If youre not surewhyyoure itching, the first step is to figure that out.
Some itchy rashes are contagious, and others can be a sign of a more serious conditions.
But once youve gotten your diagnosis, the itch may still be there, tormenting you.
Here are some things to try at home.
Keep your skin moisturized
Dry skin can feel itchy even without medical conditions being present.
So one of the first-line home remedies that dermatologists will suggest is simply to stay moisturized.
An alcohol-free, hypoallergenic moisturizer is what the American Academy of Family Physiciansrecommendsfor daytime use.
At night, they say, consider a petroleum or lubricant cream.
Plain ol Vaseline fits the bill.
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water also wont hurt.
After you shower, gently pat your skin dry and apply your moisturizer.
Thats why plain, hypoallergenic moisturizers are recommended.
Fragrances and fancy active ingredients can sometimes cause more irritation than they cure.
Even regular bathing can irritate your skin.
The American Academy of Dermatologyrecommendslimiting baths and showers to 10 minutes, and using lukewarm water, not hot.
(you might wash your armpits and groin daily, they say, but the rest can wait.)
Clothing can also irritate your skin, so consider wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing and avoiding wool and synthetics.
Silk is easy on the skin, too, if you’re free to get it.
Try an oatmeal bath
Oatmeal baths can soothe the skin.
you might buy colloidal oatmeal products, includingsachets to sprinkle in the bath, or oatmeal-based lotions.
Use lukewarm water, since hot water can be irritating.
Get the oatmeal wet, and squeeze it out onto the area of skin you are trying to treat.
Wash your hands in cool water instead of hot, as much as possible.
And finally, for a little treat, consider storing your moisturizer in the fridge.
