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There are some inconveniences in life that we don’t have a say in – like allergies. If you’re one of the 25% of adults who have allergies, you likely understand this. This is especially true for us Oregonians, who have one of the longest growing seasons across the United States.
Now what if someone told you that making a change in your life would guarantee that this went away? This is the case for many people who are taking medications or dealing with a substance use disorder.
Side effects, like itching, aren’t always talked about in the same way that more serious side effects are. This doesn’t mean that they’re not impactful, nor does it mean you have to continue to deal with them. Our team at Serenity Lane has a long history of empowering people to recover from substance use disorders, and we’ve seen how much even these “minor” side effects can make an impact. That’s why today we’re going to talk about what drugs cause itching, why it happens, and what you can do to address it.
The source of itching, as a whole, isn’t straightforward. The sensation of needing to itch is known as pruritus and can be caused by things such as hair regrowth, dry skin, healing wounds, insect bites, and more.
Whether it’s prescription medications or substances obtained through other means, there are many reasons that they can cause itching. Allergic reactions are the most common reason, but it can be more complex than that.
Drugs can lead to specific side effects that cause itching, or cause a chain reaction of effects that eventually lead to itching. To explain this more, let’s take a closer look at what drugs most commonly cause itching.
Any medication can lead to itchiness, most often due to an allergic reaction, but there are some medications and substances that have this as a known side effect.
Aspirin, for example, is known to cause drug pruritus – or itching caused by a drug or medication in your system. Blood thinners are also known to have the potential for itchiness. If you’re taking a new medication, and you’re concerned about the side effects, don’t be afraid to bring this up with your doctor.
What about substance use disorders? How often do those lead to itchiness?
Opioids, taken both under medical supervision or obtained outside of a prescription, can cause itchiness. There have been many studies surrounding the cause of this. While a concrete answer hasn’t been determined, the correlation between the two is strong.
One of the leading theories is the interaction between opioids and the central nervous system. Our nerves are responsible for the sensations that we experience. If a nerve gets overwhelmed or altered because of the substances present in our bodies, it could lead to the sensation of itchiness.
Another common cause of itchiness due to opioids could be inflammation.
No matter the kind of opioid, from heroin to fentanyl, if you’re regularly consuming it and you experience new or worsening itchiness, this could be the cause.
The most common source of itching when it comes to stimulants, but especially methamphetamine, comes from hallucinations. The experience of feeling something “crawling under your skin” is seen across many cases of methamphetamine use disorders. This leads to people feeling the need to itch, or scratching at their skin in hopes of getting the “bugs” under your skin out.
This is such a common sign of meth use that the scabs and other signs of itching on the skin have come to be known as meth mites.
If you’re experiencing a consistent or annoying level of itchiness, you should speak with your doctor about it. Whether it’s caused by a medication you’re taking or another condition, it’s not something that needs to go unaddressed. It’s not common to frequently be itchy without a known source.
Itchiness can be a sign of something more serious, like allergies or even liver failure. Finding the source of your itchiness can help you better address it, or make it stop altogether. You don’t have to suffer through discomfort, if you are concerned about your itching, no matter how “bad,” you should seek medical help.
The length of time that drug-related itching lasts varies depending on its source.
Most often the itching will only last as long as the drug is in your system. If this is a medication you take daily, that could mean that the itching is present most of the time. This is also true of an allergic reaction, your body will stop the itching if the thing it’s allergic to is no longer in your system.
When it comes to other causes, like liver failure, dry skin, or drug pruritus, the length of time can vary. The longer your history with substance use, the more frequently you partake, and the higher dosage you take, can all influence the amount of time in which you experience itchiness.
Whether it’s yourself that you’re concerned about, or a loved one, how can you tell when itchiness is a sign of substance use and not something else?
The main thing to keep in mind when asking yourself this question is what other side effects, behavioral or physical, have you noticed? Substance use often makes itself known in many ways, even though some are more subtle than others.
For example, a person dealing with a substance use disorder often begins to act differently. They might start to skip events or hobbies they used to love. They might start going out more often or staying out later than normal. They also might become more secretive, or become more irritable.
Physical side effects are also a good determining factor. The type of substance, or substances, that they’re engaging with will influence the specific side effects. The most common ones, however, tend to impact appetite, sleep patterns, emotions, and mental health. If you’ve noticed any drastic changes in these things, they could be indicative of a substance use disorder.
There are some ways that you can remedy itchiness right from your home. Let’s take a look at some of the easiest ways you can help manage this annoying side effect.
If your source of itchiness is from a substance, these remedies can be short-lived. The only true way to stop itchiness from continuing is to seek recovery.
If you or a loved one wants to take the step toward healing, there are many drug rehab options available for you here in Oregon. You deserve a place that’s going to work with you to make a recovery plan for your needs.
A good recovery program should have all the options on the table for you, linking you to the full continuum of care while also addressing more than just substance use. Substance use impacts every corner of a person’s life. To set someone up for true success, there should be support options available to address other concerns too, like family relationships, mental health, and more.
There’s no wrong time to get started, and our team at Serenity Lane is ready. As one of the oldest non-profit rehabs in the state, we’re well-equipped to help you find recovery. Just give us a call at 800-543-9905 and we can answer any questions you may have, or get you started today.
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