Home Remedies for Itching Skin
April 6, 2009
Itching is described as a peculiar tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin that creates a desire to scratch the affected area. Itching could be the result of a number of reasons such as allergies (to food, plants or pets), insect bites, stings, skin disease or even poor hygiene. Constant or continued scratching can bruise the skin, making it sore and even painful. Itching could be widespread where in the whole body is affected or localized wherein a particular area is irritated.
Symptoms
The main symptom of itchy skin is redness of the skin and formation of scaly patches. Other symptoms are scraped skin, thick and scarred skin and blisters.
Causes
Itching can be caused due to many things. The most common cause of itching is dry skin. Dirty or unclean areas also cause itching. Contact with chemicals, sunburn, stings and parasites on the body, allergic reaction to certain foods, plants or pets and an unfavorable medicine may cause itching. Psoriasis, Seborrheic dermatitis, Urticaria, Pityriasis rosea can also cause harsh itching.
Remedies
Milk
Take one can of evaporated milk and add oatmeal and baking soda to it. Take a bath in this milk. The milk is very effective in pacifying the itching.
Baking soda
Baking soda can be used in cool bath water to soothe other skin irritations and alleviate itching from prickly heat, bee stings, insect bites, and other small skin ailments.
Pumice stone
Rub the affected area lightly with pumice stone. Then wash the area with cold water and apply alcohol to it. After 15 minutes, apply Vaseline generously on the area. This helps cure skin itching and soothe the skin.
Chickweed poultice
Take a handful of chickweed and soak it in water. When the plant becomes soft, make a poultice of it and apply it on the affected area.
Apart from these remedies one can also apply Aloe Vera, cod liver oil, lemon juice, vitamin E oil, wheat germ oil, or witch hazel tea to the irritated area. This gives immediate relief but is no permanent cure. One’s diet also goes a long way in curing itchy skin. Increase your intake of Vitamin C, beta-carotene, Vitamin E and zinc. Apply a moisturizer generously to your skin each night before going to bed. This softens the skin and avoids itching.
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