CAUSES/TREATMENTS OF AN ITCHING BODY

THE CAUSES AND TREATMENTS OF AN ITCHING BODY

Body itching is one of the many things that is embarrassing to humans, so knowing the causes/treatments of an itching body is essential. But first, let’s have an understanding of what Body Itching means: Body itching, is a sensation on the skin that triggers an urge to scratch or rub the affected area. It can vary in intensity from mild to severe and may occur in isolated spots or affect larger areas of the body. Body Itching can be cause by various factors, including skin conditions, allergies, irritants, underlying medical conditions, and more.

It is the body’s way of responding to an irritation or discomfort on the skin’s surface or within the body. It’s a strong irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch. It’s also called pruritus (proo-RIE-tus). Itchy skin is often caused by dry skin and is common in older adults, as skin tend to become drier with age. And Depending on the cause of your body itchiness, your skin may look no different than usual or it may be inflamed, rough or have bumps. Repeated scratching can cause raised thick areas of skin that might bleed or become infected.

Many people find relief with self-care measures such as moisturizers, gentle cleansers and lukewarm baths. Long-term relief requires identifying and treating the cause of itchy skin. Common treatments are medicated creams, moist dressings and anti-itch medicines taken by mouth it all depends on which ever works for you.

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Then what is itching?

Itching is a sensation that occurs when certain things touch your skin. It triggers you to move your hands to the area and scratch it. While this seems to be a very basic and spontaneous reaction, it is actually your body’s way of protecting you from insects and other foreign bodies.

SYMPTOMS OF BODY ITCHING

Itchy skin can affect small areas, such as the scalp, an arm or a leg. Or it can cover the whole body. Itchy skin can occur without any other noticeable changes on the skin. Or it may come with:

Inflamed skin
Scratch marks
Bumps, spots or blisters
Dry, cracked skin
Leathery or scaly patches

The Major Causes of Body Itching

Dry skin: Dry skin is one of the most common causes of itchy skin. Especially in cold or low humidity climates, Environmental factors that can lead to dry skin include excessively hot or cold weather with low humidity. Washing too much can also cause dry skin. It can actually affect any age group. However, as people age, their skin becomes thinner and drier. A good moisturizer can usually help relieve symptoms of dry skin. Extremely dry skin can be a warning sign of dermatitis, so it may be necessary to see a dermatologist to help get relief and keep the condition from becoming worse.

Some signs and symptoms of dry skin

cracks in the skin that are prone to bleeding
chapped or cracked skin or lips
rough, scaly, or flaking skin
excessive itching
gray or ashy-looking skin in people with darker skin

It is important to seek help to treat very dry skin because cracks in the skin can allow germs to enter. Once inside the skin, these germs can cause an infection. Red, sore spots on the skin are often an early sign of a potential infection.

Dehydration: This is another major cause of itching body; a dehydrated person’s skin may look dry and dull. Other symptoms of dehydration include headaches, fatigue, and muscle cramps. He/she will also notice a reduced amount of urine that might also be darker yellow and stronger smelling. Their mouth will feel dry, and their skin will not bounce back as well when squeezed not getting enough fluids equally puts the body in a state of dehydration. If you have reoccurring bouts where you are not taking in enough fluids, this can lead to dehydration. Dehydration often causes dry skin, which can lead to itching.
Eczema: The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) reports that eczema affects mostly children 10–20% of children but only 1–3% of adults. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common cause of skin rash in children. The cause of eczema is linked to the leakiness of the skin barrier. This causes the area to dry out and allows irritants or allergens to enter the skin, putting it at risk of irritation and inflammation. It is vital to keep the skin moisturized. Medical news today (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311473#causes)
Allergies: Irritation and allergic reactions can also cause itchy skin. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an allergen. The result of the skin allergy is a red, itchy rash that can include small blisters or bumps. The rash arises whenever the skin comes into contact with the allergen, a substance that the immune system attacks. Often, there is a time delay between exposure to the allergen and when the rash occurs. Touching clothing, pets, chemicals, soaps, and substances such as poison ivy or cosmetics can trigger allergic reactions. Food allergies can also cause the skin to itch. For a person with an allergic reaction to a particular substance, one of the easiest things to do is to avoid that product or substance. Over-the-counter creams or medicated creams can help clear up a rash.
It is often found on hands and forearms.
The skin is often itchy, discolored, scaly, or raw. (https://www.healthline.com/health/itching#29-conditions-and-pictures)

Pregnancy: more than 1 in 10 pregnant women say itching is a problem. The reasons range from harmless rashes to more serious conditions. Some pregnant people experience itching when pregnant. As the National Health Service (NHS) says that it usually occurs on the abdomen. Sometimes this is due to a preexisting condition, such as eczema, that is made worse by the pregnancy or hormonal changes or condition called Cholestasis.
Bug bites: Many insect bites cause itchy skin. However, some of these bites are not so easy to detect. Because the bite may be quite small. You may have to perform a full-body scan to find a tick after being in a tick-infested area. Here are some insects whose bite may cause you to itch. Mosquitoes, ticks, bedbugs, fleas, spiders, red ants, flower bugs, mites. Etc
Infections: Fungal, bacterial or viral infections (e.g, athlete’s foot, chickenpox) can cause body itching.
Psychological factors: as simple as this may sound, it will surprise you to know that they also result to body itching sometimes, factors like stress, anxiety, psychological disorder due to increased sensitivity; People may experience an itching feeling that has no physical cause. Some mental health conditions can make a person feel as if their skin is crawling, which creates an urge to scratch. Excessive scratching can lead to skin damage.

