Crawling sensation on the skin

• Approximately 20 per cent of women in menopause experience a crawling sensation on the skin, particularly during perimenopause.
• This sensation is also known as formication: a crawling, itching, or tingling feeling without any visible cause.
• Declining oestrogen levels can make the nervous system and skin more sensitive.
• These symptoms can affect sleep, mood, and daily functioning.
• Understanding the cause helps determine what support is possible, such as lifestyle adjustments, skincare, or medical guidance.

During menopause, your hormone levels change. Declining oestrogen levels can affect the nervous system and skin health. Oestrogen plays an important role in your body’s nerve function. A drop in this hormone can make nerve endings hypersensitive. This can create the sensation that something is crawling on your skin when it isn’t: formication. Other symptoms may include:

• Periods of itching, sometimes severe;
• A burning or tingling sensation;
• Pains in various parts of your body;
• Fatigue;
• Mood swings;
• The urge to scratch, even though there’s no rash or insects on the skin;
• Skin irritation caused by excessive scratching.

Formication can significantly impact your daily life. It can disrupt your sleep and cause feelings of restlessness or anxiety. Discuss these symptoms with your doctor, especially if they occur frequently, worsen, or are accompanied by other symptoms.

If you also experience shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or other heart-related symptoms, contact your GP or an emergency medical service immediately.

In addition to menopause, a crawling sensation on the skin can also be caused by:

• Nerve-related causes, such as fibromyalgia, pinched nerves, or nerves sending incorrect signals. A vitamin B12 deficiency can also make nerves more sensitive or even damage them.
• Stress, tension, or lack of sleep, which can overload the nervous system. This may lead to tingling, itching, or crawling sensations, often accompanied by vague symptoms.
• Untreated conditions, such as Lyme disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes). These conditions don’t directly cause formication but can produce similar symptoms, such as tingling or a crawling sensation on the skin.
• Medication or stopping medication, as the nervous system adjusts, can cause these sensations.
• Skin factors: cold, dry air, dry skin, or ageing can make the skin more sensitive. Dermatological conditions like eczema, scabies, or skin infections can also lead to a crawling sensation on the skin.

A crawling sensation on the skin can have a significant impact. While you can’t always prevent these symptoms, there are ways to support your body and reduce discomfort. Consider adjustments to your diet, lifestyle, and skincare. Supportive supplements may also play a role.

Hormonal changes during menopause can affect your energy levels, sleep, digestion, and metabolism. Healthy eating, regular exercise, and rest can help prevent or alleviate symptoms. Even small adjustments can make a difference in how you feel.

If you’re taking medication or supplements, a healthy lifestyle supports your body in absorbing nutrients and processing medications, enhancing their effectiveness. Experts recommend the following for a crawling sensation on the skin:

There are ways to alleviate symptoms, including dietary and lifestyle changes. Medical support may also help, which will be discussed later. Above all, take good care of your skin:

• Use a gentle, hydrating body lotion;
• Avoid products with alcohol or perfume, as they can further irritate the skin;
• Shower with lukewarm water and keep it brief (hot water dries out the skin);
• Wear breathable clothing made from natural materials.

Address stress and tension with breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga. These can help calm your nervous system. Take care of yourself and schedule daily moments of relaxation, either alone or with someone close to you if that helps you unwind. Walking, listening to music, or gardening can be beneficial. If you worry a lot, try writing down your thoughts.

Ensure you get good sleep. A consistent bedtime, a cool and dark bedroom, and a calming evening routine can help. Limit screen time before bed to promote melatonin production.

With diet and lifestyle, you can also reduce symptoms and support your overall health:

• Eating healthy, unprocessed, and varied foods helps support your immune system and skin.
• Exercise regularly. This improves blood circulation, ensuring oxygen and nutrients reach the nerves more effectively. Exercise also promotes the release of endorphins, which calm the nervous system and may reduce itching, tingling, or skin irritation.
• Alcohol and caffeine can stimulate the nervous system. Water is always a safe choice.

During menopause, your body’s processes for generating energy, building muscle, and repairing skin change. You can naturally support these processes with high-quality supplements. Magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 are recommended for every woman going through menopause.

The effectiveness of supplements depends on factors such as your lifestyle and health and can vary from person to person. The quality of the product also determines how well it works. Choose high-quality supplements without unnecessary fillers.