Table of Contents
Itchy Skin Cures
Natural Remedies to Cure or Treat Itchy Skin
Dry and itchy skin is about as common a condition as you can get, though drier climates and colder winter seasons can exacerbate the problem. Too much sun exposure, change in diet, medications, and any number of other influences can cause temporary itching as well.
Try to keep your home's humidity around 50% for overall health and comfort, be sure to drink plenty of water, and consider some of the remedies we've gathered here.
For better or worse, each person's skin is different and even in the same person different patches of skin can behave differently. Take the suggestions you find below, experiment, come up with your own routine, and with a little effort and some healthy skin habits, you can scratch that itch for once and all!
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
POPULAR REMEDIES:
| APPLE CIDER VINEGAR | 8 YEAS |
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
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[NAY] 06/19/2011: Sharon from Nickerson, Ks: "I have a question... I have had a place on the back of my right arm and around my neck that have itched for quite awhile... At least 2 yrs or better. Sometimes it worse than other times. I have tried meds from several different drs. With nothing really helping. Lately it's been really bad all day & nite. Will wake me up at nite itching. I scratch until I have little welts or pimple like things. I have tried taking Organic apple cider vinegar internally at least 3x's a day in RO water as well as splashing it on the area, which burns quite a bit. I am looking for some type of home remedy that actually works. I really can't see that the vinegar has helped any. I also use a lotion that a dermatologist perscribed that can be bought over the counter. Any suggestions would be most welcome. Desperate for some relief. Been taking the vinegar for atleast 3 wks. Thanks"
Replies06/20/2011: Linda from York County, Maine replies: "Hi Sharon - the back of my scalp itched for almost three years; I've been taking probiotics and can honestly say that the itch stopped soon after beginning..... Might be worth a try for you! Linda"
06/21/2011: Jeff from Mckinney, Texas replies: "Hi Sharon - I had some itchy spots and I mixed some Baking Soda with water and wiped it on the spots. It soothed the spots for me. I also tried Milk Of Magnesia on the spots and it seemed to do the same thing. I hope this helps."
06/25/2011: Cathyw from Encino, Ca replies: "Hi Linda, I have the same problem for the last 2 months and immediatly took one of my mothers probiotics. I also saw a message that mentioned apple cider vinegar, honey in water. Figured I have nothing to lose and drank that as well. If this works I will be forever grateful to the two of you. Thanks Cathy W"
[YEA] 06/26/2011: Lola from Philadelphia, Pa replies: "I also use pure cornstarch daily to help with my skin itch. The cornstarch has also help to heal my rashes."
07/01/2011: Megan from Glastonbury, Ct, Usa replies: "It is important to note that constant symptoms of itching (especially if it is worse at night or in your hands and feet) could be a signal of increased bile levels in the liver. This symptom can emerge during pregnancy as a fetus can put strain on your liver, and can remain after pregnancy if not treated. It can also happen without pregnancy. Ask your doctor to check your bile levels."
07/05/2011: Julie from Springfield, Mo replies: "I've had good luck with it clearing up skin issues such as you describe, dilute Apple Cider Vinegar with water 50/50 and dab it on several times a day, even when it is not itching. Using it consistently is the trick, it takes awhile for it to heal. vinegar will help some with itching but it will help more with healing."
11/25/2011: Pietbas from Cape Town, South Africa replies: "Hi my instant solution after 10 long itchy years was 10mg Trepiline every night - slightly subdues the nerves pinched due to compression of the cervical cutaenous in the neck area. The symptoms of this condition are symmetrical itching on neck and arms with no rash, especially at night. Hope that works for you all as well!"
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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 07/15/2009: Victoria from San Diego, CA: "I've had what I think is brachial radial pruritus for about 6 years. I first noticed while living in Thailand during my pregnancy. It is extremely itchy, especially at night and has some relationship with heat and/or humidity and may be related to problems with the cervical disk. The itch is followed by small red bumps on the upper arms and shoulders. No amount of scratching helps and the itch seems to be deep inside the nerves. It is the worst itch ever and will keep you up all night and in tears trying to find relief. The bumps become unsightly and painful from picking and get pin prick like painful impulses going through them when the situation is really inflamed. I tried every product imaginable and the only relief I eventually found was by using ice packs to numb my arms at night until I passed out. In the winter it goes away. Recently I tried ACV as the weather was getting hotter and I could feel it coming on. I don't believe it is curing it, but I think the ACV is helping to minimize the itching and symptoms so that I am not scratching uncontrollably.
I hope to find a cure eventually, but in the meantime this is helping."
07/28/2009: Kiti from San Diego, CA replies: "Try using borax (20 mule or other). First, pour regular over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide on the area, then mix borax with water and pour the solution over the area or use a cotton to rub it on. The peroxide brings whatever is in there out, and the borax kills it. Hope this works. You shouldn't have to be in so much pain."
