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.
Research shows vitamins D, E, zinc and omegas tackle inflammation-inducing pathways and help repair sensitive skin when combined properly with standard eczema creams and guidelines.
Use creams, lotions or gels that soothe and cool the skin.
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).
Both vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies may also cause itchy skin, so if you are experiencing chronically itchy skin, getting your level of these vitamins tested can be helpful. This testing will help determine whether these deficiencies are at the root of your skin sensitivities and itchiness.
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.
Many people find relief with self-care measures such as moisturizers, gentle cleansers and lukewarm baths. Long-term relief requires identifying and treating the cause of itchy skin. Common treatments are medicated creams, moist dressings and anti-itch medicines taken by mouth.
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.
Less commonly, itchy skin can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as thyroid, liver or kidney problems.
'Any of those good-fat foods – oily fish, coconut oil, avocado, nuts – will help alleviate dry, itchy skin,' says health and nutrition coach Marissa Vicario.
In a small study (11 participants) of children ages 2–13 with eczema, 80% of those taking 1,000 IU of vitamin per day for one month showed improvement in their symptoms. In another study with 30 participants, all of those taking 1,600 IU of vitamin D daily showed significant improvement in their eczema.
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.
Itching is a symptom of liver disease. You might itch anywhere on your body, but it's most common on the arms and legs, or the palms of your hands or soles of your feet. Some people itch all over. Itching in liver disease can vary from mild to exhausting.
Itch has been classified into four different clinical categories. These include neurogenic, psychogenic, neuropathic, and pruritoceptive (2) (Table 1). These categories were developed based on anatomical, pathophysiological, and psychological factors. A given patient can have one or more types of itch.
Skin issues: A lack of vitamin A can cause dry, scaly and/or itchy skin. Infertility: Vitamin A plays an important role in your reproductive system. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to trouble conceiving and infertility.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is vital for older adults as it plays a significant role in maintaining skin health and preventing crepey skin. Moreover, vitamin E supplements are effective antioxidants that help to keep the body cells safe from oxidative stress and sun damage.
Vegetables and fruits that are high in Vitamin C: Bell peppers, oranges, strawberries, cauliflower, pineapple, and mangoes. Vitamin C is antioxidant which helps protect your body from allergic responses.
Taking a warm (not hot) bath or shower to relieve itchiness. Avoid wearing fabrics that cause skin irritation like wool and synthetic fabrics. Cotton clothing usually doesn't cause skin irritation. Placing a cool washcloth or ice wrapped in a towel over the area of your skin that itches to calm your skin.
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.
Leaky gut syndrome is a condition in which the intestinal walls develop increased permeability and leak toxins into the body. Many people who have this condition also have one or more systemic health problems, as well as common skin issues like eczema and psoriasis.
Some people also use ACV as a skin cleanser or toner. Apple cider vinegar can cause skin cells to shrink, tightening the skin. Some bacteria are necessary to keep the skin healthy. Using strong concentrations of ACV could strip away this good bacteria on the skin and cause irritation.
Sometimes itching can affect your whole body. This can happen if you have kidney or liver disease or, more commonly, an allergy. Sometimes an allergy can also give you a rash over the whole body. Itchy skin is usually not serious.