8 Effective Home Remedies for Itchy and Irritated Skin

Itchy skin is a common problem that affects many people. Depending on the severity, it can be mildly annoying to intensely aggravating, disrupting daily activities and sleep. Itching can have varied causes like allergic reactions, insect bites, skin infections, dry weather, soaps and detergents, and even some medications. While scratching gives a momentary relief, it can also lead to injuries and infections.

Home remedies can give you relief from itchy skin and prevent complications caused by excessive scratching.

1. Neem Oil

Neem is one of the most potent anti-irritants which is a favourite remedy in Indian traditional medicine. Neem oil is also famous for their anti-acne and anti-pimple properties, offering relief without drying the skin. It also acts as an astringent, cooling, and soothing agent. All these properties put together enables it to heal itching, even in acute cases of eczema, psoriasis, and dandruff.

Apply a little neem oil to the affected area to wipe away itching. You can use a mixture of neem and coconut leaves to moisturize your dry scalp and prevent flaking and itching.

2. Oatmeal

Oatmeal powder helps soothe and comfort itchy skin. It contains anti-irritating, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that provide instant relief from itching.

Add 1 - 2 cups of oatmeal to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water. Soak in this water for at least 15 - 20 minutes. You can take an oatmeal bath up to three times a day, depending on the severity of your condition.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic, anti-itching, antifungal and antibacterial properties that help get rid of itching.

Add 2 - 3 cups of apple cider vinegar to lukewarm water. Soak in this water for 15 - 30 minutes. Then pat dries your skin and apply a light moisturizer, or apply apple cider vinegar on the affected areas using a cotton ball. Leave it on for half an hour and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

4. Yogurt 

Yogut contains live cultures of good bacteria such as lactobacillus, acidophilus and Streptococcus thermophilus, promotes the growth of good bacteria in the body when consumed daily. It is good to heal and prevent skin infections, good for itching skin.

5. Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera contains excellent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It also contains vitamin E that helps to keep the skin moisturized. This helps in reducing pruritus and soothes the skin. When rubbed over the itchy spot, it helps reduce the skin irritation in that area and provides quick relief from itching.

Extract the gel from one aloe vera leaf. Apply the gel to the affected area. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Follow this simple remedy once daily.

6. Tulsi Leaves

Tulsi contains a high amount of eugenol, a potent essential oil and topical anaesthetic. Also, it has compounds called camphor and thymol that effectively combat itching.

Add 1 tbsp of dried basil leaves to two cups of boiling water. Cover the pan for a few minutes. Allow the mixture to cool and then apply it to the affected area using a cotton cloth. Save the remaining solution in a jar for later use. Repeat the process as often as necessary.

7. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can be directly applied to the dry and itching skin. In generalized itch affecting the whole body after having a tub bath in lukewarm water, pat yourself dry and apply coconut oil all over the body.

8. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic and soothing properties that help relieve itching caused by dermatitis, scabies or stress.

Add half tbsp of peppermint oil to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water. Soak in this water for half an hour. Pat dry and then apply a moisturizing lotion. Do this once daily.