How To Prevent Itching: 10 Best Remedies

What Is Itchy Skin?

When your skin is irritated due to any reason whether it’s a bug bite or a common skin condition like eczema, and makes you want to scratch the area it is known as itchy skin. Scientifically it is also known as pruritus. 

Itching can occur on one part of the body or it can take over the whole body if you have an allergy. Itching causes a strong urge to scratch the area. But scratching it can develop an itch-scratch cycle. The more you scratch the more itchy it gets. This scratching and itching can also lead to infections, scars and even bleeding. 

It is essential to break this itch-scratch cycle but to do that you first have to understand what is causing your itching.

What Causes Itching?

Itching whether mild or severe can be very irritating and highly impact the quality of life. It not only affects your skin but also your self-confidence, sleep, and mental health. To find a way to get rid of that itchy skin it is important to know the cause for the itch. Itching can be caused due to several reasons, we have mentioned some of the most common ones.

• Dry skin
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Allergic reactions
• Skin infection
• Contact dermatitis
• Insect bites
• Internal diseases
• Nerve disorders
• Old age

If you would like to know more details about the causes of itching, read what causes itchy skin.

How To Prevent Itching?

1. Moisturize, Moisturize, And Moisturize

Moisturizing is the key to avoiding itching and dry skin. Moisturizing at least twice daily can help keep your skin hydrated. The best time to moisturize is right after taking a bath. The skin is damp at that time and absorbs the moisturizer more quickly. 

Moisturizers can help keep your skin hydrated by locking in moisture in the topmost layer of the skin. Choosing the right moisturizer is essential. The best moisturizer is the one that contains natural ingredients like glycerin, and licorice root extract, these ingredients can help restore the skin barrier and retain moisture in the skin.  Being free of sensitizing ingredients is a must. 

Avoid moisturizers that contain harmful chemicals, fragrances, and artificial dyes, as these can lead to dry skin, trigger skin reactions in some people, and make the itching worse. 

2. Don’t Scratch

Whether your itching is mild or is making you feel like a dog with fleas. Try and fight the urge to scratch the itch. Scratching might feel good for a few seconds but in reality, it can make the condition worse. Once you scratch you trigger the itch-scratch cycle you will be unable to control yourself from scratching.

Scratching will not only make the itching worse but can also lead to other issues like skin infections, hyperpigmentation, and scarring. Scratching slows down the healing process. If you have an intense urge to scratch the affected area, rub it gently or pat it rather than scratching it

3. Maintain Good Hygiene

Maintaining good hygiene can help you prevent itching. Especially if your itching is caused and triggered by various bacteria. Keeping the skin and affected area clean can reduce itching and spreading of bacteria and infection.

To keep your skin clean take a bath or shower at least once a day with a gentle cleanser that is specially formulated to relieve symptoms like itching, dryness, and redness. 

4. Use Hypoallergenic Products

Skincare products that contain harmful chemicals, fragrances, and artificial dyes can be dangerous for the skin. These products strip away the natural oils from the skin making it dry and prone to itching and other skin issues. 

Using products that contain natural ingredients, are fragrance-free, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic are best to keep the skin clean and moisturized. These types of products not only protect the skin from becoming dry and itchy but also help repair the skin’s natural barrier and lock moisture in it. 

5. Choosing The Right Fabric

Choosing the right fabric for your clothing and bedding can help prevent itching. Avoid using fabric that irritates your skin like wool and synthetics. Instead use lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton which helps the skin from becoming sweaty and irritated. Also, avoid wearing tight clothing, as this can make the skin irritated and cause itching. 

6. Bath Time Care

Taking a bath daily is good for your hygiene. But taking a bath more than once daily can also make your skin dry, especially during winter. Taking long hot baths can also strip away moisture from the skin. Instead use lukewarm water. Limit the bath time to 10 minutes. Don’t rub your skin with a towel, instead pat it dry. And remember to moisturize the skin right after taking a bath! 

7. Cover The Skin

Itching can be caused by allergens like poison ivy, poison oak, and ragweed or by insect bites. While going out, especially in open areas where there are a lot of plants and trees, cover your body as much as possible. 

Cover your arms by wearing long-sleeved shirts or tops and remember to cover the legs with long pants. Less skin exposure to allergens and insects can reduce the chances of skin getting irritated and itching. 

