To avoid continuous itching, Palm says it’s important to occupy your hands, so you’re not unconsciously scratching. Apply a cold packĪdditionally, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says applying a cold cloth or ice pack to the itchy area for 10 minutes or taking an oatmeal bath can help calm itchy skin. You can also use Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton, but proceed with caution. Over-the-counter (OTC) oral antihistamines include nondrowsy products like Allegra and Claritin. Use an antihistamineĪntihistamines are another popular option to relieve itching related to allergies and other skin conditions, such as hives. To help soothe skin, look for anti-itch creams that contain:Īnd if skin is inflamed, Palm says a topical corticosteroid or calcineurin inhibitor may be in order. If skin is dry, Palm says restoring the skin barrier with therapeutic moisturizers is extremely important and can provide fairly quick relief. “As hard as that sounds, it can often amplify the intensity of the itch, and that’s why it’s important to identify the underlying cause of the itch so that it can be treated,” she explains. The best way to eliminate scratching, says Palm, is not to start. However, there are some general guidelines to follow when experiencing an itch. That’s because there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to stopping an itch or preventing scratching. If you know the source of the itch, choosing the right remedy can help speed up the healing process.īut if you’re not sure what’s causing it, a trip to your doctor or dermatologist is in order. How to stop scratching and prevent itching “All of these are possible causes of an itch and should be systematically eliminated to identify the root cause of itch,” Palm adds. Palm says this includes information about any: If you’re not getting relief, or your itching is getting worse, it might be time to see your doctor.ĭuring your appointment, it’s important to provide your doctor with a detailed history so they can get to the root cause of the itch. “All of these conditions can cause skin irritation and swelling, and local release of irritating chemicals from cells, such as eosinophils and basophils, that irritate skin nerves and create an itching sensation,” Palm says. Hives, irritants, or contact exposures on the skin can lead to a somewhat similar phenomenon as dry skin. “This causes tissue redness, swelling, and nerve irritation that are then interpreted by our body as itch,” she explains. When this happens, local inflammation from cell signaling occurs, and chemicals like histamine and kinins are released. “One of the most common causes of itch on the skin is dry skin, which causes microfractures within the skin barrier,” Palm says. “Chemicals released in the skin send a message to the spine through nerves in the skin, then the spine communicates with the brain, and we become itchy,” he adds. Various cell types, proteins, and inflammatory mediators are involved. “Itching is caused by a complex interaction between cells of the skin and our nervous system,” Mudgil says. To stop the constant need to scratch your scalp, back, or any other area of your body, you need to know why you get itchy in the first place.
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