How to Get Rid of Itchy Skin?

Everyone suffers from an itch now and then. Some of us have occasional trouble with itchy skin, while others seem to be constantly scratching to relieve an itch. But what causes us to itch. What causes our skin to itch so much that we will try almost anything to stop it?

Our bodies are a bundle of nerves, literally. The nervous system is composed of millions of sensors that receive information from our surroundings and send signals to the brain. The human skin contains a huge amount of nerve endings that are very small yet very sensitive. Without these we wouldn’t be able to feel the differences between hot and cold, rough and smooth and so on.

In some cases, our skin will itch because of the clothing or other surfaces touching it. If we have a mild skin condition that inflames the surface we might experience this as a general itchiness. Sometimes an allergic reaction to food, animals or plants shows up as a skin itch. Some types of illnesses also lead to itching, especially rashes and acne.

One of the common causes of itchy skin is simple lack of moisture. The human body is mostly water – as much as 80 percent in some estimates. If our skin doesn’t have sufficient moisture the result can be stimulation of the tiny nerve sensors. So we scratch this general itchy feeling. Our bodies also have a few important oils. Lack of these lubricating substances can cause the skin to dry up, wrinkle and contract. This can lead to the itching sensation as well.

Of course, we can deal with a mild case of “itch’ by simply scratching the area. This shouldn’t be aggressive however, because it can damage the skin surface. But it may help to stop the nerve endings from sending the “wrong” signal. But scratching is a classic case of treating the symptom and not treating the disease. Many of the unhealthy conditions described above are the actual cause and these conditions should be treated properly. In some cases, this may require a visit to the family doctor or to a dermatologist.

Several companies have developed creams and lotions that provide immediate relief from itchy skin. Some of these have ingredients that actually help restore skin to a healthier condition, replacing lost moisture and oils that should be in healthy skin. One of the traditional medications for “itch” is calamine lotion. Aloe Vera gels and similar products have become quite popular as well.

Your doctor or dermatologist may also prescribe medications that are taken internally to reduce the sensation of itching. There are also medicines for specific health conditions that lead to itchy skin. These might include anti-allergy medicines. You may also want to try some of the common “home” remedies. Powders available over the counter can relieve itching and help reduce inflammation of the skin. Other remedies include baking soda and plain, old ice. Put a few ice cubes in a wash cloth and hold it against the itchy area. This helps take away some of the heat that activates nerve endings in the skin.

When it comes to itchy skin, prevention is the best idea. Talk with your doctor if you constantly suffer from itchy skin.

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