How to relieve itchy skin (2024)

FAQs

Why is my whole body so itchy? ›

Itching on the whole body might be a symptom of an underlying illness, such as liver disease, kidney disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid problems and certain cancers. Nerve disorders.

Benadryl is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine that's used to help relieve symptoms of hay fever, other allergies, and the common cold, as well as itchy skin caused by insect bites, hives, and other causes.

What stops itching immediately? Applying essential oils such as peppermint oils, wet wraps, colloidal oatmeal, and moisturizer may help soothe itching immediately.

Best Overall

The Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-itch Cream earned the top spot on our list because it's a steroid cream that includes hydrating ingredients that help soothe dry skin. As the name suggests, this product 1% hydrocortisone—an ingredient studies have found is effective in treating itchy skin.

Itch has been classified into four different clinical categories. These include neurogenic, psychogenic, neuropathic, and pruritoceptive (2) (Table 1). These categories were developed based on anatomical, pathophysiological, and psychological factors. A given patient can have one or more types of itch.

Apple cider vinegar may help reduce itching by lowering inflammation and increasing moisture in the skin, but scientists have not yet confirmed that this is the case. Vinegar can also irritate the skin and it may burn. Speak with a doctor before using it, dilute the vinegar, and do a patch test first.

It's also 100% pure making it ideal for dry skin. Gently rub Vaseline® Jelly onto dry, itchy skin to deeply moisturize and help alleviate itchiness. Your skin will look smoother and feel healthier.

Drugs commonly used for allergy symptoms, such as Benadryl, may reduce itching and help a person sleep at night if hell's itch is keeping them awake. Use cool compresses. A cool, wet towel or washcloth can provide relief from the burn and may help ease the itchy feeling. Take a lukewarm bath with colloidal oatmeal.

Yes, it really does make itching worse

Turns out your mom was right: Scratching an itch only makes it worse. New research indicates that scratching causes the brain to release serotonin, which intensifies the itch sensation.

When a nerve isn't working properly, it can cause itchy skin. If there's damage along a nerve due to disease or injury, you can also develop itchy skin. This itch tends to occur in one place on your body and you don't see a rash.

What is better than Benadryl for itching? ›

While Benadryl and Claritin are similarly effective for treating allergy symptoms, Claritin has less sedating side effects. Claritin is often preferred over Benadryl for this reason.

These same channels found on nerve cells are crucial for sensing temperature. Overwhelming those nerve cells with heat can interfere with their ability to transmit itch for quite some time. You do need to be careful not to use water so hot it will harm your skin.

Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream are OTC options for treating itchy skin. But they work in different ways. There appears to be more research supporting hydrocortisone's effectiveness overall. This is because it targets itching in several ways.

Rubbing Alcohol, Calamine Lotion, and Other OTC Creams Can Help Relieve the Itch. First of all, try your best not to scratch your itchy bug bite. That will only further inflame the lesion, and make the itching, swelling, and irritation worse, Day says. Instead, he recommends dabbing the bite with rubbing alcohol.