You may periodically experience an itch on your skin, scalp, or eyes. You can usually relieve the occasional itch by lightly scratching it. But persistent itching is annoying, and constantly scratching the same place will irritate your skin and may lead to problems. Itches can be caused by allergies, insect bites, poor hygiene or diseases. There are many medications to relieve itching. Before you go out an buy one, try one of these natural home remedies. Always consult a doctor if your itching persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as rash, headache or nausea.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one natural remedy that can be safely used to soothe itching. If you are itchy, instead of eating your oatmeal, The Mayo Clinic recommends sprinkling it in your bathwater. If you don't want to waste your meal, you can buy oats specifically made for bathing and your skin.
Aveeno makes several good soaps and lotions with oats to treat itchy skin problems. The Aveeno website explains that the oatmeal they use can relieve minor itching from rashes, ezema, poison oak and insect bites. The oat proteins leave a layer of protection on the surface of your skin that act as a moisturizer to retain water.
Cold Treatment
Curing itchy skin can be as simple as changing its temperature. According to MedicineNet, cold and itch are sensed by the same nerves in your body. An article on itching published on MedicineNet website explains that using cold on itchy skin will override the itch so that you only feel the cold.
Cold water can help stop a small itch if you can run the itchy part of your body under the tap. Or take a cool bath or shower to wet your whole body. Place a cool washcloth on your itchy area. Another way to deaden the itch is to put a cold compress on the spot you want to scratch. Use an ice pack or make your own by freezing water in a plastic bag. Or wet and freeze a cloth or towel to wrap your itch.
Heat will usually exacerbate itch, so avoid hot baths or showers while you itch.
Aloe
Aloe is another proven treatment for itchy skin. You can extract the gel yourself if you have an aloe vera plant. It is the clear goo found inside the hollow parts of the plant's stalks, according to Nutralegacy. This gel has long been used in traditional medicines to soothe skin. You can also buy also vera gel in stores. It is very common to see aloe gel on the shelves in the summer, when sunburns and bug bites often irritate skin. Aloe nourishes skin while also protecting it against inflammation that can cause more itching.
