
Q I read that itching can be caused by liver or kidney disease and it worries me. Could that be my case too?
A Most cases of whole-body itching come from dry skin or stress, but some are linked to underlying conditions like liver, kidney, thyroid, or diabetes issues. If you also have other symptoms like jaundice, sudden weight changes, or changes in urine output, that possibility shouldn't be ruled out. Rather than worrying, a basic blood test is the surest way to check.
Detailed Answer
Itching from systemic disease accounts for only part of chronic itching cases overall, but catching it early matters. Basic tests checking liver function, kidney function, blood sugar, and thyroid levels can screen for most of these.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine treatment as well, checking for an underlying systemic condition comes first. Once that's ruled out, treatment focuses on internal imbalances such as fluid and blood deficiency or heat concentration in the body.
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