Itching that can sometimes be felt on the skin can be caused by eczema, psoriasis or hives. However, this itchiness can sometimes be caused by other factors such as diabetes, blood disorders due to food poisoning, urinary retention, constipation or retention of salts in bile, among other causes. Moreover, certain clothing made of synthetic fabrics or foods such as chocolate or spicy ingredients can also cause itching. These situations can be very uncomfortable and frustrating. This is why at oneHOWTO we will now explain various ways of how to stop itching skin.
The first step is to visit the doctor to determine the source of the itching, this is so you can treat the cause directly and effectively stop the itching. Moreover, your doctor is the only person who can suggest a drug treatment to treat the itching, as you should never resort to self-medication without knowing what the cause of the itching actually is.
Among the possible causes of itchy skin, we can highlight:
- Lack of skin hydration
- Dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea and other skin conditions
- Poor hygiene
- Excessive sweating
- Cosmetics irritation
- Allergic reaction
- Insect bite
- Stress
- Side effect of some medications
Of course there can be other reasons as to why your skin is itchy, however, these are generally the most common.
Once you have considered the cause, there are some recommendations you can follow to relieve the itching of your skin. Application of a cold press on the area in question can be very effective to feel less itching, but you must remember that when using ice it should never come into direct contact with your skin, as this may cause burns. Thus, you should opt for cold compresses or ice wrapped in cloth or a clean rag. This can be a great option to stop your itchy skin, as cold packs are easily accessible and cheap.
Similarly, chamomile is a medicinal plant with multiple beneficial properties for our health and skin. Apart from being a soothing and comforting drink, soaking compresses in this herbal infusion and then applying them to the area can help soothe the itching.
You just need a tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers per cup of water, or you can use ready made preparations available in the supermarket that you only need to add boiling water. In this case chamomile can be at times harder to find, however most whole sale and health-food shops should sell chamomile.
Green clay is also a natural remedy for itchy skin, which is why we recommend making poultices to cover the area that is itchy or burning. In this way you will help relieve discomfort while, thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of the clay, reducing the inflammation that you may have caused by scratching.
To apply it mix the clay with a little cold water and then spread it on a clean gauze; apply the gauze to the itchy skin and leave it to act, you may cover the itchy area or use as a mask if on your face. You can repeat this action several times a day.
Once again green clay can be hard to find, nevertheless you should be able to buy it in most health-food shops.
In the endless list of uses and benefits of aloe vera, we can also find the power to relieve itchy skin. The juice or gel of the aloe vera plant helps moisturize the dermis and also lowers swelling of the affected area relieving any possible itchiness that may have occurred.
You can choose between directly applying the inside of the aloe leaf or instead make aloe vera gel to soothe the itching; in either case you will feel the relief almost instantly. Aloe vera is nowadays a very common product in all supermarkets and is easily accessible in most places.
You may also be interested in the benefits of aloe vera .
If the itching persists and you do not feel any improvement with these home remedies you should consult your dermatologist or medical specialist. And in case the cause is due to a pathology or there are other internal causes it is likely that you will require medication to relieve the itching. Do this as soon as possible to avoid the itching spreading. Seeking direct medical advice will always be the most effective way to relieve your itchiness.
If you want to know more about itching and inflammation, you can take a look at these articles on How Cetirizine Works - side effects, dosage and indications and Home Remedies to Relieve an Itchy Beard.
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- If the itching does not stop consult your dermatologist.