Is Skin Cancer Itchy?

Skin cancer may cause itching. Itchy skin is a possible symptom in all three of the most common types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. 

However, skin cancer can often be seen before it starts to itch, as itchiness typically only starts after a growth on the skin has developed or changed. When skin cancer itches, the sensation can negatively affect your quality of life, mental health, and physical health. 

Only a healthcare provider can determine whether your itchy skin is due to skin cancer. There are many other common reasons why your skin may itch, including dry skin. If the itchiness turns out to be skin cancer, there are fortunately steps you can take to soothe the discomfort and treat the cancer.

Why Skin Cancer May Be Itchy

Skin cancer may cause itching because of how the cancer affects the skin. Skin cancer can cause inflammation in the top layers of the skin, leading to itchiness.

The severity of skin cancer does not seem to affect the severity of itching. As skin cancer progresses and spreads, the itching severity does not increase. This leads researchers to believe that it is only the inflammation of the skin's first layers that is associated with itchiness.

Instead of itchiness, people usually experience increased pain levels as skin cancer progresses deeper into the layers of skin. 

Itching caused by cancer-related inflammation is seen in other types of cancer, too, including Hodgkin lymphoma, bile duct cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer. 

What Types of Skin Cancer Are Itchy?

Among the three most common types of skin cancer, itchy skin is felt about 37% of the time. Itchy skin—medically known as pruritus—is more common in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma than in melanoma.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is a skin cancer that starts in the basal cell layer of the skin. The basal cell layer is the lower part of the epidermis (the outer layer of skin).

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer in the United States, accounting for 80% of all skin cancer cases. This type of skin cancer usually forms in people with lighter skin and appears on areas of the body that receive the most sunlight, including the face, head, neck, arms, and hands. 

A 2020 study found that 31% of people with basal cell carcinoma experienced some degree of itching. Almost half of those with the symptom itch a few times a week. Up to 20% of people with the symptom experience constant itching. 

Fortunately, basal cell carcinoma is very treatable, especially when diagnosed early. Most people with basal cell carcinoma have a biopsy or surgery to remove the cancer from their skin. A biopsy is a procedure that removes a sample of your cells or tissue from your body so it can be examined under a microscope and tested.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma starts on the outer part of the epidermis. The outermost layer of skin is where squamous cells form and shed. When too many cells grow, squamous cell carcinoma can develop.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer, making up 16% of all skin cancer cases in the U.S. Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma tumors usually form in people with lighter skin in sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, neck, and hands. When someone with darker skin develops squamous cell carcinoma, it more often affects areas of the skin not exposed to the sun. 

Research shows that between 27.3-43% of people with squamous cell carcinoma experience itching.

Squamous cell carcinoma is treatable. However, it is more likely than basal cell carcinoma to grow and spread into deeper layers of skin and other areas of the body. 

Melanoma

Melanoma also forms in the epidermis. This more aggressive cancer begins in cells called melanocytes, which make melanin (the brown pigment that gives skin its tan or brown color).

Melanoma is a less common type of skin cancer, accounting for 4% of all skin cancer cases in the U.S.

Melanoma may cause itching in 5.3-28.8% of people. 

While treatable, early treatment is essential since melanoma is more likely to spread than other types of skin cancer.

Other Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Before skin cancer starts to itch, you'd likely be able to see it first. Here are other signs and symptoms of each type of skin cancer you may notice.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma may appear as:

• A small pink or red bump
• Translucent or shiny
• A blue, brown, or black area of skin
• Raised edges with a lower center area
• Abnormal blood vessels spreading out in spokes
• A flat, firm, yellow area that looks like a scar
• A raised, reddish patch that itches
• An open sore that oozes and crusts over

Basal cell carcinoma sores may appear light on people with lighter skin and dark on people with darker skin. The sores are usually fragile and bleed easily.

Besides itching, people with basal cell carcinoma may also experience sensations of stinging, burning, or tingling.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as:

• Rough, scaly, red patches
• Raised growths or lumps with a lower center
• Open sores that don’t heal
• Wart-like growths 

Besides itching, you might feel soreness or tenderness around the affected area. you might also feel numbness or a tingly sensation.

Melanoma

Melanoma may appear as:

• A mole that is changing in color, shape, or size
• Dark spot with a jagged border or edges 
• Dome-shaped growth
• Area of darkened skin under the nail 
• A thick patch of skin that looks like a scar 

Besides itching, you might feel pain in the affected spot. The area might also bleed.

Other Reasons for Itchy Skin

Skin cancer is just one possible cause of itchy skin. Several more common skin conditions may cause itching.

Common causes of itchy skin include:

• Dry skin: A lack of skin moisture may lead to dryness, peeling, and itching.
• Eczema: This skin condition causes inflammation and itching.
• Psoriasis: This skin condition causes the skin to make skin cells too quickly, leading to dry, itchy patches.
• Chickenpox: The contagious virus causes itchy blisters.
• Folliculitis: This is an infection or inflammation in the hair follicle that can cause irritation and itching.
• Hives: Also known as urticaria, hives is a skin reaction that causes red, intensely itchy bumps on the skin.
• Seborrheic dermatitis: The skin condition causes a scaly, itchy rash on the scalp or face.
• Contact dermatitis: When the skin reacts to the presence of an allergen or irritant, such as nickel or fragrances, you can develop an itchy rash.
• Insect bite: Mosquitos, bedbugs, lice, and mites may all cause itching.
• Poison ivy: Coming in contact with poison ivy can cause a red, itchy rash.
  

How To Soothe Itchy Skin

Itchy skin is uncomfortable and may affect your quality of life. Talk with your primary healthcare provider or dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin conditions) if you have recently developed an area of itchy skin and do not know the cause. 

If skin cancer is the cause of your itchy skin, treating the cancer will relieve it. As you are waiting for or are going through treatment, there are some steps you can take at home to try to calm the itching:

• Avoid scratching, as this can lead to bleeding and possible infection
• Instead of scratching, put a cool washcloth or apply firm pressure over the area.
• Drink water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated
• Wash your skin daily or every other day in warm (not hot) water to remove any dirt or irritants
• Avoid irritating substances like bubble baths, fragrances, perfumes, bath oils, and certain laundry detergents
• Use a gentle, daily moisturizer such as an emollient to heal skin and prevent breakdown 
• Eat a well-balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals to give your skin the nutrients it needs
  

When To See a Healthcare Provider

If you have developed a new area of itchiness and are unsure of the cause, consider seeing a healthcare provider like a dermatologist. This is particularly true if the itchiness if affecting your quality of life. The provider can inspect your skin and, if needed, take a biopsy for testing to determine what's causing the itching. A biopsy is

Regardless of whether you have itchiness, you should visit a healthcare provider if you see a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a change in an old growth. These are all potential signs of skin cancer. You should especially see a provider if you have itchiness on a raised, reddish patch, as this could be a sign of the most common skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma.

A Quick Review

Skin cancer may be itchy. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are the most common types of skin cancer, and all may cause itchiness as a symptom. Other common symptoms of skin cancer include a sore that does not heal or a mole that is changing in size or shape. 

There are more common reasons your skin may itch, including dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. If you're concerned about an itchy area of skin—particularly if it started after a new or changed growth—see your healthcare provider. They can determine whether it's skin cancer or something else causing the itchiness and get you the relief you need.