Itching? It Might Be Your Lotion
Most of the time, you do it without even realizing it. It's just something that happens. But what happens when it becomes distracting? What happens when you start developing red marks or even tearing open your skin because you start itching so much?
The aisles have lots of anti-itch creams and lotions that claim to help. But what if they're part of the problem?
Just What Is Itching?
Itching is just one of those things that doesn’t have a very good definition. It's an irritating sensation, not comfortable. Your nerves are stimulated for one reason or another, and relief comes when you itch.
Most of the time, it's not serious. You can remove the problem or sometimes it just needs to be waited out. Other times, itching might signify something deeper, physical problems that need to be resolved. And then sometimes, it can be mental, a physical expression of something psychological.
Here are some things you might want to take a look at:
- Insect bite
- Fungus
- Infection
- Eczema or atopic dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis
- Hives
- Psoriasis
- Pregnancy
- Medication
- ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure
- Allopurinol for gout
- Amiodarone for heart rhythm problems
- Diuretics for bloating
- Estrogen
- Hydroxyethyl cellulose (used during surgery)
- Opioids
- Simvastatin for high cholesterol
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium
- Shingles
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stroke
- Brain tumor
- Nerve damage
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Psychosis
- Trichotillomania
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Thyroid problems
- Certain cancers, particularly Hodgkin’s disease
- Diabetes
- Iron deficiency
- HIV
Could The Lotion You Use Cause You To Itch?
So, what does your lotion have to do with all of this?
The reason you're using lotion is to keep your skin hydrated and feeling soft. And in the short-term, your lotions do that.
But, what about the long-term?
If you take a look at some of these issues, you can see they have more to do with your body than a simple itch and just your skin.
Many things like hives, psoriasis, and others involve the immune system. Some problems involve things like the kidneys and liver. These are all things you need to detoxify your body and get rid of toxins you don't want.
If you look at your lotion, most commercial lotions have a petroleum base, the same thing that makes gasoline. When you put that on your skin, it gets absorbed in. It hydrates the dead skin cells and makes them soft and lubricated, but it also works deeper, getting into the living tissues that create your skin and into your blood.
From there, all those chemicals, fragrances, and additives can be absorbed and have to be broken down and detoxifed by your body. And it uses your liver, kidneys, and skin to do so.
If you're having problems with your kidneys, liver, or lymphatic system (or cancer), using a petroleum-based skin lotion may exasperate the problem.
And over time, you'll just itch worst.
Although they're more expensive, using moisturizers and lotions based on natural, food-based ingredients helps reduce the toxic load on your skin. Yes, many of these do feel more greasy and do not disappear into your skin as quickly, but they don't have the same impact on your body as the petroleum-based ones.
And many people feel they last longer. They often have a more pleasant taste and you don't have to worry about your pets licking the stuff off your hand.
Other Reasons You Are Itching
People have a lot of reasons they itch, and there are many, many solutions. However, going more natural helps reduce the problem.
For people who experience itching as more an immune-related problem, such as hives, insect bites, contact dermatitis, and/or autoimmune effects, keeping things natural helps reduce the number of potential allergens your body might come into contact with.
For example, people with autoimmune issues tend to react poorly to chemicals. Cheaper, commercial lotions are filled with chemicals. Although they may temporarily give relief, especially when combined with something like cortisone, it's just making the problem worse in the long term.
Additionally, for people with anxiety, OCD, or other mental or psychological issues causing the itching, it may increase physical problems by using a petroleum-based lotion. Going more natural can help reduce anxiety and keep chemicals out of your system.
Using lotion to help yourself is good, as long as you keep in mind that what you put on your skin eventually goes through your whole body. If you're focusing on whole, natural, food-based ingredients, you have much less to worry about.