[YEA] 03/23/2011: Esprit64 from North Yarmouth, Maine replies: "For temporary relief of itching, scratching with your own fingernails doesn't seem to help. I don't know why this works, but scratching with a hair brush having sufficient "bite" seems to calm the itching. How do you choose the right brush? The brush needs to feel harder rather than softer on your skin, but, always comfortable. I found one horse brush that was just stiff enough to do the trick. If you choose a brush too soft, it'll have no effect. Too hard, and you'll wince each time you use it. If you choose the right brush, it will "feel just right.""
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[YEA] 07/13/2009: Marsha from Pittsburgh, PA: "I used pure apple cider vinegar to cure my itching feet. My feet breakout in tiny itching bumps (not athlete's feet). The itch was so bad, I would scratch until they bled and then still scratched after the bleeding. I soaked my feet in 1 quart of undiluted APV for approx. 30 min. and finally the itching was gone immediately. All the dry dead skin, which I thought had all been scraped off with ___ ___, was also gone. I don't know if it should have been diluted, but I was desperate."
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[YEA] 01/30/2009: Sue from Ontario, Canada: "THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I have not idea why my arms were so itchy. Intense itch that kept my up through the night. Recently i felt a crawling sensation and biting.Yikes! I figured it was some sort of skin parasite(non-contagious) After spending alot of money and going to the doctors , nothing was working.... until a finally stumbled on your site. The first day, i bathed in ACV(1/2 cupt) plus applied it directly.Then i drank it 2x (2 tablespoons) a day, applied it directly 2x a day as well. Now i am on day 6 , and my arms are almost completely healed. lots of sores prior to. little sign of any parasite. God bless you and Thank you!"
Replies01/17/2010: Michele from Madison, Ct replies: "what is the best brand of undiluted apple cider vinegar to buy (is this the same as the one you drink or a different version)? Any help asap would be greatly appreciated. I'm scratching as I type : ("
EC: An organic brand with "the mother" is typically what people take.
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[YEA] 02/27/2008: Mario from London, United Kingdom: "Yesterday I was terrified with an itch in my but and very stressed to find a solution for my problem. I thought to myself, must have something to put on to finihed or to easy this terrible problem. When searching the net I found Earthclinic, and I try Apple Cider Vineger as a topic solution,its works... and today i am fealing much better, no itchin that's great!! thannk you Earthclinic."
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[YEA] 02/24/2008: Trish from Kansas City, MO: "I tried bathing in Apple Cider Vinegar, as suggested by others, and had luck. I added just a 1/4 cup of the raw ACV I always keep in my refridgerator to my bathwater and laid in it for about half an hour. I felt immediate relief after getting out of the tub. I still have just a slight itching today, but it is remarkably better."
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[YEA] 11/18/2007: Tim from Kent, WA: "I have been on acid reflux medications for a year and a half. First I was on Ranitidine, then Prevacid, then Omeprazole, which I take each night just before I go to bed. I also have been using HCTZ and Lisinopril for high blood pressure. Recently, for about 6 weeks I got very sick. I felt dizzy, nausea, headache, and lost appetite completely. I went 5 days with almost no food and lost about 10 lbs in 10 days. I changed diet, tried everything but nothing worked. At the end of this episode I would get the "feeling" of high fever in my head plus headache. I also felt very cold and had to crank up the heat quite a bit. However, every time I took my temperature it was totally normal. If I took Advil or Tylenol for headache it didn't do anything because I really didn't had a headache or temperature, it was something else. In addition to all this, I also had severe itching all over my body as soon as I went to bed. It lasted for about 30-60 minutes. There was no redness or any other marks on my body.....just plain itching.
My doctor finally told me to get off of Omeprazole. The next day was a new day in my life. All the symptoms were completely gone as if were never sick in the first place. The nightly itching also went away completely the night I skipped Omeprazole. My doctor correctly predicted that it may take up to 7 days to get rid of all the symptoms. Well, on the second day some of the symptoms came back but at half the strength and things got progressively better each day. The bad thing was that my acid reflux really started to bother me the second day (48 hrs after quitting Omeprazole). I had lot of chest pain and rumbling activity in my stomach.... like a little storm inside my stomach. Unlike other people I do not have heartburn from acid reflux. I have chest pains in different part of my chest or sometime stomach. I also experience bloating and gas.
I found earthclinic.com and tried 1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar in 1 cup of water and it worked immediately. Three hours later the acid reflux came back and I experienced a lot of discomfort. I took another dose (1 tsp in 1 cup of water) and the rest of the night was perfect with no problems. The following day I increased the dosage to 1 TBSP of ACV in 1 cup of filtered water 3x a day just before each meal and have been using this dosage daily. So it took practically took one day for ACV to do its magic. For the past 10 days I feel I have acid reflux totally under control. My blood pressure is also going down every day. I expect to be off of blood pressure medication soon. As an added bonus the acne on my back is finally under control. I was on antibiotics for 15 years until I found a supplemental milk shake that helped me get off of antibiotics for the past 3 years. I had to stop using it to figure out what was causing my sickness and the acne flared up again. I read about hydrogen peroxide on this site and that worked amazingly well on the acne on my back. So the combination of hydrogen peroxide and ACV is working great.
