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).
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests that a good way to relieve itchy skin is to apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the affected area for 5–10 minutes. Cooling helps reduce inflammation that may be contributing to the itch. Another option is to keep moisturizing creams and lotions in the refrigerator.
Water is great for your health in many ways, including itch relief. Drinking more water keeps your skin hydrated from the inside out and flushes out toxins that can cause irritation. Remember, caffeine and alcohol are dehydrating and can worsen itching.
Research shows that maintaining healthy PH and bacterial levels within the vagina can reduce and prevent vaginal itching {BioMed Research International: “Pruritus in Female Patients.”}. When ingested, yogurt or probiotic supplements that contain the correct cultures can help repopulate the vagina with healthy bacteria.
Apple cider vinegar may help reduce itching by lowering inflammation and increasing moisture in the skin, but scientists have not yet confirmed that this is the case. Vinegar can also irritate the skin and it may burn. Speak with a doctor before using it, dilute the vinegar, and do a patch test first.
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).
When it comes to food allergies, peanuts, wheat, eggs, cow's milk, soy and shellfish are among the most common culprits. The itchiness caused by these foods and subsequent scratching can then lead to flare-ups or worsening of dermatitis symptoms.
Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine you can use to treat mild itchiness (pruritus). The topical pink lotion can help relieve itchiness, pain and discomfort caused by conditions such as bug bites, chickenpox and poison ivy.
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. Nerve disorders. Examples include multiple sclerosis, pinched nerves and shingles (herpes zoster).
Gently rub Vaseline® Jelly onto dry, itchy skin to deeply moisturize and help alleviate itchiness. Your skin will look smoother and feel healthier. It's best to avoid getting sunburned in the first place by wearing sunscreen. Read our prevention section below for tips on avoiding sunburn.
People can try remedies such as cool compresses, aloe vera, and drinking plenty of water to ease the itch and encourage healing. Avoiding sunburn is important. This involves using a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, covering the skin with clothing, and staying in the shade, particularly when the sun is at its strongest.
Where do you itch when you have kidney disease? Many people with uremic pruritus itch all over or on large areas of their body. Your back, face and shunt arm (where you receive dialysis) are the most common specific places you might itch.
Treat your itchy skin at home by using moisturizer, anti-itch creams, applying a cold compress or taking a warm bath. Contact your provider if your itchy skin doesn't go away after a couple of weeks or gets worse with treatment.
Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream are OTC options for treating itchy skin. But they work in different ways. There appears to be more research supporting hydrocortisone's effectiveness overall. This is because it targets itching in several ways.
Why do my private parts itch at night? Having itchier skin at night is common because that's the time of day when changes to your body temperature and increases in blood flow to your skin occur. Your skin also loses water at night, making your skin extra dry and prone to itch.
Antihistamines (allergy pills): These include Benadryl, Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), prescription Clarinex (desloratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine). Anti-itch creams: Topical corticosteroids may be helpful for small itchy areas.
How can itchy skin be prevented? Drink lots of water to keep well hydrated. Using a humidifier in dry weather can help.
One study found that adding baking soda to a warm bath or applying it directly to the skin as a paste usually relieves the itching caused by eczema. The effect can be attributed to baking soda's natural therapeutic properties — it's antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing.
What is the fastest way to flush out a yeast infection? The fastest and most effective way to get rid of a yeast infection is with antifungal medication. You can buy antifungal creams or vaginal suppositories over the counter, and your symptoms should start to improve within a few days.
For those whose dryness and itching comes from an external source or lifestyle factors, your doctor may recommend you stop douching or, if possible, change medications. Dabbing a little bit of vaseline petroleum jelly, coconut oil or even Crisco vegetable shortening on the dry skin area can also help heal itching.