People from various communities often use myths and superstation in attempt to explain meanings of left hand itching. However, there are various health conditions that may actually lead to left hand itching. Explore the pictures, causes, signs and symptoms of left hand itching. Also, learn their treatments and home remedies.
Causes of Left Hand Itching
It is very interesting to learn more about the causes, superstitions, and meaning of left hand itching. According to people’s beliefs and old myths, there are various superstitions that try to explain the meaning of itchy hands in relation to human affairs.
Basing on traditional myths, supernatural beings are the major cause of right or left palm itching which has a specific meaning. This meaning can vary depending on geographical location of the community. Itchy palm can be used to predict future expectation.
Besides the traditional myths, there are various scientific factors or reasons that also explain the causes of hand itching. Here are some of the possible causes of right or left hand itching that includes the following:
1. Allergic reaction
Exposure of the palm to the harsh or strange substances can stimulate the skin to develop allergic reactions. Detergents, dust, sumac poison and plant pollen grain are examples of substances that can induce allergic reaction on the skin of the hands. Common skin conditions that can cause an allergic reaction include allergic eczema and hives.
Allergic eczema is a skin condition that develops from an allergic reaction when your skin becomes direct in contact with the strange substances. Allergic eczema is also called contact dermatitis or contact eczema. This condition is associated with rashes and itchy skin on the affected area.
Allergic hives are itchy bumps that can appear suddenly on the skin due to an allergic reaction. Hives are red bumps that appear immediately after your skin become in contact with allergens. These bumps can go away after few hours or days.
2. Body dehydration
Body dehydration is always associated with dry skin on the palm. Dry skin on the hand might be the reason for itchy skin on the palm. Dehydration of the body can lead to the scaly and leathery skin on the palm which can easily break and cause pain.
3. Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition when the body is unable to control blood sugar level. The itchy palm of the left or right hand is one of the symptoms of diabetes. The diabetic condition can result into intense itchy palm that can cause a discomfort.
4. Scabies
Scabies is microscopic parasitic mites that can attack the human skin. Typically, they can attack fingers, palm, elbow, nipple, penis or any other parts of the body. Scabies can make tiny borrows in the skin, lay eggs and leave their toxin excretory waste under the skin that can cause intense itchiness.
4. STD’s
Sexually transmitted diseases or infection can also cause the right or left hand to itch. Syphilis is an example of an STD that can cause painful tiny itchy bumps on the palm of the hand or on any other parts of the body.
5. Fungal infection
Left hand itching can occur as a result of yeast infection. Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection that can result in white or pink itchy patches on the skin. Yeast infection can as well affect the right hand or any other parts of the body.
6. Side of certain medication
Some medical treatment has a side effect of itchy skin on the palm. For instance, strong antibiotics and antivirus that are used for the treatment of other underlying body condition might also cause the itchy skin on either one of both hands.
7. Body stress
Right or left hand itching can occur as a consequence of body stress. Stress in the body can cause a change in body hormones which has a negative influence on the skin to begin itching. Itching of the palm is common to individuals who are under stress and anxiety.
8. Deficiency of nutrients
Deficiency of body nutrient is another factor which can cause irritation on the skin of the hands. Malnutrition can increase the risk factors such as the bacterial and fungal attack of the skin to cause itchiness of the palm.
9. Boils
Boils or furuncles are painful red bumps that can appear on the skin of the hands or on any other parts of the body. Bacterial infection on the skin can result in the development of boils. These bumps may contain pus and they can heal soon after draining the pus out.
10. Insect Bites
Insect bites on the skin of the hand can also lead to itchy skin. Some insect contains poisonous salivary that has venom which can cause intense itchiness on the skin. Beg bud, mosquitoes, mites, and flies are examples of insect that can bite your skin.
11. Chickenpox
Although rare, chickenpox might also result to the itchy skin during the time of an outbreak of varicella virus. This infection can attack you only once in your life in case you were not vaccinated against it. Chickenpox is associated with painful bumps on the entire skin of the body.
Left hand Itching Meaning
What does it mean when your palm itches on your left hand? Indeed there are so many superstitions that are correlated to itching of palm. The traditional beliefs on the meaning of left or right hand itching may differ depending on geographical location of the communities.
One of the old superstitions is that itchy hand shows that you are about to handle money. According to this mythical belief, an itchy palm is an indication that tells you that you are about to get or give out money. For the case of right hand itching, it means you will get money in near future.
