How to treat itching caused by dry skin?

Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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Itchy symptoms caused by dry skin often have no primary lesion, but scratching can lead to marks, blood scabs, and hyperpigmentation. This type of itch is common during the winter season. Another group affected is the elderly, who may experience itchiness related to skin aging, insufficient nourishment, and dry skin. Another condition is atopic dermatitis, which is more common in children and related to congenital immunity. It often presents as dry skin, erythema, scales, and itching on the flexor sides of the limbs. Whatever the cause of dry skin and resulting itchiness, the following points should be noted in daily care: First, the water temperature for bathing should not be too high, recommended to be below 37℃. Second, during bathing, it’s advisable not to use alkaline substances such as shower gel, soap, scented soap, sulfur soap, or even laundry detergent, as they can exacerbate skin dryness. Opt for mildly acidic or amino acid-based shower gels instead. Third, after bathing, it is recommended to apply body lotion, like baby cream and other special-function moisturizers such as barrier repair creams, to help alleviate itching due to dry skin.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
35sec home-news-image

Foods to avoid for itchy skin

Skin itching is a common symptom in dermatological diseases. There are many diseases that can cause skin itching, such as eczema, allergic dermatitis, skin allergies, tinea diseases, etc. These diseases require the avoidance of many foods. It is advised not to eat hair-producing and spicy irritating foods, such as onions, ginger, garlic, sea fish, kelp, etc., and also to avoid alcohol and smoking, which are all very important.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
1min 32sec home-news-image

How to treat itching caused by dry skin?

Itchy symptoms caused by dry skin often have no primary lesion, but scratching can lead to marks, blood scabs, and hyperpigmentation. This type of itch is common during the winter season. Another group affected is the elderly, who may experience itchiness related to skin aging, insufficient nourishment, and dry skin. Another condition is atopic dermatitis, which is more common in children and related to congenital immunity. It often presents as dry skin, erythema, scales, and itching on the flexor sides of the limbs. Whatever the cause of dry skin and resulting itchiness, the following points should be noted in daily care: First, the water temperature for bathing should not be too high, recommended to be below 37℃. Second, during bathing, it’s advisable not to use alkaline substances such as shower gel, soap, scented soap, sulfur soap, or even laundry detergent, as they can exacerbate skin dryness. Opt for mildly acidic or amino acid-based shower gels instead. Third, after bathing, it is recommended to apply body lotion, like baby cream and other special-function moisturizers such as barrier repair creams, to help alleviate itching due to dry skin.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
48sec home-news-image

Can I eat kelp if I have itchy skin?

Patients with itchy skin can generally consume kelp. Kelp is a type of seaweed that is low in fat and rich in trace elements like iodine, calcium, and copper. It is highly alkaline and helps maintain the body's acid-base balance. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, kelp has the effects of resolving phlegm, softening hard lumps, clearing heat, and promoting urination. Clinically, it is very rare to see patients allergic to kelp. Therefore, patients with itchy skin can generally eat kelp, unless they are absolutely allergic to it. However, since kelp is cold in nature, it is generally not suitable for people with a cold stomach, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women to consume in large quantities.

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Written by Zhang Ji Qing
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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How to deal with dry, itchy skin during menopause?

Menopause-related issues such as dry heat and itchy skin should be actively treated, for instance, by taking antihistamine or other anti-itch medications. Clinically, some may also opt for supplemental hormonal treatments. As menopausal skin itching varies in reason and severity, for some women, combining traditional Chinese medicine with good living habits may be beneficial. It is crucial to maintain a healthy life attitude and ensure overall physical and mental well-being to alleviate menopausal itchy skin symptoms. Menopause is a natural stage everyone goes through. Thus, it is important for menopausal women to foster good daily habits to better navigate their later years.

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How to treat high blood sugar and itchy skin?

Skin itching caused by high blood sugar requires a clear understanding of the cause of the itching. On one hand, it is mainly associated with elevated blood sugar levels, and on the other hand, it may be related to peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes. A third consideration is secondary fungal or bacterial skin infections caused by high blood sugar. For these conditions, the first step is to test blood sugar levels. If a significant increase in blood sugar is found, it is important to adjust the existing sugar-lowering plan promptly to bring blood sugar levels within an ideal range. At the same time, medications that nourish the nerves, including cobamamide and vitamin B2, can be taken. For patients with secondary skin infections, appropriate antibacterial or antifungal ointments may be given. It is also important to maintain skin cleanliness and avoid eating spicy and irritating foods. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)