Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSelf-ScratchingDermatographiaRashSleepwalking and ParasomniaPets and PestsWhen to See a Healthcare Provider

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Self-Scratching

Dermatographia

Rash

Sleepwalking and Parasomnia

Pets and Pests

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Waking up with marks on your body can be disturbing. You may recallnighttime itchiness and scratching, but it is possible to notice marks and not remember how they got there.

Nighttime scratches, rashes,hives, or other marks on your body aren’t always due to something sinister; there is usually a reasonable explanation, even if you don’t remember.

This article will explore potential reasons for waking up with scratches and potential prevention and treatment of each cause.

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Cropped shot of young woman suffering from skin allergy, scratching her forearm with fingers

Why Is My Whole Body Itchy at Night?

Treatment

If you wake up with scratches on your body that have an apparent cause, treatment is straightforward and includes prevention and minor first aid. If your scratch is bleeding, you may need to cover it with a bandage.

Prevention

Prevention is best when it comes to overnight self-scratching.Keep your skin hydrated and moist, and keep your fingernails short and filed. You may also want to remove jewelry or irritating clothing before bed.

These marks are believed to result from an abnormal release ofhistaminesin the body and can appear five to seven minutes after irritation occurs.

For most people with this condition, dermatographism will disappear within half an hour. Your healthcare provider may suggest a skin care regimen or use over-the-counter (OTC)antihistaminesto control these reactions.

Xolair (omalizumab), a prescription anti-inflammatory, is being researched as a treatment for this condition. Early trials have shown that the medication improves the quality of life for people with dermatographism.

Experts are unsure what causes dermatographism, making it challenging to pinpoint prevention techniques. Skin care, using a moisturizer, and hydration offer protective benefits because dry skin is more likely to be itchy, leading to increased irritation.

What Is Dermatographism?

Rashes can irritate and lead to itching. Certain conditions cause itching and rashes as side effects or symptoms. Common examples include:

What Causes Itching After a Shower?

Behavioral or psychological conditions can sometimes explain why you wake up with scratches.Sleepwalkingaffects an estimated 4% of adults in the United States and can lead to accidental injuries from falling or tripping.

Similarly,parasomniais a sleep disturbance in which you may scratch yourself or perform other movements that could leave marks. These disorders can lead to various abnormal movements during sleep.

If you sleepwalk or make abnormal movements in your sleep that leave marks, talk to your healthcare provider to determine the cause.

Addressing underlying stress and psychological conditions or any physical issues that increase itching may help treat your parasomnia. Parasomnias do not always require treatment, but if you are in danger from your sleeping activities, talk to your healthcare provider about screening and treatment for sleep disorders.

Sleep Disorders

Another explanation for waking up with scratches is from a pet or other less welcome creatures.

Examples of pests that can cause rashes or itching include:

If your rash or scratches appear with minor marks that look like an insect could have caused them, you can apply OTC anti-itch creams. You may also need to eradicate the insect infestation with unique products that can kill pests like lice, fleas, and more.

Scabies infestations might require ascabicidemedication to kill these particular pests. If you know or suspect an insect or pest has bitten you, your healthcare provider can guide you to the proper treatment based on the offending pest.

Ifpets(or human sleeping partners) are scratching you during the night, you may need to revisit your sleeping arrangements.

Keeping pets and other animals away from your bed can help prevent scratches from pets and specific infestations. Even if your animal isn’t the problem, pets can bring insects and other pests into your home on their skin or fur.

Treating your pets with preventiveinsecticidesdesigned to keep fleas andticksaway is also a good idea.

Wash your bedding regularly and take extra care when staying in hotels and other facilities where you may be exposed to bed bugs.

Most of the time, scratch marks go away on their own. If you have scratch marks that don’t go away or that worsen, talk to your healthcare provider, as they could be a sign of something more serious, like an allergy or pest infestation.

If you wake up with deep scratches that bleed heavily or appear infected, you should see a healthcare provider for treatment. Certain medications to treat the underlying cause of the scratches may require a prescription from your provider.

Consider medical guidance if you are sleepwalking or experiencing other parasomnias that put you at risk of a fall or other traumatic injuries.

Summary

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, Yosipovitch G.Nocturnal pruritus: The battle for a peaceful night’s sleep.Int J Mol Sci. March 2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425American Osteopathic Association of Dermatology.Dermatographism.Nobles T, Muse ME, Schmieder GJ.Dermatographism.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.National Library of Medicine.Cholestasis.Nemours KidsHealth.First aid: Rashes.American Sleep Association.Sleepwalking: Facts, causes, symptoms, and treatment.Nigam G, et al. Sleep-related scratching:A distinct parasomnia?J Clin Sleep Med.January 2016;12(01). doi:10.5664/jcsm.5416Potter MF, Koehler PG.Invisible itches: Insect and non-insect causes. University of Florida.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies.

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, Yosipovitch G.Nocturnal pruritus: The battle for a peaceful night’s sleep.Int J Mol Sci. March 2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425American Osteopathic Association of Dermatology.Dermatographism.Nobles T, Muse ME, Schmieder GJ.Dermatographism.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.National Library of Medicine.Cholestasis.Nemours KidsHealth.First aid: Rashes.American Sleep Association.Sleepwalking: Facts, causes, symptoms, and treatment.Nigam G, et al. Sleep-related scratching:A distinct parasomnia?J Clin Sleep Med.January 2016;12(01). doi:10.5664/jcsm.5416Potter MF, Koehler PG.Invisible itches: Insect and non-insect causes. University of Florida.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, Yosipovitch G.Nocturnal pruritus: The battle for a peaceful night’s sleep.Int J Mol Sci. March 2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425American Osteopathic Association of Dermatology.Dermatographism.Nobles T, Muse ME, Schmieder GJ.Dermatographism.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.National Library of Medicine.Cholestasis.Nemours KidsHealth.First aid: Rashes.American Sleep Association.Sleepwalking: Facts, causes, symptoms, and treatment.Nigam G, et al. Sleep-related scratching:A distinct parasomnia?J Clin Sleep Med.January 2016;12(01). doi:10.5664/jcsm.5416Potter MF, Koehler PG.Invisible itches: Insect and non-insect causes. University of Florida.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies.

Lavery MJ, Stull C, Kinney MO, Yosipovitch G.Nocturnal pruritus: The battle for a peaceful night’s sleep.Int J Mol Sci. March 2016;17(3):425. doi:10.3390/ijms17030425

American Osteopathic Association of Dermatology.Dermatographism.

Nobles T, Muse ME, Schmieder GJ.Dermatographism.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.

National Library of Medicine.Cholestasis.

Nemours KidsHealth.First aid: Rashes.

American Sleep Association.Sleepwalking: Facts, causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Nigam G, et al. Sleep-related scratching:A distinct parasomnia?J Clin Sleep Med.January 2016;12(01). doi:10.5664/jcsm.5416

Potter MF, Koehler PG.Invisible itches: Insect and non-insect causes. University of Florida.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Scabies.

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