An itchy back - how to prevent it happening please.....

I only use Aveeno bath and shower oil or body wash these days. Seem to be allergic to everything else.Not sure that bristle brushes are very good on, shall we tactfully say, slightly older skin....

Older crimson! . Round here we call it "previously loved".

Isthisallthereis* to apply moisturiser to the most unreachable part of your own back apply said moisturiser to the back of your left hand and then go up from the bottom, rather as you would when doing that yoga exercise where the hands are clasped behind the back.

I found that not having a shower every day (just wash "hot spots" and face) stopped my back from itching. I think my skin is too dry to be able to cope with daily showers and the shampoo down the back that that entailed. Every third day now and no itching. I had already stopped using any shampoo or soap with perfume in it years ago, but I think any soap type stuff is more than my skin oils can cope with on a daily basis.

Bags I think you may well have something there.

Yes keeping soap and shampoo off you back might help. Very drying.
Other than that, maybe work on the shoulder flexibility so that you can reach?

Bags I've stopped showering every day too as the skin on my legs gets very dry.
An added bonus is that the gas bill is slightly lower!

I've been feeling rather guilty about not showering every day but as I get older my skin seems to be getting dryer so now it's every couple of days. Now I think I might copy Bags and make it every third day whilst washing appropriately.

I'm also trying to train myself out of washing my hair every other day. It is quite dry as well. Thing is, it hangs better when it has just been washed.

isthis Maybe even your light scrubbing is too much. Perhaps all your back needs is a small amount of soaping and a good rinse. You are daily removing a layer of cells.

I agree about laying off the soap but when the itch gets too much, a spaghetti fork makes a good back scratcher.

Whenever my back itches, I know the skin is getting dry and I shower with Aveeno, which crimson mentioned. It contains colloidal oatmeal and is very soothing. Stops itching quickly.

I don't think my back needs any scrubbing other than a rub with a towel. I don't think it needs any deliberate soaping either.

My hairbrush (Mason Pearson pure hog bristle) is a good back scratcher if I'm deperate!

I agree with you Bags - I was talking to a nurse recently who was wondering why so many patients wanted "someone to wash their backs". If you do a really messy job, like mining, it is a good idea. But do our backs actually get dirty? Can't see how.

I, too, only shower every third day. I have no skin problems and don't itch very often! I do wash my hair every day, but over the bath so there's no dripping down my neck or back.

And me!

I used to get mad itching on the backk of my neck after washing my hair in the shower - it turned out to be due to a nickel allergy from a necklace I frequently wore - the shampoo and hot water made it worse.

Maybe you are allergic to your bra fastening or back zip on clothes in the same way?

OH shower gel ha become iritating to him.Lynx/etc.so now use simple...also try using a shower brush/sponge on a stick..to rub a moisturising cream on your back (unless you have a willing person to do ti for you of course) [grin}

I also have had an itchy back for a while but then my doctor reduced my tablets and whether or not it is down to that, the itching has stopped.

I too have a really itchy back, and there's a particular patch on my right shoulder-blade where the skin is very dry. I do have psoriasis, though not the type where the skin is 'crusty' or weeps, just red patches. I moisturise these really dry areas with Epaderm and bathe in Oilatum (both on prescription). When I think of it, my skin does seem to be better when I haven't been in the bath for a couple of days (just washing 'important places')! Hair is washed over the bath every other day, or I do look even more bedraggled than ever!

I also have an itchy back and was told not to shower so frequently and not to have the water too hot. I use a moisturiser called Double Base which seems to help. Double Base do a shower cream which was also recommended by my Doctor who happens to be a specialst dermatologist. Advice generally seems to be pointing in the same direction-hope it helps.

I use Diprobase (prescribed) on my face, Hunt. I used to have the Doublebase, but although it was ok on my body, it was hopeless on my face as it found its way into my eyes. Diprobase is fine, though not rich enough for dry areas on my body.

All good advice. Thank you.

goldengirl what were the tablets that made things worse for you? In the past year I've been put on 5 separate new tablets. Three for high blood pressure and two for a painful knee (until I get the op I'm waiting for). I wonder if there might be any overlap with yours?

I had come to the conclusion it was a side effect of some medication or other, but we do have appalling water where I live. Vital washing known in the family as Pits & Parts! Dove do a lovely creamy body wash.
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It's probably just me, but if I rub or towel (whichever way you phrase it) after a shower or bath, I get incredibly itchy! (Almost as bad as when I had severe eczema about 25 years ago.)

I now keep a good quality towelling bathrobe on the heated towel rail and put that on after my ablutions. I then just mooch around until I'm dry. I might sort the laundry, put make up on, make a coffee, come onto Grandnet, anything really.

When I was working and needed to be at the office for 9am, I would factor in mooching time, as any attempt to hurry drying by any other means would always result in itching.