Keeping your nails trimmed may help you avoid scratching. Consider wearing gloves at night and while you sleep to help keep you from scratching.

Apply moisturizer to your skin at least once a day. The best time to apply is after a shower or bath while your skin is still damp. Concentrate the moisturizer on the areas that itch the most both after your shower and before bed. Make sure to use unscented and uncolored moisturizers that will not irritate your skin. Keeping a humidifier in your bedroom can ensure that the air is moist and won’t dry out your skin and make you want to itch while you’re sleeping. Avoid temperature extremes which can dry out skin.

Sprinkle water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal, all of which can help calm your skin. [5] X Research source Stay in the bathtub for only 10-15 minutes. When you soak in the bath for too long, your skin can get dried out, which in turn could cause it to itch more. Make sure that the water is lukewarm rather than hot. Hot water can remove the natural oils from your skin, causing your skin to become dry and even itchier. After taking a bath, rub lotion on your skin before fully drying off, concentrating on your hands and feet. Doing this will lock the moisture from your bath into your skin, keeping your skin hydrated and less likely to become itchy.

You can place a cold compress on your rashes intermittently for 10 to 15 minutes or until you fall asleep. If you don’t have an ice pack, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables for the same effect. Do not let the ice rest directly on your skin. Make sure to wrap the ice or ice pack in a cloth. If ice is left to rest on your skin too long, it may cause frostbite.

Wear cool, loose, smooth textured pajamas made out of cotton or merino wool to keep yourself from scratching and prevent excess sweating. Cotton clothing is good because it lets air pass through the fabric and is soft to the touch. Consider wearing socks and gloves to help prevent scratching.

Set temperature in bedroom to between 60-75 degrees for optimal sleeping conditions. [9] X Research source Use a fan to keep air circulating or open a window. Sleep in comfortable, natural fiber sheets, such as cotton.

Redness Swelling Pain and/or tenderness Skin that feels warm to the touch Fever Red spots, dimpling, and/or blisters

Wear absorbent, cotton socks to help prevent your feet from getting itchy if your feet tend to sweat a lot. Wear gloves made of a natural fiber such as cotton to prevent itchiness.

Any product marked “hypoallergenic” has been tested for sensitive skin and will not irritate your skin.

The trigger could be an allergen, food allergy, cosmetic, environmental factor, insect bite, or harsh soap or detergent. If you wear jewelry, the itching could be a product of an allergy to the metals in it. If you suspect a specific trigger, try to limit your exposure to it and see if it relieves your symptoms.

Try to drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water a day. If you get bored with water, add some juice to the water to give it some flavor. You can also eat food with high water content like cucumbers, cherries, tomatoes, celery, green peppers, watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, and broccoli. [15] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

If you don’t know what you are allergic to, go to an allergy specialist who will run some tests to figure out what substances you are allergic to.

Common vasodilators are caffeine, alcohol, spices, and hot water.

You can use a variety of techniques to reduce stress including therapy, meditation, yoga, or exercise.

See your doctor if: you’re so uncomfortable that it disrupts your sleep or ability to function daily, your skin is painful, self-care and home remedies haven’t worked, or you suspect your skin is infected.

A nonprescription anti-itch, or hydrocortisone, cream, can help relieve itching. Make sure to purchase a cream with at least 1% hydrocortisone. Look for anti-itch creams that contain camphor, menthol, phenol, pramoxine and benzocaine Apply these creams to your hands and feet before you moisturize your skin. Your doctor may also suggest applying the cream to the affected area and then covering it with a moist bandage to help your skin absorb the cream more effectively. Follow the specific product instructions for how often you can use the cream on your skin.

Chlorpheniramine is available in 2mg and 4mg. You can take 4mg every 4 to 6 hours. Don’t exceed 24mg per day. [22] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Diphenhydramine is Available in 25mg and 50mg. You can take 25mg every 4 to 6 hours. Don’t exceed 300mg per day. [23] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source These drugs often have the added benefit of sedative effects, which can help if you are having trouble sleeping.

Common SSRIs used to treat skin itching are fluoxetine and sertraline.

Oral steroids can have serious side effects when used long term. [26] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source Continue to moisturize your skin while using oral and topical corticosteroids. Not only will they keep your skin hydrated, but they may help prevent itching when you discontinue use of the steroids.

Calcineurin inhibitors directly affect the immune system and come with potential side effects including kidney problems, high blood pressure and headaches. [28] X Trustworthy Source DermNet NZ Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health Go to source These drugs are prescribed only when other treatments have failed and are approved for anyone over the age of two. [29] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

Phototherapy exposes the skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight or artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and narrow band UVB. This treatment can be used alone with in conjunction with medications. Light exposure increases your risk for premature aging and skin cancer.