I do feel some affect of ACV on the back of my tongue or sometimes in my throat. Luckily, in 10 days it is not too bad, maybe because I only use 1 TBSP instead of 2. My doctor has approved ACV and said that it doesn't have any harmful affects so I am free to try it for acid reflux. However, the doctor clearly said NO BAKING SODA because of high blood pressure. I see that baking soda and sea salt is mentioned a lot on this site to help reduce the acid taste but some of us can't use baking soda or salt. Does anyone have any suggestions? If you do, please email me. Because of sugar I would rather not use too much honey or apple juice if I can help it because I am taking this 3x times a day but if I have to then I will. May be I can add only a little bit apple juice in water rather than adding ACV to apple juice directly. Not sure if that's OK. If you could share any personal experiences in this regard that would be great. Thanks."
02/26/2012: Lou from Tyler, Tx replies: "I was allergic to Omeprazole too. I believe it was red dye in the medication (a known carcinogen)."
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[YEA] 05/27/2007: Joe from Philadelphia, PA: "Hello, I recently had an outbreak of itching, mainly in my groin area and innner thigh. I believe it was a reaction to eye drop drugs I'm taking for an eye problem, but I am still trying to figure out the cause.
Anyhow, the itching was relentless and I was trying all kinds of stuff for relief. I was extremely irritable to say the least. Then I remembered that my dad once told me cows used to be fed apple cider vinedar to ward off infections and other ailments. So I tried it and within an hour ALL ITCHING STOPPED!!! I was SO RELIEVED I couldn't stop smiling!!!!! Right now I am itch free and will take apple cider vinegar daily."
Replies[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 03/11/2011: Karin from Leeuwarden, The Netherlands replies: "Hi, Ive had exzema for years and use cortisol lots.. Im a Lab technician. Cortisol works for a bit but it always comes back. I was feeling really tired my neck muscles where stiff, exzema vlammed up and even a bit down. I typed in exzema cure on u tube there was this boy talking about EC. I went there and start reading. He sounded so serious and honest. After reading all the notes, ive buyed a bottle organic ACV and jar of coconut oil. Started drinking according to the receipt 2 spoons on a glass of water with a bit of honey. I feel like I just took a redbull..! My face is glowy and my neck stiffness seems almost gone! My head feels clear and my mind too! I will continue to drink and see how I feel and if my skin get better. whith these 2 ''new'' old remedies.
I already used tea tree 100% from chi to keep the bacteria/yeast/fungus away from my itchy red patches in my elbows. Its cooling, kills bacteria and anti iching. Will try ACV too (diluted)
I am dutch can anyone tell me where to get baking soda in our stores? Or what the product name is in the netherlands?
TYVM EC for providing this info!!"
03/12/2011: John from Portland, Or, Usa replies: "Hi Karin, the Dutch name for baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is Natriumbicarbonaat."
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, DIETARY CHANGES, ACIDOPHILUS
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[YEA] 12/14/2009: Deb from Washington, Dc: "Thank you. Your site helped me. I used an application of apple cider vinegar to reduce skin inflammation, and my rash 1) stopped itching, 2) shed skin in the healing process 3) reduced inflammation and redness 4) started to grow new skin. I improved my diet, took acidophilus and ate more leafy green veggies. My skin has been itchy for months. I did not realize how tired the itchiness was making me. I was not able to sleep through the night due to the itchiness. Although, I'm still in the healing process, I can tell I'm going to get 100% better as long as I continue to eat well. It's wonderful to feel good again."
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APPLES
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[YEA] 05/12/2011: Sheila from San Diego, Ca, Usa: "What I'm experiencing right now could be contact dermatitis, a reaction to ACV or iodine/dide, detoxing results, or a diamine oxidase deficiency/food allergy/histamine intolerance. A ER doctor Dx'ed my skin condition as being contact dermatitis of unknown origin or cause, so I listed the other possibilities of my dry, itchy skin. I'm currently on the tail-end of my symptoms. I'm also trying to stick to natural remedies, staying off any Rx.
What has worked so far for itchiness is eating an apple. I've done this thrice now and each time has eased my itching so that I don't have the urge to scratch for several hours. The organic, red delicious apple has definitely helped the skin on my eyelids and my neck and chest. I only buy organic produce due to pesticides -- I definitely have reactions to pesticide-treated fruits. (for the diamine oixidase/histamine intolerance, I've started a eating journal and eating low histamine foods)"
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BAKING SODA
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[YEA] 06/08/2007: Lisa from Bellevue, USA: "BAKING SODA! It really helps itchy skin. If you put just a little bit (1/4 cup) of baking soda into a warm bath, it can really decrease your urge to itch! I've done this for years!!"
