Soothing The Itch - Natural Remedies for Itchy Skin
Has your scalp or skin ever been uncomfortably itchy? Do
you know someone who has an itchy scalp or itchy skin?
Itching can cause extreme misery for the sufferer, however
many causes of itchiness can be solved with simple
remedies. There are many reasons why the scalp or skin may
be irritated. So before you seek a dermatologist’s help,
ask yourself the following:
1)Are you using a shampoo or shower gel made from
detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth
sulfate? Although these detergents lather wonderfully they
can dry your scalp or skin out to the point of being
extremely itchy. Consider switching to a natural soap-based
liquid or bar cleanser, or try making your own cleansers
yourself. Natural soaps are much kinder to the skin and
scalp because they are made from vegetable oils instead of
petroleum derivatives.
2)Is your laundry detergent making your skin itch? Laundry
detergents are made from harsh cleansers and they are so
strong that some of the residue may be left on your clothes
even after the rinse cycle. When you dry your clothes, that
laundry detergent residue is left on them. When you wear
your clothes the laundry detergent residue comes into
contact with your skin. As an alternative try a natural
laundry powder available at health food stores or make your
own soap, grate it, and use it as a natural laundry powder.
3)Are you suffering from allergic reactions to one or more
food items? Commercially prepared foods contain many
different ingredients which can sometimes cause allergic
reactions. Try changing your diet by eliminating one food
item at a time and see if this helps.
4)Has your skin come into contact with a bacteria or fungus
that could cause itching (like athlete’s foot)? Try
applying tea tree oil, or a product containing tea tree oil
to the spot that is irritated. According to Dr. Ruth
Winter, M.S., author of A Consumer’s Dictionary Of Cosmetic
Ingredients, tea tree oil is “eleven to 13 times stronger
than carbolic acid” and is non-toxic to the skin.
5) Are you suffering from bug bites? Bites from mosquitos
and other insects usually swell and cause intense itching.
Try applying several drops of lavender essential oil
directly on the bug bite itself to soothe the itching.
