Persistent Itch or Cancer? Find clues

Unstoppable itching may be cancer

When people feel itchy on their body, they often think that it is caused by not being clean. In fact, "itching" is also a sign of physical illness, and sometimes it is even an external manifestation of certain malignant tumors in the body. Data show that 16%-30% of elderly people with malignant lymphoma, 25% of patients with reproductive organ malignant tumors, 25%-60% of elderly women with cancer, and 50% of patients with rectal malignant tumors will experience varying degrees of skin itching.

The itching caused by cancer is different from general itching. Its characteristics are: there is no history of itching but sudden onset of stubborn itching all over the body. Generally, no changes can be seen on the surface of the skin, only unbearable severe itching. It has nothing to do with climate change and is ineffective with any antipruritic drugs.

Therefore, if you have persistent skin itching of unknown cause, you cannot just scratch it and leave it at that. You should find out the cause as soon as possible and receive timely diagnosis and treatment. People who have never had skin diseases before are especially reminded that if they suddenly experience persistent and severe skin pain and itching without any drug allergies, food allergies or other stimulation factors, they should go to the hospital for examination immediately to rule out the possibility of disease so as not to delay the treatment.