Home Remedies to Relieve Itchy Skin

There are small gestures that can help relieve itchy skin, such as washing the region where itching with cold water, putting on an ice cube or applying a soothing solution, for example.

Itchy skin is a symptom that can be related to a number of factors such as insect bites, allergies or dry skin, for example, and to solve it it is also important to find out what is its cause. If after using these home remedies the itching persists, you should see a general practitioner or dermatologist.

See some homemade solutions indicated for the most common causes of itchy skin:

1. Insect Sting

After the bite of an insect, such as a mosquito or a flea, for example, the skin may become inflamed, red and cause itching. In this case, what can be done is:

• Wash the region with cold water and liquid soap and rinse it next;
• Apply an ice cube to anesthetize and deflate the region, relieving itching immediately;
• Place 1 or 2 drops of propolis where the bite is located, so that it heals faster and helps relieve itching;
• Mix a teaspoon of cosmetic clay with enough water to prepare a paste, add three drops of peppermint essential oil and apply the mixture on the sting.

It is not recommended to wash the region where the bite is found with warm water, because it tends to worsen the itching and inflammation of the skin.

2. Dry Skin

Another very common cause of itchy skin, especially near the elbows or legs, is dry or dehydrated skin, which are regions where the skin may be whitish, and may even flake off. In this case the best strategy is:

• Take a bath with cold or warm water;
• Exfoliate the skin, preparing a mixture with 100 g of oat flakes, 35 g of almonds, 1 tbsp of dried marigold, 1 tbsp of dried rose petals and 1/2 tsp of almond oil. Massage the region and wash with water at the end;
• Apply a layer of moisturizer to dry skin. It is possible to mix some gothic sweet almond oil in the cream, to have a better effect. 

The exfoliation should be done at least 2 times per week. 

3. After Hair Removal

The day after shaving, the hair usually begins to be born, breaking the skin barrier, causing intense itching in the shaved regions. In this case it is recommended:

• Bathe in cold or warm water;
• Exfoliate the skin by rubbing a mixture of fine cornmeal with a moisturizer in itchy areas;
• Apply cold chamomile tea to soothe irritated skin, as it has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Chamomile tea sachets can also be placed directly on the irritated regions;
• Apply arnica or aloe vera gel. 

To prevent the emergence of buried hairs, the person can perform an exfoliation before waxing.

4. After Contact with Animals

People who have an allergy to animals such as the hair of dogs or cats usually show respiratory symptoms such as cough, mucus and sneezing. But these people may also have itchy and peeling skin after sleeping on a mat or mattress full of mites. In this case, it is recommended:

• Bathe in cold or warm water;
• Prepare a poultice of mauve leaves and place it in regions where itching is possible, it can be prepared by crushing a handful of these leaves on a clean cloth, applying on the region to be treated for 15 minutes.