It seems like I am scratching my skin every day. From the skin on my scalp to the bottoms of my feet, the itching never seems to go away, and I know I shouldn’t be scratching, but at least I feel like I am trying to solve the problem.
When a woman approaches menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate and no longer provide healthy moisture to the skin. Dry skin can be found on any part of the body, including the nails and genital areas.
Do you have rheumatoid arthritis? For people with RA, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of itching. Some possible explanations include:
- Inflammation is linked to the condition itself
- a side effect of a medication
- another cause, such as eczema
Stop the Scratch Attack
Use Sunscreen
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. It takes about an ounce of sunscreen to cover all parts of the skin that are exposed to the sun. On overcast days, you still need to use sunscreen as 70-80% of ultraviolet rays penetrate through the clouds.
Reapply every two hours of exposure and immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
The active ingredients in mineral sunscreens—zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—are considered gentler and are less likely to trigger a flare-up for conditions like eczema.
Spray-on sunscreen is easier to apply and is more convenient for children.
Develop An Exercise Program
It turns out that exercise does more than help you lose weight and keep your bones and heart healthy. Vigorous exercise allows more nutrients and oxygen to permeate the skin, which produces more skin-softening collagen. As a bonus, who doesn’t love that rush of feel-good endorphins after an exercise session?
Carry a water bottle for hydration and wear 100% cotton clothing to stay cooler.
Take a Lukewarm Shower or Bath
One of my favorite things to do is to stand under the hot water of the shower. My joints and muscles are always sore, and hot water feels so good.
However, hot water can strip the skin of essential oils. Using lukewarm water is better if you have irritable skin.
Pat your skin gently with a clean, dry towel. Rubbing too vigorously will just irritate those itchy areas.
Buy Scent-Free Products
It’s fun to go into a store that has scented soaps and other products, and you can easily spend 30 minutes just browsing through everything.
However, scented soaps and perfumes contain harsh chemicals that can further irritate the skin. Perfume-free soaps and cleansers marketed for those with “dry and sensitive skin” are a safer option.
Apply Ice
I have used ice for itchy skin, and it really helped. I’m an impatient person, and leaving the ice in place for five or ten minutes seemed like an eternity, but the results were worth it.
Use an ice bag or a package of frozen vegetables. A cool washcloth can also be used, but I find that it doesn’t stay cool enough to combat the itching.
Work with Your Doctor
Home remedies have their place, and I always like to try something natural first, but you may need prescription medication.
Summary
I hope you found these tips helpful. You’ll see what works best for you through trial and error, and don’t be afraid to do some research on your own. Embrace the changes and use this as an opportunity to improve your health further.
