Itching and redness is a sign that your skin is irritated. When you keep scratching, however, your skin becomes severely red and itchy. There are numerous reasons why itching appears in the first place, the most common being cosmetics, soaps, clothing, hairstyling products and an allergic reaction to a substance. Left untreated, skin irritations may lead to the development of pimples and bumps. Fortunately, there are ways to treat red and irritated skin.
Step 1
Apply over-the-counter calamine lotion to the affected skin areas twice daily or when needed. Calamine can lessen the itchiness, irritation and redness caused by rashes.
Step 2
Apply a cold compress to the affected areas to suppress the swelling and itching. Put 1 cup of ice cubes in a dry towel, and place on the irritated skin areas for 20 minutes three times a day and whenever needed. Applying a cold compress will stop the itching and redness by cooling your skin.
Step 3
Apply hydrocortisone cream. Hydrocortisone is an over-the-counter steroid cream that repairs damaged capillaries (small blood vessels) under the reddened skin areas. Make sure to follow the instructions that accompany the cream before applying it to your skin.
Step 4
Take one Benadryl capsule twice daily or as directed until the skin redness and itchiness has disappeared. Benadryl blocks the effects of a naturally occurring chemical in your body called histamine, a substance which causes skin itchiness and redness. Taking Benadryl will make you sleepy, so avoid taking it before or during driving.
Things You'll Need
- Calamine lotion
- Ice
- Towel
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Benadryl capsules
References
- "Topical Absorption of Dermatological Products"; Robert L. Bronaugh and Howard I. Maibach; 2002
- "Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy"; Thomas P. Habif, M.D.; 2009