Replies[YEA] 10/15/2008: William from Las Vegas, NV replies: "(YEA)It works. Add 1 teaspoon of water to 1/2 tsp. baking soda..mix it and then rub it on the skin. The itch go away quick. Itching could be caused by acidic body."
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BORAX FOOT SCRUB
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[YEA] 12/19/2007: Jessica from Forest, VA, USA: "I'm insulin resistant, so I have alot of the same problems that diabetics do, including rough feet. I've tried so many scrubs and files and lotions in hopes of softening my feet. I suspect that I also have a systemic Candida infection, so I thought Borax would be good for my itchy feet. It worked wonderfully! My feet were so soft after I got out of the shower and have not been itching since. Once you get your feet nice and soft, you'll want to follow with a good moisturizer: that's where my next project lies."
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BORAX, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
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[YEA] 02/05/2012: Luvjoypc from Beaverton, Oregon: "Borax, Hydrogen peroxide!
Whew. What a relief! I have been perplexed as to me and my children's ailment for over a month now. Started with intense itching after getting into bed one night. Then my children started exhibiting signs. Took them to dr first, as my dermatologist was booked until Feb 7. Their doctor said "folliculitis" and then took daughter again for a cough, doctor said "impetigo. " Then when I showed her my hand, she said "could it be fleas or scabies?" I freaked out! I really hoped it wasn't. To make a long story short, checked house and cleaned for fleas. No response with a home remedy check for fleas. Tonight while researching, found this info. Kids are asleep, but I mixed borax with hy. Peroxide. Mixed in a bowl and poured over body. Total relief. I have also been using tea tree oil mixed with coconut oil for a few weeks now, so I think that's why it wasn't getting worse, but wasn't getting better either! Tomorrow, my kids get the bath and we will continue to do mounds of laundry! Can't wait for this to be over!!!! There is relief in site for those of you looking. All the best! "
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CALCIUM BENTONITE CLAY
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[YEA] 04/28/2008: Janice from Seminole, Florida: "My grandson is eleven years old and came visiting Saturday with a very bad case of chicken pox. He was extremely uncomfortable and itching himself allot, I hydrated a batch of calcium bentonite clay and smeared it all over his pox marks. I gave him a jar of it to take with him and told him to apply it whenever he starting itching. He had immediate relief. My son took him to the doctor's office monday morning and the doctor wanted to know what he had used to heal him so fast. He is all healed that fast and no scarring at all!"
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COCONUT OIL
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[YEA] 08/23/2008: Mark from San Diego, California: "I have had a really bad itch on my forearms for the last 4 or 5 years, every time the weather warms up. It is something that effects me on a daily basis. Since using the virgin coconut oil, it has basically gone away. The one day I didn't use it though, I itched a bit, but as long as I put it on my arms daily, no itch."
Replies09/24/2008: d.d. from Keokuk, IA replies: "coconut oil: i have the same problem of itching/rash only on my forearms. please email me more details on how much, does brand matter etc... Dr's are all stumped while i still itch!"
[YEA] 03/23/2011: Esprit64 from North Yarmouth, Maine replies: "If your skin is breaking out in red, itchy rashes (particularly underarms, folds of skin, etc. ), bumps and welts, the likely sources are Candida overgrowth and/or allergies. I cannot recommend coconut oil highly enough, both for ingestion and for topical use for both conditions. Recommendations for coconut oil intake vary, I've seen 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp/3x daily. Not only will you cure or greatly relieve your current skin problems, but if you use coconut oil on your face and other skin areas, too, your youth and skin's vitality will be restored."
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DETOXING THE LIVER, SELENIUM
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[YEA] 10/23/2010: Jb from Byron Bay, Australia: "I once suffered from night time itching which had a huge impact on my life as I was unable to sleep or function properly during the day. The itching occurred mostly on my back and was severe. I tried many different lotions and remedies, with only mild relief. I saw a chinese doctor who instantly told me there was an issue with my liver causing the itching. I have since found out that this is a condition that also affects some pregnant women (I was not pregnant). I traced my issue back to the overuse of painkillers for back problems. The doctor told me I must stop taking the painkillers. He put me onto a diet that included a lot of selenium such as brazil nuts and sweet potato. I also had to reduce sugar intake and avoid refined flour products. He prescribed some chinese medicines but I was unable to take them as they made me feel sick. Regardless, my problem was eliminated and I am forever grateful for his diagnosis. I can take painkillers without issues but I only take them rarely now. I was fortunate to find a good chiropractor so I don't need them as much. I wanted to share this with Earth Clinic as this website is a godsend."
