Skin Sensitive To Touch All of a Sudden? Possible Causes
Skin Sensitive To Touch All of a Sudden? Possible Causes
Last Updated: 4th, August 2023
Resource By: Dr. Amy Yuan
Our skin can provide a lot of important information about our body’s overall health and wellness. That’s why we often feel skin sensitivity when we’re sick or when we’re fighting off an infection or virus. Skin sensitivity can also be the result of topical or environmental irritants and may develop thanks to allergies or other seasonal changes.
Whatever the cause of our sudden skin sensitivity, the feelings of itchiness and discomfort can be frustrating and distracting. Getting to the root cause of sudden skin sensitivity can make it easier to find relief and provide options for preventing or managing the sensitivity in the future.
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What is Skin Sensitivity?
Like most conditions that affect the skin, skin sensitivity presents differently in different people. That is why it can be difficult to pin down the exact causes or even consistently identify skin sensitivity as a symptom of a larger issue. It’s important to know how to recognize signs of irritation or skin sensitivity, so you can get the medical support you need and relief you deserve.
Here are some of the common symptoms that can indicate you’re experiencing acute or chronic skin sensitivity.
- Itching: Itching can be an indication that your skin is reacting to products like harsh soaps, environmental elements, or even certain medications. It can be a simple fix, like moisturizing dry, flaky skin on the face, but it’s important to listen to your skin to get to the root cause of itching.
- Burning or Stinging: Wondering, “why does my skin hurt?” It’s always important to pay attention to unusual signs of pain or discomfort on your dry skin, like itching or stinging. Pain is your body’s way of informing you that something is wrong, so you can get the help you need.
- Redness: Redness is more common in some people than others and doesn’t always indicate a serious skin condition. It’s still important to take note of signs like redness, however, because it can mean excessive sun exposure, inflammation, or chronic conditions like rosacea.
- Scaling or Peeling: If you notice that your dry skin is scaling or peeling, it may indicate healing from an acute trauma or be a symptom of a more chronic condition that can be addressed in the long-term.
- Hives or Bumps: One of the most obvious signs of an allergic reaction is hives. Hives are a type of rash that is often raised and itchy and the discomfort will have you seeking relief. Bumps can be caused by certain chronic conditions, so take notice of any that form, especially around the fingers and toes.
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Possible Causes for Sensitive Skin
Recognizing the symptoms of sensitive skin is important, because it can help you to determine the root cause and find the best treatment methods for sudden outbreaks or reactions. Here are some of the most common causes for suddenly having skin sensitive to touch.
Allergic Reaction
Our skin serves as a protective barrier against irritants and outside elements, which is why you may notice sensitivity or itchiness when the skin comes into contact with allergens. The type of allergic reaction you have is going to vary greatly depending on exposure and your specific skin type, but if you suddenly notice sensitive skin, an allergic reaction is often the cause.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a type of allergic reaction that can occur for a few different reasons. If you experience allergic contact dermatitis, that means your skin has been exposed to a foreign substance or element and had a reaction. Commonly, this includes types of jewelry or even latex from gloves, but many individuals also have reactions to poisonous plants, like poison ivy and poison oak.
The other type of contact dermatitis to watch for is known as irritant contact dermatitis, which occurs when the foreign substance is toxic in some way. Household cleaners are the most common cause of irritant contact dermatitis and can usually be managed at home. Irritant contact dermatitis can even occur with some skincare ingredients that are harsh on the skin or too much exposure to water, as may occur with frequent hand washing. If you come into contact with battery acid, kerosine, or other dangerous materials, or if your skin doesn’t appear to be clearing up with soap and water, it’s best to seek medical attention.
Dryness
Using the right daily moisturizer with SPF or night cream can help maintain proper hydration that results in healthy, smooth skin. If you notice your skin is suddenly sensitive, particularly red, itchy, or cracked, then dryness might be the reason why. Dryness can occur both during hot weather, when we’re exposed to sun and heat, and cold weather, from indoor heating and cold wind contact.
Flare-Up
You may notice skin sensitivity from a skin condition that you’ve been managing for a long time or maybe didn’t even realize you had.
Here are some of the most common skin conditions that can flare up and cause sudden skin sensitivity or irritation:
- Eczema: There are several different types of eczema, which can be caused by hormones or environmental factors, and may present as itching, irritation, redness, pain, or small bumps. In fact, many children will experience eczema early on in life, though it often goes away in a few years. Eczema is usually managed with soothing medications and by avoiding triggers that cause flare-ups.
- Psoriasis: If you notice that your skin is beginning to scale or that you have bumpy red patches, that can indicate a psoriasis flare-up. Psoriasis is a skin condition affected by the immune system, which causes rapid skin cell turnover, leading to scaly, irritated skin. Flare-ups can occur for many reasons, including stress or extreme hot or cold temperatures.
- Rosacea: Rosacea is a condition that causes redness on the skin, most often on the cheeks or nose. There are a few different types of rosacea, but it most often affects women who are older and have fair or pale skin. Rosacea can be triggered by many hormonal and environmental factors, like exposure to sunlight or heat.
- Acne: Acne can be the cause of skin irritation or discomfort, especially during flare-ups. Acne occurs when the pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and dirt, which lead to blackheads, where the pore remains open, or whiteheads, where the pore closes over. Both types can inflame and irritate the surface of the skin and the tissue below and around the breakout. A healthy, personalized skincare routine can help to prevent breakouts before they occur and reduce their impact.
Acute Trauma
If you notice sudden skin sensitivity, that may be an indication of an acute trauma to your skin. The most common type of acute trauma that affects the skin and causes redness, irritation, and itching is a sunburn, which is why it’s so important to protect your skin with sunscreen and SPF-protective clothing.
Sunburns can cause itching, pain, discomfort, and redness, both immediately and during the healing process, which can lead to further skin damage if itched or irritated. Other acute skin traumas may be burns, cuts, or even improperly burst pimples, which can cause swelling and pain. It’s important to allow these damages to heal without touching or itching them, which can delay the process and even cause scarring or further discomfort.
Conclusion
Conclusion
When we take care of our skin, we take care of our overall health and wellness—which is why it’s so important to listen to our skin when it shows symptoms of irritation, reaction, or pain. Our skin can provide helpful information to us and our medical team about exposure to toxins, potential conditions, and any acute skin trauma we may have experienced.
There are many potential causes for sudden skin dryness and sensitivity, like exposure to allergens or contact dermatitis, chronic conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, or acute trauma from excess sun exposure. When we understand the root cause of our sudden skin sensitivity, we can better treat it in the long and short term.
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We want to provide the tools and information you need for every step of the skincare process, whether you’re on the search for the perfect gentle facial cleanser, or you’re looking to manage the effects of sudden skin sensitivity.
We help you to keep your skin healthy and happy, which helps to prevent sudden sensitivity and reduce its effects when it does occur, so you can feel comfortable and confident in your own skin.
Take our Skincare Quiz to get started, and get relief from sudden skin sensitivity today.