Home Remedies for Itching

Itchy skin ”pruritus” is defined as (the unpleasant skin sensation that forces you to scratch). Itching is the most irritating problem to have and may occur anywhere in the body. As you scratch more the more it itches. We unintentionally open the doors for bacteria to enter in our skin, by breaking the protective shield that nature has provided us. Continuous scratching may lead to a break in skin and infections afterwards.

It is very hard to avoid scratching your skin because the nerves transmit signals to our brain and brain process the given information then tell us which part of the body is itching. The same nerves at the same time provide information to force us to scratch the itchy place.

There are more than 3000 disorders that can cause itchy skin.

Followings are some of the most common conditions.

Dry skin
Infections
Allergies
Rashes
Eczema
Scabies
Psoriasis
Lice
Drugs (Reaction of drugs)
Pregnancy
Insect bites and stings
Sun exposure
Chronic kidney disease
Measles
Chickenpox
Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E
Liver disease
Cancer
Hyperthyroidism(overactive thyroid)

How to avoid skin itching

Do’s to Avoid Itchy Skin

Take bath or shower with cool or lukewarm water
Take bath not more than 10 minutes
Pet dry you, don’t rub hard with towel
Wear softer fabrics like cotton and silk
Wear loose clothing

Don’t to Avoid Itchy Skin

Stop scratching (requires will power), because you may feel temporary satisfaction, but if you continue to scratch it may lead to bacterial infections and more complicated skin disorder
Do not take bath more frequently if you have a dry skin
Do not use fragrance or perfumed soaps and laundry detergents as they may harm your skin
Do not wear wool or sticky type of fabric that may increase itchiness
Do not use alcohol-based products

Home Remedies for Itching

After all these measures still if you get the itch, you are as closer to the itchy skin treatment as your kitchen is and you can find various items within your home & kitchen.

1. Aloe Vera for Itchy Skin Treatment

Take off a leaf of Aloe Vera plant
Cut it lengthwise from top to bottom with the help of a knife
Scoop out the soft and sticky gel
Apply it directly to the affected area
Keep the remaining gel In refrigerator in an air-tight jar for future use(max: for a week)

2. Get Rid of Itchy Skin with Lemon

Just cut a lemon into 2
Squeeze out the juice on itchy skin
Allow air dry, you will definitely feel some relief

3. Apple Cider Vinegar(A C V) and Clay to Cure Itchy Skin

As I have mentioned the soothing powers of Apple Cider Vinegar in my earlier article Home Remedies for Dandruff, logically same applies with itchy skin.

Apple cider vinegar is antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and full of powerful enzymes, pectin, minerals that make it an anti-itching agent.

Bentonite or (montmorillonite) clay is very useful in curing many skin related disorders. Alleviates poisonous stings and bites such as bees and spiders by drawing the poison out of the skin, thus provides relief in pain and heals sting quickly.

Method#1

Make a poultice of apple cider vinegar and clay in a cup or bowl
Mix both of them well until turn to butter like consistency
Apply the paste on itchy skin, bites or sting area
Rinse it out after few minutes
Use quantity as per your requirement

Method#2

Take a clean piece of porous fabric like cotton, flannel or wool
Spread the apple cider vinegar and clay paste on fabric piece
Apply this pack on affected area
Wrap it with a plastic or bandage tape to protect your clothes
Let it for about 4 hours until clay becomes hard

(You may also use method#2 by preparing the paste with clean water)

3. Basil leaves (Tulsi) Skin Treatment

Basil leaves (Tulsi) contains Thymol and Camphor, an anti-itch compound to treat venomous (poisonous) bugs bites and stings rapidly, not only to provide relief in pain but also draws venom out of the skin
Chew basil leaves or rubs its juice on affected area to relieve itching and stops you to scratch frequently

Another option would be to

Wash thoroughly few leaves of basil or (tulsi)
Boil in a covered pot to prepare a Basil tea
Dip a cotton ball or clean cloth in the tea
Apply it on itchy skin

Baking Soda and Oatmeal Battle Against Itchy Skin

We can use baking soda alone to cure itchy skin or with oatmeal for even better results. As Oatmeal consists of a compound called “avenanthramides”, blocks the release of inflammatory compounds to reduce itchiness.