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FABRIC SOFTENER OR HAIR CONDITIONER
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[YEA] 12/29/2008: Sue from Bismarck, ND: "Winter has arrived and so has itchy skin. The remedies I am trying are using hair conditioner or clothing fabric softener. The clothing fabric softener worked the best when I rubbed a diluted tablespoon amount on my skin then rinsed it off. I searched the internet for warnings of use on the skin and found none.
The hair creme rinse or conditioner also worked but did not last all day and night as the fabric softner did. I apply the watered down tablespoon-size excess from my hair and rub it on my skin. I would use a teaspoon rubbed together in my hands to cover both my legs. Then rinse off.
I read a post on another site that suggested using hair conditioner rather than shaving creme for women's legs."
[WARNING!] 03/18/2009: libby from pleasanton, ca replies: "Both of these products can contain very allergenic chemicals so be careful. a lot of people's skin might be way too sensitive even if they are watered down."
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GENERAL FEEDBACK
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09/18/2011: Scratchitch from Houston, Tx: "I'm not sure if I finally have this under control but I'm hoping with all my might that it's finally going away.
Back in May I visited a friend and we went to her lake house. When I came back home I started getting these "bites" on my torso. At first I thought they were chiggers as we were out in a woody area but as time went on these little bites started moving around my torso. It wasn't very itchy but I was worried about bugs so I went to my dermatologist's PA who didn't think it was chiggers but gave me Peremthrin just in case. I applied one application and didn't think much about it. Slowly the itchiness increased and spread from my torso to my arms. And I didn't think much about it until one morning I started feeling itchy on the skin around my pubic bone. The next day my vagina was swollen and was incredibly itchy along with my anus. I had a few yeast infections before and recognize the feeling and knew this could not be a yeast infection.
I saw my gynecologist who also didn't think it was a yeast infection but took a culture just in case. That came back negative. The husband and I started researching what it could be and feared scabies pinworms given that the itch was worse at night. My GP prescribed Abendazole for the pinworms (at my request) and Prednisone to help alleviate the itching. Prednisone temporarily relieved the itching but I started taking more than one tablet a day (as prescribed) because the itching began to return faster.
I saw another dermatologist who determined it was scabies and gave me more Permethrin. My husband and I both applied it that night. For one evening I didn't itch and assumed it was scabies (gross). The next day the itch came back with a vengeance. At this point, I'm losing sleep and my mind trying to fight the intense urge to itch.
I found this site: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/scabies.html and began reading about how others have the same symptoms and their holistic remedies. I started to bathe in Borax, hydrogen peroxide, clove oil, orange oil and eucalyptus oil. After getting out I would mix clove oil with a carrier oil and apply it to my skin. It burned in areas where I scratched my skin raw but the burn was a nice departure from the urge to itch. Anytime the intense urge came back I would apply more clove oil mixture as a preventative to scratch. I began to cone myself like a dog by wrapping plastic food wrap around my arms and torso so I couldn't unconsciously scratch my skin at night. At this time I thought I was treating scabies and every night it was a fight to not tear my skin off.
I'm a home maker (thank goodness because I don't think I could go to work with this sort of miserable itching) and spent all day cleaning my house and washing sheets in fear that I might have an infestation of mites. One night it was so bad I scheduled a internal medicine doctor, 3rd dermatologist and return GP appointment the next day. I was prescribed Atarax by my GP, more Atarax and Prednisone by my Internal Medicine doctor and Hydroxyzine and Allegra by my 3rd Dermatologist. Both my Internal Medicine and dermatologist ordered a battery of lab work. All came back normal. So frustrated at this point. But my 3rd dermatologist, a former army doctor, said that he saw scabies all the time in the army and what I had was not scabies. He gave me the Allegra and Hydroxyzine to treat the symptoms of itching and asked me to come back in three weeks. I only took the medicine that he prescribed however the relief was so temporary I scheduled an appointment with an allergist - determined to find out a cause or a solution to this problem. The allergist was thorough in asking about the timeline, doctors I saw, symptoms I felt and a wide arrange of questions to really understand my problem. He said he would have ordered the same lab work as what my dermatologist and internal medicine doctor ordered. He prescribed Zyrtec to take in the morning and a double dose of Hydroxyzine at night. I asked him what could cause this and he suspects it might be the "scratch-itch cycle" (my GP also thought it might be this at the time of my second visit). I hoped the drugs would be enough but I still felt strong urges to itch and was still miserable. I hoped that given enough days maybe this would finally work but when every minute feels like days it doesn't take long for you to get really frustrated with waiting.
