Does your skin sometimes become so unbearably itchy that you have no other choice but to scratch it until those red, oozing bumps appear? You might think that your misery ends there but then again, the bumps itch like hell as soon as they crust over and the helpless scratching begins again. Oh, it can be an irritating cycle, and an ugly one at that, too!
What’s worse is that most of the time, you don’t even know what may be causing all that trouble. It can be an allergic reaction to something you’ve used on your body (your soap or your lotion, perhaps) or some chemicals present in your workplace. Or, heaven forbids, it can be dermatitis!
Dermatitis can be one of the worst enemies of healthy, young-looking skin. But don’t despair, there are ways to stop the itch and save your skin in the process.
Here are some fast-acting skin care tips that you may find useful in treating dermatitis.
Use a compress
It has been medically proven that a cold or wet compress stops the itch and helps in drying up the rash, especially when there are oozing blisters present. A clean handkerchief or a piece of bed linen folded eight layers thick and dipped in cool water or Burrow’s solution can very well do the trick. For best results, apply the compress on affected areas for 10 to 15 minutes every hour.
If you want, you can also try a whole-milk compress. The protein in milk is simply a great itch-reliever!
Try calamine lotion
Evidently, using this old standby relief has its own disadvantages but it does its part in relieving the itch quite effectively. For best results, apply a thin layer of the lotion on affected areas 2 to 3 times a day.
Give hydrocortisone cream a try
If you have allergic dermatitis, using the 1% hydrocortisone cream formulation can be of great help. However, this medication may not work quite well with irritant dermatitis.
Pop in an oral antihistamine
These medications may cause some drowsiness but they can definitely take care of the itch! Oral antihistamines are best taken during the night when the itching is definitely at its worst, and when drowsiness is of little concern. However, if you really need to take it during the day, please take the necessary precautions, especially if you are driving or operating heavy machineries.
Please be advised that antihistamines are best taken internally. Avoid using topical antihistamines since they can cause allergic reactions.
Get some alternative treatments going
Try adding a little colloidal oatmeal bath treatment or a cup of baking soda to warm bath water and see how soothing it can be! Well, it can’t cure the rash but it can definitely take some of the itchiness away.
And finally, don’t scratch! You may still think that it’s the best option to take care of the itch but it will only worsen your problems. Scratching may eventually break the skin and let an infection set in.
There you have it – the six simple skin-care tips to take care of your dermatitis. Just follow these suggestions and you can be sure that you won’t have any more itchy troubles along the way!
