Spray on a light oil on your wet skin after showering. It helps.
Hi, I am 29 and I have suffered from itching after showers since I was about 16. I have noticed being sun burnt stops the itching but that's hardly a good way to prevent itching. After lot's of trial and error I have come to the conclusion that lotions and shower gels make no difference, what I've noticed that helps is hot baths instead of showers (someone else mentioned try having hot showers) For me the colder the bath or shower the more I itch afterwards but if I have a hot bath this usually helps. Hot showers help too but not as much. Not sure about the diet thing, not tried that one yet.
I have been itching like crazy after showers so I am not taking them as often, which is not great.
But my massage therapist suggested a shower filter for the chlorine. I just bought one. He said try it for about 2 weeks before you can tell the change. Not that expensive of a fix if this does it. I just noticed this itching thing about 2 years ago....r maybe it has just gotten worse.
But my massage therapist suggested a shower filter for the chlorine. I just bought one. He said try it for about 2 weeks before you can tell the change. Not that expensive of a fix if this does it. I just noticed this itching thing about 2 years ago....r maybe it has just gotten worse.
When you say a shower filter for chlorine, do you mean chlorine going into the water or coming out? I was under the impression that there was no chlorine in tap water.
Thank God I'm not as crazy as I thought! I've had this itching problem for the last 2 years, during this time I was also pregnant. (Like there's not enough bodily changes going on). The itching / pain literally brings me to tears. I would rip my skin off if had the opportunity. Showers in the morning are out of the question. The itching attacks are 10 times more severe. I shower in the evenings which helps just a little bit. In my case it is not seasonal, it is yearly. Hot water seems to agrevate it even more. Another thing that helps...again just a little is to blast my legs and arms (this is where the itching occurs) with COLD water, until I have goosebumps. All this seems to do is reduce the length of time I itch. Lotions, clean towels, patting dry do nothing. I recently went to my internist and was told I had histamines in my skin which had a reaction to warm water. I was prescriped an anti-histamine. This also DID NOT work. I have an appt. with a dermatologist and am praying there is something he can do. These attacks consume my life. I do agree with some of the statement made about tanning. I like to call it skin therapy, because it does offer some relief. Unfortunatley this is only a temporary fix to the problem and of course can lead to other problems.
From reading this thread I've noticed relief comes in many forms. Some say Hot water, but in my case it makes it worse. I wonder if there are different forms of this [disease].....I am however going to try some of the tips that seem to pertain more to me. My heart goes out to all of you. There is no way to describe this problem to people who don't suffer from it.
From reading this thread I've noticed relief comes in many forms. Some say Hot water, but in my case it makes it worse. I wonder if there are different forms of this [disease].....I am however going to try some of the tips that seem to pertain more to me. My heart goes out to all of you. There is no way to describe this problem to people who don't suffer from it.
OMG so I'm not as crazy as I feel!!! I have been having these itching attacks for 2 years straight. Prior to this I would have occasional attacks which I just blew off as not enough moisterizer. Since they became a constant, I have not been able to shower in the morning. For some reason the attacks are more severe and last a lot longer in the morning. I'm stuck only being able to shower in the evenings. This solution only offers a little bit of relief. It also seems as if hot water aggrevates the problem even more. I can already start to feel my legs itching before I get out of the shower. This usually gives me an idea of how severe the attack will be. The itching only happens on my legs and arms...most often my legs. I also sometimes find some relief if I blast my arms and legs with ice cold water before getting out of the shower. As soon as I'm out Medicated Gold Bond cream gets applied. All these little rituals I do only help a little bit. I cannot remember the last time I got out of the shower and was itch free. I've recently gone to see my doctor and was told it was the hitamines in my skin that were causing my itching. He prescribed me a somewhat strong anti-histamine and this did nothing. I was given blood test to check my liver enzymes and for Bile salts. Supposedly if your liver is releasing Bile salts, these salts can nestle themselves under your skin which causes and itching from the inside. All test results came back normal. Needless to say I'm going to see a dermatologist. I'm not confident he will be able to figure this out. Someone mentioned applying lotion BEFORE you shower. I'm going to try this. I also must agree tanning does seem to help a little. But it is temporary and can also lead to other problems. My heart goes out to all of you who suffer from this. There is no way to explaing the itch/pain we endur to someone who does not have this problem. :'(
Maybe your shower is too hot? Maybe not just trying to help you!
