Soothing The Itch - Natural Remedies For Itchy Skin
By Ololade Franklin
Has your scalp or skin ever been uncomfortably itchy?
Do you know someone who has an itchy scalp or itchy skin? Itching
can cause extreme misery for the sufferer, however many causes of
itchiness can be solved with simple remedies.
There are many reasons why the scalp or skin may be
irritated. So before you seek a dermatologist's help, ask yourself
the following:
1) Are you using a shampoo or shower gel made from
detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate? Although
these detergents lather wonderfully they can dry your scalp or skin
out to the point of being extremely itchy. Consider switching to a
natural soap-based liquid or bar cleanser, or try making your own
cleansers yourself. Natural soaps are much kinder to the skin and
scalp because they are made from vegetable oils instead of petroleum
derivatives.
2) Is your laundry detergent making your skin itch?
Laundry detergents are made from harsh cleansers and they are so strong
that some of the residue may be left on your clothes even after the
rinse cycle. When you dry your clothes, that laundry detergent residue
is left on them. When you wear your clothes the laundry detergent
residue comes into contact with your skin. As an alternative try a
natural laundry powder available at health food stores or make your
own soap, grate it, and use it as a natural laundry powder.
3) Are you suffering from allergic reactions to one
or more food items? Commercially prepared foods contain many different
ingredients which can sometimes cause allergic reactions. Try changing
your diet by eliminating one food item at a time and see if this helps.
4) Has your skin come into contact with a bacteria
or fungus that could cause itching (like athlete's foot)? Try applying
tea tree oil, or a product containing tea tree oil to the spot that
is irritated. According to Dr. Ruth Winter, M.S., author of A Consumer's
Dictionary Of Cosmetic Ingredients, tea tree oil is "eleven to 13
times stronger than carbolic acid" and is non-toxic to the skin.
5) Are you suffering from bug bites? Bites from mosquitos
and other insects usually swell and cause intense itching. Try applying
several drops of lavender essential oil directly on the bug bite itself
to soothe the itching.
Ololade Franklin publishes Making Good Scents(TM)
a newsletter for those who want to make their own skin care products.
For information about Making Good Scents(TM) visit http://www.MakingGoodScents.com
