Severe itching after showering

I am a 33 year old female who has been dealing with this for over 1 1/2 years (if not longer.) Back in 2001 I was diagnosed with folliculitis. The symptoms were severe itching with external redness, bumps, and weeping. My doctor at the time said not to use any razor more than once and to stop tanning (as an esthetician I know it can cause fungus internally/externally.) The condition was so bad that I would scratch with a brush causing lesions, but also relief. I stopped tanning and used 1 razor per leg/arm. While I don't dispute sun exposure and Vitamin D boosts are great for the skin and immune system, it's all about moderation considering the health risks. Fast forward to last year (February 2012.) I relocated to a more humid climate and the itching started again after about 3-4 months, except this time there were no external symptoms. The symptoms felt like internal itching (similar to chigger bites) which caused some twitching if severe enough and localized to the arms (primarily upper) and legs (between knees and ankles.) Sometimes the itching was so bad I wanted to cry out of shear frustration that it wouldn't go away and I couldn't visibly see the issue in order to find a better solution. This would also make me light headed and fatigued from the scratching or constant movement of feeling like things were crawling on me. We thought it was the water since we lived down the street from the water treatment facility...so we got a filter (didn't work.) My doctor thought it was either from shaving, my shaving cream, or my body wash...so she suggested not shaving for a month, then switching to Cetaphil for my body wash/shaving cream (also didn't work. ) I thought it might have had something to do with being stressed from the living situation which also contributed to weight gain and depression. Moving forward to November I moved back to my hometown which is a drier climate. I thought the itching subsided due to taking showers at my friend's house while living there and then moving into my apartment. Things were good and then it started again around February. Within the past few months I started taking better care of myself. There are certain aspects of my job that are stressful (more like irritating), but nothing God can't get me through. I've gone back to counseling to help the mental and working out to help the physical. But even with all the positive changes, the itching is still there. It doesn't matter if I exfoliate (shaving or scrubs), use lotion, all of the above, none of the above...it's still inevitable. My dilemma is not that I itch, so much as it's that I can't seem to figure out why. Everytime I think I have a solution (pat drying, lotioning while damp...and in the direction of the hair growth, shaving every now and then, and so on and so on), my theory gets blown out of the water. While I can say I'm thankful it doesn't last all day, the amount of time it does last is still too much considering all that comes with it. Still looking for answers, but so grateful for the input on here.

I would definitely get a second opinion. If it is a severe allergy, yes it could cause her to quit breathing. However, from the posts I've read, it doesn't seem to be a life-threatening skin problem. I don't see her having to quit her job as a lifeguard, unless she even THINKS she will hesitate to save someone for fear of itching when she gets out of the water. I could be wrong, but I believe lifeguards are not required to get into the water unless someone is in distress.

Some things that have already helped me are:

1. Use only sensitive skin soap and my hands, instead of something abrasive like a washcloth or body scrubber
2. PAT DRY
3. Put lotion on damp skin right after shower
4. Cover with clothing asap

I hope this helps your daughter! :-)

Thanks God i found this page today. I just left the gym, and after my shower the itch came to my body as I arrived to my office. I also have seen doctors tring to get better, but really nothing worked. But I realized after I read some postings, that I am never itchy if I shower in the evenings. For a while I was afraid to shower, I blamed the towels, the soap, the weather, etc. I am happy to know I am not the only one. I will try hot showers and in the evenings.

Tahk you all.

Bath with Head and Shoulders. Tonight I wet a clothe and put a little of H & S on the rag and wipped the itchy prickly areas. I itched on my arms, legs, stomach, hands, back, and face. (Sigh). I don't enen itch anymore and the burning sensation is leaving. It's the Pyrithione Zinc. Why buy the cream or soap? It's cheaper buying Head and Shoulders. Good luck!

I have Polythicermia Vera and get "bled" about once a month but at times I still itch when humidity levels are high...

 

I watched my father suffer from this condition for years and thought he was nuts for not taking cold showers instead of hot or perhaps using lotions. Well shame on me. I have been afflicted with this condition for 20 years now and like everyone else here I have failed to find the answer; however I have made progress.

I have never seen a "professional" and will not take prescription meds for this. My condition is worse during transitional weather (Spring and Fall) Winter sucks and summer sweat is probably the worst as you can plan showers but sweating not so much. I work out a lot so that sucks.

