Showering is so much more than just getting clean, isn’t it? For some, it’s their only alone time in the day; a sort of meditation if you will, where they let the water run over their body and wash away all their worries for the day ahead, or the day just gone by. And for others, it’s the time they get to live out their wildest fantasies… we’re talking about fantasies of being a famous pop star on the Grammy stage, of course!
But the fun quickly comes to a halt for some when they step out of the shower only to begin to feel itchiness all over their skin. Maybe this is you, too? Good news is - you’re not alone! Itching after taking a shower is a lot more common than you may realize; not to mention there are many reasons why this could be happening to you.
In this article, we hope to set your mind at ease just a little bit by going over the most common reasons you may be experiencing the post-shower-itch and what you can do about it.
Your skin is dry:
For most people, dry skin will be the culprit causing itchiness after showering. If you’re used to stepping out of the shower and simply throwing on your clothes or PJ’s while skipping moisturizer on your body, you may be unknowingly doing this to yourself! Of course, it’s not just lack of moisturizing that may lead to dry skin. You can also be experiencing dry skin due to the indoor temperature in your home (too warm or too cold), the heating in your home and the level of moisture it saps out of the air; as well as washing too much! Yes, you really can get dry skin by overwashing your body!
Here’s one more reason why your skin may be dry, and for some of you reading this, you won’t like it! If you’re accustomed to taking (scalding) hot showers, you may be exacerbating your dry skin problems! Turn the temperature down just a bit to prevent this.
What can you do about it?
When you hop out of the shower, you may be tempted to dry yourself off real quick, especially in the cooler months! To limit the amount of moisture escaping your skin though, you should only dab your skin with your towel before applying your moisturizer. Doing this seals in moisture, and keeps your skin from drying out. You can always reapply moisturizer throughout the day as needed as well, especially to exposed parts of your skin.
Your bodycare products may be the culprit:
Whether it’s your shower gel, soap, or even shampoo or conditioner… the products you use on your skin in the shower may just be the culprit behind your itchiness. Many well-known brands sell products that are filled with additives that actually strip your skin of it’s natural oils. Your natural oils provide a level of moisture for your skin, so losing this will result in dryness and itching. If you haven’t yet, now may be the time to check the labels on your products and see if there are any unnecessary ingredients! Chances are there will be more than a few that don’t need to be there!
What can you do about it?
Staying clear from products that contain parabens, sulfates and other ingredients that may dry skin, cause irritation or aggravate flare-ups is step number one!
It’s best to stick with body care products that are rich in antioxidants and nutrients that hydrate your skin. Jojoba oil, shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera, and cocoa butter are just a few examples of ingredients that will soothe and moisturize your skin without causing irritation.
We’ve got a great selection of bodycare products that are well-suited for you if you’re experiencing itchiness or want to switch to natural products. Try our Skin Rescue Shower Gelee which can provide natural We’ve got a great selection of bodycare products that are well-suited for you if you’re experiencing itchiness or want to switch to natural products. Try our Skin Rescue Shower Gelee which can provide natural eczema healing support, hydrate your skin, and is brimming in beautiful natural ingredients like aloe vera, and an infusion of organic herbs traditionally used for dry, flaky or itchy areas. Follow up and hydrate your body with our sheer Naked Rescue Lite Lotion. Then moisturize stubborn dry spots with our Skin Rescue Cream which contains a powerful hydrating formula of natural ingredients that spreads easily across the skin, providing immediate hydration, and is rapidly absorbed without leaving any greasy residue.
You may have an underlying condition:
If you follow the above advice and address your dry skin, and clean up your bodycare routine by switching to natural products but still aren’t getting any relief from itchiness after you shower, then you may have an underlying condition, or eczema.
A few conditions that may be causing the itching include:
Contact dermatitis: This condition occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with an irritant or allergen, leading to an itchy rash. Showering can exacerbate this reaction for some individuals.
Xerosis - more common in older people, also known as the “winter itch”.
Hodgkin Lymphoma - amongst other symptoms (like weight loss, night sweats, and fever) itchiness is a common symptom.
Cholinergic Urticaria - this form of hives is due to body temperature being raised (hot showers being one example) and can be very itchy.
Psoriasis - this chronic autoimmune condition leads to the rapid buildup of skin cells, resulting in red, scaly patches that can become itchy. Showering or hot water can aggravate the symptoms for some individuals.
Allergic reactions some people may develop an allergic reaction to certain substances found in skincare products, such as fragrances, preservatives, or dyes. This can lead to irritation or itchy skin after shower.
Aquagenic Urticaria - although rare, this condition is a form of hives caused by the skin coming into contact with water and can be very itchy
What you can do about it?
If you’ve done absolutely everything to try and find the trigger for your itchiness but can’t find relief, then it may be time to seek out professional help by seeing a board-certified dermatologist who can help you find the root cause of your skin itching, and provide you with options for relief.
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