Itchy skin causes problems over time or comes with other symptoms; a person should talk with their doctor. Medical treatments and home care strategies can often provide relief from skin itch.

STEPS ON HOW TO STOP ITCHING BODY AFTER BATHING

Let’s find out what exactly causes body itching before we go into the solution

A lot of things can cause the skin to feel itchy after taking a shower or bath. Here are some of the most common reasons for itching after a shower:

Soap sensitivities: It’s possible that the soap you’re using is drying out your skin as it cleans. A harsh soap may not always leave a rash that you can see, but it can leave a lasting itch after your shower is over. Failing to wash all the soap residue off your skin after a shower can also be a source of itching and discomfort. It can also be reactions to skin care products because many people enjoy using scented cleansers, soaps, and hair products in the shower. However, these products can trigger allergic reactions in some people, leading to body itching and other symptoms. This is known as contact dermatitis.

Eczema: Eczema or atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by dry skin, itchiness and recurring rashes. The skin barrier function is weakened in people with eczema, which makes them more susceptible to sensitivity and irritation of the skin. This may lead to itchiness post shower in eczema patients.

Aquagenic pruritus: With this condition, your nervous system can be activated by water on your skin. As a result, you get itchy after a shower or bath. This condition is rare, and if you have it, you probably already know. Aquagenic pruritis causes immense itching after any contact with water, including washing your hands, and going into the pool. The itchiness develops mostly in the limbs and upper part of the body, but rarely on the head, face or neck. But there are no rashes or other visible changes on the skin.

Reaction to laundry products: Scented laundry products could also lead to post-shower itching, especially if someone uses scented products on their towels. Toweling off after bathing could transfer some of the fragrances from a laundry soap or fabric softener to the skin. This can lead to itching and irritation if a person has an allergy or sensitivity to the product.
Dry skin: dry skin lacks moisture and may feel tight or itchy, especially after a shower. Cleansers, soap, and water can remove the skin’s natural oils that keep it supple and prevent dryness. When a person takes a hot shower, the soap, and water strip away the skin’s oils, which can cause the skin to feel tight and itchy. In extreme cases, the skin may even crack or bleed.

If after having your shower and the itching still persist, you may want to consider using a home remedy as a treatment. Below are solutions on how to stop or prevent an itching body after bathing if it happens:

Moisturize your skin while it’s still wet. Applying moisturizer while your skin is just a bit damp will help to lock moisture into your skin barrier. Opt for a fragrance-free hypoallergenic moisturizer. Consider using one that’s “oil-free” if you have acne-prone skin. For an added cooling benefit, store your moisturizer in the fridge before applying it.
Pat dry instead of toweling off. Rubbing your skin with a towel after a shower can strip your skin of moisture. Don’t try to remove every water droplet from your skin. Instead, pat your skin dry with a soft towel after washing off.
Switch your soaps. If you’re having recurrent itching without a rash after you shower, maybe it’s time to switch soaps. Look for soap with mild, hypo-allergenic ingredients. Moisturizing soap has been found to have a positive effect on reducing the symptoms of dry skin.
Drink more water. Stay hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day. In general, make sure that you’re getting eight cups of water (or more!) Each day to hydrate your body properly.
Anti-itch creams: you can make use of anti-itch creams that contain lactic acid to soothe itching from dry skin and to help bind moisture to the skin. Pramoxine hydrochloride is another promising ingredient that has been shown trusted to decrease itching caused by dry skin. Note that over-the-counter creams designed to soothe itching symptoms caused by inflammation, like topical corticosteroids, don’t usually work to address itching caused by skin that’s just dry.
Consider essential oils as part of your shower routine. You can use essential oils to prevent or treat itching. Dilute any essential oil that you choose. The oil should be diluted with a soothing carrier oil, such as sweet almond or jojoba oil, before being applied to skin that’s irritated. Peppermint, chamomile, tea tree, and rose geranium all have potential benefits for soothing skin that’s dry and itchy.
Avoid irritants: check if any new bath products or laundry detergents are causing the itch. Switch to hypoallergenic options needed.
Change Your Shower Routine: Use lukewarm water mainly avoid hot water, as it can strip your skin of natural oils. Opt for lukewarm water instead. Do not shower in water that is too hot. Use lukewarm water that is comfortable to touch. Make the duration of your shower shorter. Avoid taking multiple showers in a day.

Home Remedies that can be applied To Treat Itching body after bathing

Using A Cold Pack: Using an ice pack or cold pack may help reduce the inflammation of the skin that may be responsible for causing the itch.
Using Oatmeal: Studies show that using colloidal oatmeal (oat meat that is finely ground and made especially for baths) may help reduce dryness and itching of the skin
Using Apple Cider Vinegar: Diluting 1 part apple cider vinegar with 1 part water and applying it to the affected area may help reduce itchiness. Avoid using apple cider vinegar if you have cuts and open wounds as it may cause a painful burning sensation