Itchy skin...And How to relieve It?

Oh good I'm glad it's not just me scratching madly. I've resigned myself to no skirts or dresses this year due to hideous scratching scars. It's really embarrassing as I'm in the skincare business.

The things I find help (besides the products sold by a pharmacist or on prescription)

Lavender - either essential oil added to any oil, gel or lotion, or a posh lavender lotion massaged in generously. (Insects hate lavender so it doubles as a mild insect repellent)

Glycerine added in to any gel, oil or lotion. It's amazingly softening. Just add a drizzle into a small quantity of lotion a bit like adding balsamic vinegar to salad dressing.

Sudocrem rubbed in generously - the zinc aids skin healing.

A good oil quality food supplement - bought by the bottle rather than a jar of capsules and ideally containing Norwegian fish oil.

Drinking more filtered tap water - I've no idea why extra water hydrates the skin more than other drinks but it does (improves the saggy skin on the backs of hands as well!)

Avoid biological washing powders and I find Cetreben emollient cream the best. It is available without prescription in pharmacies.

Ants don't just bite- it's more like an injection of formic acid. So far, they haven't got me this summer, but I've seen them around!

I use Aveeno body lotion on arms and legs and it really works, has no perfume to irritate.

I never have a bath, phoenix and anyway, I don't need to do the oats thing because I've solved the problem by avoiding perfumes.

I did have some horrendously itchy ant bites last week and that was even with taking antihistamine tablets and rubbing on antihistamine cream for about five or six days! vicious Scottish ants!

Keeping your skin hydrated is important I have a type of age related ecxema which affects people in their 60's and 70's. I have hydromol ointment which helps, but Avon's royal jelly hand cream is marvellous, takes the itch away quickly.

Trevor Take the Loratadine. It won't make you drowsy. It will probably help, but it can't if you don't take it.

Swallow the flippin' pill. Now!

When dealing with eczema it is also important to keep your skin moisturised as the drier your skin is, the itchier it will be. A good way to do this is by putting a small amount of olive oil into the bathwater.

Bugger, 9 when I meant (

bags have you also tried the oats in a bag in the bath thing? 9Do let me know if I'm getting too technical !

I solved my itchy skin problem by avoiding all products (soap, shampoo, washing powder, etc) containing perfume. You can get them all fragrance free. Worth a try perhaps, Trev?

I too have itchy skin Trevor and I tried some cream my grandson has been prescribed for his eczema.

It is called Dermol 500 Lotion and can be bought off prescription at Lloyds Pharmacy. You just have to speak to the Pharmacist and explain the problem. A big bottle of it cost me about £9.00 (can't remember exactly) but it will last ages and takes the itching away very quickly.

I would suggest you put it at the side of the bed and when you have a bad itchy moment just slather it on.

Hope it helps you like it helped me.

phonenix,
Thank you.
I think you may be right about my itchy skin being stress related?
I have had since I was a little boy
and it has caused me no end of torment and discomfort and frustration.
Last Night was particularly tormenting for me.

From what you have said on another thread re anxiety etc, there's a strong chance the two could be related. Stress related eczema is a recognised condition.

It would seem likely that your GP has given you some sort of anti histamine, you might be better off with something used topically.