How to Get Rid of Itchy Skin with Home Remedies

Co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: June 10, 2022 References Approved

Dealing with itchy skin is never fun, no matter what the cause is. Thankfully, there are ways you can address your itchy skin and soothe irritation right from home without having to go to the doctor or dermatologist.

Here are 14 home remedies to get rid of itchy skin.

1

Use a cold compress.

Wet a cloth and hold it against your skin for about 30 minutes. Use cold water to soothe your skin and stop the itching. Over time, the water will help soften and remove dead skin that might be causing irritation.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- You can also press ice packs or frozen bags of peas or beans against the itchy area, but wrap them in a towel first. Apply frozen items for between 10-20 minutes about once a day.
- Stay away from heating pads or hot compresses, as that could make your skin more irritated.

2

Take a cool shower.

Soak in the shower for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Hop into the shower and turn the water to cool (but not cold). Stay in there until your itching subsides.^{[2]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
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- You can also soak in a bath full of cool water, although that might be slightly less comfortable than taking a cool shower.

3

Take an oatmeal bath.

Try soaking in it for 20 to 30 minutes to soothe your skin. Fill up your tub with cool to lukewarm water, then add in 2 cups (400 g) of unprocessed and uncooked oatmeal. Soak in the bath until your skin feels better or you get too cold.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- You can also make a paste out of uncooked oat flour and water to target specific areas of your skin. Simply apply it to your itchy skin and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes for some relief.

4

Moisturize every day.

Apply moisturizer to damp skin to lock in hydration. Dry skin is a big cause of itching. Purchase a fragrance-free moisturizer and apply it every day, focusing on the areas that are the itchiest. Try to put on your moisturizer right after you get out of the shower when your skin is the wettest.^{[4]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Ingredients like alcohol and added fragrances can cause irritation and make your skin even drier.
- Thick ointments like petroleum jelly work well on severe skin irritation like eczema.^{[5]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
- Lotions and creams are best for normal to dry skin.

5

Try calamine or menthol lotion.

These topical cooling agents can help soothe and relieve itching. Buy a lotion that contains calamine or menthol from your local drugstore, then smooth it onto your itchy skin. You can use these products daily to help reduce irritation and itching over time.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- These creams work almost instantly, and you’ll actually feel a cooling sensation on your skin.

6

Use aloe vera on the area.

Aloe vera contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has plenty of vitamin E that is useful in the treatment of burns and helps to reduce inflammation and itching. Pick up some aloe vera gel from your local drugstore and smooth it onto your irritated skin.^{[7]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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- Aloe vera gel from a store is fine, but fresh aloe vera is ideal! If you have a whole aloe plant, take a piece, cut it open, and then apply the gel over the itchy skin.

7

Set up a humidifier in your home.

Dry air can make your skin even itchier. If you live in a dry climate, set up a humidifier in your home to put moisture back into the air and keep your skin from drying out. This is especially important during the winter time when the heating in your home could be drying out the air.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Try to clean your humidifier regularly to avoid a buildup of mold or mildew. Check your instruction manual for an exact timeline of how often you should be cleaning it.

8

Limit bathing to 2 to 3 times per week.

Too many showers or baths can make your skin itchier. When you shower, use lukewarm water instead of hot, and try not to stay in the shower for more than 10 to 15 minutes. When you get out, moisturize right away to avoid itchy skin.^{[9]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities
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- Warm water can dry out your skin and make it itchier.

9

Wear loose, cotton clothing.

Tight clothes can cause irritation. Similarly, clothing made of wool and synthetic fabrics can cause itchiness, especially if you have sensitive skin. Try to pick out clothes made of cotton that are a little loose so they don’t irritate your skin.^{[10]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Cotton clothing also helps wick away moisture and sweat, which can help prevent itchy skin.

10

Pat and tap your skin instead of scratching.

Unfortunately, scratching usually makes itching worse. If you’re really having trouble keeping your hands away from your itchy skin, try patting or tapping the skin instead of scratching with your nails. Keep your nails short so you aren't tempted to scratch and make your skin even more irritated.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Scratching can also lead to infection if you accidentally break the skin.

11

Use laundry detergent for sensitive skin.

Regular detergent contains chemicals that may irritate your skin. Try to find unscented detergent or detergent made specifically for sensitive skin. In addition, try putting all your clothes through an extra-rinse cycle to remove any lingering traces of the detergent.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- You may also want to consider using all-natural or organic cleaning products that minimize added chemicals.

12

Sleep for 7 to 9 hours every night.

Being tired can make your skin irritation worse. In general, try to sleep for around 8 hours each night to stay rested and wake up refreshed. If you have trouble falling asleep, try turning off your electronics 30 minutes before you go to bed, and make sure your room is cool, dark, and quiet.^{[13]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- If your itchy skin is keeping you awake, use a cooling agent about 30 minutes before you go to sleep.

13

Reduce your stress levels.

Practice yoga, meditation, and self-care often. The less stressed you are, the better your skin will feel. Try to do something relaxing for yourself every single day to lower your stress levels and stay happy.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Reducing stress can look different for everyone. Don’t be afraid to try out a few different relaxation methods before you find something you like!

14

Avoid topical antihistamine sprays.

They can actually make itchy skin worse. As you shop around for anti-itch products, you might find sprays like Benadryl or Caladryl. However, experts warn that products like these can cause irritation, and it’s hard to control the dosage in a spray.^{[15]
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Research source}

Expert Q&A

Question

What can I do if my vagina itches?

Lisa Bryant, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Physician
Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.

Lisa Bryant, ND

Licensed Naturopathic Physician

Expert Answer

There are several causes for vaginal itching and determining the cause first is important to help guide the treatment. Some common causes are yeast infections, vaginal dryness, irritation from soaps and laundry detergent and sexually transmitted infections. See your doctor to rule these out and then go from there.
Question

I don't know the cause of itching on my legs, but it's really bad. What should I do?

Lisa Bryant, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Physician
Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.

Lisa Bryant, ND

Licensed Naturopathic Physician

Expert Answer

You can try the treatments described in this article first. If your symptoms do not resolve within a few days, schedule an appointment with your doctor for further exams and evaluation.
Question

I am not able to find what kind of allergy I'm having. Can I tell by when I get the irritation?

Lisa Bryant, ND
Licensed Naturopathic Physician
Dr. Lisa Bryant is Licensed Naturopathic Physician and natural medicine expert based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and completed her residency in Naturopathic Family Medicine there in 2014.

Lisa Bryant, ND

Licensed Naturopathic Physician

Expert Answer

Some reactions form right after exposure, while others are delayed. If you suspect it's something in your environment or food (and haven't been able to determine on your own), you could consider getting allergy testing done with by an allergist or dermatologist.