An itchy rash can be tempting to scratch. It may start as a slight tingle on the skin and quickly grow into a prickling itch.
Identifying the cause of the rash can be hard. Whether it’s because of an irritating household product such as a detergent, a food allergy, or a serious illness, it can be excruciating.
The right term for itchy skin is pruritus. The condition causes an uncontrollable sensation that impels a person to scratch their skin to get relief.
If you’re facing this issue, there might be an underlying skin condition or an internal illness that’s triggering the itch.
An itchy rash can look extremely unsightly. The affected skin may become red, inflamed, and flakey from the constant scratching.
If the rash lingers on for more than a week, you should definitely see a doctor.
But whether or not your condition is serious enough can only be determined once you identify what’s causing the rash.
Here’s a quick breakdown of all the reasons that can potentially lead to an itchy rash.
Causes Of An Itchy Rash
1. Dry, Scaly Skin
You may develop a rash during winters when the weather is especially dry. However, some people naturally have dry, scaly skin.
When your skin is dry, it will quickly let you know with an itch.
The best way to combat this condition is to moisturize regularly, use mild cleansers, and keep yourself hydrated.
2. Atopic Dermatitis
Dry skin is especially prone to atopic dermatitis or eczema that can show up in the form of bumpy rashes and scaly patches.
When paired with certain food allergies, the itching can get even more inflamed.
3. Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a condition where the hair follicles are infected by a fungus or bacteria causing the hair follicles to become red and inflamed.
The rash can look like white or small red bumps that are extremely itchy.
There are many risk factors of folliculitis, but the most common ones are dermatitis, acne, taking antibiotics for a long time, and shaving.
4. Hives
Hives are usually the result of an allergy from a skincare product or any other potential irritant.
The rash appears like raised welts and shows up in clusters. They can get particularly itchy due to stress, exercise, and extremely hot temperatures.
5. Certain Medications
Blood pressure drugs, diuretics, and certain hormonal medicines for estrogen can make your skin itchy and lead to a rash.
If you’ve been taking these drugs for far too long, you might feel a greater urge to scratch your skin.
While these are only a few reasons, other skin conditions like psoriasis can also lead to a skin rash.
However, you can easily soothe your skin with natural remedies. They are simple, safe, and effective. So, without further ado, let’s get into them.
Effective Itchy Rash Remedies
Here are some of the best at-home treatments to treat your skin rash.
1. Take An Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal is extremely soothing for irritated skin.
With its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, oatmeal can relieve dryness, itchiness, and roughness.
Oat contains nourishing oils that repair the moisture barrier of the skin and help with itchy rashes.
With substances like oleic acid, linoleic oil, and avenanthramides, oatmeal is a fantastic remedy for painful rashes.
The best way to incorporate them is to take a bath in oats. Prepare a tub with lukewarm water and dissolve a cup of colloidal oatmeal in it.
Allow the oats to soak for a few minutes and then step into the bathtub. Stay in there for about 15-20 minutes.
While you’re in the bath, take some oatmeal in your hand and gently scrub the itchy skin rash.
2. Use A Thick, Nourishing Moisturizer
Itchy skin is best treated with a thick layer of moisturizer. For itchy, dry skin, you need a cream or lotion that locks in all the moisture.
You should look for ingredients like dimethicone, petrolatum, and grape seed oil that will ensure your skin receives all the hydration and moisture it needs to keep rashes at bay.
3. Consider A Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotion is extremely cooling and can do wonders to soothe an itchy rash.
The lotion tends to evaporate from the skin as it cools down the inflammation, itchiness, and redness on your skin.
If your skin irritation is caused by chickenpox, shingles, or measles, calamine lotion is your best bet.
4. Cool Down The Itch With Wet Wrap Therapy
The method involves a water-soaked fabric that is applied to the itchy skin. By doing so, you can rehydrate and cool down the rash.
The fabric will also serve as a barrier from scratching the affected area. You can do this twice a day or as many times as you feel the urge to scratch.
Another great thing about wet wrap therapy is that it can allow any skin-soothing medication to penetrate deeper and quickly relieve the rash.
After removing the fabric, massage the skin to allow the water to lock into the skin and follow up with a calming moisturizer.
5. Treat With Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains antiseptic properties, which makes it a terrific disinfectant.
Since it contains acetic acid, ACV can help disinfect the area of the skin rash and cool down inflammation.
6. Use Epsom Salts
Dead sea salts are rich in skin-soothing minerals and magnesium that can instantly relieve itchy, red skin.
You can benefit from them by preparing a Dead Sea salt bath by adding 2 cups to a warm tub. Soak in the bath for at least half an hour to allow the salts to treat your skin.
Magnesium salts can drastically improve the skin barrier and relieve inflammation.
Treating your skin rash to this bath at least twice a week will certainly do the trick.
Itchy skin rash can be extremely irritating and in many cases, unbearable.
However, with the above-mentioned itchy rash remedies, you can find quick relief and skim-calming benefits.
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