Our cold, dry, Minnesota winters and humid summers can be brutal on your skin. So to help you out, we’ve compiled these five handy tips for dealing with itchy skin.
To help soothe itchy skin, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
- Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the skin that itches. Do this for about five to 10 minutes or until the itch subsides.
- Take an oatmeal bath. This can be very soothing, especially for blisters or oozing skin due to chickenpox, hives, poison ivy or sunburn.
- Moisturize your skin. Always choose a moisturizer free of additives, fragrances and perfumes.
- Apply topical anesthetics that contain pramoxine.
- Apply cooling agents, such as menthol or calamine. You could also place your moisturizer in the refrigerator to help achieve this cooling effect.
While treating your skin, avoid scratching, as this will further irritate your skin and could increase your risk for a skin infection. It’s also a good idea to take steps to help prevent your skin from itching.
If your itch does not go away with home treatment, see a board-certified dermatologist. Some people have more than one reason to scratch, and a dermatologist can work with you to find the cause and relieve your itching.