I am a nurse and I have suffered from this condition since I was 20 years old, I am now 37. I only found out what it was two years ago, through googling itchy skin after a shower, one day, when experiencing one of my worst episodes of itchiness.
My itch generally started on just my legs, when in my early twenties, then progressed to legs and arms in my later twenties, early thirties. If left alone it can last 30 minutes, if I make the fatal mistake of scratching it, I can suffer for an hour.
It has affected my ability to get ready for work in the morning.
If I sweat I get itchy, if I get unchanged and expose my skin to the air sometime it gets itchy and that I cannot explain. My husband can use me as a monitor now to whether it is about to rain or not, as he will notice I am starting to scratch at my arms, or legs, next thing you know, it rains!
I am at my best when in a hot, dry ish climate. I can get the itch when the heaters are on too hot indoors, if I sweat etc
It varies when I am at my worst and like others I can have periods when it is most severe and other times I don't suffer too much, but that isn't long. I am at my worst at present and it is Autumn, colder in temperature. I do suffer dry skin, always have.
I have lived in New Zealand, Poland and the UK and have travelled the world and I have suffered it everywhere.
Now for a solution I have tried everything. Antihistamines do not work.
If I hot water blast myself before getting out of the shower - this WORKS! I make sure it is so hot I can barely stand it and I run the nozzle all over my body, mainly legs and arms and have the skin pink, before I get out of the shower.
I then only dry my hair and feet with a towel and I coat myself in a thick moisturiser, while still wet and leave my skin to dry naturally, before getting dressed. Once dry I get dressed and have not suffered any itch doing this.
I have used this method following a shower now for two years and it works!!
If my room is hot and I feel myself sweating a bit then I open a door/window and let air in, but do not let any air blow onto you, as this sets off the itch too.
I still suffer if I sweat, if I wake in the night and got too hot and sweated at all, I will itch. i use a hair dryer to dry the itchy parts of my skin. It is not as good as a hot water blast, but I hold it onto the spot till it almost hurts and after a few minutes of doing this all over where I am itching from sweat, this works.
It dominates my life, but I try not to let it. I am much better now I use these techniques.
i hope they help some of you too. I know how awful this is, to feel like a million ants are biting at your skin, like pins and needles are stabbing you till you itch, from the inside and having nothing to show for it. You can't see anything and people think you are mad when you tell them!
But you aren't - this is a condition and clearly people are only just starting to learn about it. I cannot wait till someone finds a cure! till then it is hot water blasts at the end of the shower and my hair dryer!
My itch generally started on just my legs, when in my early twenties, then progressed to legs and arms in my later twenties, early thirties. If left alone it can last 30 minutes, if I make the fatal mistake of scratching it, I can suffer for an hour.
It has affected my ability to get ready for work in the morning.
If I sweat I get itchy, if I get unchanged and expose my skin to the air sometime it gets itchy and that I cannot explain. My husband can use me as a monitor now to whether it is about to rain or not, as he will notice I am starting to scratch at my arms, or legs, next thing you know, it rains!
I am at my best when in a hot, dry ish climate. I can get the itch when the heaters are on too hot indoors, if I sweat etc
It varies when I am at my worst and like others I can have periods when it is most severe and other times I don't suffer too much, but that isn't long. I am at my worst at present and it is Autumn, colder in temperature. I do suffer dry skin, always have.
I have lived in New Zealand, Poland and the UK and have travelled the world and I have suffered it everywhere.
Now for a solution I have tried everything. Antihistamines do not work.
If I hot water blast myself before getting out of the shower - this WORKS! I make sure it is so hot I can barely stand it and I run the nozzle all over my body, mainly legs and arms and have the skin pink, before I get out of the shower.
I then only dry my hair and feet with a towel and I coat myself in a thick moisturiser, while still wet and leave my skin to dry naturally, before getting dressed. Once dry I get dressed and have not suffered any itch doing this.
I have used this method following a shower now for two years and it works!!
If my room is hot and I feel myself sweating a bit then I open a door/window and let air in, but do not let any air blow onto you, as this sets off the itch too.
I still suffer if I sweat, if I wake in the night and got too hot and sweated at all, I will itch. i use a hair dryer to dry the itchy parts of my skin. It is not as good as a hot water blast, but I hold it onto the spot till it almost hurts and after a few minutes of doing this all over where I am itching from sweat, this works.
It dominates my life, but I try not to let it. I am much better now I use these techniques.
i hope they help some of you too. I know how awful this is, to feel like a million ants are biting at your skin, like pins and needles are stabbing you till you itch, from the inside and having nothing to show for it. You can't see anything and people think you are mad when you tell them!
