Home Remedies for Itching

What causes itching? Try these home remedies for itching and home treatment for chronic itching for itchy skin relief.

Chronic itching is really bothersome and it can disturb sleep. Regardless of how much you scratch, it gets itchier. It could be a generalized itching which means there is no specific area of the body. Localized itching affects specific part of the body. The common ones are itchy scrotum, vaginal itching, itchy scalp, itchy palms and itchy feet.

If you continue scratching, it will lead to bruises, hives and skin discoloration. If there is already a lesion, scratching can cause bacterial infection. So, scratching your itch is not the recommended treatment for itchy skin.

The next thing we usually do when we itch is to use over the counter anti itch cream, lotion or spray. Why is it that this anti itch skin relief doesn't always work? One possible reason is that you are not treating the underlying cause of itching.

Itching or pruritus is one of the symptoms of many diseases. Vaginal itching for example can happen because of vaginal yeast infection or vaginitis. Poor hygiene and bacterial infection are two of the possible causes of itchy scrotum. Itchy scalp can occur because of head lice, psoriasis of the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis and reaction to hair care products.

Itching are also symptoms of fungal infection, allergies, internal diseases and parasites. Jock itch or groin ringworm is caused by fungal infection. Because of poor circulation, diabetes cause itching in the lower part of the leg. Itching is common among people who suffer from liver disease and kidney failure. One of the symptoms of hay fever is itchy nose, eyes and throat. Scabies which is caused by mites will cause severe and intense itching.

Pregnancy, dry skin, sunburn, reaction to medication and irritating chemicals, insect bites and stings, skin contact with poison ivy or poison oak are also some of the reasons why you itch. High level of stress is one of the factors that can cause itching or aggravate it.

So, before finding the right home remedies for itching, you must know the reason why you itch and treat the underlying cause. Meanwhile, this list of itching remedies could help provide relief from your body itch.

Home remedies for itching No. 1 - Use cold compress

Placing an ice pack wrapped around a thin cloth or plastic on the itchy part of your body may provide temporary relief. Taking a cool shower or bath and running cold water on the skin may also help.

Home remedies for itching No. 2 - Use herbs and herbal extracts

Herbs, herbal extracts and herbal oils may help stop itching and soothe the skin because herbs contain therapeutic properties. Before you use herbal oil on your skin, test it on a small area to check if you are allergic. If you have sensitive skin, mix it with carrier oil such as jojoba, grapeseed, olive or almond.

Taking any one of these herbal supplements may provide long term relief from itching especially if the itch is caused by stress, allergens or a weak immune system.

1. You can soak black tea bags, chill it and then place it on the itchy skin or soak your feet or itchy palm in the herbal solution. The tannic acid present in black tea is responsible for the healing effect. It may also reduce inflammation and kill fungus.
   
   
   
2. Peppermint oil has anti-pruritic or anti-itch properties because it contains menthol. Menthol may prevent and relieve itching and skin irritation. Other herbs that contain menthol are cornmint and spearmint.
   
   
   
3. Herbs that have anti-histamine properties are also commonly used as home remedies for itching. Some examples are basil, chamomile, ginger, oil of oregano and stinging nettle extract.
   
   
   
4. You can apply camphor oil as one of your home remedies for itching. Many anti itch gels use camphor extract from the camphor tree as an ingredient because it produces an anti-itch and cooling effect.
   
   
   
5. Studies have shown that capsaicin which is the extract from cayenne peppers may help relieve itching.
   
   
   
6. Tea tree oil is helpful as a skin cleaning agent because it has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. It is also used topically to treat all types of skin problems. You can mix it with aloe vera gel or any moisturizer to soothe the itch.

Home remedies for itching No. 3 - Self care

1. If you believe that the severe itching is caused by prescription medication, talk to your doctor about it.
   
   
   
2. Try to notice what triggers the itch. Some people realized that whenever they are stressed or anxious, the itching will start. If you are prone to itch because of allergens, avoid them.
   
   
   
3. When you have rashes, inflammations or bruises as a result of itching, avoid the sun because it will aggravate it. When you go out, apply soothing moisturizer such as aloe vera gel. Keeping your skin moisturized is also important to avoid dry skin which is one of the causes of itching.
   
   
   
4. Use gloves when you do the washing and avoid harmful chemicals that may cause your skin to dry or aggravate itching.
   
   
   
5. If you are in good health and have tried all these home remedies for itching but they have not helped, check if there are bed bugs and mites.
   
   
   
6. Avoid wearing clothes or fabric that can irritate your skin.

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