Why is my skin so itchy is the most asked skin question on google. That doesn’t surprise me at all, as someone who has had many issues with itchy skin over the past 30 years. Mine was caused by severe eczema, so obviously that’s one of the things I’ll list here. But really, itching can be so many different things. How itchy are you? How long has it been going on for? What does it look like? If you are really in pain or swelling up, then definitely call your GP asap.
Hopefully there’s something useful for you on this list of ten things that cause skin to itch:
- Eczema – my area of expertise. Eczema is an extremely common skin issue which gives you inflamed, red, dry, sore, flaky, sometimes weeping skin, and can be unbearably itchy. It’s so much more that just itchy skin. Pop to my eczema page to read more and find out what could help. I used to have severe, debilitating eczema that made my days a total misery and my nights a horror of burning, itching pain, but now my skin is beautiful. So you can sort your eczema too.
- Have you got chicken pox? Red spots that are filled with fluid, that makes you itch. Please see more on that on the NHS website.
- Hives (or Urticaria) – not bee ones, but something your skin does because it’s having a reaction to something. This tends to come up quite quickly in lumps and can look alarming. It can be because you’ve eaten something that you’re allergic to. If it’s not too bad, take an antihistamine, but seek urgent medical advice if you are at all concerned or your tongue starts swelling or anything else scary like that.
- Allergic reaction/contact dermatitis – have you used something different on your skin that has irritated it? Maybe some really strong smelly laundry liquid on your clothing? Think about what you might have touched or been in contact with and remove it. Avoid anything perfumed whilst you try to get back on track.
- It’s just Dry – maybe you just have skin that’s become a bit dry. Perhaps you could just drink more water, eat more good fats and wash with products that are gentle and don’t contain sulphates (which are very drying to skin). Try washing with my Scratchy Soap or Forest Soap both of which are extremely gentle and will not strip your skin of its own natural oils.
- Menopause – yes another magical symptom of this time of life. When oestrogen levels drop, your skin becomes more dry and that can cause itching. You can read more about that here.
- Molluscum Contagiousum – really yucky gross skin thing that children get, which is super-catching. Read more about in my blog here.
- Athletes Foot or Fungal Infections – tends to happen around the feet, but can happen elsewhere too. usually needs some anti-fungal cream from the chemist or GP. Is catching so don’t share socks!
- Scabies (or parasites) – tiny little bugs under your skin, causes small red spotty rash, is catching, and definitely needs a visit to the GP or pharmacy to get cream. You’ll need to hot wash all your bedding and clothes too.
- Mosquito Bite (or other insects) – I guess you’ll know if you’ve been around a biting type insect. Some can be very itchy. My customers tell me that Scratchy Balm works really well on insect bites. If you’re prone to getting bitten by insects, you could find a natural repellent, so you don’t get bitten.
There are many more causes of itching, and if you are not sure what’s happening then please do speak to a medical professional. Itching can be a sign of something else going on with your body that needs checking.
How to stop itching
The problem with itching is that you scratch it, then you damage the skin, and the problem becomes a self-perpetuating nightmare. You will damage your skin, and probably make the itching worse. So it’s really important to stop scratching if you can. Wear gloves if you have to, cut your fingernails very short, sit on your hands, try to keep your hands busy ….. I’m sure you could look up ways to stop scratching. I know it’s hard, the pleasure you get from scratching something extremely itchy can be amazing initially, but definitely not good once you stop.
The following LJ products might help to break that itch/scratch cycle, but in general, remember to treat your skin with respect and only use gentle, natural products that don’t upset your skin:
Organic Scratchy Balm – it doesn what it says on the tin, it stops you feeling Scratchy: named by my daughter when she was two. Best-selling, award-winning, skin-saving magic. Thousands of customers agree.
Organic Calendula Oil – made from the organic marigolds I grow in my garden. A really gentle oil that suits nearly all skin types. Can be used as a cleansing oil, or applied to sore spots of skin.
Very Sensitive Organic Face Moisturiser – great for the face, but can be used on other parts of the body.
Organic Scratchy Hand Lotion – really soothing lotion that sinks in, soothes, and calms sore, dry skin.
I hope there’s something useful here for you.
If you have any questions or would like me to add anything to this then please do not hesitate to contact me.