8. Use A Humidifier

Dry air in winter or inside the house due to the central air conditioning causes the skin to become dry and itchy. To protect your skin from getting itchy, use a humidifier in the house or your room. The humidifier helps keep the moisture in the air. 

Using a humidifier, especially at night can help keep your skin from getting dry. Because at night time the skin loses more moisture which is why the itching gets more intense at nighttime.  

9. Use Insect Repellants

Mosquitos and other insects love biting you. Some even feed on your blood. These bug bites can cause itching on the skin. Cover your skin with insect repellent to protect your skin from getting bug bites. Especially if you are going out hiking or camping then insect repellent is a must to do thing. DEET is one of the best active ingredients to protect your skin. 

10. Stay Hydrated

Itching is common when the skin becomes dehydrated. To protect your skin from getting dry keep your body hydrated. Drink plenty of water especially during the summer season, because you lose more water from the skin due to sweating. Keeping your body hydrated will also keep your skin hydrated and healthy. 

How To Relieve Itching?

We have discussed some common practices that you can follow to prevent and avoid itchy skin. What if you are already experiencing itching, what to do then? For finding the treatment for your itch it is essential to know the underlying cause behind it. Once the cause is identified, itching can be easily treated. 

Some of the most common ways to relieve itching are:

Managing Eczema

There is no permanent cure for eczema, but the itching, inflammation, and irritation associated with eczema can be easily managed with a proper skincare routine. The first step in an eczema skincare routine is keeping the affected area clean with an eczema shampoo and body wash. The second step is to keep the skin moisturized with an eczema cream. 

Choose products that are specially formulated to relieve eczema prone skin–Happy Cappy Two-Step Eczema Skincare Routine is a great option. It contains natural ingredients like licorice root extract, aloe vera, oat extract, hyaluronic acid, apple fruit extract, and glycerin that draws moisture into the skin to enhance the skin’s natural barrier function and help soothe itchy skin. 

Applying A Cold Compress

If the itching gets worse, applying a cold compress or a wet wrap therapy can also be helpful. But make sure before applying them consult your doctor. Some skin conditions can get worse by becoming damp and being covered. 

Oatmeal Baths

You must have heard about oatmeal that you eat for breakfast. But these oatmeals are not those, these are colloidal oatmeal. These are usually available as over-the-counter products. You can sprinkle them in your bathtub and take a bath with them. 

This oatmeal attaches to your skin and develops a protective barrier. It helps to retain moisture in the skin and ease inflammation and itching. 

Antihistamine

After consulting a healthcare provider you can use antihistamines to relieve the itching. These are usually available as OTC products. But must be used under a doctor’s supervision as these can have side effects on some people. 

Antihistamines block or reduce histamines in the body to relieve itching and allergy. These can help relieve intense itching at night and help you sleep better. 

Anti-Itch Creams

Anti-itch creams can also be used to reduce itching. These creams block the effects of histamines that might be causing the itching. These must only be used after the advice of a doctor. Anti-itch creams can also help relieve oozing and weeping due to itchy rashes. 

Prescribed Medications

If the itching is intense and none of the above remedies have worked in relieving it. It is best to consult a doctor. In the severest of cases they may prescribe strong medications that can be taken orally or injected into the body but more commonly will start with topical immunomodulators or corticosteroids. These medications help reduce inflammation and itching. 

Conclusion

Itchy skin no matter what causes it can be irritating and bothersome. It can affect the quality of your life and most importantly can negatively impact your sleep quality. So finding relief and prevention is essential for wellbeing. Itching can be reduced by following a proper self-care routine. Which includes keeping the skin clean, moisturizing it regularly, and avoiding any allergens that might be causing the itch.

Happy Cappy Moisturizing Cream is hypoallergenic, and specially formulated to soothe itching, irritation, and redness. It contains natural ingredients and is free from dyes, fragrances, and harmful chemicals. Which helps protect your skin from drying out itching. It is very helpful in managing symptoms of common skin conditions like eczema, dry skin, keratosis pilaris, and psoriasis.

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Dr. Eddie Valenzuela

Dr. Eddie Valenzuela is an award winning pediatrician and the founder and CEO of Pediatric Solutions, LLC.

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