel or eating foods cooked with nickel utensils can result in systemic itching.
Hodgkin's disease, a type of cancer called lymphoma, may cause body itching, as well as night sweats, fever, tiredness, weakness, coughing and shortness of breath, swollen lymph nodes and weight loss. This cancer of the lymphatic system impacts the immune system's ability to filter out bacteria and viruses.