Pruritus causes and pathophysiology

Pruritus is the medical term for itchiness, a sensation that makes you want to scratch your skin.
Itchy skin is often caused by dry skin and is common in older adults, as skin tends to become drier with age.
Depending on the cause of your itchiness, your skin may look no different than usual or it may be inflamed, rough or have bumps. Repeated scratching can cause raised thick areas of skin that might bleed or become infected.