How to Overcome Itching Due to Allergies
Sunday 8 January 2023
Conditions in which an inflammatory or itchy reaction occurs when the skin comes in contact with certain foreign bodies is called allergic contact dermatitis. Usually, symptoms of allergic itching appear on parts of the body that are directly exposed to foreign objects or substances that trigger allergies.
Causes of Allergic Itching
So far, there are more than 3,000 substances or objects that have been proven to cause an itchy allergic reaction in a person. Here are some things that are generally a factor in triggering the appearance of allergic itching:
- Latex, the basic material for making rubber gloves, balloons and condoms.
- Nickel, a metal that is usually used as a mixture of jewelry and buttons on jeans.
- Body care products, such as shampoo, deodorant, body care soap, nail polish, hair dye, lotion, and sunscreen cream.
- Clothing cleaning products, such as detergents and fabric softeners.
- Medications that are applied to the skin, such as antibiotics.
- Perfume or fragrance and alcohol.
- Dye.
- Certain types of plants, especially nettle (poison ivy) and pollen.
- UV light.
Generally, the body's reaction to these triggers will get worse if you have certain skin conditions, such as eczema.
How to Overcome Allergic Itching Without Medication
When allergic itching hits the skin, there are several ways you can do it at home, namely:
1. Know the trigger factors and avoid them
Many people focus on using drugs to treat allergic itching. Actually, the most important thing in the steps for treating itching due to allergies is to find out the trigger factors for the appearance of allergic itching and avoid them as much as possible.
By knowing the trigger factors for allergic itching, the appearance of symptoms can be avoided and you don't always need medication.
2. Do not scratch
Scratching will not relieve itching that hit the skin, but it will make the skin worse. Scratching itchy skin can also cause irritation and infection.
To avoid the urge to scratch, cover itchy skin with comfortable clothing. In addition, another preventive measure is to cut the nails.
3. Compress with cold water
Relieve itching due to allergies can be done with cold water compresses. Cover the itchy part of the skin with a cloth that has been moistened with cold water or ice water to protect the skin and prevent scratching.
Do this for about 5–10 minutes until the itching subsides. Cold temperatures can help reduce itching.
4. Take a cold shower
Apart from compressing with cold water, cold showers can also be a way to reduce itching due to allergies. For an even more effective itch relief, add baking soda or an oatmeal-based bath product to an already cool bath.
If the itching doesn't go away, you can try applying anti-itch medication. Use anti-itch drugs that contain hydrocortisone or calamine based ingredients.
Apply an anti-itch medication to itchy skin twice a day until the itching subsides. If necessary, taking antihistamines can also relieve allergic itching, but the dosage and use need to be adjusted according to a doctor's prescription.
Even if the self-measures above work, don't forget to still find out what's causing the allergic itch. If you are unsure of the cause, you can contact a dermatologist to get further tests and the right medication.
The doctor will do a complete examination, and if necessary, suggest an allergy test to find the exact cause of allergic itching on your body.