Itchy Skin After Shower: Causes and Remedies

Itchy Skin After Shower: Causes and Remedies Itchy skin after showering or bathing is not uncommon. Many people who experience it for the first time immediately start to panic, thinking they might have a serious medical issue. Although itchy skin can indeed be a symptom of some health conditions, more often than not there is nothing to worry about.

You have a reason to worry if the itching is persistent and doesn’t subside for hours no matter what you do, or if itchy skin is accompanied by other symptoms such as extreme skin redness, swelling, flaking or peeling, rash, etc. In such a case, itchy skin can be a sign of a skin or internal disease, so it is highly recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

However, most often skin itching after a shower doesn’t last long and goes away on its own, which, alas, doesn’t mean that it does not cause discomfort. That is why many people want to know why their skin itches after showering and what can be done to alleviate and prevent this itching. Here are the most common causes of itchy skin after bathing or showering.

Hot Water

Those who like to take very hot shower often have to deal with itchy skin after showering. The reasons for this is that hot water strips the skin of moisture and natural protection, as well as causes the expansion of small blood vessels in the skin, which results in redness and itching. Ideally, the water temperature should be only slightly higher than body temperature, and you shouldn’t shower for too long. You can also try contrast showering: after showering with hot water, rinse with lukewarm water. However, the contrast between temperatures should not be too great.

Skin Dryness and Irritation

Skin dryness is perhaps the most common cause of itching after a shower. As we’ve already mentioned above, it can be caused by too hot water. In addition, people who don’t moisturise after showering to restore their skin’s hydro-lipid protection or those who intensively rub their skin with a towel often have to deal with itchy skin.

Reaction to Water or Shower Products

The so-called water allergy (aquagenic urticaria) is a very rare condition resulting from contact with water of any type, so we mean reactions not to water itself, but to various substances it may contain. For example, itching can be caused by too hard or heavily chlorinated water. Some ingredients added to shower products (for example, harsh surfactants such as SLS or SLES) may also cause itchy skin.

What to Do If Your Skin Itches After Showering

Knowing why your skin itches after showering or bathing, it is easy to figure out what exactly you can do to prevent itching and discomfort:

Make sure that water is not too hot and don’t shower for too long to prevent skin dryness.
Instead of rubbing vigorously with a towel, gently pat your skin dry. A soft microfibre towel that absorbs moisture well will be really great for your skin.
Always apply a moisturising lotion, cream, or body oil/butter after showering. Moisturise your skin while it’s still slightly damp because it helps to retain moisture and boosts the skin’s natural protection.
If you experience skin itching frequently, try products formulated with soothing and cooling ingredients, such as panthenol, allantoin, bisabolol, menthol, or certain essential oils (for example, peppermint, chamomile or tea tree).
Try another shower gel. Opt for shower products that don’t contain SLS, SLES or other aggressive surfactants. If your skin is prone to being overly sensitive, look for hypoallergenic products free of dyes and fragrances.

In our online shop Organic Store, you will find a wide range of body moisturisers and sulphate-free shower gels that will keep your skin soft, smooth and hydrated, as well as prevent itching after showering or bathing. We offer a great selection of natural and organic products from trustworthy manufacturers, secure and convenient payment methods, and international delivery to most parts of the world.