3. Generalized Itch All Over (Without Rash)
Widespread itching, especially at night or without visible skin changes, concerns doctors most.
In older adults, it can stem from kidney failure (uremic pruritus), thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, or blood cancers like lymphoma/polycythemia vera. Reviews highlight this as a potential early sign of internal malignancy.
4. Back or Trunk (Localized or Widespread)
Itch concentrated on the back may relate to neuropathic causes, like notalgia paresthetica (nerve irritation) or diabetic neuropathy.
Truncal itch can also appear in polycythemia vera or as post-herpetic neuralgia after shingles—a common reactivation in seniors.
5. Scalp or Localized Patches (Persistent)
Scalp itch is frequent but often overlooked. In seniors, it may tie to seborrheic dermatitis, neuropathic causes, or diabetes.
Persistent localized itch anywhere (e.g., arms) could indicate early cutaneous lymphoma or skin cancer, where itch correlates with disease severity in studies.
