Six Super Effective Ways to Relieve Itching

If you've ever had a serious case of itching you know how uncomfortable it can be. Whether it was from a mosquito bite or skin irritation from poison ivy, itching skin can deprive you of sleep and even your sanity. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to stop itching and help you get a good night's sleep.

It's important that you identify what's causing the itching first. A variety of serious medical conditions can present with the symptom of itching. If you don't know the cause of the itch, or if the itching is severe and associated with a rash, see your doctor before attempting to treat yourself.

Once you know why you're itching, you can try some of these simple itch relief tips:

Try over the counter hydrocortisone cream.

A one percent solution of hydrocortisone cream applied several times a day can stop itching by inhibiting the underlying inflammatory reaction. The steroid concentration in hydrocortisone cream is so low that you shouldn't experience the side effects that can occur with use of oral or prescription strength topical steroids.

Apply an ice pack.

Ice not only has a numbing effect, it also helps to reduce the uncomfortable swelling associated with the itch. You can use a professional ice pack sold in your local drugstore or simply apply a pack of vegetables from your freezer to the areas that are itching. You'll quickly experience welcome relief from your skin itch.

Try over the counter Benadryl.
If you have severe itching, you can relieve the symptoms and promote sleep by taking a 25 milligram tablet of Benadryl. Take this medication at night since it can cause drowsiness and can make some people feel disoriented.

Apply Vick's Vapor Rub to the affected areas.

It may not have the most pleasant smell in the world, but it can be quite effective in the treatment of itching. Apply it full strength from the container.

Try an oatmeal or cornstarch bath.

Add some oatmeal or cornstarch to your bath water for quick itch relief.

Stop scratching.

It can be easier said than done but the more you scratch, the more likely the area is to itch due to excessive irritation. Try one of the above itch relief remedies and then try to keep your hands away from the affected areas. Don't perpetuate the itch-scratch cycle.

Give some of these itch relief tips a try and stop the itching so you can get some much needed rest.

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Product Review: Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Cream

Summer Heat Means Summer Rashes and Gold Bond is a Trusted Solution

Just as sure as summer time picnics bring uninvited ants, the heat and humidity of a hot summer day brings more than a fair share of itchy rashes. Anything from posion ivy to heat rash and skin irritations can be a minor distraction from a planned day out. Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Cream has been a trusted essential in my first aid supply for years. I remember my grandmother bringing out Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Cream for everything from the tiniest insect bite to a full blown case of poison ivy. Always within minutes I felt relief from annoying itches and many times, by the next morning the rash would be totally gone!

According to the Gold Bond website, their products have been around for 100 years! My grandma is 95 and confirms that she has used, it 'All her life'. A product and company that has been around that long has to know what they are doing and deliver promised results. Still with the overwhelming introduction of various topical ointments and anti-itch medications that lure you with promises of quick relief along with 'extras' such as odor-free, or 'extra moisturizing conditioners', I must admit to venturing out at various times to try several of the competing ointments, powders and lotions. They all offered various levels of relief and some evn cleared up offending rashes after several days use. None have yet managed to deliver results as quickly and dependably as Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Cream!

It is hard to improve on perfection and when a product has delivered proven results to as many long standing customers and their families through generations of use, why would you try 'improving' the product? You wouldn't of course! you can however, work with what you know and develope a variety of other products that bring in even more satisfied customers in a new results oriented society.

Gold Bond Body Lotion, Gold Bond Foot Spray and Gold Bond Baby Powder are just a few of the ever expanding line of exceptional products. A medicated Baby Powder may have you a little concerned, however you can be sure that the makers of Gold Bond Baby Powder have tested it above and beyond the standards to be sure it won't cause unexpected problems! Every mom knows it is just as important to prevent a diaper rash as it is to treat it. Preventing diaper rash and other skin irritations that may make baby uncomfortable is exactly what Gold Bond Baby Powder is designed to do. Gold Bond baby powder uses a special combination of Cornstarch, Kaolin, and Zinc Oxide to help protect from wetness and chafing and as mom knows, a dry baby is a happy baby.

Another great addition to the Gold Bond family is the new Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Lotion, Healing Lotion and Powder line. Since using these products on a daily basis, my episodes of annoying rashes in this humid summer heat are getting few each season. For those times when the heat rash returns with a vengence though, I still reach for the old trusted stand by in the Gold Bond Anti-Itch Cream. No matter the season or the skin rash or irritation you have been dealt, Gold Bond products still deliver the maximum relief you will find anywhere without a prescription!

* For rashes that appear infected or fail to clear after treatment see a doctor for diagnosis.

