Your Guide to Itchy Skin Relief
Do you suffer from itchy skin? It can have a big impact on your day-to-day life, but there are effective ways to tackle it. Let’s explore why it happens and the best ways to soothe and relieve your itchy skin.
What causes itchy skin?
Itchy skin can be caused by many things, including irritation from harsh products or insect bites, skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, and even changes in the weather.1 If you’d like to learn more about eczema-prone skin and how to manage it, explore A Beginner’s Guide to Eczema and our Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Regimen to learn more about how you can manage your condition.
Itchy skin gets worse when you scratch it because of the itch-scratch cycle. Scratching your skin releases chemicals that cause irritation and inflammation, which can lead to physical damage and an increased risk of infection. The released chemicals and the damage then increase the urge to scratch, creating the itch-scratch cycle.[2,3]
Luckily, there are ways to help prevent this vicious cycle.
Tips for Preventing Itchy Skin
To help prevent itchy skin, we need to stop the itch-scratch cycle and prevent irritation. Here are some tips which can help:
Skin irritation is a major trigger for itchy skin. Avoiding very hot baths or showers can help to prevent skin irritation. The hot temperature can deplete your skin of essential oils, leaving it dry and more vulnerable to irritation.[4]
If your skin is itchy, you should also avoid skincare products that contain fragrances. Instead, choose products designed for sensitive skin such as Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, which is clinically proven to be gentle on sensitive skin and is fragrance-free.
Clothing can affect itchy skin. The main culprits are fabrics such as wool, polyester, and nylon as they can cause sweating and overheating by not allowing the skin to breathe. The texture of your clothing can also cause itching - rough seams and threads can irritate your skin.[5]
Wearing more breathable fabrics such as cotton, bamboo, and silk can help prevent skin irritation.5 Looser clothing which doesn’t restrict skin movement is also beneficial.
Some laundry products can also inflame your skin. Look for products that are made for sensitive skin. These are usually hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.[6]
Nail care is very important to help prevent itchy skin. You should make sure that you keep your nails short and clean. This way, if you scratch, you’re less likely to damage your skin or introduce bacteria or irritants.[7]
Dry skin can be a big trigger for itching. That’s why it’s essential to prevent dryness by keeping your skin moisturized. Consistently using a moisturizer not only helps to prevent dry skin but can also improve your skin’s barrier function,1 helping skin to become more resilient. It’s critical to be consistent with moisturizing your skin, so make it a part of your daily skincare routine.
Explore Cetaphil moisturizers to find a product that suits your needs.
Skincare Ingredients and Products for Itchy Skin Relief
If you suffer from itchy skin, you can help to break the itch-scratch cycle by using skincare products that contain soothing ingredients to provide itchy skin relief. Here are some recommended ingredients:
Filaggrin is an essential protein found naturally within the skin. It forms part of the skin’s defense against environmental irritants.[8] Try Cetaphil Flare-Up Relief Body Wash which contains filaggrin technology to help repair your skin’s moisture barrier.
Cooling moisturizers can have a calming effect and help reduce itching.[9] Explore the range of soothing Cetaphil moisturizers for eczema-prone skin and Cetaphil moisturizers for irritated, cracked, chapped skin.
The Bottom Line
Itchy skin is a common skin concern that can be difficult to tackle due to the itch-scratch cycle. If you work to eliminate triggers of itching by methods like altering your clothing choices and avoiding irritation, you can help prevent and relieve itchy skin. Look for gentle ingredients in your skincare products and don’t forget to use soothing moisturizers to to help provide instant and long-term itch relief.
References
- Yosipovitch G. Dry skin and impairment of barrier function associated with Itch - new insights, Int J Cosmet Sci. 2004;26(1):1-7. doi:10.1111/j.0142-5463.2004.00199.x.
- Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, et al. Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Colloidal Oatmeal (Avena sativa) Contribute to the Effectiveness of Oats in Treatment of Itch Associated With Dry, Irritated Skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(1):43-48.
- Home Remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema? American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/childhood/itch-relief/home-remedies Accessed November 13, 2022.
- 8 ways to stop baths and showers from worsening your psoriasis. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/skin-care/baths-showers Accessed November 13, 2022.
- Clothing and eczema. National Eczema Society. https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/triggers-for-eczema/clothing-and-eczema/ Published October 20, 2021. Accessed November 13, 2022.
- Laundry care for people with eczema. National Eczema Association. https://nationaleczema.org/laundry-care-for-people-eczema/ Accessed November 13, 2022.
- How to trim your nails. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/how-to-trim-nails Accessed November 13, 2022.
- Armengot-Carbo M, Hernández-Martín Á, Torrelo A. The role of filaggrin in the skin barrier and disease development. Actas Dermosifiliogr (English Edition). 2015;106(2):86-95. doi: 10.1016/j.ad.2013.10.019.
- Liu B, Jordt SE. Cooling the Itch via TRPM8. J Invest Dermatol. 2018 June; 138(6):1254-1256. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2018.01.020.