Unlike right hand, itchiness of the left hand has the meaning of giving out the money. In addition, the magnitude of itches on the palm might be quantified to the amount of money you may handle. Intense itchiness of the palm may be related to more money compare to mild itchiness.
Some people also believe that itching of the left hand might be an indication of bad news or a misfortune in your life. Some attribute that if your left hand itches you should be ready to face a bad luck in your life.
On the other case, itchiness of the right hand may mean good news or good luck is about to come in your way. For this scenario, an itchy palm on the right hand might indicate the expectation of an achievement like winning money.
In addition, itchy left palm love is another superstition. Some people believe that an itchy pail on the left hand means that you are strongly connected to a love. According to this myth, itchiness of the left palm is an indication that you might have missed meeting with the person you love most.
Basing on the modern world, this ancient superstition of left hand itching still exist but in a different version. People may not only correlate itchy palm with money but also with other financial transaction like bill payment and salaries.
Generally, to cancel the expected future event indicated by itchy palm, it is believed that rubbing your palm of the woody surface during the time of itchiness can stop the expected or future event to happen. Likewise, you can stop future bad omen or news by rubbing the itchy palm on the wood surface.
All these traditional superstitions about itchy hands are strongly believed by some people all over the world. However, there are not scientifically proof that explains how itchy palm of the hand controls human affairs.
Left Hand Itching Male
There are various superstitions that are linked to itchy hand in the male. According to Indian superstition, itching of the left palm in the male is associated with something bad to happen in near future. While the itchiness of right hand palm has the meaning of good luck in future.
The superstition about left palm itching may vary depending on the religion of the communities or traditional myth. Also, some people have a little concern to correlate itchy palm with the future expectation or even they don’t believe in old traditions.
On the side of the scientific approach, itchy palm might occur due to various factors that we have already discussed in this post. Example of these factors includes; allergic reaction, stress, and body dehydration and skin diseases.
Left Hand Itching Female
Itchiness on either right or the left palm of the hand is more common to female compared to male. This is because of continuous fluctuation of body hormones due to menstrual cycle or during the time of pregnancy
The last trimester of pregnancy is usually characterized by itching of the right or left hand. Sometimes the itchiness can be felt in both hands at the same moment. Also, the itchiness may alternate from left to right hand.
Left hand itching in female without pregnancy can also occur. This might not be the effect of hormone change in the body. Itchy palm in a female can also occur due to the causal agent of itchy hand that we have already discussed in this post.
Like itchy palm in male, there are various traditional believes about itchiness of left hand in the female. Some community believes that itchiness on the left hand palm can show that something not good may happen in your future life.
While itchiness of right hand has the meaning of good luck expected. Also, other myth attributes that itchiness of the left hand during pregnancy has a meaning that there is a chance to give birth to a baby girl.
On the other case, itchiness in the right hand palm during pregnancy might indicate the expectation of a baby boy. Occasionally, this superstition that was used to predict the sex of the child might work effectively if accompanied by other physical changes in pregnant women.
Superstitions for Left Hand Itching
It is very interesting to know some of the superstitions which are connected to good luck in life. For instance, when your right hand itches, it may show that you can win lottery, games or get another fortune in your life. In comparison with itchiness in the left hand, it shows losing money, games or lottery.
The superstition about left or right hand itchiness may vary depending on the geographical location of the people and their traditional myths. Some people may also believe that itchiness on the right hand is associated with good news to come in future.
In comparison with itchy left palm, it might mean bad news is expected in the near coming time. The remedy to stop these bad news or event to happen in your life is to rub your palm on woody material immediately you feel irritation.
Some communities still have strongly believed that itchiness on the left hand is linked to love. This myth attribute that when your left palm itches, it means you might have a feeling of missing someone you really love in your life.
Furthermore, others believe that an itchy palm of the left hand shows that the person you really love is about to visit you. Also, it shows that the person you really love may be thinking about you positively or talking good about you.
Treatment
In most case right or left hand itching might be a mild health condition that can go away without medical treatment. Occasionally, itchy skin on the hands can cause a discomfort that needs treatment. You can use home remedies or go for medical treatment by visiting your doctor.
Medical treatment can be offered by health providers or qualified doctor. After visiting your doctor, he or she will determine the main cause of itchy palm to decide the appropriate medical plan for you that can help to get rid of itchy hands.
