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3 surprising triggers for itchy skin that keep you up at night, warns dermatologist
Itchy skin is extremely annoying and often triggered by factors you may not even be aware of. A dermatologist offers 3 tips to relieve yourself of the irritating sensation.
Although scratching an itch is pleasurable, you’re only hurting your skin more, which further aggregates the uneasy feeling. Take the expert’s advice and tweak your lifestyle instead to get a good night’s sleep.
3 things you should do to avoid itchy skin
Watching someone scratch themselves endlessly is highly distracting, but only those suffering from the itch know how hard it is to stop.
If itchy skin is keeping you at night or leading to embarrassing moments in public or at home, perhaps you should follow Dr. Andrea Suarez’s 3 simple tips to get rid of the problem.
Evening showers
The dermatologist recommends taking a shower in lukewarm water in the evenings as itch “almost always” worsens at night.
This hydrates your skin naturally and eliminates any dust, dirt, or allergens triggering the itch. Always apply a moisturizer with pramoxine, which works better when stored in the refrigerator as the cold relieves the itch instantly.
Set your room temperature
Ensure your room has plenty of ventilation and the temperature is set to low at night as the increase in blood flow to the skin surface is what triggers the itch.
Therefore, getting warm at night, especially if you sleep hot and sweaty, can increase the itching sensation.
Choose your wardrobe carefully
Always go to bed in breathable clothes that don’t stick to your skin. The fabric should allow air to pass through to prevent itchiness.
Dr. Andrea also warns that sweat is the “biggest trigger” of itch, therefore you should never go to bed soaked in your own sweat.
If you can’t shower, she recommends using a “moist towel to wick away the sweat off the surface of the skin.”
Dr. Andrea Suarez is a Denver-based dermatologist with over 12 years of experience. She graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2011 and has gained popularity over the years for her content related to all things skincare.