This statement is a personal testimony to the effectiveness of these products and is not intended to replace your doctor's advice.

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Product Review: After Bite Itch Eraser

Easily Fits in Your Purse

Almost 20 years ago I moved from England to Florida. The reason being the gorgeous weather we have here. In England there are various insects, but they never really became a problem. Yes, the occasional wasp or bee sting, but nothing too dramatic.

Florida is a different kettle of fish, if you have heard that expression. Here we have all kinds of bugs and insects. When we go out for a long period of time, or into wooded areas I take a spray can of Johnson's Off. That is so large that it certainly wouldn't fit in my purse, so I take along my little lifesaver After Bite itch eraser on a daily basis.

A friend bought me the first one. I had been gardening and was cleaning around a sprinkler. Dozens of fire ants were on my hand. After beating as many of the little devils off me, I ran into the house and went for the after bite itch eraser. I opened the screw cap and dabbed it onto the affected areas. I let it dry and couldn't believe the pain and itching had gone down my about 40% within a short period.

Now my hand did swell up as I counted over 30 bites. I had to use this treatment every 4 hours or so but it was so easy. This was over several days, but I was so fortunate as a doctor's visit would have cost me a lot of money.

I love the shape of it. It looks like a pen and has a clip on the end in case someone wants to clip it to a pocket. It fits great in my purse and has not leaked. After Bite really does work on stopping the itching and the swelling did go down. I believe it helped to heal the bites much quicker than just leaving them.

I would be very careful if we had children. They could think of it as a pen. I am sure if they opened it and the smell of ammonia would tell them otherwise.

I have also use it on bee stings and it has helped. I have never scratched the area of the bite or sting myself but know that if that were the case, "After Bite" will prevent impetigo if the bite became infected.

I found the After Bite Itch Eraser in our Dollar Store and purchased a dozen of them at the time. This was several years ago and I am still using them. They haven't lost the effectiveness and work great.

Active ingredients; contains Ammonia 2.0%.

Just love this little helper. I would recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors. It can also be used for wasp, bee stings, and mosquito bites.

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Natural Facial Product Recipes for Dry Skin

Dry skin requires gentle care and lots of hydration. Besides drinking lots of water, there are other ways to hydrate your face. For example, you can use the ingredients in your own kitchen to make facial products that will help to banish dry, flaky skin. Yogurt, cucumbers, honey: You can use these ingredients--which you might already own--to make your own skincare products. Don't spend money on expensive creams; use these natural recipes to make your own products for dry skin.

Cucumber yogurt face cleanser

Ingredients: one cucumber, peeled, ½ cup yogurt, three tablespoons beaten curds

Directions: Grate the cucumber into a bowl. Add the yogurt and beaten curds; mix well. Apply cleanser to your face and rinse well. Pat skin until dry. This recipe is great for those of you with sensitive skin. Tip: to brighten tired eyes, save a couple slices of cucumber to place over your eyes after cleansing your face.

Honey sugar face scrub

Ingredients: ¼ cup honey, white or brown sugar

Directions: Measure the honey into a bowl. Add sugar and stir until it forms the desired consistency. Dampen your face and apply the scrub in a circular motion to your skin, concentrating on particularly dry areas. Rinse well. This is one of my favorite homemade skincare recipes; your face will feel soft and smooth afterward.

Honey avocado face mask

Ingredients: ½ avocado, ¼ cup honey

Directions: Mash the avocado in a bowl, then stir in the honey. Apply to the face and leave for ten minutes. Rinse and pat dry. Avocados and honey are moisturizing, particularly for elderly, wrinkled skin. They also help to hydrate dry hair.
 

Natural face moisturizers

You don't have to drop a ton of money for expensive face creams. Bag balm, udder cream, petroleum jelly: These options are not only cheaper, but they are natural and work just as well. For very dry skin, try one of these options before spending all your hard-earned cash.

Cleansers, scrubs and moisturizers don't have to cost you a lot of money at a high-end department store. Shop in your own kitchen for ingredients that you already own; follow the provided recipes to make your own facial products for dry skin. Not only will you save money, but they are natural and homemade, so you know exactly what you are putting on your face.

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Life's Simple Pleazures in Waltham, Massachusetts Brings Relief to Dry, Sensitive Skin

For those of you who have very dry, sensitive skin you know the challenges faced in finding a beauty routine that does not lead to irritation, break outs and aggravated skin. After many years of trying all of the hyped up products that promise glowing skin, I found a quaint little spa tucked away in Waltham, Massachusetts called Life's Simple Pleazures that I really owe my facial sanity to. Their careful review of my skin care needs led to my discovery of a line of products that have kept my skin balanced, moisturized and able to withstand the humid southern weather that awaited me after I moved away from the Northeast.

