How to treat itching caused by dry skin?

Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on September 25, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
58sec home-news-image

Is itching a precursor to cancer?

Most cases of skin itching are not directly related to cancer. Itchy skin is mainly associated with allergies or dry skin, and a reduction in the secretion of sebaceous glands. Some patients experience itching due to long-term diabetes, and it is most commonly seen in the elderly. Some elderly people also develop chronic itching due to frequently bathing in hot water. Once itchy skin occurs, treatment at the dermatology department of a formal hospital with anti-allergy medication is generally sufficient. Avoid bathing in overly hot water, spicy and irritant foods, and staying up late. After bathing, it is advisable to use a moisturizer extensively. While this condition generally has no correlation with cancer, some patients diagnosed with cancer may also experience itching, though it is not related to the simple presence of itchy skin.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Da Wei
Dermatology
1min 2sec home-news-image

Causes of itchy skin on the lower legs in summer

In summer, if you experience itching on the lower legs, it's important to consider summer dermatitis. Summer dermatitis is a seasonal skin disorder caused by hot weather, commonly affecting adults' limbs, especially the lower legs. The outer side of the lower legs, or the front part, typically shows symptoms. The characteristics of the lesion include localized bright red erythema with dense, medium-sized papules. Scratching can lead to scratch marks, scabs, and significant discoloration, but generally, there is no erosion or exudation. The condition is clearly related to temperature and climate, so it typically improves when the temperature drops, and can be cured by autumn or winter. It is important to maintain a living environment with good ventilation and cooling, wear loose clothing, and keep the skin clean and dry. Treatment mainly involves topical remedies, including applying calamine lotion and washing with decoctions of traditional Chinese medicine.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
1min 16sec home-news-image

What should I do if I have itchy skin due to a seafood allergy?

Seafood allergies can cause symptoms such as itchy skin and rash. You can take oral antihistamines, such as cetirizine or loratadine, to alleviate the symptoms. If the itching is severe, you can have intravenous treatments with dexamethasone, a large amount of vitamin C, and calcium gluconate, among other antiallergic treatments, to ease the symptoms. It is also advisable to drink plenty of water and eat fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins, which can be beneficial for recovery. Avoid spicy, stimulating foods and yeast-containing products, and be cautious with your diet to avoid allergenic foods. If necessary, go to the hospital to identify the specific allergens to clearly understand what you are allergic to, which will help in avoiding allergic reactions in the future. If the itching is severe and accompanied by obvious rashes, topical calamine lotion can be applied to the affected area for its anti-inflammatory, itch-relief, and astringent properties, promoting recovery. If the condition is severe, further medical examinations and treatments in a hospital are essential to prevent a serious condition from developing. (Use of medication should be under the guidance of a physician)

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.