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Last Updated: Nov 26, 2020
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Tips To Combat Skin Itching!

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Dr. Sarita TippannawarDermatologist • 30 Years Exp.MBBS, Diploma in Dermatology
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Skin irritants are everywhere. Even in your house, there is practically no place where there are no skin irritants. Laundry detergents, air fresheners and floor polishes are just a few factors that cause skin itching. The reason why this happens is that products like air fresheners and floor polishes take away essential oils and water from the skin which leads to dryness and irritation. This type of dry, itchy skin can also progress to skin conditions like eczema. Here are some ways you can stop your skin from becoming dry and itchy:

  1. Moisturize - To make up for the lack of moisture in the air, religiously apply moisturiser over your skin after having a shower. This helps hydrate the skin and keeps the moisture in your skin from escaping.

  2. Right Moisturiser - In most cases, creams work better than lotions when dealing with dry skin. Creams that contain natural oils such as olive oil or jojoba oil work well to deep moisturise dry skin. Other ingredients your skin cream should contain are lactic acid, urealanolin, petrolatum, hyaluronic acid, etc.

  3. Shower Wisely - Limit your showers to a maximum of 10 minutes and try to use warm water instead of hot water. Though standing under a hot shower may feel good at the moment, it rids the skin of its natural oils and hence dries the skin. 

  4. Use Gentle Soaps - A cream-based soap that is fragrance-free is great for dry skin. This soothes the skin and moisturises as it cleanses.

  5. Protect Your Skin - Limit your skin’s exposure to natural elements in the winter. If you must step out, cover yourself well and be sure to put on a pair of gloves and socks. Limit tasks that need you to wet your hands.

  6. Shave Smartly - Shaving not only removes unwanted hair but can also irritate the skin. The ideal time to shave is after a shower as this is when your hair is most flexible. Also, always use a sharp, clean blade and shaving cream or gel to protect your skin.

  7. Get a Humidifier - A humidifier can help regulate humidity levels within your house. However, excessive humidity is not good either as it can also adversely affect your skin.

  8. Apply Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids that make up for the loss of moisture in the skin. The ideal time to apply coconut oil on the dry skin is before going to bed or after having a bath.

  9. Be careful about laundry detergents - The soap being used to wash your clothes may not always be completely washed off. This can irritate sensitive skin and cause itchiness and flaking. When choosing laundry detergents pick one that is hypoallergenic.

  10. Wear fabrics that love your skin - Avoid synthetic fabrics that stick to the skin instead, pick gentle fabrics like cotton or silk that allow the skin to breathe.

In case you have a concern or query regarding skincare consult doctor online, you can always consult the best dermatologist online & get the answers to your questions.

 

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