If you're going through menopause, you may suddenly experience an itch that doesn't go away. When estrogen levels begin to decline, the body's ability to produce sebum decreases, leaving the skin dry and itchy. Fortunately, there are some solutions to help you find relief, such as taking certain medications, changing your lifestyle, and trying different natural remedies.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treating Itching By Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Take short showers using warm water
To reduce itching, stay in the shower or tub for no more than 20 minutes and use lukewarm water instead of hot water. In this way, you preserve the natural hydration of the skin and control the sensation of itching.
- Do not use very hot water, as it dries the skin even more and intensifies the itching.
- Avoid scented soaps, deodorants, and shower gels that can irritate the skin; instead choose products enriched with emollient agents that soften and moisturize it.
- When you dry, pat your skin without rubbing to reduce irritation.
Step 2. Apply a moisturizer
If the itching is due to dryness, it becomes essential to moisturize the skin immediately after showering and at least twice a day to counteract this phenomenon. The creams allow the skin to retain its natural moisture, making it healthy and supple.
- Choose odorless, hypoallergenic lotions (such as Eucerin and Cetaphil) or try oat-based products, such as Aveeno. You can also use petroleum jelly to keep skin hydrated.
- Stay away from moisturizers that contain perfumes, alcohol, or other harsh chemicals that can aggravate the itch.
Step 3. Wear non-irritating clothing
Rough and hard ones (like wool) can irritate the skin even more. Choose loose-fitting clothes made from soft materials - such as silk and cotton.
- Wash clothes with hypoallergenic or fragrance-free laundry detergents and do not add fabric softener. Some products leave residues in the fibers, making your ailment worse.
- You should also use cotton sheets to control nighttime itching.
Step 4. Add healthy fats to your diet
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that help the skin produce sebum and retain moisture. If there is a lack of nutrition, the skin becomes dry and itchy.
- Salmon, nuts, eggs, sardines, soy, linseed and safflower oil are excellent sources of these nutrients.
- You can also take fish oil or other omega-3 supplements to meet your daily requirement.
Step 5. Stay hydrated
The survival of the human organism depends on water. A lack of this liquid causes dehydration and, consequently, dry and irritated skin.
- The United States Institute of Medicine has determined that, on average, women should drink at least nine glasses of water per day.
- If you exercise or live in a region with a very hot climate, increase your water intake.
Step 6. Reduce Stress
Emotional pressure has several negative impacts on the body, including dermatological problems. In addition to itching, there are other skin diseases that are amplified by stress, such as eczema and dermatitis.
- Relieve stress by carving out time each day for relaxing activities, such as meditation, yoga, reading, and walking.
- You can also give breathing control techniques a try.
Step 7. Avoid getting too much caffeine and alcohol
Both have diuretic effects that make you urinate more, thus increasing dehydration; they also alter the blood supply to the skin and make itching worse.
Consume alcohol and caffeine in moderation or stop drinking them
Step 8. Take your vitamins
If you don't get all the essentials through your diet, your skin health suffers. Consider taking supplements with vitamins C, D, E, and K. You can also try topical creams enriched with these nutrients to improve skin health and control irritation.
- Vitamin C is an antioxidant that intervenes in the synthesis of collagen and reduces cell damage. You can take it orally or as a topical cream.
- Vitamin D3 (available as synthetic calcitriol) is added to topical creams and is very effective in treating skin conditions (such as psoriasis), as it controls itching and inflammation.
- Vitamin E protects against sun damage and relieves inflammation when applied directly to the skin.
- Vitamin K is found in creams and, although the scientific evidence of its effectiveness is not as strong as that of vitamins C and E, it can prove useful in relieving irritated skin.
Method 2 of 3: Relieve Itching with Medication
Step 1. Try anti-itch creams
These soothe and moisturize irritated skin. You can give over-the-counter products a try, or if they don't work, ask your doctor to prescribe something stronger.
- Among the most used creams are those with 1% hydrocortisone and Aveeno.
- If you have decided to use corticosteroids, apply them to the affected area, soak a cotton cloth in the water and use it to cover it. The moisture in the fabric helps the skin absorb the cream.
- Remember that itch creams are short-term solutions and shouldn't be applied for more than a week.
- You should also discuss with your doctor about using prescription products, which can typically be spread for more than seven days.
Step 2. Ask your doctor about calcineurin inhibitors
These are topical creams that reduce inflammation and can be applied in place of those against itching, especially if the affected area is not too large.
- Calcineurin inhibitors include tacrolimus and pimecrolimus.
- However, these drugs weaken the immune system, so use them according to the instructions and never exceed the recommended dose.
Step 3. Take antihistamines
They help counteract itching by blocking the production of histamine, a chemical that triggers the allergic reaction and the itchy sensation. You can buy them at the pharmacy without a prescription, both for oral use and for topical application.
- These are drugs available in the form of tablets or liquids to be taken by mouth or creams and lotions to be spread directly on the affected areas. If the itchy skin surface is quite extensive, it is advisable to take oral antihistamines that provide systemic relief. If the area is small and restricted, however, it is better to choose a cream for a localized treatment.
