| Itchy Skin As you may have already read I've suffered with skin complaints for many years and those include itchy skin. Ever itched until you bleed? Have you ever done this without realising? I answer yes to both of those questions and believe me it can really get you down. Read on below to find out more information about the condition and try some of the tips to help you. Pruritus Pruritus is defined as the desire to scratch. Itch can either be peripheral, due to stimuli occurring in the skin, or central, when itching is perceived as occurring in the skin although it originates in the central nervous system. Itching may be associated with skin disease or have a systemic cause. Identifying and treating the underlying cause of itchy skin is important for long-term relief. Itchy skin treatments include medications, wet dressings and light therapy. Self-care measures, including anti-itch products and cool baths, can help reduce itching and soothe skin. How Do I Treat Dry Itchy Skin? Moisturisers work well to treat dry skin. Choose a moisturiser that is hypoallergenic (it should say so on the label). The best moisturisers are also the most "gooey." Ointments (or oils) are best, followed by creams, and then lotions. Petroleum jelly (one brand name: Vaseline) is an excellent skin lubricant, but it can be messy to use. Put a moisturiser on your skin 3 or 4 times during the day. Put moisturizer on right after you wash or bathe. This will hold in the moisture from the water. If you have very dry hands, put petroleum jelly on them before you go to bed at night and sleep with your hands in cotton-lined gloves. Changing your bathing habits can also help. If you bathe too often, it may dry out your skin. Try to take short, lukewarm baths or showers. Oatmeal baths (one brand name: Aveeno) may be soothing to dry skin. After a bath or shower, pat your skin dry and put a moisturizer on your skin right away. Use a mild soap every day to clean your genital area and under your arms. Only clean other parts of your body 2 or 3 times a week with soap. Some people use bath oils to help make their skin less dry. However, these oils can be dangerous because they make your tub slippery. To avoid slipping and falling, put the oil on your skin after you get out of the bathtub. Plain baby oil works well Itchy Bottom The medical term for itchy bottom is 'pruritus ani'. Itchy bottom is characterised by a very strong urge to scratch the skin around the anus. Itchy bottom is a symptom, rather than a specific condition. Many cases of itchy bottom have an underlying cause, such as a bacterial infection or a skin condition like eczema. However, not all cases of itchy bottom have an identifiable cause. Whether the cause of your itchy bottom can be identified or not, the symptoms can normally be effectively treated. Should I see a Doctor? Dry, irritated skin is more likely to get infected. Infected skin is red, warm and swollen. It may ooze fluid. You may need antibiotics to get rid of this kind of infection. Severe itching or pain, especially in older adults, sometimes is caused by a serious medical problem. Call your doctor if you are an older person who has severe itching or pain that doesn't have an obvious cause and doesn't get better within 2 weeks. |
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