Short-term use of nonprescription corticosteroid cream may offer short-term relief of itchy, inflamed skin. Or try calamine lotion or creams with menthol (Sarna, others), camphor, capsaicin, or a topical anesthetic, such as pramoxine (adults only).
Beclometasone cream and ointment are used to treat itching, swollen and irritated skin. They can help with conditions such as: eczema.
Hydrocortisone cream (1%) is available without a prescription and may soothe many rashes. Stronger cortisone creams are available with a prescription.
Gently rub Vaseline® Jelly onto dry, itchy skin to deeply moisturize and help alleviate itchiness. Your skin will look smoother and feel healthier.
A nonprescription oral antihistamine, such as loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, others), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy, others) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy, others), may help relieve itching. Consider whether you might prefer a type that doesn't cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about options.
Itching is a symptom of many health conditions. Some common causes are: Allergic reactions to food, insect bites, pollen, and medicines. Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry skin.
Dry, itchy skin is often a sign of a vitamin D deficiency. As vitamin D is created through skin exposure to the sun and cholesterol in the skin, in the winter months, when sunlight exposure is less, people often experience dry, itchy skin attributing it to the cold weather.
Take OTC Antihistamines
Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), or cetirizine (Zyrtec) can help to relieve itchy skin associated with eczema. Long-acting antihistamines like loratadine and cetirizine are non-sedating and can be used daily.
Dabbing undiluted apple cider vinegar directly onto a bug bite works wonders. The acids help neutralize the itch while the pH balancing affects speed up healing.
Mild corticosteroids, such as clobetasone, hydrocortisone skin cream and hydrocortisone for piles and itchy bottom, can often be bought over the counter from pharmacies. Stronger types, such as beclometasone, betamethasone, clobetasol, fluticasone and mometasone, are only available on prescription.
It's important to note that it isn't strictly true that magnesium does help itchy skin or that a magnesium deficiency causes dry skin. However, one of the many skincare benefits of magnesium is that it can help reduce the inflammation caused by conditions which lead to dry and itchy skin, such as eczema.
Very often, itchy skin with no rash happens because the skin is too dry. This can become worse during the winter months or as a person gets older. The best way to avoid dry skin is to moisturize all over while the skin is still slightly damp from a shower or bath.
Vitamin D. Studies have concluded that people who suffer from eczema and other similar skin conditions tend to have lower levels of vitamin D than the rest of the population. Taking a vitamin D supplement therefore increases your levels, helping to reduce the severity of itchy skin.
Not only is itch associated with greater anxiety, but stress has also be shown to exacerbate itch, leading to a true itch-anxiety cycle. Many chronic itch patients report that psychological stress is a factor that aggravates their itch.
Louis report that allergens in the environment often are to blame for episodes of acute itch in eczema patients, and that the itching often doesn't respond to antihistamines because the itch signals are being carried to the brain along a previously unrecognized pathway that current drugs don't target.
Many people use antihistamines to treat allergy symptoms. Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratidine) are two popular brands. They contain different compounds but appear to be equally effective. Antihistamines can reduce allergy symptoms, such as watering eyes, itchy skin, hives, and swelling.
Aloe vera can reduce inflammation, which could help relieve itching and rashes. Additionally, its antimicrobial properties may help protect against infection.
Cooling is an effective temporary remedy for itch, bringing welcome relief to itchy insect bites, nettle stings, poison ivy, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Examples include dry skin (xerosis), eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, parasites, burns, scars, insect bites and hives. Internal diseases. Itching on the whole body might be a symptom of an underlying illness, such as liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems and certain cancers.
In the evening, the body releases more heat, and blood flow to the skin increases, which may contribute to nighttime itching. In addition, skin loses water at night, resulting in dryness that can make you itchy.