Effective Home Remedies For Itching

Itching can occur due to a number of reasons. An allergy or skin eczema is one of the most common causes. Sweat and insect bites can also cause itching. Pregnant women feel itchy during their second and third trimesters due to the severe hormonal changes taking place in their body.

Itching may give temporary relief from the ailment but excessive scratching can irritate the skin, injure it and also cause scarring. Some simple home remedies can nip itching in the bud and give you relief from incessant scratching.

Home Remedies for Treating Itching

Baking Soda

Baking soda can come to your rescue in very severe cases of itching. Add 1 cup of baking soda to your warm bath or tub. Now soak in this warm bath for at least 20 minutes. Allow yourself to air dry. This will give you instantaneous relief from itching. You can also make a soft paste with water and baking soda and apply this paste on localized areas especially if the itching is restricted to these places only.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is very soft and soothing on the skin and gives immediate relief from itching. Take 2 cups of oatmeal and put it in your bath water. Now have a hot and soothing bath. Your itching will subside and you will also feel more relaxed.

Lacto Calamine Lotion

Lacto calamine lotion is another effective remedy for the treatment of superficial itching. Liberally apply lacto calamine on the irritated surface of your skin. You will find that the lotion is very cooling and soothing on the skin and will help to cure your itching.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice when applied helps to soothe inflamed skin. This is because lemon has anti-inflammatory properties. Just rub the juice of a lemon on the affected area of the skin. You will find that the lemon juice burns but soon the burning will subside and your skin will feel itch free.

Basil

Use an aromatic basil tea as a skin wash to help eliminate itching. For this, take ½ ounce of dried basil leaves and boil them in a pint of water. Cover the water to prevent the aroma from escaping. Once the tea has cooled, you can dip a washcloth in this tea and apply it to the affected areas of the skin. Basil has high amounts of eugenol, a compound that acts like a local anaesthetic and reduces pain and itching.

Mint

You can also use mint as a substitute for basil to reduce itching. Mint has several anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties that give immediate relief from itching. Mint also contains rosmarinic acid, which is easily absorbed into the skin and reduces swelling and irritation.

You can follow the same procedure for a mint tea and apply the soothing water of infused mint leaves on your skin to get relief from itching.

Aloe Vera

Pure aloe Vera gel is an excellent home remedy for treating itchy and irritated skin. Apply soothing and cooling aloe Vera gel on the affected areas of your skin. You will immediately experience a cessation in itching. Apply the aloe Vera gel on your skin at least 2-3 times a day for best results.

Do not Scratch

While this sounds easier said than done, resist the temptation to scratch or itch the surface of your skin. If you do, your skin will become further irritated and itch more than ever. A good way of preventing an itch is to wear gloves. That way you will not be able to scratch the surface of your skin. Make sure your nails are short and trimmed. This can prevent your skin from getting infected.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is another effective home remedy for itching. Just apply some cornstarch directly on the affected areas of your skin. You can also add a few tablespoons of cornstarch to your bath water and then take a bath with this water.

This will immediately subside your itching and make you feel infinitely better.

Bathe Frequently

Some cases of itching are exacerbated with heat and sweat which causes bacteria to grow and multiply. This can irritate the skin further. Make sure you take refreshing and cool baths throughout the day. This will keep your skin dry and sweat free and reduce the itching in most cases.

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Avoid the Allergens

Certain allergens like synthetic cloth and fabric softeners can irritate the skin and compound the itching. Make sure you stay away from fabric softeners and wear only smooth and soft cotton clothes that do not hurt or rub against the skin.

Neem Treatment

Take some fresh neem leaves and soak them in water. Now boil this water for ten minutes. Use this neem water concoction to bathe. You can bathe with this water once or twice a day. Neem has antiseptic properties, which helps to soothe and relax the skin and reduce itching.

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is another good remedy for dry skin, which itches excessively. Rub and apply the petroleum jelly liberally on the dry and rough areas of your skin.

The jelly absorbs well into the skin and keeps the skin well hydrated which means lesser itching for you in the long run.

Vicks

Applying Vicks to the irritated skin may also prove to be very effective. This is because Vicks contains menthol, which has anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties. Use the Vicks with prudence as too much of it could lead to an adverse reaction.

Drink Water

Dry and parched skin can become rough, scaly and itchy. It is therefore very important to keep the skin hydrated. This can be done by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Water will help to hydrate the skin, keep it soft, supple and toned and also reduce the itching in the process. At the same time use, good lotions and creams to always keep your skin moisturized.

With the help of these simple home remedies, you can completely eliminate itching from the surface of your skin. In case of eczema or a more severe skin condition, do not hesitate to see a good skin specialist.