I started looking back at my planner and seeing what was going on around the time this started. Last November I had jaw surgery and had my mouth wired shut for six weeks. At that time I could not take Levoxyl and afterward forgot to resume to take it. So this April I returned to my Endocrinologist because I was feeling horrible again and she tested my blood and confirmed my thyroid was working overtime. I went back on Levoxyl 50 mcg and started feeling so much better. But then a month later the "bites" started. I then Googled "Levoxyl" and "itching" and found if you take more than you should people started feeling bad symptoms including itching around their labia. I know I shouldn't go off medication without consulting my doctor but I had to test the theory if Levoxyl was causing this - so I stopped taking it five days ago. I'm not 100% back to normal but the intense urge to itch ha been reduced to a mild nuisance of tingling. I prefer this over the former. Today I'm feeling so much better but I'm not entire sure as to what it can be attributed to. Either it's (1) I'm off Levoxyl (2) I'm taking Prednisone now (3) it's finally rained after months of drought in Houston and maybe it was something in the dry air that was agitating my skin or (4) the high dose of Turmeric I took - a natural anti-inflammatory. I just want this done and over with. If it is scratch-itch cycle I hope to break it soon because this itch is debilitating. Good luck everyone else and I hope you find the relief/solution to your discomfort."
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[QUESTION] 02/15/2009: Judy from Mesa, AZ. USA: "My skin itchs, after a shower, i have tried shower filter, all kinds of soaps, lotions. I have no rash, just an intense itch, as soon as I turn the water off which last for about 15 minutes. Any help would be a appreciated. Thank You, Judy"
Replies02/15/2009: Dianna from Austin, TX replies: "my skin used to always feel dry and tight after a shower with soap. however, since i have stopped using soap on my skin it no longer feels as dry or itchy. what i do now is soak in an epsom salt bath (1 to 2 cups epsom salts and 9 drops of lavender oil) and i just scrub my wet skin with a loofah or scrub brush. afterwards i put virgin coconut oil onto my still damp skin. soap is not really necessary unless you are extremely greasy or dirty. i have been doing this for years and i've also found that since i stopped washing my underarms with soap that my sweat smells less stinky - i could probably go without deodorant! but i use a crystal deodorant stone just in case...
good luck"
02/15/2009: Mary from Chicago, IL replies: "I would stop using soap altogether. I bet that is part of the problem. Just use it on your private parts. Arizona is really dry, so you need to hydrate your skin inside and out. Might help if you drink more water, take omega 3s and stay away from soap!"
02/18/2009: Sonsa from Phoenix, AZ replies: "Not all soap causes this reaction. I started making my own soap because my skin is so very sensitive. All natural, handmade soap is vastly different than the commercial variety. Shea butter, lavender and other skin soothing and moisturizing ingredients can be included. I make soap for friends and family too. If you would like more information, please contact me."
03/18/2009: Libby from Pleasanton, CA replies: "Someone said to use soap only on your "privates" but this is actually a very bad idea. These areas are even MORE sensitive than the rest of your body and several sources say not to use any soap at all unless you already know that it doesn't irritate you (you've been using it without a problem for years). It sounds weird but usually warm water and a washcloth is sufficient as long as you do it every day, obviously. Most "feminine" products actually have chemicals in them that can be very harsh and irritating. Personally I won't use anything that isn't 100% natural because I am so ridiculously careful about it."
03/19/2009: C.S.M from VERO BEACH, FL replies: "These symptoms are most likely from the use of hot water and from dry skin:
Cholinergic Urticaria (Physical Urticaria, Sweat Allergy, Heat Hives)
Here's a good link:
Go halfway down the page to "Itchy Leg After A Shower":
http://www.healthhype.com/itchy-legs-causes-and-treatment.html
Bottom Line:
Cholinergic Urticaria (Physical Urticaria, Sweat Allergy, Heat Hives)
Urticaria (hives) are red, swollen bumps or patches appearing on the skin due to allergic reaction to some substances or, as it is the case in cholinergic urticaria, physical stimuli like exercise, heat, sunlight, cold, pressure, vibration, water, spicy food, or emotional stress.
Try prevention first. Avoid the use of hot water. Use lukewarm water instead. (I know that is not a fun suggestion--Sorry!) Consider moisturizing the skin with a light coating of a natural oil--like coconut, jojoba or olive oil after showering. Other treatment involves medicines--Benedryl etc.
Best Wishes. Hope you feel better!"
03/20/2009: Dianna from Austin, TX replies: "stop using soap. i used to be itchy every time i took a bath or shower until i stopped ALL soap. what i do now is bathe in a solution of 1 or 2 cups of epsom salts and a tub full of water. i scrub with a loofah and after i get out while my skin is still damp i rub virgin coconut oil all over my skin. then towel dry off the excess. since i have stopped using soap my skin isn't dry and i can even skip the coconut oil if i want to."
09/01/2009: Rebecca from Grand Rapids, Mi replies: "I have the same intense itch, no rash, that i believe you're talking about. It just started one day and i thought it was just sensitive skin. When it didn't go away after a couple of weeks I changed to hypoallergenic soaps, detergents, anything I could find. I even use all natural cleaning agents for the house. I stopped shaving because I thought that was the culprit. I wake up in the night (and wake up my partner) itching, in tears, trying to stop and having very little self control. Im told that if I can just stop the cycle, then it will go away. The only thing that seems to make it better is the steroid creme I use on my eczema outbreaks (which I try not to use but when it helps so much it's hard to stop). I don't wear shorts anymore because I'm ashamed of the scars and scabs all over my legs. Any ideas would be appreciated!!"
