Home Remedies for Skin Itching: Simple Ways to Get Instant Relief

Baking soda is the most common home remedy for itchy skin and skin rashes. Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve itching. Apart from this, it acts as a natural acid neutralizer, which helps in relieving the problem of itching.There are two ways to use baking soda –

First way –

• Put one cup of baking soda in a tub filled with cold water.
• Now mix this water well so that the baking soda dissolves well in it.
• Either you sit in this tub for half an hour or pour this water on your body with a mug.
• Instead of wiping with a towel, let your body dry like this.
• Do this process once daily.

Second way –

• For the problem of severe itching, prepare a paste by mixing three spoons of baking soda well in one spoon of water.
• Now apply this paste on the affected areas and leave it like this for ten minutes.
• Do this process once a day.

(Read more – Itching in hands and feet - Causes, and Treatment)

Oatmeal soothes itchy skin and helps in providing relief. It has anti-irritating, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that provide quick relief from itching.Two ways to use oatmeal -

First way -

• Mix one or two cups of colloidal oats in a tub of lukewarm water.
• Now either you sit in the tub or you can also use this mixture from a mug.
• Never use hot water as it can increase your problem even more.
• You must repeat the oatmeal bath three times a day.

Second way -

• Apart from this, mix some water in one cup of colloidal oats and leave it like this until it forms a paste.
• Now apply this mixture on the affected areas and keep it covered with a cloth for half an hour.
• Now use this remedy once a day.
• If you do not have colloidal oats, you can also use oat flour or whole oats.

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The sensation of cold water and itching goes through the same nerve of the body, so applying cold water on your affected areas will give you great relief from itching in the skin. There are many ways to use cold water for itchy skin -

How to use cold water -

• Rub cold water on your affected areas.
• Apply ice tied with cloth on the affected areas.
• Apart from this, you can also take a bath with cold water.

People have been using lemon for a long time to treat skin itching. Lemon contains citric and acetic acid which have antiseptic, anesthetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-irritating properties.

How to use lemon -

• Extract juice from one or two fresh lemons.
• Now dip a cotton ball in the juice and apply it on your affected areas.
• Now let it dry and then clean the area with lukewarm water.
• Repeat this remedy twice a day until the condition is cured.

(Read more - Home remedies for itching in hands and feet)

 Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic, anti-itching, antifungal and antibacterial properties that help to get rid of itching.Two ways to use apple cider vinegar -

First way -

• Mix two or three cups of apple cider vinegar in a tub of lukewarm water.
• Now sit in this tub for 15 to 30 minutes or you can also use it with a mug.
• Then let the skin dry and then apply moisturizer cream on it.
• Do this process once a day throughout the day.

Second way -

• To treat severe itching, dip cotton in apple cider vinegar and apply it on the affected areas.
• Now leave it like this for half an hour and then wash it with lukewarm water.
• Now use this mixture once or twice a day for a few days.

(Read more - 9 Best creams for skin allergy)

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Apart from this, it contains vitamin E which helps in keeping the skin moisturized and in turn reduces itching.Two ways to use aloe vera -

First way -

• First take out the gel from the leaves of aloe vera. Now apply this gel on the affected areas.
• Leave it like this for 15 minutes and then wash the area with lukewarm water.
• Do this easy remedy once daily.

Second way -

• Apart from this, mix one teaspoon of aloe vera gel with two teaspoons of green clay to make a paste.
• Now apply this paste on the affected areas and let it dry for some time.
• After drying, wash the area with lukewarm water.
• Do this process once a day.

Basil is a useful herb to get rid of itchy skin. Basil contains high amounts of eugenol, it is an effective oil and also contains anesthetic. Along with this, a compound called camphor and thymol is found in it which provides relief from itching.Two ways to use basil -

First way -

• Put one teaspoon of dried basil leaves in two cups of boiling water.
• Keep the vessel covered for a few minutes.
• Now leave this mixture to cool and then apply it on the affected areas with cotton.
• Preserve the remaining mixture in a vessel.
• Do this process as long as you want.

Second way -

• Apart from this, crush the basil leaves and apply them directly on the affected areas.
• Wait for drying and then clean the area with lukewarm water.
• You can repeat this process as much as you want.

(Read more - Skin Allergy)

Cyme flower contains a lot of thymol, which has anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties. Thymol numbs the nerve fibers and also helps in reducing the swelling caused by excessive scratching.

How to use thyme flower -

• Put one teaspoon of dried thyme leaves in two cups of boiling water.
• After boiling, cover the vessel and wait for it to cool down.
• Now filter this mixture. Dip a clean cloth in this mixture and apply it on the affected areas.
• Do this process until the problem is cured.
• Save some mixture in a vessel for the next time.

(Read more - Home Remedies for Breast Itching)

Peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic and relaxing properties that help relieve itching caused by dermatitis, itching or stress. Two ways to use peppermint oil -

First way -

• Add a few drops of peppermint oil in a tub of lukewarm water.
• Now sit in that tub for half an hour or you can also use that water from a mug.
• Do this process once daily.

Second way -

• Apart from this, mix three to four drops of peppermint oil in one teaspoon of coconut oil, olive or almond oil.
• Now apply this oil mixture on the affected areas.
• Massage well with this oil mixture so that the oil gets absorbed inside the skin.
• Repeat this remedy once or twice a day.

Coconut oil is very beneficial for the problem of itching. Whether it is due to insect bites or dry skin. Coconut oil helps in relieving these problems.

How to use coconut oil -

• Warm the coconut oil a little.
• Now take it on the fingers and apply it on the affected areas.
• After applying, massage well and leave it like this for some time.
• There is no need to wash the coconut oil.
• This will keep your skin hydrated and also provide relief from itching.
• Be sure to apply lukewarm coconut oil on the affected areas before bathing.
• You can also apply a little coconut oil with cotton after bathing.

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Neem is known for itching and skin related problems. Neem leaves, bark and oil act as antifungal, antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. Neem leaves are also known for acne and pimples. It has astringent and cooling properties. All these properties treat itching related problems well. Apart from this, it is also considered useful for eczema, psoriasis and dandruff. Apply a little neem oil on the affected areas and massage it. Leave this oil as it is.

Sesame oil is another natural remedy for dry skin and sunburn. It is easily absorbed by your skin, nourishes it and treats the skin from within. Applying a little sesame seed oil on the affected areas helps reduce redness and itching caused by scratching. Using it daily will act as a sunscreen on your skin and will keep your skin moisturized. Next time you suffer from itchy skin, try these remedies instead of scratching.

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Many home remedies can be effective in relieving itching. Taking a cold bath or applying cold compress on the affected area provides instant relief. Applying coconut oil, aloe vera gel, or olive oil on itchy skin reduces inflammation and irritation. Paste of neem leaves or its water is very useful in relieving itching as it has antiseptic properties. Paste of baking soda and oatmeal also helps in soothing itchy skin. Apart from this, wearing loose and cotton clothes during itching also provides relief.