Various Ways to Overcome Itchy Skin

Itching can occur in one area of ​​the skin or even the whole body. This condition can be caused by dry skin, allergies, infections, insect bites, scabies or scabies, psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.

In addition, itchy skin can also be caused by more serious conditions, such as anemia, kidney disease, diabetes, or liver disease.

Itchy skin can go away on its own or be relieved with home remedies. However, itching that interferes with daily activities requires treatment from a doctor.

How to Overcome Itchy Skin at Home

Generally, itching on the skin will improve within 2-6 weeks. However, this complaint should still be addressed, especially if it has been going on for a long time and interferes with daily activities.

The following are ways to treat itchy skin that you can do at home:

1. Cold compress

You can put a cold compress on the itchy area for about 10 minutes or until the itching goes away. Cold temperatures can irritate and distract your nerves from itching.

2. Soak with oatmeal

Oatmeal is able to form a skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and maintain skin moisture. Therefore, soaking in oatmeal can be one way to deal with itching on the skin.

The type of oatmeal used to relieve itching is colloidal oatmeal, not the oatmeal you normally eat. You can buy or make your own colloidal oatmeal.

Here's how to treat itchy skin using oatmeal:

• Grind the oatmeal until it becomes a fine powder
• Prepare warm water in the bath
• Sprinkle 1 cup of powdered oatmeal into the bath
• Soak for 10-15 minutes
• Dry the body and immediately apply a fragrance-free moisturizer to the skin

3. Take a bath with room temperature water

Bathing using room temperature water can also be a way to deal with itching on the skin. By taking a bath using room temperature water, skin moisture can be maintained.

4. Use a moisturizer

Itching can also be treated by applying moisturizer to the skin immediately after you shower. This product can trap water on the skin so that itching complaints do not get worse. Choose a moisturizer with a formula that is gentle on the skin and without added fragrance ingredients.

How to Overcome Itchy Skin with Medical Drugs

If the itching does not improve within 2 weeks after applying the home remedies for itching, you are advised to go to a dermatologist.

The doctor will perform a series of examinations to determine the cause of the itching and provide appropriate treatment. Here are some ways to deal with itching on the skin that are recommended by doctors:

Oral drug administration

Several types of oral medications that are commonly used to treat various causes of itching on the skin are antihistamines, antifungals, antibiotics, antidepressants, and antiparasitics.

Topical drug administration

In addition to oral medications, doctors can also prescribe topical medications. These topical medications can include antifungal creams, antidepressant creams (doxepine), permethrin cream, zinc oxide cream, and anesthetic cream.

In addition to how to deal with itching on the skin above, there are also various ways to prevent itching on the skin that you can do, namely:

• Avoid bathing using hot water too often
• Using skin care products that do not contain fragrances
• Wear clothes made of soft materials
• Manage stress well

If the above method of dealing with itching on the skin cannot handle the itching complaints you are experiencing, immediately go to the doctor to get the right treatment. Similarly, if the itching becomes more severe, occurs throughout the body, and is accompanied by drastic weight loss or night sweats.