Strategies to Soothe Itchy, Irritated Skin

Itchy skin, also called pruritus, is a condition with varying symptoms. In some cases, an individual may experience few signs, while in other cases, someone may experience red, bumpy, blistered or scaly skin.

So how do you get it? Sometimes dryness is the cause of itchy skin. However, there are many other culprits, including medical condition and environmental factors. You may want to consider seeing a doctor to determine the cause of your itchy skin.

There are some medical conditions that can cause dry, itchy irritated skin, such as psoriasis and eczema. In fact, anyone with a compromised immune system is prone to itchy skin. People who are vulnerable are pregnant women, the elderly, anyone suffering from allergies, diabetics, and HIV, AIDS or cancer patients.

Environmental factors can also be the underlying cause of itchy skin. These are often in the form of allergies to everyday, common substances, including makeup, food, skincare, and even medication. If medication is the cause of your itchy skin, often switching medications can help to relieve the problem. See your doctor if you think your medication could be the cause- never switch your prescription or cease taking it all together without advice from your doctor. Also, when air is dry with limited humidity, a in the winter, itchy can begin or worsen.

The only effective way to treat itchy skin is to determine the source and treat the underlying cause. Remember that dryness can often exacerbate the issue, so many strategies for combating itchy skin is hydrating it. Also, keeping itchy skin hydrated discourages scratching, which can lead to brighter, acne-free skin.

Here are some tips for easing the itch:

* Use a daily moisturizer to ease flaking and dryness. Ideally, you should apply moisturizer within a few minutes of showering or washing your face, which is when you can best prevent moisture loss. This will also help to stave off acne.

* Always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen year-round to prevent damage.
* Switch to mild, unscented soaps, cleanser and laundry detergents.
* Consider using a humidifier to add moisture into the air and hydrate skin.
* Avoid extremely hot water. Instead, opt for a warm temperate, which can provide temporary relief.
* To ease itching and prevent scratching, apply a cool, damp washcloth to the affected areas.
* If you enjoy taking relaxing baths, add oatmeal or cornstarch to the water which will soften the water and help to soothe skin.
* Use a topical anti-itch cream containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone.
* You can also try taking an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl. These are particular effective for those who are suffering from allergies.
* Resist the scratch as much as possible! This can lead to more pain and further infections.
* Avoid potentially irritating items, such as nickel, jewelry, cleaning products, perfume and cosmetics.

If your symptoms are severe, you should never hesitate to see your doctor. They may do blood tests or biopsies to determine the underlying issue. A doctor can also treat sever itching with steroids or antibiotics. Your skin condition could be the result of an underlying problem such as anemia, liver disease, kidney failure or thyroid problems.