Here are some of my true and tested favorites that I have purchased from their salon that leave my face clear, clean and feeling wonderful...

Facial Cleansing Gelee. This full bodied cleansing gelee combines deep cleansing action with the stimulation of massage. It is neither greasy nor drying and it is pH correct at 5.5. The naturally derived ingredient Sucrose Cocoate will gently cleanse your skin helping to balance moisture levels. I love it because my sensitive skin has a tendency to feel tight and dried out with other cleansers but this one leaves my delicate face feeling clean, soft, smooth. For those suffering from sensitive, combination skin this product calms down break outs while keeping your skin feeling hydrated. It's also an awesome make up remover so serves many uses in one product. An added bonus is it contains no detergents or artificial fragrance. And, best of all, it lasts me at least 2 months which makes it very economical. Price $18

Repechage Hydra Dew Smoothing Toner Pads. I can't say enough great things about this product. It comes with 60 soft petal pads which last you about a month if you use them twice a day. It has a dual purpose of being a toner and light moisturizer in one. After application, my skin feels dewy, hydrated and wonderfully silky to the touch. They tell me this is due to these pads being super saturated with seaweed to bind moisture and maintain proper moisture balance. Unlike most toners, my skin doesn't feel tight and I can apply my makeup within minutes since these pads also act as a primer. Most importantly, I have zero incidents of rash, break outs or acne when using these pads. Price $36.

Glycolic Face Cream. This light 8% glycolic acid treatment contains antioxidants of vitamins A and E with extracts of grape seed and licorice. It is ideal for mature, sensitive and dry skin types. Like most people with dry sensitive skin, most glycolic acid products made my skin red, blotchy and were too strong for my skin to handle. However, my skin really took well to this product with absolutely no irritation. I would use it as a night cream before bed and I really started to notice a difference in how my skin looked and felt within a few weeks of using the product. My skin texture was smoother, moisturized and some of my blemishes began fading away. I liked the combination of the glycolic acid for natural exfoliation with the built in moisturizer aspect. Price $45.

Control Serum with Anti-Bacterial Complex. A powerful anti-bacterial booster to help normalize oily combination or blemished-prone skin. This is one of my favorite products because I can use it in combination with my moisturizer or masque for a deep penetrating treatment. Whenever I have an acne breakout, I massage a few drops of this oil onto the blemish and within a day or two the blemish redness diminishes and the pimple dries out. I also like the fact that it's a clear oil so you can wear it during the day, without it being noticeable. The main ingredients of salicyclic acid, camphor, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus really seem to work well together to keep my skin problems under control. Price $16.

Special Clay Masque. This product has to be the best kept secret I've found out there for drying out acne break outs in under 2 days. This highly potent masque is made with bentonite, a rich mineral clay effective in drawing out impurities. Also included is the ingredient Ichthammol, derived from mineral deposits containing fossilized fish remains. Ichthammol is also rich in sulfur making it valuable for cleansing and purifying problematic skin conditions. I've tried over hundreds of masques that claim to dry out acne or breakouts and have been disappointed. Either they don't dry them out completely, or take a week to do the job or even when they do, create redness or irritation afterwards. This product draws out the impurity, dries it out and does not irritate the skin in the process. So, it has earned my stamp of approval. Price $15.

Vitamin C Crème. For a lightweight moisturizer for those living in both warm and colder climates, I recommend this one. This lightweight cream contains stable vitamin C and antioxidants that firm and protect. Squalane and jojoba oil further nourish and hydrate. This formula is ideal for sensitive to dry skin, but may be used for all skin types. It's super-hydrating, great for treating fine lines and wrinkles. I like to use at night when alternating between the Glycolic Face Cream. I also use this vitamin c crème as an under eye treatment since it does not irritate my sensitive eye area and does the job beautifully. Great for people who suffer from allergies and need a face cream that meets their sensitive needs. Price $30

I hope you take the time to give these product life-savers a try and see the difference they make to your skin complexion too! And, if you are ever in the Waltham, Massachusetts area, I definitely recommend dropping by their salon and checking out their wide-range of products and services. This reviewer has been a loyal customer for over a decade now and feel their facial treatments and products are the best therapy for a skin in crisis or to keep skin looking beautiful with a day of pampering.

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Itching Skin? Good and Bad Remedies to Stop the Itch

Economical and Effective Relief from Itching is Available.

