Skin itches after showering
introduction
Many people are familiar with the problem: the skin itches after showering.
Redness and / or flaking of the skin need not necessarily occur. The causes of itching of the skin after showering can be diverse and, as is so often the case, treatment depends on the cause.
In the following, the most common causes and treatment options for itchy skin after showering are explained.
Causes of Itchy Skin After Showering
Many people have dry patches of skin after showering, which are often itchy. But what can be done about it? One should first start by tackling the causes of the itchy skin. Three factors play a major role during the shower.
- On the one hand, you should not shower too long or too often. Showering longer than ten minutes is not only a waste of water, it also attacks the protective film on the skin. This causes the skin to dry out and itchy areas of the skin. Theoretically, you shouldn't shower every day either, as this would permanently damage the natural grease film over the skin. This leads to dry and itchy skin.
- A second factor that leads to itchy skin after showering is the water temperature when showering. The hotter the water, the more likely it is to dry and itchy skin. Therefore, those affected should make sure to correct the water temperature down a little.
- A last important point are shower gels, shampoos or other care products. All of them can cause severe skin reactions through allergic reactions. In these cases, there is usually severe reddening of the skin and the formation of small pimples (Exanthema).
Most cheap and artificial detergents destroy the natural greasy film of the skin and thus lead to dehydration. Too frequent use of shower gels has the same effect. For this reason, care should be taken with these products that consumption is restricted and that the agent has a moisturizing effect if possible.
People who notice that the skin itches after showering WITHOUT the redness and / or flaking can basically rule out an allergic reaction. In these cases, the cause can be damage to or destruction of the skin's natural protective acid mantle.
In addition, weather-dependent sensitivities and reactions can already be the cause. The exact reasons why many people's skin itchy after showering are not exactly clear. A fact that stresses many of those affected.
Many people also complain of itchy skin after shaving. If the shave was done while showering, it is difficult to tell whether the showering or shaving is to blame for the itchy skin.
In summary, you should shower as rarely as possible, briefly and with cold water, and the use of shower gels should be reduced.
Also read our topic: Red spots after showering.
Skin itches after taking a cold shower
Most people experience itching as a very distressing symptom of the skin. The skin is itchy not only with manifest skin diseases, but often also with healthy skin. The skin can also itch after showering. In general, hot and long showers are more likely to cause itching, whereas cold showers are gentler on the skin. However, itching can also occur after a cold shower. Usually it is not the cold water that is responsible for this, but generally rather dry skin. It is therefore important to ensure that the entire skin of the body is properly moisturized. An attempt to change the shower gel can also be successful against the itching, as there is often a simple intolerance to the product used.
Skin itches after showering despite applying lotion
In most cases of itchy skin after a shower, those affected will benefit from applying lotion. However, if there is no improvement afterwards, various causes are conceivable. For one thing, the wrong cream or body lotion cannot provide the desired relief. Pay attention to your own skin type and the type of cream.
Moisturizers should be used for oily skin. If the skin is very dry, a more oily variant should be used. It can also be helpful to try your hand at different brands and products. Every skin is individual and therefore different in its care.
The amount of cream or lotion that is used after showering on itchy skin is also crucial for the success of the cream. Usually too little cream is used so that the skin is not sufficiently wetted with it. The cream cannot develop its effect sufficiently and there is no improvement in the complexion of the skin. Too much cream is also not good for the skin, as it tends to become fatty afterwards. If all of these tips don't help, your shower behavior should be reconsidered.
Skin itches all over after showering
Usually only individual skin areas are affected by the itching after showering. These are most likely the areas that have the longest contact with the water and shower gel. Often the shoulders, back, and front of the legs are affected.
If the dry and itchy areas of skin appear all over the body, this is often due to incorrect shower behavior. If you shower too long, this will damage the natural fat film of the skin. Showering too hot or too much shower gel has the same effect. Non-pH-neutral and strongly perfumed shower gels also promote the development of itchy skin after showering.
So you should shower as rarely as possible, as briefly as possible and with cold water. If these tips do not provide adequate relief from skin problems, you must also apply sufficient cream after showering. Various creams and body lotions are available from the drugstore or pharmacy.
The skin also burns
Itchy and burning skin is a warning sign that the skin is irritated for a variety of reasons. If the burning and itching occurs especially after you shower, there could be a number of reasons. One possible cause is an intolerance to the care and hygiene products used. Especially those who suffer from sensitive skin should use gentle shower gels and care products from the pharmacy.
Even very dry skin burns and itches more often after showering. Therefore, after showering, you should always care for the entire skin with a moisturizing lotion. If the itching and burning sensation persists even after intensive care, a fungal disease or another skin disease, such as atopic dermatitis, may be the cause of the symptoms. Other skin changes, such as redness or flaking, also suggest the presence of an underlying disease. In such a case, a dermatologist should be consulted.
You can find more information on this topic at: Skin burns
The skin has red spots
Red spots and itching are not uncommon after showering. Mostly the cause of this is too hot shower water. The redness is found mainly on the calves and quickly disappears within a few minutes. The itching, however, usually lasts longer and shows that the skin is very dry. However, plenty of lotion after showering helps very well. To avoid the annoying stains and itching, it is advisable to shower with lukewarm water. A cold shower of the skin can also help against the spots.
If the stains appear anyway, there is usually another cause behind them. Intolerance to shower gels or other care products such as shaving foam or body lotion are conceivable. It is advisable to change the product once. This is how you can easily find out whether you might have reacted to it irritably.
You can find detailed information at: Red spots on the body
Treating itchy skin after a shower
You can also do something against itchy skin after showering. Many affected people benefit from targeted cooling of the affected skin areas. Furthermore, skin that itches after showering should be stressed with as little shower gel as possible. This fact is due to the fact that many creams are still not pH-neutral and therefore attack or even destroy the skin's natural protective acid layer. As a result, the skin surface becomes much more sensitive and can only perform its protective function inadequately.
Skin creams and body lotions are often the means of choice for itchy skin after a shower. Here, quality products should be used that do justice to the respective skin type. Oily creams should be used on dry skin. Moisturizers are recommended for skin that is already oily. Mostly you have to try different products until you find the best one for you. If you are at a loss, both the Internet and the retail clerk can be used to help. In particularly severe cases, a visit to the dermatologist can also be considered.
Read more on this topic at: Skin care
A little digression on the anatomy of the skin
The skin is known as the largest organ in the human body and has to perform a number of extensive tasks.
As a covering or protective organ, the skin has a great job to do. It is able to effectively intercept mechanical as well as chemical and / or thermal damage and thereby protect the tissue underneath it and protect it from serious damage. In addition, the skin is essential for the absorption and transmission of various stimuli from the outside world. These are mainly mechanical stimuli (pressure and vibration). Thermal (heat and cold) and pain stimuli are also recorded by the skin.
It stands to reason that these far-reaching tasks cannot be accomplished without a certain amount of strain. Only intact, resilient skin is able to adequately perform its tasks. If the skin itches frequently after showering, there could be a variety of reasons.