09/03/2009: Jc from Milpitas, Ca replies: "Fill up the bath tub with water add 3/4 cup of bleach soak for 1 hour every day for 2 weeks, You should start to see big improvements if you really do have eczema... You might have Psoriasis
Zinc works very well on eczema......
JC"
09/03/2009: Kyra from Cortlandt Manor, Ny, Usa replies: "I would not suggest soaking in bleach, I would however suggest eliminating soap and using some borax, epsoms or sea salts, baking soda, peroxide, and tea tree oil in your bath regularly. Trust me you will be amazed at the difference in your skin. It has done wonders for my children's and my skin. I would also suggest using extra virgin coconut oil as a moisturizer. The initial reaction of people is that it is too oily, but you will find that your skin will absorb it very quickly. Taking the oil internally will also help to combat the itchy and dry skin. Good luck!"
03/31/2012: Lou from Tyler, Tx replies: "Add a couple of scoops of Virgin Coconut Oil to your bath water. It works great! Don't run the water very hot. Don't drink coffee or caffeinated sodas. Avoid perfume and makeup for a while. Don't use fabric softener sheets--use the perfume free dye free liquid kind. Hope this helps."
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GRANDMOTHER GUFFY'S RECIPE
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[YEA] 05/10/2010: Cat from Austin, Tx: "Grandmother Guffys Method for forever soft, clean, ageless skin.
My grandmother Guffys skin was as soft and smooth as a babys butt till the day she died at 94. One day, when I was a younger woman constantly on the go, she noticed how dry and ashy my skin was and elected to tell me about her method of bathing. It was the only thing she said she did to keep her body clean and soft. First, she never took long baths (and NO, she did not smell). She said bathing dried out skin. Second, she never used hot water on her skin. Third, she never needed lotions. I listened; yet, despite the evidence before me, I did not take her advise. Hot showers were invigorating, I exclaimed. Who ever heard of not bathing, I secretly thought. Why do not the young listen! For years now I have suffered with extremely dry and itchy skin. FINALLY! I recalled my grandmother Guffys bathing method for clean, itch-less, soft, ageless skin. Here it is:
1) Massage 2-3 tablespoons of (antibacterial, anti-fungal) coconut oil over your entire dry, naked body, but not your face. Be sure to include your private areas and feet - get utterly greasy with it! Let it soak 5 minutes.
2) Take a clean, white, DRY bath cloth, folded in fours and scrub your entire body. When one side of the cloth gets cruddy, refold to a clean side of the same cloth. Don't forget private areas.
3) Shower/rinse in very lukewarm to cold water and ONLY wash your private areas with diluted baking soda and water or an organic non-soap or as I sometimes do, diluted ACV.
3) Get out of the shower and barely pat dry.
Believe! This works! People who touch my skin always exclaim at how soft it is AND my husband who has scratched my back many a time has taken to gently rubbing my arms a lot. Just try it! It is not real expensive or hard to do and results are quick. If you are allergic to coconut oil, switch to a light olive oil or sesame oil. Soon you will do as I did - throw away all your bathing soaps and bottles."
05/12/2010: Anna from Chicago, Illinois replies: "Wonderful helpful post - thanks! But just a quick note - be careful about using oils other than coconut because most oils don't have a long shelf life and will transfer to your clothing making them smell of rancid oil if you don't consistently use a hot water wash cycle. Coconut oil is ideal because it has a long shelf life and is slow to go rancid."
07/28/2010: Terri from Waymart, Pa replies: "If you don't mind my asking, what did your grandmother do for her face? Thanks Terri"
09/30/2011: Terezia from Dallas, Tx replies: ".... Wow, this is the routine I myself worked out many years ago, after noticing that a dab of coconut oil put in the bath water doesn't just condition the skin, but cleanses better than soap.... so I just omitted the bath part and kept the coconut oil-dry towel regime.I do take fast showers with home made soaps, but that's secondary to the coconut oil cleansing.
Definitely stops itching, and improves skin texture.