Moderate to severe itching is unpleasant to say the least and can result from numerous sources, not limited to: bug bites, sunburn, fungal infection, dry skin, allergies, and a host of dermatological and medical conditions.

The cause of itching will impact how well any given itch treatment works and which treatments work best. Obviously, if the source of itching remains treatments for itching have limited value.

But for many people, itching is part of a healing process long after the source is removed, and remedies for itching may help.

Antihistamines for Itching:

For fast relief from itching, many turn to the strongest over-the-counter antihistamine available. For systemic relief of itching, such as rashes and hives, Dephenhydramine Hydrochloride, brand name Benedryl, is frequently used.

Yet, sedating antihistamines are not necessarily the most effective for itching or possess bothersome side-effects. You may have better results with loratadine, brand name Claritin, or another allergy formula. Check with your pharmacist or health professional.

Medicated Ointments for Itching:

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone is effective for a number of conditions that cause itching, including allergic or contact dermatitis, hemorrhoids, insect bites, and poison ivy. Available in .5 and one percent concentration, the former is recommended for facial or delicate skin. Generic formulas are available and just as effective. Be careful not to overuse hydrocortisone as it can make your skin drier and aggravate itching skin.

Calamine lotion and similar anti-itch products are typically designed for poison ivy and sometimes other weepy skin conditions. These solutions dry the oozing and typically calm the skin. Topical Dephenhydramine Hydrochloride, or Benedryl, can also be found but may be contradicted in poison ivy and some skin conditions.

Numbing Agents for Itching:

Both lidocaine and benzocaine are numbing agents that also help with itching relief, particularly from sunburns, insect bites and other wide-spread skin irritations.

These active ingredients are sold under a variety of names, (e.g. Solarcaine, Endocaine), and though their effects are similar, the medication properties are quite different.

Benzocaine, a PABA derivative, is known to cause allergic reactions more frequently and has been associated with a condition called Methemoglobinemia. An FDA warning has since been issued on the matter.

Lidocaine may offer a safer alternative and can be found in generic preparations, both with and without additional ingredients such as Aloe to help with itching and burning.

Products for Irritated Skin:

Many products designed to relieve itching further dry already sensitive skin and propagate the itching cycle. Gentle soaps should be used only as necessary and fragrance-free moisturizers, if suitable for the skin condition, applied. The following products are frequently recommended by doctors to relieve itching and dry, sensitive skin.

--Colloidal Oatmeal for Itching

Aveeno baths or colloidal oatmeal is an effective alternative to soap that both cleanses and calms the skin. Look for 100% pure colloidal oatmeal for the best relief of itching skin. Soaks of 10 to 20 minutes are helpful. Be cautious of the tub as the oatmeal in the bath water is very slick.

Generic colloidal oatmeal is available and some people make their own preparation of finely ground oats with a food processor.

--Eucerin Lotion or Calming Cream

Eucerin is highly recommended by dermatologists for dry and itchy skin. It is non-irritating and fragrance-free and Eucerin Calming Cream contains oatmeal and other soothing ingredients. Check with your health provider or pharmacist if an acceptable generic equivalent exists, considering the condition of your skin.

Home Remedies for Itching:

Depending on the cause of itching, the following remedies can be used alone or as a supplement to other treatments.

--Baking Soda: Sodium bicarbonate is especially helpful for itching when made into a paste, mixed with water, and applied to skin or applied with a compress such as a wet paper towel. It also relieves the sting and burning associated with insect bites and stings. One-half to one cup of baking soda can also be added to bathwater for general itch relief.

--Vinegar: If you can tolerate the smell, white or cider vinegar is one of the fast ways to get relief from itching and also works as an antiseptic. Scratching skin can lead to infection which vinegar can help prevent.

For insect bites vinegar can be applied directly with a cotton ball. Two cups of vinegar can be added to bath water for several dermatological conditions that cause itching. A compress is also very effective, using one to four parts water, depending on how sensitive the skin is, and applying to the affected areas.

--Ice: Apply directly to the itchy areas for a minute or two to obtain relief as well as to distract oneself from the itching. This can possibly break the itching-scratching-itching cycle.

Other Precautions Against Itching and Irritated Skin

-Try fragrance free detergent or double rinse clothes.

-Avoid fabric softeners, especially dryer sheets.

-Use moderate water temperatures in showers and baths.

-Keep cool and wear soft breathable fabrics.

-If you have to scratch, try rubbing or pressure instead.

-Avoid spreading infection and bacteria with your fingernails.

-Keep well hydrated with water, especially if taking medication for itching.

This article is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Consult your physician immediately if you have signs of an allergic reaction or have began a new medication and experience itching.

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