His whole body was itchy, he thought it was an allergy and was diagnosed

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His Whole Body Was Itchy. He Thought It Was an Allergy — But the Diagnosis Was Unexpected

We’ve all experienced an itchy patch of skin now and then. Maybe it’s dry weather, a new soap, or a harmless bug bite. But when the itching becomes persistent and affects your whole body, it’s easy to assume you’re dealing with an allergy. That’s exactly what David, a 42-year-old office worker, thought — until doctors gave him a diagnosis that changed everything.

This is his story — and an important reminder that sometimes, your skin is warning you about something deeper.

When the Itching Wouldn’t Stop

It started subtly. David noticed his arms felt itchy after a shower. Within a few days, the itching spread to his chest, back, and legs. He switched laundry detergents, avoided scented products, and took antihistamines — but nothing helped.

“I thought it was an allergy to something I ate or touched,” David recalls. “But it just kept getting worse. I’d wake up in the middle of the night scratching myself raw.”

There were no visible rashes, hives, or bites — just relentless itching, day and night.

The First Diagnosis: Allergy or Dry Skin

When David visited his general practitioner, the first assumption was a common one: contact dermatitis or a seasonal allergy. He was advised to take over-the-counter antihistamines, moisturize regularly, and avoid potential allergens.

For a week, he followed every instruction. But instead of relief, his symptoms intensified.

A Deeper Look: Blood Tests and a Referral

Eventually, David was referred to a dermatologist. After a thorough examination — and still no obvious skin condition — the doctor ordered a series of blood tests to rule out internal causes.

And then came the surprise: his liver enzymes were elevated, and a follow-up ultrasound revealed abnormalities in his bile ducts.

The Real Diagnosis: Cholestatic Liver Disease

David was diagnosed with a form of cholestatic liver disease — a condition in which bile flow from the liver is reduced or blocked. One of its early symptoms? Generalized, unexplained itching, often without any rash or redness.

“The itching was my liver’s way of sounding the alarm,” David says. “I would have never guessed something internal was causing it.”

Why Itching Can Be More Than Skin Deep

Itching — especially generalized itching without a rash — can be a sign of several underlying health issues, including:

• Liver disease (e.g., cholestasis, hepatitis, cirrhosis)
• Kidney failure
• Thyroid disorders
• Certain cancers, such as lymphoma
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