Skin itching: If your skin itches you, get in here.

Good morning guys, Hello,
Simple ideas for joyful living!

I really don’t mean for this blog to be “all about me” all the time….but it seems like lately I’m having a lot of “issues” that I think others might relate to and then I feel I have to share the information I discover! :-)

Over the past week I have decided that itchiness that you just can’t get rid of is one of the most agonizing things on earth! It personally makes me want to just crawl out of my skin. So obviously I have been looking for RELIEF anywhere and everywhere.

I certainly did LEARN a lot about itchiness! Turns out one of the most common causes of itching is due to stress and anxiety! I did not know that! Of course dry skin (xerosis) is another frequent cause of itch, which I suspect is my problem (although I’m definitely not ruling out the stress thing!)

But regardless of the cause, there are LOTS of good home remedies to help control itch:

Baking Soda Bath
Soaking in a bath of baking soda for 30-60 minutes can make all the difference. Add one cup baking soda to a tub of warm water. After the bath, it is important to gently pat your skin dry with a towel (or air-dry). For more localized itching you can make a paste of one part water to three parts baking soda.

Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can be directly applied on itchy skin to relieve the irritation. Although this sounds a little scary to me….especially if you have been scratching much (like I have).

Oatmeal
Mixing oatmeal in water and spreading it on irritated skin can also be cooling and soothing. Add 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal to a lukewarm bath and soak to soothe itchy skin. Avoid using very hot water, as it can irritate the skin and cause it to itch more.

Cold Water
Because cold and itch travel along the same nerve fibers, the use of cold can “jam the circuits” and deaden itch. Cool showers or baths or even ice packs can be an instant remedy for itchy skin.
Again, hot water feels good temporarily, but it often leaves you feeling itchier later.

Oil Therapy
Rub on some olive, almond or sesame oil and massage lightly on to your hands, legs and the rest of your body before heading for a shower. If time permits, heat the oil and then apply. Post shower, use a light moisturiser/sunscreen, because winter sun isn’t any less harsh.

Aloe Vera
Slice a piece of aloe, squeeze all the gel out and apply to itchy skin. It will not only moisturise your skin, it will also form a protective layer that will keep impurities from entering your pores. Although aloe is a good skin hydrant, it can leave your skin feeling tight. So you might want to also put on moisturizer.

Milk and Honey
Pour some milk into a bowl, dip a clean white washcloth into the milk and apply it to the dry itchy skin patch for 5 minutes. Milk has anti-inflammatory properties that often remove the itch from dry skin. Milk is very soothing to inflamed, dry, itchy skin. A milk bath once in a month can also help.
OR
Lightly heat 2 teaspoons of honey and apply it to skin while warm. Leave it on for 15 minutes, and then wash it off. Honey helps lock in moisture, has antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, which is why it’s found in so many over-the-counter skincare products.

Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol
Alcohol and drinks high in caffeine are dehydrating and can make itching worse!

There you go…more than you ever thought there was to know (or ever WANTED to know!) about relieving the torment of itchy skin! If you’re suffering from the “agony of itch” like me…STOP THE MADNESS…try one of these today! I know I am!