Empowering women to live healthier lives!
Text size
Email
PrintNews
Health Tip: Soothing Itchy Skin
(HealthDay News) -- Itchy skin can be a major annoyance, whether it stems from an allergy, an irritant or plain old dry skin.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions for managing itchy skin:
- Don't scratch; trim your fingernails short to avoid the temptation and help prevent infection.
- Sleep in lightweight, loose and cool pajamas.
- Soak in a lukewarm oatmeal bath, and follow up with a rich moisturizer.
- Place a cold compress on itchy skin.
- Avoid exposing skin to too much heat and humidity, such as a lengthy hot shower.
- Use an over-the-counter antihistamine such as Benadryl (but this could make you drowsy), or apply a hydrocortisone cream.
Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
HealthDay news articles are derived from various sources and do not reflect federal policy. Womenshealth.gov does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in news stories.
A federal government website managed by the Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.200 Independence Avenue, S.W. • Washington, DC 20201
800-994-9662 • TDD: 888-220-5446 • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST (closed on federal holidays).
womenshealth.gov
A federal government website managed by the Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
200 Independence Avenue, S.W. • Washington, DC 20201