Skin that Itches and Aging Concerns

My friend seems to itch all the time. He has seen his primary-care doctor and and dermatologist and they told him to just “live with it.”  I’ve noticed some of the same issues too so I looked into things a bit. I found and interesting summary from Dr. Robert Butler and here is what he had to say:

As people get older, their skin can certainly become drier and more prone to itching. But that doesn’t mean that you should have to live with constant itchiness. After ruling out more serious conditions, lifestyle changes  can help reduce the itching. here are a few:

 take fewer showers or baths throughout the week

 spend less time under the hot water when you  bathe, because that can bring on itchiness

And I found this really interesting….It’s important that people prone to skin irritation and itchiness use a body moisturizing oil like olive oil right after they get out of the shower or bath. Ideally, this moisturizer should be applied while the skin is still wet to lock in moisture. 

 

I never would have thought to use Olive Oil!

 

As people get older, their skin can certainly become drier and more prone to itching. But that doesn’t mean that your husband — or anyone else, for that matter — should have to live with constant itchiness. Since your husband has already seen his primary-care doctor to rule out any health conditions, like eczema or psoriasis, that could cause skin irritation and itching — and if he has not started any new medications that might have brought on the issue — I’d suggest that your husband begin to make some lifestyle changes that can help reduce the itching.
The first thing I’d suggest is that he take fewer showers or baths throughout the week and spend less time under the hot water when he does bathe, because that can bring on itchiness. I’d also recommend that he not wash his hair as frequently and that he use a moisturizing shampoo when he does. It’s important that people prone to skin irritation and itchiness use a body moisturizing oil like olive oil right after they get out of the shower or bath. Ideally, this moisturizer should be applied while the skin is still wet to lock in moisture. Your husband can pat his skin dry after applying the moisturizer. Between baths, I’d recommend using the oil at least once a day. Quite possibly Neutrogena (a light sesame formula) would be ideal for your husband’s skin. A qualified dermatologist can make further recommendations to help reduce the itchiness. Good luck!
As people get older, their skin can certainly become drier and more prone to itching. But that doesn’t mean that your husband — or anyone else, for that matter — should have to live with constant itchiness. Since your husband has already seen his primary-care doctor to rule out any health conditions, like eczema or psoriasis, that could cause skin irritation and itching — and if he has not started any new medications that might have brought on the issue — I’d suggest that your husband begin to make some lifestyle changes that can help reduce the itching.
The first thing I’d suggest is that he take fewer showers or baths throughout the week and spend less time under the hot water when he does bathe, because that can bring on itchiness. I’d also recommend that he not wash his hair as frequently and that he use a moisturizing shampoo when he does. It’s important that people prone to skin irritation and itchiness use a body moisturizing oil like olive oil right after they get out of the shower or bath. Ideally, this moisturizer should be applied while the skin is still wet to lock in moisture. Your husband can pat his skin dry after applying the moisturizer. Between baths, I’d recommend using the oil at least once a day. Quite possibly Neutrogena (a light sesame formula) would be ideal for your husband’s skin. A qualified dermatologist can make further recommendations to help reduce the itchiness. Good luck! 
Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Facebook
  • HealthRanker
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon

{ 0 comments… add one now }

Leave a Comment

You can use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>