1. Treat the Cause
Itching can stem from a number of different sources, including allergies, hives, sunburn, eczema, insect bites and even stress or anxiety. The best treatment usually depends on the cause. If your itching is caused by allergies, you can take antihistamines or diphenhydramine, which are both available over the counter. Sunburn can be treated with soothing lotions such as Noxema or aloe vera. You can deal with insect bites first by getting out of the area with the bugs and then by applying soothing medicines to the bites themselves. Focus on the root of the problem before deciding what cure to use.
2. Avoid Rough Fabrics
Itchy clothing like wool and polyester can be very rough on sensitive skin. Don't wear clothes made of those materials while you are itching. Instead, look for natural fabrics that allow the skin to breathe, such as cotton and silk, and don't wear multiple layers unless the weather is extremely cold.
3. Keep Your Cool
Hot skin makes itching worse by drying the skin out and raising its temperature. Cold, on the other hand, is detected by the same nerve endings as the itch. Since the nerve endings are "too busy" with the cold, cooler skin doesn't tend to itch as much. Stay away from hot baths, and don't go out into the sun on a hot day. Instead, take a cool shower or soak in a cool bath.
For more limited itchy patches, make a cold compress by soaking a washcloth in very cold water or wrapping ice cubes in it. Then hold it against the itchy area for 10 to 15 minutes until the ice melts or the cloth warms up to the temperature of the skin. Repeat the process as often as necessary to stop the itch.
4. Use Aloe Vera Gel or Menthol Lotion
Aloe vera gel helps to retain moisture, while lotions that contain menthol cool the skin. Both of these functions cut down on itching. Apply it topically and let the skin breathe after you put it on. It should relieve the worst of the itch.
5. Don't Scratch
Scratching provides short-term relief, but it rarely does anything to treat the overall problem. Instead, it further irritates the skin. It can also spread the cause of the itch further and keep it from subsiding on its own. Regardless of how tempting it may be, avoid scratching a persistent itch.