- Make sure you take an antihistamine that doesn't make you sleepy during the day (e.g. Clarityn) and reserve ones that make you sleep for the evening (like Benadryl).
- Some common antihistamines are Allegra, Clarityn, Benadryl, and Zirtec.
- Remember to always follow the instructions on the leaflet, do not exceed the recommended dose and frequency of intake.
Step 4. Talk to your gynecologist about hormone control medications
Hormone replacement therapy balances the reduction in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that occurs during menopause. It has been shown to control hot flashes, vaginal dryness and reduce the loss of bone minerals. It may also help with itching, although it was not formulated for this purpose.
- Your gynecologist may prescribe a low-estrogen pill or patch to relieve the symptoms of menopause.
- He may also recommend a combination therapy (estrogen / progesterone / progestogen). This treatment is used for women who still have a uterus and can be given in low dosage in the form of both pills and patches.
- Side effects of hormone therapy are abdominal swelling, breast swelling and pain, headaches, mood swings, nausea, and vaginal bleeding.
Step 5. Learn about antidepressants and anxiolytics
Your doctor may prescribe them to treat itchy skin. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been shown to be effective in controlling several types of pruritus.
- One of the medications your doctor might recommend is buspirone. It is an anxiolytic that soothes itching by blocking dopamines, the neurotransmitters that manage the pleasure and reward centers.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that you may be prescribed include fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft).
Method 3 of 3: Natural Remedies
Step 1. Try aloe vera
This plant has antibiotic and antifungal properties and has been used for decades as a natural product to moisturize and soothe the skin. You can give it a try and see if it reduces menopause-related itching.
- You can buy aloe vera gel at the pharmacy;
- If you want a pure source of this product, you can buy the plant directly. Break off a leaf and cut it lengthwise. Extract the gelatinous sap with a spoon and spread it directly on the irritated area.
Step 2. Try a bentonite slurry
This type of clay has been used for centuries to protect and care for the skin. While there is no scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness against menopause-related itching, you can still give it a try.
- Mix the clay with the olive oil in a bowl and add filtered water until you get a creamy mixture. Apply the paste to the itchy areas of skin and wait for it to dry. Rinse and repeat the treatment as needed.
- You can also make a compress by spreading clay on a piece of fabric. Place it on the irritated area so that the dough is in contact with the skin and leave it in place for about four hours or until the clay is hard and dry. When finished, rinse your skin.
Step 3. Use apple cider vinegar
It is used as an antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial product, but it is also useful for treating dry and itchy skin.
- Pour a few drops on a cotton ball or cloth and apply it to the affected area.
- Try to use raw, organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar if possible.
Step 4. Use mint leaves
Although the effectiveness of this plant against menopause symptoms is not proven, it can relieve itching in general; it is therefore worth a try even in this situation. Mint also conveys a feeling of freshness, which gives great relief.
- Mash some mint leaves in a bowl and rub them directly on the itchy area.
- You can also make peppermint ice cubes to numb the skin and reduce inflammation. Mix the crushed mint leaves with filtered water, use the mixture to fill an ice cube tray and place it in the freezer. Apply the cubes to the area to be treated, after having wrapped them in a cloth. Never place ice directly on the skin, as this could cause chilblains.
- You can also spread peppermint oil on irritated skin to reduce itching.
Step 5. Try an oat batter
This cereal contains compounds that reduce inflammation and relieve skin discomfort. You can make a paste or take an oatmeal bath.
- Pour some water into a cup of raw oatmeal and wait a few minutes until it becomes a paste; then apply the compound to the area to be treated.
- Alternatively, you can take a ground oat bath by pouring it into water with olive oil and baking soda. Soak the affected area for 20 minutes.
- You can use the classic oat flakes that you find at the supermarket or buy the colloidal one at the pharmacy.
Step 6. Apply cold, wet compresses to control itching
By placing a wet cloth with cold water on the irritated area, you are able to reduce the itching. This remedy is especially useful at night if the itch doesn't make you sleep.
- By covering your skin with a wet cloth, you protect it and avoid scratching at night.
- You can also try one of the remedies described in this article.
Step 7. Try herbal creams
Those that contain chamomile (Matricaria recutita), centocchio (Stellaria media), orange blossom (Calendula officinalis), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and / or licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) can provide relief from discomfort.
- Before using them, ask your doctor for more information and stop applying them if you have any signs of irritation or if your symptoms get worse.
- Another herb that might be useful is St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). In one clinical study, eczema patients who applied a St. John's wort cream noticed an improvement in symptoms compared to those who used a placebo product.
Step 8. Give acupuncture and homeopathic medicine a try
Acupuncture has been shown to help reduce symptoms of eczema, so menopausal-related itching is worth a shot as well. However, remember that more studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.
You can also use homeopathy. Calendula, sulfur, lesser nettle and poison ivy are used by homeopaths to control eczema. Ask an expert in this practice if these plants can also be useful against the itching caused by menopause
Advice
- Keep your nails short, clean and with smooth edges to avoid scratching.
- Always ask your doctor for advice before trying any natural remedies or over-the-counter medications, especially if you are taking other medicines.