There are various medical treatments that your doctor might use to treat your skin on the hands which include the following:
- Prescription of oral drugs: this includes antibiotics and antiviral drugs that can help to treat the underlying body condition that causes the itchy skin on the hands.
- Prescription of medicinal creams and lotion. Itchy skin can be soothed by appropriate medicinal creams or lotion.
- Laser treatment is a modern treatment method that uses a beam of strong light to treat various skin conditions including itchy palms.
- Injections: Medicinal injection can be used to treat underlying body condition that causes the itchy skin on the hands.
Home remedies
You can try the following home remedies to treat itchy skin on the hands:
- Coconut oil
You can use coconut oil as a home remedy to treat and relieve itchiness on the skin of the hands. The oil contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory property that can help to ease and heal itchy hands. It also helps to moisten the skin and protect the skin from becoming dry.
How to use:
- Clean the affected part of the skin with warm water and dry it off with washcloth
- Using your hands apply the coconut oil on the itchy parts of the skin on your hands
- Repeat this treatment two times per day for few weeks until left hand itching go away
- Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is known to treat various skin diseases including the itchy skin on the hands. Aloe Vera contains ant-bacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory ability that can help to soothe itchy hands. You can use Aloe Vera gel, cream or juice.
How to use:
- Clean your hands with warm water and dry it with a washcloth
- Apply the Aloe Vera gel, cream or juice on the itchy part of the hand
- Allow it stay on the surface of your skin for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off
- Repeat this treatment two times per day until irritation on the hands go away
- Apple cider vinegar
You can use apple cider vinegar to as home remedy to get rid of itchy hand. The acidic nature of the apple cider vinegar can help to ease and soothe irritation on the skin of the hand. It also helps to kill and reduce harmful pathogens on the skin that can cause itchiness.
How to use:
- Get ½ glass of apple cider vinegar
- Soak the cotton ball in the solution
- Apply the apple cider vinegar on the itchy parts of the hand
- Do this procedure twice per day for few weeks
- Baking soda
Baking soda is the best home remedy for itchy hands. Its pH has the ability to kill and reduce harmful pathogens that can cause the skin to itch on the hands. It also helps to soothe itchy spots on the hands
How to use:
- Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with few drops of water to create a paste
- Apply the paste on the itchy parts of the skin
- Allow it to stay on your skin for about 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water
- Repeat the treatment two times per day for few weeks until right or left hand itching go away
- Raw honey and lemon juice
A mixture of raw honey and lemon juice has a strong healing power that can help to soothe itchy palm of the hand. Honey has medicinal value that can ease irritation on the skin while lemon juice has citric acid that has the antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory property that help to cure itchy hands.
How to use:
- Mix 2 teaspoon of raw honey with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- Apply the mixture directly on the itchy parts of the hands
- Repeat the treatment twice per day for few weeks
- Cold water
Cold water is the best home remedy that you can use to treat itchy hands. The low temperature of the water can help to soothe nerve cells on the skin tissue which may help to ease irritation.
How to use:
- Get ice cold water
- Soak the washcloth in ice cold water
- Cold compress the itchy parts of the hands
- Cold compress each term your feel itchiness on your left or right hand
Sources and References
[showhide type=”links” more_text=”Show Sources and References” less_text=”Hide Sources and References”]
- Cause of itchy left hand: https://www.healthline.com/health/itchy-palms#overview1
- Itchy hand cause: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hands-feet-itch
- Meaning of itchiness on your left hand: https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/what-does-it-mean-when-your-left-hand-is-itching
- Left palm itching in male: http://madamenoire.com/288252/pole-splitting-fish-dreams-palm-itching-superstitions-black-folk-cant-let-go/
- Itchiness in left hand in female: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2520959/Pregnancy-When-itch-pregnancy-sign-baby-risk.html
- Superstitions for left or right hand itching: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-superstition-behind-itchiness-of-the-left-hand-Where-did-it-originate
- Itchy hand superstitions: http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/topic/218093-if-your-left-handpalm-itches/
- How to get rid of itchy palm: https://www.wikihow.com/Relieve-Itchy-Hands-and-Feet-at-Night
- Treatment of itchy hands: https://www.healthline.com/health/itchy-palms#treatment4
- Home remedies for itchy skin hands: https://www.livestrong.com/article/99357-home-remedies-itchy-hands/ [/showhide]