I assume I would be diagnosed with Aquagenic Pruritus (itching after getting wet) one of those situations where it is supposed to make you feel better that there is a name for it but no help.

Here is what helps me. (Not necessarily in order of benefit)

1: Hydration- When I am disciplined and drink a large glass of water when I wake up in the morning and at least one more large glass during the day I seem to have fewer and less severe episodes.

2: Showering- I know that many of you avoid showers and may take 1 or 2 a week like my Father. I believe that I itch less if I make sure to take at least one shower a day. On the days that I miss a shower I definitely think I pay the price with a more severe episode. Shower temperature has never made a difference for me.

3: Moisturizer/shampoo etc.- Sodium Lauryl Sulfates and the like are found in most commercial products and definitely seem to worsen my condition. I have been using Coconut Oil and have recently found that one of the constituents of Coconut Oil is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Kukui nut oil has no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. I have removed SLS from my products and have ordered Pure Kukui Nut Oil to replace my Coco Nut Oil. I apply the oil (soon to be Kukui) while still in the shower just prior to stepping out. This has always helped. I have recently added a few drops of Juniper Oil to my Coconut Oil More about that next.

4: Antihistamine- I take no OTC or Script meds; however Juniper Essential Oil is a natural Antihistamine and I believe it has definitely helped me. one half hour prior to showering I place one drop under my tongue. As mentioned I have recently added to my oil regimen and have not yet formulated an opinion as to it's effectiveness there. One note about Juniper Essential Oil and all essential oils for that matter. Do not buy them at Walmart or any box store or chain health food stores etc. Manufacturers that mass produce these oils generally use the cheapest and most efficient method for extracting the oils from the raw materials using extreme pressures and heat to accomplish this task destroys the beneficial constituents leaving behind a nice smelling oil loaded with free radicals. These manufacturers even use the materials discarded from High quality Oil producers and are able to realize oils from these pre processed materials. Young Living is one company that I am aware of that guarantees a non destructive process for extracting all of their oils. They are not cheap but go a long way. Juniper is far better than any synthetic garbage from your doctor or OTC meds.

5: Meditation- I call it meditation although I have never learned to meditate. I simply mean that I lay down under the sheets ( clothing or other material touching my skin helps me (the neurological pathways to the brain travel much faster than pain)) Close my eyes control my breathing slow and deep, and imagine the itching leaving my skin with practice it has helped me get through some of the more excruciating episodes.

I hope this helps someone out there. I am a distributer for Young Living Products and can help you get an account or you can just go online.

Mike.

Thanks for your post. Trust me we have all addressed these possibilities. It is not the water. It is not the residue. It is not the temperature.

I watched my father suffer from this condition for years and thought he was nuts for not taking cold showers instead of hot or perhaps using lotions. Well shame on me. I have been afflicted with this condition for 20 years now and like everyone else here I have failed to find the answer; however I have made progress. I have never seen a "professional" and will not take prescription meds for this.

My condition is worse during transitional weather (Spring and Fall) Winter sucks and summer sweat is probably the worst as you can plan showers but sweating not so much. I work out a lot so that sucks.

I assume I would be diagnosed with Aqua genic Pruritus (itching after getting wet) one of those situations where it is supposed to make you feel better that there is a name for it but no help.

Here is what helps me. (Not necessarily in order of benefit)

1: Hydration- When I am disciplined and drink a large glass of water when I wake up in the morning and at least one more large glass during the day I seem to have fewer and less severe episodes.

2: Showering- I know that many of you avoid showers and may take 1 or 2 a week like my Father. I believe that I itch less if I make sure to take at least one shower a day. On the days that I miss a shower I definitely think I pay the price with a more severe episode. Shower temperature has never made a difference for me.

3: Moisturizer/shampoo etc.- Sodium Lauryl Sulfates and the like are found in most commercial products and definitely seem to worsen my condition. I have been using Coconut Oil and have recently found that one of the constituents of Coconut Oil is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Kukui nut oil has no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. I have removed SLS from my products and have ordered Pure Kukui Nut Oil to replace my Coco Nut Oil. I apply the oil (soon to be Kukui) while still in the shower just prior to stepping out. This has always helped. I have recently added a few drops of Juniper Oil to my Coconut Oil More about that next.

