Taking a shower at the end of a long day is one of the most relaxing things for your body. However, it can be really annoying when instead of feeling refreshed, your skin feels itchy after a shower. Usually, dry skin is the culprit behind the itch, so people of all ages can be affected. However, there may be other causes for it, most of which can be treated with simple home remedies.
Table of Contents
- Why Does My Skin Feel Itchy After Shower?
- Xerosis Cutis
- Soap Sensitivity
- Aquagenic Pruritus
- How Can I Stop My Skin from Itching After Showering?
- Change Your Soap / Body wash
- Avoid Hot Baths
- Don't Rub Your Skin With a Towel
- Apply Moisturizer When Your Skin Is Damp
- Use a Cooling Agent
- OTC Anti-Itch Creams
- Try Essential Oils
- Drink More Water
- Apply an Ice Pack
Why Does My Skin Feel Itchy After Shower?
There can be one or more reasons for that post-shower itchy skin. Let's take a look at what can cause itchy skin after a shower:
Xerosis Cutis
Xerosis cutis (skin xerosis) is defined as abnormally dry skin and it is a fairly common condition, particularly in elderly. It may worsen if you soak your skin in hot water for long periods of time, as the hot water strips away the natural oils produced by your skin, making it irritated and itchy.
Although it can happen anywhere on the body, xerosis typically appears on the arms and legs and it often presents as itching without a rash. Moreover, this condition is more common during the dry, cold winter months.
Soap Sensitivity
You may be using soap that’s harsh on your skin. Also, failure to wash off completely any soap residue from your body can cause itchy skin and discomfort.
Aquagenic Pruritus
Aquagenic pruritus is a condition in which your skin becomes itchy when in contact with water. This condition is relatively rare, and itchiness can appear even when you’re just washing your hands.
Other conditions, such as Polycythemia vera, Hodgkin's lymphoma, cholinergic urticaria, or aquagenic urticaria can also be responsible for causing skin to be itchy after shower.
How Can I Stop My Skin from Itching After Showering?
There are several things you can do at home to get rid of that discomfort and itchiness after a bath or shower:
Change Your Soap / Body wash
Your soap may be the main culprit; hence, the first thing you should do is to switch your soap and see if you get better results. Choose a mild, hypoallergenic soap instead or a gentle body wash. According to one study, washing the body twice daily with a moisturizing soap bar resulted in less skin flaking as opposed to using regular soap.
Avoid Hot Baths
You may like taking long, hot showers or baths, but they can seriously affect your skin. Try avoiding using hot water for extended periods and long showers. Switch your routine to shorter showers with lukewarm water to see if it makes a difference.
Don't Rub Your Skin With a Towel
When you rub your skin with a towel, it can strip away the natural moisture present in the skin and cause irritations. Instead, you should gently pat dry your skin.
Apply Moisturizer When Your Skin Is Damp
After you gently pat your skin with a towel, but while it is still damp, apply a generous amount of moisturizer with intense hydrating properties. It will lock in the moisture and prevent it from drying.
Although, you should also make sure to use a high-quality moisturizer, free of harsh chemicals that might cause more harm than good.
Use a Cooling Agent
After you take a shower or a bath, consider using cooling agents such as menthol or calamine lotion on the areas of the skin that are itching. This should help relieve irritation and deal with the reasons your skin itches after showering.
OTC Anti-Itch Creams
OTC anti-itch creams can relieve post shower itchiness by sealing moisture into the skin. These anti-itch creams usually contain ingredients such as lactic acid and pramoxine hydrochloride, and they do a good job at soothing the skin. According to studies, creams and lotions containing these ingredients can give some relief immediately after the first application.
Try Essential Oils
Many essential oils such as peppermint oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil, and chamomile oil have soothing and moisturizing properties. Dilute a few drops of essential oil properly with a carrier oil and massage it over your body after a shower, while your skin is still damp.
Drink More Water
Perhaps a no-brainer, but when your body is dehydrated, it will make your skin feel dry as well. So, make sure to drink the recommended amount of eight to ten glasses of water every day to get rid of dry skin and itching after shower.
Apply an Ice Pack
If there is a specific area of your body that itches persistently, you can apply an ice pack for ten to fifteen minutes to relieve itchy skin. It will help in reducing inflammation.
Now that we have covered the main reasons for that pesky, itchy skin, as well as the various home remedies you can try for soft, supple skin, I want to recommend to you two of my all-time favorite products for skin care during and after a shower or bath:
WOW Melon Cucumber & Aloe Foaming Body Wash
The fruity fragrance of this body wash will keep you smelling fresh after a shower and helps restore the skin’s natural suppleness. It contains shea butter, vitamin E, and natural oils like melon seed oil and argan oil, which will hydrate your skin, reduce dark spots, and give your skin a healthy glow.
WOW Shea & Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Lotion
This is an ideal body care product for deep hydration. It is a fast-absorbing lotion with intense nourishing and hydrating properties, suitable for all skin types. If you have dry and itchy skin, this product can do wonders for you. It is formulated with natural vitamins and nutrients and leaves your skin soft and supple. With regular use, your skin will be able to retain moisture better, it will help repair skin damage, boost collagen production, and soothe inflammation. To prevent itchy skin after a shower due to skin dryness, apply a generous amount of this lotion when your skin is still damp.
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