Purebun.com – Itchy skin after bathing can be experienced by anyone. The appearance of this itching can certainly cause discomfort, especially if it always occurs after bathing. Actually, what causes itchy skin after bathing and how to deal with it? Check out the full explanation in this article.
Generally, after bathing we will feel fresh and clean. However, in some people, itching can actually occur after bathing. Although it can be normal, it is possible that itching after bathing is a sign of certain diseases.
Various Possible Causes of Itchy Skin after Bathing
There are many factors that can cause itchy skin after bathing, including:
1. Inappropriate bath soap
Using the wrong soap can cause itching after bathing. The reason is, bath soaps with chemicals that are too harsh, such as sodium lauryl sulfate or perfume, can cause the skin to become dry. Dry skin is what can cause itching after bathing.
2. Very dry skin conditions (xerosis)
Besides being able to make the skin feel itchy, this very dry skin condition or xerosis is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as scaly skin and reddened skin which then causes pain on the skin of the feet or hands.
3. Take too long a bath
Bathing with warm water for a long time can also cause dry skin. The reason is, when you take a bath with warm water for a long time, the natural oils in the skin can also disappear. This is what can eventually trigger itching and irritation of the skin.
In addition, bathing for a long time, whether using warm or cold water, can also cause the skin to become dehydrated, open pores, and reduce skin moisture. In the end, your skin becomes dry and itchy after bathing.
4. Water allergy (aquagenic urticaria)
Aquagenic urticaria is a rare type of skin allergy. When exposed to water, sufferers of this condition will experience a red rash like hives that feel itchy.
5. Aquagenic pruritus
Aquagenic pruritus is a skin disease characterized by the appearance of itching after the skin is exposed to water. The difference with aquagenic urticaria, this disease is generally not accompanied by a rash on the skin.
Aquagenic pruritus can also be a sign and symptom of a disease, such as polycythemia vera, juvenile xanthogranuloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and hepatitis C.
6. Cholinergic urticaria
Itching of the skin due to cholinergic urticaria is usually triggered by several conditions, such as the habit of bathing using warm water, exercise, and eating spicy foods. In addition to itchy skin, cholinergic urticaria can also be associated with asthma and low blood pressure.
How to deal with itchy skin after bathing
When experiencing itchy skin after bathing, there are several ways you can do to overcome it, namely:
1. Change bathing habits
If itchy skin is caused by the habit of bathing for too long, then as much as possible avoid this habit. Every time you take a shower, try not to last more than 5-10 minutes. In addition, when you want to take a warm bath, increase the temperature of the water used gradually to reduce the risk of itching after bathing.
2. Change soap
Try changing the soap you use. Choose a hypoallergenic soap or soap with mild ingredients, namely soap that does not contain perfume, bleach, and scrubs. You are also recommended to use soap that contains moisturizer.
3. Apply moisturizer
To keep your skin moisturized, apply moisturizer after showering while your skin still feels a little damp. This method works to lock in the skin’s natural moisture while reducing itching due to dry skin.
Use a moisturizer or cream that contains lactic acid (lactic acid) so that the itching on the skin can immediately subside. Also, avoid using creams or moisturizers that contain perfume and alcohol, as these can actually dry out the skin and trigger itching.
4. Sufficient fluid needs
Dehydration can cause dry and itchy skin. Therefore, make sure you always meet your fluid needs by drinking 8 glasses of water every day.
5. Take antihistamines
If the itching is caused by allergies, you can relieve it by taking antihistamines. However, you should first consult with your doctor before taking any medication, especially if you have certain medical conditions.
Not only is it ineffective in dealing with complaints, the indiscriminate use of drugs can actually exacerbate the itching after bathing that you experience.
That’s information about the causes of itchy skin after bathing and how to deal with it. Besides being able to disturb your comfort, if left unchecked and often scratched excessively, itchy skin after bathing is also at risk of causing wounds and infections, you know.
To treat itchy skin after bathing, try the methods above. However, if after doing these methods but the itchy skin you experience does not improve, immediately consult a doctor to get the appropriate treatment.