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Remedy for itchy skin at night
You might scratch an itch a dozen times a day unconsciously. But then what about night-time itching? You may have just settled in bed, being all comfy, and then started to feel a little itch. Even if you give it a rub or scratch, the sensation returns. Thus, you scratch it again and again as the itching grows and becomes an irritation. This is nighttime itching.
What causes nighttime itching?
Pruritus is the itching of the skin. It tends to become worse at night. You might think it is dry skin, especially if it occurs in the cold winter months when the skin becomes more susceptible due to the lack of moisture in the air. Or you might point it to your laundry detergent, new body soap, parasites, or even stress. Let’s take a look at what can cause itchy skin at night.
- Personal items
Your personal items could be causing your nighttime itching due to irritants and bedbugs. You may have an infestation of parasites, fleas, or other insects.
- Allergies
Changes in your body processes can cause you to develop an allergic reaction to certain laundry soaps, body soaps, and shampoos. It doesn’t matter even if you have been using the same brand for years with no allergic reactions. It might be associated with a dust mite allergy. A change in your system can impact your skin’s tolerance to certain components of your jewelry and cause allergic itching.
- Decreased stimulation
As we sleep, our energy and stimulus levels decrease, which might make us more conscious of issues such as itchiness, even in its mildest form. If you suffer from a severe skin condition, it disturbs your sleep cycle to the point of waking you up in the night. Without a proper Rapid Eye Movement (REM) cycle, you can experience changes in mood and physical symptoms.
- Internal clock
Your internal clock, aka circadian rhythm, refers to the biological processes your body goes through over 24 hours. These physical, mental, and behavioral changes in the system respond to your day and night environments. Nocturnal itching episodes might be associated with these changes. Skin temperature rises at night, which might stimulate the itch facilitator levels in your skin. Water loss through the skin intensifies at night which can cause the skin to get parched and hence increase itching.
Several skin disorders also have symptoms of dry, itchy skin that seem to be exacerbated at night. These conditions include atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, urticaria, lichen simplex chronicus, etc.
How to treat itchy skin at night?
- Soak at night
To remove the day’s dead skin cells, dirt and sweat, bathe in the evening. Remember, very hot water can irritate and dry out the skin. Use lukewarm water and spend 15 minutes or less in the shower.
- Use mild soaps
Use unscented soaps, especially at night. Antibacterial and perfume-infused soaps can draw moisture from your skin and cause itchiness.
- Moisturize the skin
Use a moisturizer created for dry skin conditions. Moisturizing after a bath can help prevent itchiness as it restores the skin’s moisture.
- Change the sheets
Change your sheets frequently. If you cannot change bed linen daily, hang your bedding in direct sunlight to remove dust mites and any bacteria and dead skin cells.
- Flip the mattress
Use a mattress protector or flip mattress weekly as it might be home to millions of microscopic organisms. Replace the mattress when you can.
- Call pest control
Have a pest control agent inspect for infestations. There might be an issue with bedbugs, body lice, fleas or scabies mites. You can feel the effects of these parasites without direct contact. This is because they attach to clothing, linens, and mattresses.
- Ventilate the room
Sleep in a cool, well-ventilated room. This can reduce body temperature and sweat. Keep the bedroom heat down by opening a window, turning on a fan, or keeping the air conditioner on.
- Use lightweight fabrics
Wear light cotton sleepwear and use light blankets. As your body temperature rises, the intensity of the itch can rise as well.
When to see a doctor?
If you have tried the aforementioned home remedies for itchy skin at night with no relief, you might want to consult your doctor. Skin treatment in homeopathy gives you long-term relief. Dr Batra’s™ has the experience and expertise of treating more than 1.41 lakh patients with skin disorders successfully over the past 35 years. We can ensure our patients with safe solutions for their skin ailments. Our skin treatment in homeopathy extends beyond the physical symptoms. We address the fundamental emotional triggers such as stress and depression that are often seen in several patients with skin problems. Therefore, our skin treatment goes a step further and works towards re-integrating the patient into normal life.
Book an online appointment with us for an effective skin treatment!
