What Causes Itchy Skin At Night?
Itchy skin at night, also known as nocturnal pruritus, can be a big issue for many and can be severe enough to disrupt your sleep on a regular basis. There are a number of causes of itchy skin at night, including:
- Body temperature
- Hormones
- Dehydration
- Bugs and pests
- Stress
- Allergic reactions
- Pregnancy
- Medical problems
How To Prevent Itchy Skin At Night
When it comes to dealing with itching all over the body at night, thankfully there are ways to deal with it and you can try these 5 tips before resorting to expensive lotions or prescription medicines.
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Keep Your Skin Hydrated
One of the main causes for itchy skin at night is dryness and so keeping your skin hydrated can really help to soothe it naturally. Throughout the day drink plenty of water and make sure that you aren't dehydrated. Don’t drink too much water before bed though or you'll be up all night going to the toilet! Before you go to bed, use a good-quality moisturiser on the area and make sure to avoid any irritants or chemicals that could make it worse.
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Use An Itchy Skin Cream
An excellent way to moisturise the skin as well as include added itchy skin benefits is to use a specific itchy skin cream. These are specifically designed to help soothe irritation as well as calm redness and inflammation. Look for a cream or lotion that's antibacterial, contains natural ingredients and is soothing. The best ingredients to include are: Manuka Honey, Tea Tree Oil, Jojoba Oil, Salicylic Acid, Argan Oil and Hemp.
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Wash With A Soothing Soap
Before you go to bed you can try to wash the area of irritation with a soothing soap. This can really help as it can remove any dirt, grease or oil that might have built up over the day as well as any dead skin cells that can be clogging the area and making it more itchy. Just make sure you use a gentle calming soap instead of a chemical-laden one as that will make your skin more red and itchy. Go for something like a sulphur soap that can help to gently clean and purify.
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Keep Your Bedding Clean
Itchy skin at night can be caused by irritants in your bedding, so it's important that you keep it clean. Regularly cleaning your bed sheets can help to reduce the risk of pests such as bed bugs or scabies being passed around and can also keep away dirt, dust and sweat that can make the skin itch. When washing, avoid chemical detergents with heavy fragrances and go for something more natural and light.
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Reduce Stress Before Sleep
Stress can cause a number of symptoms both mentally and physically with itching and scratching at night being very common. To help, try to reduce stress in your life where possible and try to calm down and relax before you go to sleep. Try drinking a soothing cup of chamomile tea, having a nice warm bath and reading a book before bed. Try to avoid work calls or looking at bills before you go to sleep and don’t spend too much time on your phone.
Overview
Try these 5 simple tips to help itching at night and see what they can do for you! If you feel the itching is due to a medical reason or a parasite, however, we recommend also visiting your doctor for a diagnosis and seeking their advice on the best itchy skin treatment for you.