4: Antihistamine- I take no OTC or Script meds; however Juniper Essential Oil is a natural Antihistamine and I believe it has definitely helped me. one half hour prior to showering I place one drop under my tongue. As mentioned I have recently added to my oil regimen and have not yet formulated an opinion as to its effectiveness there. One note about Juniper Essential Oil and all essential oils for that matter, do not buy them at Walmart or any box store or chain health food stores etc. Manufacturers that mass produce these oils generally use the cheapest and most efficient method for extracting the oils from the raw materials using extreme pressures and heat to accomplish this task destroys the beneficial constituents leaving behind a nice smelling oil loaded with free radicals. These manufacturers even use the materials discarded from High quality Oil producers and are able to realize oils from these preprocessed materials. Young Living is one company that I am aware of that guarantees a nondestructive process for extracting all of their oils. They are not cheap but go a long way. Juniper is far better than any synthetic garbage from your doctor or OTC meds.

5: Meditation- I call it meditation although I have never learned to meditate. I simply mean that I lay down under the sheets ( clothing or other material touching my skin helps me (the neurological pathways to the brain travel much faster than pain)) Close my eyes control my breathing slow and deep, and imagine the itching leaving my skin with practice it has helped me get through some of the more excruciating episodes.

I hope this helps someone out there. I am a distributer for Young Living Products and can help you get an account or you can just go online.

Mike.

Don't us soap that contains SLS. Cetaphil contains!!

Hello to all,

In first place sorry for my english!

I had the same problem as some of you describe.I tried all of the best creams and antihistamines.On August 19 I went to a homeopathic to me coughing and perianal blood.He told me that the cause was related to lack of calcium, magnesium and potash.What is certain is that after three days my problems disappeared.Still do treatment only natural products.I would leave the mark of product, but I am afraid to think what I'm trying to market the products.I hope that has helped you.

I have had this twice.  Along time ago I had it for about a month, went to the doctor, and of course, they had no idea what it was.

it came back three days ago. I read all the posts here and tried something and it worked!  I put a portable heater in the bathroom when I showered.  I Thad it on for five minutes warming up the bathroom before I showered.  I took a quick shower.  Then I patted myself dry with two towels. Then, I put on a Cotten bathrobe.  Then I put the heater on a little hotter for about three to five minutes.  I also rubbed Sarno cream on my legs...which are usually my worst area.  I had minor itching for about one minute today.  Yesterday, taking a normal shower without these things, I had 45 minutes of terrible itching! 

if you tanned you would feel way better. i been through practically everything you did above, and nothing helped. even took allergy pills to help the itching. Tanning is the only thing that helps me

After reading these comments I thought I would try something as I too have suffered with this problem for many years. It is only after reading replies to your initial posting that I made the connection. Whilst being on holiday in the sun I noticed I didn't have the itching. It started as my tan began to fade. I have noticed by applying dove summer glow -a self tanning lotion - once a week, I don't itch after my shower. I hope this might help you.

Hi I have been suffering from this severe itching after bathing my whole life, however have had periods where it isnt as bad. For the last few months it has been after every shower and its getting me down. I used to find that if i moisturised straight away and dressed it sometimes wasnt too bad but now nothing helps and i feel i could rip my own legs off! Its good to know its not just me that suffers from this condition and the various suggestions on the forum are useful. I think the common link here is temp of water which i usually have HOT as if its cool i usually itch more. It generally lasts bout 20-40 mins after bathing but doesnt start until around 5 mins after. Its particulary bad for me after swimming too and has started also occuring even when not bathing particularly when my legs are exposed. Think i will make a trip to see my doc and try and find out what more i can do to aliviate the itching before it drives me mad! I have experienced extreme pain before but this itching is worse than that and unless you have been through it you cant relate.

It could actually be what you're using in the shower, as opposed to the water. I itch after using certain soap products (shower gel, soap, washing powder) and it's a common allergy, so it's worth checking this out. Try changing to a different shower gel/soap, whatever you use, and see if this makes a difference. May be Your skin is dry and bathing makes it worse, you need to start using lotion regularly and especially after the shower.