Ojugbele Modupeoluwa October 19, 2022 4 min read
Itching is also called Pruritus. Itching is an uncomfortable, irritating sensation that creates an urge to scratch, this act can involve any part of the body. For some individuals, pruritus which refers to itchy skin, could be a consistent fight. It can be disturbing to get precisely what causes the skin to itch. Itchy skin can be the result of a rash or another skin condition. It can moreover be a side effect of a more serious condition such as liver disease or kidney failure.
Hitting after a shower for a few individual brings with it an awkward side effect, persistent itching. Itching after you take a bath or shower isn’t unprecedented. It can be caused by dry skin or other skin conditions. To get relief, it is important to identify the issue and treat the fundamental cause.
What Causes my body to itch after shower or bath?
It’s quite a little concern for us that experience itchy after a shower or bath, but we most times forget that several culprits could be the cause of your post-shower itchy skin.
Xerosis cutis
Xerosis cutis” means your skin is too dry. Taking a shower or bath with excessively hot water, Over-cleansing or scrubbing the skin, and swimming in chlorinated water can strip your skin of its common oils, irritating skin that already lacks moisture. Sometimes those results in itching after a shower or bath. The itching may most occur on your feet or legs since those parts of your body have so much contact with the water.
Soap sensitivities
The soap you’re using may be drying out your skin as it cleans. A harsh soap may not always leave a rash that you just can see, but it can leave a lasting itch after your shower is over. Failing to wash all the soap residue off your skin properly after a shower can also be a source of itching and discomfort.
Aquagenic pruritus
Aquagenic pruritus is intense skin itching that occurs when water touches your skin. With this condition, your nervous system can be activated by water on your skin. As a result, you get itchy after a shower or bath. This condition is rare, and if you’ve got it, you probably now know. Aquagenic pruritis causes immense itching after any contact with water, including washing your hands and going into the pool.
Reaction to laundry products
Scented clothing items may lead to post-shower itching, particularly if a person uses scented products on their towels. Toweling off after bathing could transfer a few of the scents from clothing cleanser or fabric softener to the skin. This may lead to itching and irritation if an individual has an allergy or sensitivity to them.
Treatment and Home Remedies
Trying out some treatments or home remedies could be a big relief for itching skin after a shower or bath.
- Keep showers as short and as cool as possible: Avoid very hot water and very long showers. Use cooler water for shorter periods to avoid stripping the skin of its natural protective oils.
- Avoid showering more than once per day: More showers mean more chances to strip the skin’s natural oils. If possible, limit showering to once every day.
- Avoid long, hot showers: For the same reason as avoiding long, hot showers, avoid taking long hot showers too. When taking a bath, consider including colloidal cereal or shower oils to assist moisturize the skin.
- Do not scratch the skin: Avoid scratching the skin, it can irritate and injure it, and it can make the itching worse.
- Avoid using washcloths, scrubs, or harsh sponges: These may irritate the skin in the same way as scratching.
- Gently pat the skin dry: Do not rub the skin with towels, as this can also cause irritation and remove the skin’s natural oils.
- Apply a heavy, fragrance-free moisturizer or treatment: Be sure to do this promptly after patting the skin dry.
- Do not apply huge amounts of soaps or cleansers for foam: The lathering agents can make dry skin worse and are not necessary for cleaning the skin effectively.
- Use a humidifier: This will be particularly supportive in dry climates or all through the winter months. Low humidity can worsen dry skin.
- Avoid scents in clothing detergent and fabric softener: These fixings may get on towels and clothing and cause itching after a shower.
- Avoid utilizing items that contain retinoids: Retinoids regulate epithelial cell development, but they can aggravate and worsens dry skin. Retinoids include retinol, adapalene, and tretinoin. Unless a doctor has prescribed them, individuals ought to maintain a strategic distance from using retinoids.
- Avoid or limit items that contain alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA): AHA is a component that will cause burning or itching on dry or delicate skin.
After trying these treatments and home remedies, and if there seems to be no sign of relief from itching after a shower or bath, It is advised to see a healthcare provider.