Persistent itch: Those are two scary words. Nothing can try a person's patience more than an intractable need to scratch. While the condition can be caused by a smorgasbord of ills, from allergic reaction to dermatitis to dry skin and plenty of others, an anti-itch lotion is a great first line of defense to have around. Packing more staying power than a powder without the greasiness of an ointment, a lotion can be reapplied as needed--even while you're in public--and carried around in a bag or purse.
What to Look for
Causes of itching range from simple, temporary conditions to more complicated diseases that should be examined by a dermatologist. The simplest to treat is dry skin, which will respond to mild moisturizing lotions. But you may need a stronger ingredient if the problem is an allergy, bite or illness. Caregivers of children with chicken pox have traditionally relied on Aveeno oatmeal lotion at the first sign of serious itching. It also works to ease the pain of other skin irritations, from poison ivy and its weedy cousins, oak and sumac, to bug bites and simple dry skin. Its calamine dries up wet rashes but the creamy consistency goes on easily and disappears into the skin. Sarna is another trusted brand, claiming to help sunburn and minor cuts and scratches as well as the maladies Aveeno addresses. Sarna does its work with camphor and menthol, so it's cooling to the skin. Calydryl is a popular choice as well, using calamine and promoxine HCI--an analgesic--to do its job.
Common Pitfalls
Use caution when choosing an anti-itch lotion that contains cortisone. Although it gets high marks from consumers for addressing the itch, prolonged use of topical cortisone can thin the skin. Some people are allergic to other substances in anti-itch lotions, such as calamine, so it may be a good idea to buy the smallest available size of an anti-itch lotion so you're not making a huge investment before you know how your skin will react. Doctors also stress that no over-the-counter anti-itch lotions should be used on broken skin, serious wounds or for an extended period of time. Contact your doctor if symptoms don't improve with the lotion you've chosen.
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