Home Remedies for that Itchy Skin Feeling after Shower

Many of us experience itchy skin after taking a shower or a bath, making a pleasant experience annoying. Itchy skin or pruritus can occur all over the body or just in certain areas, can be intense or mild and can be accompanied by a rash.

There are a few home remedies that can offer relief and treat the cause of the itchy skin. But first, let’s see which are the main causes and what you can do to avoid them.

Causes of Itchy Skin

• Long Hot Showers

As pleasant as they might be, long hot showers can make your skin feel tight, dry and itchy. The skin protects and moisturizes itself producing natural oils which you strip away when you take long hot showers, causing the dry skin.

• Bathing in Hard Water

Hard water is highly alkaline, and it contains high levels of calcium ions. It reduces the effectiveness of your cleanser and soap by reducing their foaming action. The soap residue that remains on your skin will make it itchy, flaky and dry.

• Allergy or Sensitivity to Skincare Products

Many skin care products contain harsh chemicals which can irritate the sensitive skin causing the itchy sensation which can last up to several hours. The products that contain alcohol, fragrances or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) dry out the skin. If you are also allergic to one of the ingredients, you might experience itchy red bumps on the skin and hives.

• Existing Skin Conditions

The itchy skin after a shower might also be the result of an existing skin condition. Eczema is one of the common skin conditions that aggravate in hot water or when you apply scented body products or soaps.

Natural Remedies for Itchy Skin after Showering

First of all, you should try and reduce the shower or bath time to 10 minutes and use warm water so that your skin can still keep its natural oils. Limit the number of baths or showers and avoid vigorous scrubbing which irritates the skin.

Use a moisturizer before and after the shower. This will help the skin retain moisture and form a protective layer reducing the risk of itchiness. After the shower, apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp in order to trap moisture into the skin and to keep it supple and soft. Use gentle cleansers for sensitive or dry skin and avoid products with fragrances.

• Eczema / Psoriasis Treatment

Take an oatmeal bath by adding 1-2 cups of oatmeal in a pantyhose or sock and secure it under the tap. Relax in the bath for 20 minutes. Oatmeal soothes the skin and prevents itching after the bath.

• Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is a natural moisturizer which soothes dry skin, treats atopic dermatitis (eczema) and wards off infections thanks to its antibacterial properties.

• Glycerin

Glycerin or glycerol is a naturally-occurring moisturizer which prevents itchy skin and improves its appearance.

If these remedies are not helping to relieve the itchy skin, you should consult a dermatologist. They will be able to find the cause of the problem and treat it to prevent complications.