Itchy skin
is an uncomfortable, irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch. Also
known as pruritus (proo-RIE-tus), itchy skin may be the result of a rash or
another condition, such as psoriasis or dermatitis. Or itchy skin may be a
symptom of a disease, such as liver disease or kidney failure.
Depending on
the cause of your itchy skin, it may appear normal. Or it may be red or rough
or have bumps or blisters.
Long-term
relief requires identifying and treating the cause of itchy skin. Itchy skin
treatments include medications, wet dressings and light therapy. Self-care
measures, including using anti-itch products and taking cool baths, also can
help.
Symptoms
You may have
itchy skin over certain small areas, such as on an arm or leg, or your whole
body may itch. Itchy skin can occur without any other noticeable changes on the
skin. Or it may be associated with:
- Redness
- Bumps, spots or blisters
- Dry, cracked skin
- Leathery or scaly texture to the skin
Sometimes
itchiness lasts a long time and can be intense. As you rub or scratch the area,
it gets itchier. And the more it itches, the more you scratch. Breaking this
itch-scratch cycle can be difficult, but continued scratching can damage your
skin or cause infection.
Causes
Possible
causes of itchy skin include:
Dry skin. If
you don't see a crop of bright, red bumps or some other dramatic change in the
itchy area, dry skin (xerosis) is a likely cause. Dry skin usually results from
environmental factors such as hot or cold weather with low humidity, long-term
use of air conditioning or central heating, and washing or bathing too much.
Skin
conditions and rashes. Many skin conditions itch, including eczema
(dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, lice, chickenpox and hives. The itching
usually affects specific areas and is accompanied by other signs, such as red,
irritated skin or bumps and blisters.
Internal
diseases. These include liver disease, malabsorption of wheat (celiac disease),
kidney failure, iron deficiency anemia, thyroid problems and cancers, including
leukemia and lymphoma. The itching usually affects the whole body. The skin may
look otherwise normal except for the repeatedly scratched areas.
Nerve
disorders. Conditions that affect the nervous system — such as multiple
sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, pinched nerves and shingles (herpes zoster) — can
cause itching.
Irritation
and allergic reactions. Wool, chemicals, soaps and other substances can
irritate the skin and cause itching. Sometimes the substance, such as poison
ivy or cosmetics, causes an allergic reaction. Food allergies also may cause
skin to itch.
Drugs.
Reactions to drugs, such as antibiotics, antifungal drugs or narcotic pain
medications, can cause widespread rashes and itching.
Pregnancy.
During pregnancy, some women experience itchy skin, especially on the abdomen,
thighs, breasts and arms. Also, itchy skin conditions, such as dermatitis, can
worsen during pregnancy.
Remedies for Itch skin
1. Clay
Put a bit of
bentonite or Montmorillonite clay on it! Clay is very helpful for itching and a
number of other skin issues such as acne. It particularly helps heal venomous
stings and bites, like from bees, wasps and spiders. The clay helps draw the
venom out of the skin, which will help relieve the pain and let the sting heal
more quickly.
Use virgin,
untreated clay, such as this one. Green clay (often called montmorillonite or
bentonite clay) is the most powerful type. (For more information on the amazing
healing power of clay, I highly recommend reading The Clay Cure by Ran
Knishinsky).
How to use
it: Mix the clay in a bowl or cup with a bit of filtered water until it has a
creamy consistency like peanut butter (like in the picture at the top of the
page). Then, just dab the clay paste onto itchy areas, let it dry, then rinse
or peel it off.
How to do a
clay pack: Spread the clay on a piece of clean, porous fabric (i.e., wool,
muslin, cotton, flannel). Then place the clay-covered cloth to the irritated
area, with the clay directly touching the skin (see the picture on the right).
You can use bandaging tape or wrap it in plastic wrap to keep the cloth in
place and protect your clothing and furniture. Keep the clay pack on for about
4 hours, or until the clay is hard and dry.
2. Apple
Cider Vinegar
This isn’t
the first time I’ve sung the praises of the uber-versatile ACV, and I suspect
it won’t be the last. Apple cider vinegar is an effective antiseptic,
anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent that relieves itching, especially itching
associated with dry skin (for example: sunburns and dandruff). It’s also
popularly used for pets with dry, itchy skin as well, by adding a few cupfuls
to their bath water.
How to use
it: Just put a few drops of it onto a cotton ball or washcloth and dab it on to
the affected area. Use raw, organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (Bragg’s is
a good brand) with the “mother,” a strand-like sediment floating at the bottom
of the bottle that contains raw enzymes and beneficial bacteria.
3. Clay +
Apple Cider Vinegar
Combine the
anti-itch properties of both of these skin soothers at the same time!
How to use
it: Follow the instructions for using clay topically or as a clay pack, just
substitute apple cider vinegar instead of water when making your clay. It will
fizz up a bit, so just add a tiny amount of vinegar at a time until you reach
the desired consistency.
4.
Peppermint Leaves
Peppermint
is great for bug bites and itching, as it provides a cooling sensation that’ll
give you welcome relief.
How to use
it: The quickest, easiest way is to crush up the leaves and rub the peppermint
directly onto the skin. You could even freeze the crushed peppermint leaves
into ice cubes for a cooling double-whammy, as the cold of the ice cubes also
helps to numb the affected area and bring down swelling and inflammation.
Always use clean, filtered water.
5. Fresh
Basil Leaves
Basil leaves
contains anti-itch compounds called camphor and thymol. This is my personal
go-to trick for bug bites, as it’s so quick and easy. Plus, rubbing the leaf
onto the skin satisfies the compulsive urge to scratch.
How to use
it: Crush up the leaves and rub directly onto the skin.
6. Aloe Vera
We love aloe
vera for just about every kind of skin irritation. Aloe is probably best-known
for its ability to heal sunburns, but it’s extremely versatile as it soothes
the skin and relieves swelling and irritation. If you live in Southern
California, there’s probably an 85% chance it’s already growing in your yard.
How to use
it: Break off a leaf from the plant, and cut it open lengthwise from top to
bottom with a knife. Scoop out the gooey gel inside, and rub it directly onto
irritated skin. If you have extra left over, you can keep it refrigerated in an
airtight container for up to a week.
7. Fruit
Peels
Silvana, the
Gerson Institute’s Director of Education, also turned me on to a cool trick.
Rub bug bites with a banana peel. Another Gerson staffer also suggested
watermelon rind.
This is a
great way to re-purpose kitchen scraps that might otherwise be thrown out! But,
this method does have a potential drawback: the fruity scent may attract bugs.
This may be a better choice for using indoors.
How to use
it: Rub peel or rind onto the affected area.
8. Oatmeal
Oatmeal
contains compounds called avenanthramides that reduce inflammation. This is a
popular trick that’s been around for ages; I can remember my mom making me take
oatmeal baths when I had chicken pox as a little kid. It’s also commonly used
for poison ivy and eczema. You can add oatmeal to your bath, or make a
poultice.
How to use
it: To make an oatmeal poultice, add a bit of water to a cup or bowl of plain,
organic, uncooked oatmeal (ground or steel-cut work best for this), then let it
sit for a few minutes until it reaches a paste-like consistency. Apply the
paste to the itchy area as needed.
REMEMBER
Itching skin
can affect the quality of your life. Prolonged itching and scratching may
increase the intensity of the itch, possibly leading to:
·
Skin injury
·
Infection
·
Scarring