Do you feel frequent urge to scratch your skin? If yes, then you might be pondering over what is causing your itchy skin. Well, there could be many reasons that are contributing to your itchy skin. Insect bites, allergic reactions, skin infections, frequent use of chemical soaps and moisturizers, dry weather, healing from cuts or bruises, certain medications and several medical conditions such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis or eczema all of these can lead to an itchy skin. It is therefore necessary to visit a doctor to figure out the actual cause behind a prolonged itchy skin. If there is no serious cause of itching, having itchy skin is quite normal and it affects millions globally.
Depending on its severity, itching can range from being mildly discomforting to severely frustrating. Mild itching is common but severe itching can cause mild to moderate disability to perform day-to-day tasks and even disrupt your sleep.
Scratching might be your easiest resort to relive itchy skin, but it might lead to infections and bruises. There are plethora of anti-itch ointments, creams and gels that are commercially available to relieve itching. However, they might cause certain side effects and might provide only short-term relief. Nevertheless, there are certain common kitchen ingredients that can put an end to your itching skin woes and discomfort. These might also prevent complications due to aggressive and frequent scratching.
Here are some easy-to-do home remedies to relieve itchy skin:
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is very effective in relieving skin rashes and itchy skin. It acts as a natural acid neutralizer that provides a soothing effect on itchy skin. Baking soda also has certain anti-inflammatory effects. Be careful to not use baking soda while having cuts or bruises over the skin, it might aggravate skin irritation.
Ingredients:
- One cup baking soda
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Add one cup of baking soda in a bathtub.
- Soak yourself in this water for about half an hour.
- Pat dry yourself with a soft towel.
- Repeat this process once daily.
Method-2:
- If you experience localized itching at several parts of the body, mix two tablespoons of baking soda into a tablespoon of water.
- Apply this paste over the itchy areas.
- Leave it there for around 10 minutes.
- Repeat the process once daily.
2. Cold Water Application
The sensation of itching and cold, both travel the same nerve fibers in the body. Therefore, applying cold water over the affected areas can provide you relief. You can run tap water over the affected area, take a cold shower, rub an ice cube wrapped in a cloth over the itchy skin or can apply a wet cloth with cold water over the affected areas to get instant relief.
3. Oatmeal
Ground oatmeal helps in providing comfort and soothing effect on an itchy skin. It has several soothing, anti-inflammatory and anti-irritating properties that provide quick relief from itching.
Ingredients:
- One cup of finely ground oatmeal
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Add one cup of ground oatmeal in a bathtub having cold water.
- Stay in this water for around half an hour.
- Pat dry your skin with a soft towel.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times a day.
Method-2:
- Add half a cup of water into one cup of ground oatmeal.
- Let it become a thick paste.
- Apply the mixture over the affected areas.
- Let it stay for about half an hour.
- Wash the mixture off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process once a day.
4. Lemon
Lemon is commonly used as an effective home remedy to relieve itchy skin. It contains both acetic and citric acids. Lemons also have several anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-irritating properties.
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
How to use it:
- Dab a cotton ball into freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Apply this juice over affected areas.
- Let it stay for around half an hour.
- Wash the juice off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process twice daily for instant relief in itching.
5. Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seeds have been used topically for several of their skin and hair benefits. They can be used to naturally treat boils, burns and even eczema. Fenugreek seeds eliminate toxins from the affected areas owing to their excellent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Ingredients:
- One teaspoon powdered fenugreek seeds
- One teaspoon gram flour
- One teaspoon fresh yogurt
- One tablespoon coconut oil
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Mix one teaspoon each of powdered fenugreek seeds, fresh yogurt and gram flour to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste over affected areas.
- Let it stay for around 30 minutes.
- Wash the paste off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process once or twice daily.
Method-2:
- Mix one teaspoon of powdered fenugreek seeds into a tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Apply the mixture over itchy areas.
- Let it stay for half an hour.
- Wash off the mixture with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this remedy once or twice a day.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV has several anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic and anti-itching properties. Hence, it can be used to get instant relief from itching.
Ingredients:
- Three cups of raw and unfiltered ACV
- Little amount of moisturizer
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Add three cups of raw and unfiltered ACV in a bathtub filled with cold water.
- Soak into water for around 20 minutes.
- Pat dry and apply a little moisturizer over your skin.
- Repeat this process once daily.
Method-2:
- Dab cotton into ACV.
- Apply this over the affected areas.
- Let it stay for over half an hour.
- Wash it off with cold water.
- Repeat the process to relieve itching instantly.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has excellent anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. It provides a soothing effect on itchy skin and naturally moisturizes the skin. Aloe vera also provides the adequate amount of vitamin E to the skin.
Ingredients:
- One aloe vera leaf
- Two tablespoons green clay
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Extract aloe vera gel from one aloe vera leaf.
- Apply this gel over the affected areas.
- Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Wash the gel off with cold water.
- Repeat this process twice a day for instant relief.
Method-2
- Extract aloe vera gel from one aloe vera leaf.
- Mix two tablespoons green clay in the aloe vera gel to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste over the affected areas.
- Let it dry naturally.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process once daily.
8. Holy Basil
Holy Basil is yet another effective home remedy to relive itchy skin. It contains eugenol, which is a topical anesthetic and a potent essential oil. Moreover, it contains thymol and camphor that tremendously help in relieving itching.
Ingredients:
- Eight to ten fresh basil leaves
- Eight to ten dried basil leaves
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Grind eight to ten fresh basil leaves to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste over the affected areas.
- Let it dry naturally.
- Wash the paste off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process as and when required.
Method-2:
- Add eight to ten dried basil leaves in a glass of boiling water.
- Let it steep for around 10 minutes.
- Dab a cotton ball into the water and apply over the affected areas.
- Let it stay for around an hour.
- Wash the mixture off with cold water.
- Repeat the process whenever itching initiates.
9. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and calming properties that helps in relieving itching due to stress or dermatitis. Together with a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil, it helps in getting instant relief from itching.
Ingredients:
- Three to four drops of peppermint essential oil
- A little moisturizer
- One tablespoon of olive oil
How to use it:
Method-1:
- Add three to four drops of peppermint essential oil in a bathtub filled with lukewarm water.
- Soak in this water for around half an hour.
- Pat dry your skin with a soft towel.
- Apply a little moisturizer over your skin.
- Repeat this process once in a day.
Method-2:
- Mix three to four drops of peppermint essential oil in one tablespoon of olive oil.
- Apply the above mixture on the affected areas by gently massaging.
- Let it stay for around half an hour.
- Repeat this process twice daily for getting long-term relief in itching.
10. Thyme
Thyme has several anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties. It contains Thymol, which can reduce inflammation. It also numb the nerve fibers which carry the itch signal to the brain. Hence, this is an effective home remedy to treat itchy skin naturally.
Ingredients:
- One tablespoon dried thyme leaves
How to use it:
- Add one tablespoon of dried thyme leaves in a glass of boiling water.
- Let it steep for 10 minutes.
- Allow it to cool.
- Dab a cotton ball in the mixture and apply this to the affected areas.
- Repeat this process as and when required.