But you aren't - this is a condition and clearly people are only just starting to learn about it. I cannot wait till someone finds a cure! till then it is hot water blasts at the end of the shower and my hair dryer!
My Dad has has this problem....but his has advanced to not being limited to following a showering. In a book I have, I found that increasing Vitamin C intake can help relieve itching and hives. So, he added a daily vitamin and a glass of orange juice to his morning routine, in addition to applying (non-girly smelling) moisturizer (as reported by nurse in her post above) head-to-toe immediately upon getting out of the shower. Working for him.
I have this problem, and never thought to look it up since the "experts" had no clue what was going on. I have to take hot showers for at least 20 minutes. I've tried shorter times, and paid the price. :-( I've seen that tanning helps, but since I'm black, I don't want to end up extra crispy. The itching starts sometimes while I'm still showering and doesn't end for at least 45 min. I've found that instead of scratching, it works best to smack myself if I can (I know that sounds violent, but it works!) because I don't bruise, scratching makes it worse, and the sting dulls the itch for awhile. The itching is usually on my arms, legs, buttocks, and back. So basically, all over! I've had this all my life, and I'm 22. Someone needs to find a cure for this! I know this condition sounds trivial compared to cancer, but the itching is extremely distracting. I look completely stupid to my boyfriend, going around the house smacking myself lol
Hey all,
I also suffer from the itching after showering, bathing, humidity, etc. Today it was even bad enough to last for a while at work (usually goes away within an hour, so its rare I experience it at work), so I did a quick search in the a.m. and found the disorder to be called Aquagenic Pruritis. There really isn't much of a cure. But its helpful to know its more common than we think, and we aren't crazy!
The relief to me was the emotional symptoms. Breaking down in tears out of frustration and even not going to work because I can't stand to get ready. But most people experience the same thing. yes, its that frustrating, and people who don't experience it don't understand. >;)
Anyway, it is real, and you may find some relief by knowing what it is, and there are doctors who can help. Do a search!
I also suffer from the itching after showering, bathing, humidity, etc. Today it was even bad enough to last for a while at work (usually goes away within an hour, so its rare I experience it at work), so I did a quick search in the a.m. and found the disorder to be called Aquagenic Pruritis. There really isn't much of a cure. But its helpful to know its more common than we think, and we aren't crazy!
The relief to me was the emotional symptoms. Breaking down in tears out of frustration and even not going to work because I can't stand to get ready. But most people experience the same thing. yes, its that frustrating, and people who don't experience it don't understand. >;)
Anyway, it is real, and you may find some relief by knowing what it is, and there are doctors who can help. Do a search!
hey.. all of you pp might want to get ur blood counts done.. this itching occurs because of histamine release .. and this is one of the symptoms of polycythemia.. so apply lotions after showering and get ur cbc done.
I haven't heard anyone suggest a different type of soap...my mom has said Coast makes her itchy and I can remember my dad saying he is allergic to Ivory...me, I get it from Coast and I suspect others too. Body washes seem to work pretty good for me also staying cool when the itching starts up, I just turn on the ac.
Hi, well, i am not as good in the medical field but these attacks took me to the brink, once i was driving and was late for work almost caused an accident, and today/night as i write a few minutes ago. Well after a few research and painful observation, i noted one thing was common in both attacks, it was humid or raining. I have also researched what showers do to the body (the boring part), i found that when you shower, since there is a high water content outside the body, your skin tends to dehydrate in order to maintain a balance between, the atmosphere (shower) and water content in your body. Thus enlarging its pores. But once you leave the shower, the balance is disturbed as the skin dries suddeny causing minute cracks which cause the pain resulting in itching. So as for my advice, try to limit showers and watch the soap you use, make sure it doesnt enhance the dryness of the skin. I am yet to find a solution but i will have to build up the courage to do that soon. Hope this helps and good luck.
I've been having this issue for the past year. At first I thought perhaps we needed a water softner but when it happened even with a water softner I began to get scared. I read about it and tried some of the things suggested....it's an effect that hot water can have on some people. They suggested using cooler water and taking shorter showers....I also adjusted my shower head to sprinkler....this has helped greatly. Whenever I use the temperature I like the most, (very warm - hot) I itch like crazy. I'm red as an apple and I feel like a crazy person. So for me, taking cooler, shorter showers have worked.....I pray that this helps.