How to Help With Itching

According to MedicineNet.com, an itch is an irritation in the skin that causes an urge to scratch. Itchy skin can become so bothersome that it keeps you up at night. If itching is severe, you may not be able to stop scratching, which ends up irritating your skin further. If you or someone you know is experiencing itchy skin, there are home remedies and over-the-counter treatments you can use to relieve the itch.

Instructions

• 1

  Apply moisture to the itchy area. Sometimes dry skin can make itching worse, notes WebMD. Use an over-the-counter moisturizer. You can even try applying petroleum jelly over certain areas, like dry hands.

• 2

  Try cooling the area. MedicineNet.com indicates the cold can deaden the itchy sensation. Take an icepack and place over the area for a couple of minutes. Take a cool shower if you can handle the cold.

• 3

  Coat the itchy area with calamine lotion, using a cotton pad. Calamine lotion relieves pain, itching, and discomfort from minor irritations like poison ivy or poison oak.

• 4

  Coat the affected area with hydrocortisone cream, which you can buy it at the drugstore. MedicineNet.com states this usually only works for itches from rashes caused by eczema and seborrhea (dandruff).

• 5

  Treat the itch with a non-prescription product that contains diphenhydramine, menthol or phenol. These ingredients help numb the nerve endings and can be applied as often as necessary, says MedicineNet.com.