Much like your train being cancelled or spilling coffee down your white top, itchy skin at night is one of those irritations that can seem to come out of nowhere.

So: why do the dark hours sometimes bring the need to scratch relentlessly – and what can you do, to control it?

The vast majority of causes of itchy skin are pretty harmless – but a persistent itch can be a sign of serious conditions. If you are at all worried, book in to see your GP or call NHS 111.

WH called in the experts, to get their knowledge on this nocturnal issue.

Why does my skin itch at night?

A handful of things could be at play. Itching at night can be a symptom of a skin issue like atopic eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis.

But if that’s the case then you’re likely to know what it is – or at least you have something to show your doctor that can, in most cases, be easily diagnosed.

Why do I get so itchy at night?

The kind of skin itching that happens at night, seemingly out of nowhere, and with no sign of a rash is called nocturnal pruritus. As you'll know if you've dealt with it, it can wreak havoc with your sleep.

A 2016 study explains the various different causes of this itchy skin at night:

1. Your circadian rhythm is doing its thing

As you know, your circadian rhythm governs your sleep-wake cycle: helping you to feel drowsy at night and alert in the morning (unless you're a natural night owl and experience surges of energy later in the day and later at night.) Part of this process means that our core temperature rises in the evening which can increase blood flow to the skin and, in turn, itching.

2. Your skin barrier has been compromised

At night, the heat generated in our body leads to Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), which can also contribute to itching. This is because Trans Epidermal Water Loss can compromise the integrity of your skin barrier, which can therefore allow pruritogens (any substance that causes itching) to enter your skin.

That's not the only way an impacted skin barrier can cause itchy skin at night, though. 'If your skin barrier is compromised and the skin is not in a healthy condition, then any changes in the body or external environment can cause "uncomfortable skin," says celebrity facialist and skin expert, Nataliya Robinson. 'So, itching late at night can be caused by:

  • overly hot showers
  • air-conditioning
  • or central heating present in the room,' she adds.

    So: why do the dark hours sometimes bring the need to scratch relentlessly – and what can you do, to control it?

    The vast majority of causes of itchy skin are pretty harmless – but a persistent itch can be a sign of serious conditions. If you are at all worried, book in to see your GP or call NHS 111.

    WH called in the experts, to get their knowledge on this nocturnal issue.

3. You have creepy crawlies in bed with you

Not to cause alarm, but... 'Nocturnal pruritus is commonly associated with infestations, including scabies and bed bugs,' said the study's authors. The fact that mites are more active at night could cause itching, as can their feces (sorry), as can any infection that they cause on your skin.

4. There are psychological factors at play

The study noted that, in a cross-sectional study of patients who were being treated in a psychiatric ward, 32% reported suffering from itch, of which 24% felt their itch was worse at night. So, there may be a link between some psychological diagnoses and this issue.

What else can cause extreme itching, without a rash?

5. Hormonal changes

Itchy skin is common 'during pregnancy or after the menopause,' says the NHS. 'This is caused by hormonal changes and usually gets better over time.'

6. Polycythaemia

As to other maybe causes? Dermatologist Dr. Stefanie Williams, founder of the Eudelo skin clinic, also notes that ‘a serious condition called polycythaemia can lead to itching at night.

'Polycythaemia, means having a high concentration of red blood cells, which makes the blood thicker and its flow more sluggish. People with polycythaemia may experience red skin, particularly on the face, hands and feet.