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"If clearing up dry skin doesn't reduce the need to scratch in a few days, hydrocortisone is a good choice," says Ethan Lerner, MD, PhD, and associate professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, whose lab at Massachusetts General Hospital studies skin itching. Hydrocortisone: The 1 percent strength of this steroid cream, which eases itch by reducing inflammation, is in a slew of OTC itch products, such as Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Ointment, and generics.
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Here, the active ingredients you're likely to see on labels and how to choose wisely. "If gentle skin care and plenty of moisturizer are not helping your itch, it may be time to try an OTC anti-itch product," Krant says. Both can dry your skin, leading to itching, Krant says. Moisturize afterward, while skin is still slightly damp. Skip long, hot showers and large amounts of soap. Because soap and water can wash away protective skin-surface oils, keep baths and showers short, and use tepid water.
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If it's simple dryness causing your itch, use soaps and body washes that are mild, unscented, and free of alcohol. "Sometimes ice water compresses can help soothe itchy skin, and sometimes cold plain yogurt or cold cow's milk compresses can relieve mild itch without needing any over-the-counter or prescription medications," Krant says.Īnd no matter what's behind the itch, using a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer (look for lanolin, or glycerin, petrolatum, or a combination of these on the label) two to three times a day could help. Turn on a fan or air conditioning in hot weather or sleep with your itchy body part outside the covers at night, for instance.
For other problems, keeping itchy skin cool could ease the urge to scratch a little, Yosipovitch says. It's fine to try an OTC itch reliever right away for bug bites and rashes. "A careful history and physical exam by the dermatologist can go a long way in identifying the true cause and fixing it as fast as possible."
"Itching is one of the most common complaints in visits to a dermatologist, but itching is caused by so many different things it's hard to have one set protocol or method for addressing it," Krant says. If you're unsure why you're itching or you're extremely uncomfortable-unable to sleep through the night because of the need to scratch, for instance-check in with your doctor. And though dry skin is a far more frequent problem in the winter months, it can crop up now as well. Fungal infections and contact allergies (the usually short-lived rashy reactions some people have from substances such as cosmetics or certain fabrics or metals) are common in warmer weather. With these, it's easy to pinpoint the problem.īut other causes of itching may not be so obvious. "Summer brings out poison ivy and other itch-inducing plants, lots of bugs, and, of course, sunburn," says Jessica Krant, MD, MPH, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York City and a dermatologist in private practice in Manhattan.
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