(fluoride in water is also known for rapidly aging the skin, aluminum in commercial soaps drys skin out... What else is in tap water... We have no idea)
I'd also recommend dry brushing (see bamboo drybrushes at Amazon) with essential oils (lavender, geranium, petitgrain, orange, anis, chamomile... I like lavender anise) against itching. Dry brush instead of morning shower or after you are dry (and already itching :)"
04/12/2012: Cat from Austin, Tx replies: "I only saw my Grandmother, who lived with us when I was a young girl, use pure, cold water on her face every morning. Though she KEPT a bottle of witch hazel on the shelf by the sink, I never saw her use it on her face, just plain water. But here's my mother's grandmother/ witch hazel story: When my mother birthed a huge 3rd child, she was so badly ripped up that she could not move for the terrible pain. My grandmother, who had been travelling, visited her at the hospital the afternoon of the morning birth and assessed the situation. She then went to a pharmacy and purchased a giant cotton pad and witch hazel. She soaked the cotton pad and placed it between my mother's legs. My mother said, within minutes, she could actually feel the drawing of the pain by the witch hazel and within two hours, she was walking around, pain free. I did mention once before that my grandmother was a healer/mid-wife from a rural community of the early 1900's. She was known far and wide, especially to the "train jumpers" that she fed from a huge black kettle in her back yard, near the rail-road tracks, during the great depression. She was a woman who saw people in need and dived in -- AND, it didn't matter to her what color, religion, philosophy, or background came off those trains. People were hurt and starving, so.....peace out, CAT"
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HONEY
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[YEA] 06/23/2007: Em from Dunedin, New Zealand: "I was being driven crazy at midnight last night by an itching foot which, I think, is a side effect from a prescribed medication. I have tried so many remedies including those suggested by my doctor. Well, last night I came across your site and in desperation smeared my poor old foot with Manuka honey and lo and behold it stopped almost instantly ! The relief is exquisite so thank you for the great information. I will be passing it on. Kia ora. Em, New Zealand"
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[YEA] 12/28/2006: Natalie from Jacksonville, FL: "Today I told my mother about putting honey on her eczema. She applied some and left it on for ten minutes. She had been taking antibiotics for quite some time but nothing had stopped the itching. Immediately after applying the honey the itching was gone. Now we'll just have to see if it heals it completely."
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ICE
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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 04/08/2009: John from Los Angeles, CA: "Plain old ice applied to the area will give temporary relief and allow you to fall asleep. usually about five or six minutes is long enough. Its no cure but at the moment it can be a blessing."
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KRILL OIL
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[YEA] 11/17/2011: Helen from Merimbula, Nsw: "I have suffered with extremely itchy skin for probably the last twenty five to thirty years and it is worst in hot humid weather or sometimes in cooler weather if I have too many clothes on. It starts around my elbows and then spreads to the rest of my arms sometimes my back , neck and hands. I have seen many doctors and tried many different creams, soaps, tablets etc. Then around a month ago I started taking Krill Oil for my arthritis and miraculously my itch has gone."
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[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 07/31/2010: Shary from Centennial, Co: "Along with various other health issues, I've had chronically itchy skin for the past 2 years. The area affected is mainly around my torso. This is not a dry-skin itch. Scratching makes it worse. Sometimes there are tiny bumps or pimples, but often there is nothing noticeable at the site of the itch. I've switched soaps, shampoos, lotions, laundry detergents, the food I eat, etc. I shower with luke-warm water and don't use soap at all on that part of my body. I've also tried Apple Cider Vinegar, witch hazel, tea tree oil, you name it and I've tried it. Nothing really helped. Then about a month ago I started taking krill oil because it's supposed to be good for muscles and joints. Supposedly it has properties that ordinary fish oil doesn't have. I haven't noticed any difference with my joints, but within just a few days of starting the krill oil, almost all the itching and pimply rashes around my waist disappeared. I haven't stopped taking the oil so I don't know if it just medicates or if it eventually cures the problem. Either way, it's a big sigh of relief to get rid of the itch without using topical drugs. Take one krill oil softgel twice a day. Be sure to get 100 percent krill oil. Some brands are better than others. Check the list of ingredients on the bottle to make sure it isn't mostly fish oil."
RepliesEC: Excerpts from Wikipedia's entry on Krill Oil here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krill_oil
"Several studies have shown toxic residues in Antarctic krill and fish..."
Ecological Concerns
..."The harvesting of antarctic krill is relatively new. At present, no limits have been placed on the amount of Krill that can be harvested. This has caused a number of Marine biologists to express concern over the lack of research into the effect that such exploitation of Krill may have, not just to the long term survival of several species of baleen whales and the Adelie Penguin; but also in terms of other animals further up the food chain. In this regard, Antarctic Krill is fundamental to the survival of almost every species of animal that lives in the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic waters and island groups .[5]
08/04/2010: Lily from Brisbane, Australia replies: "Hi, Shary, I had this same rash and found out it was caused by soy. On study I found that soy was in just about all processed foods, even bread. I am still learning what to eat. I hope you find the cause of the rash and maybe you can try (hard to do) to eliminate soy and see if that is the problem. My rash was also around the middle and only on the torso. Good luck with this. Lily."
08/06/2010: Shary from Centennial, Co replies: "Hi Lily. Thanks for your comment regarding soy. I don't knowingly use the stuff as it gives me GI tract problems, but I will definitely be more diligent about reading labels and avoiding foods that list it as an ingredient."
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