Itchy skin at night? see how to fix it

Itchy skin is certainly very disturbing to your daily activities. Especially if this itchiness appears at night. Of course, this can interfere with sleep quality. So what is the cause and how do you get rid of itchy skin at night? Check out the following explanation.

What causes itchy skin at night?

Itchy skin at night aka nocturnal pruritus (NP) is an itchy skin condition that occurs only at night.

The causes of itchy skin at night vary, one of which can occur due to dermatitis or eczema.

In addition, other causes that are more common are the result of changes in natural mechanisms in the body. These functions change only at night.

For example, your body temperature and blood flow in your skin increase at night, thus warming the skin. This increase in temperature on the skin can make you feel itchy.

The release of certain substances from the body can also change at night, for example in the release of cytokines. Cytokines are a group of proteins that are involved in the formation of the immune system.

At night, the body can release more cytokines, which increases the risk of inflammation. Meanwhile, the production of corticosteroids (hormones that reduce inflammation) actually slows down. As a result, this condition can eventually cause itchy skin at night.

Also, your skin usually loses more water at night, which makes it more likely to be drier. This makes the skin itch easily.

How to deal with itchy skin at night?

There are various ways to treat itchy skin at night. Starting from the use of drugs, moisturizers, to simple treatments at home.

1. Use anti-itching cream

One of the most needed to overcome nocturnal pruritus is an anti-itch cream, which of course does not dry out the skin. Reported on the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) website, to treat pruritus you should use an anti-itch cream which also contains a moisturizing component. Avoid anti-itch creams which have a dry effect.

The BAD recommends using anti-itch creams that contain lauromacrogols. This itchy cream, which contains the active ingredient lauromacrogols, also has a soothing effect on the skin in addition to reducing itching. This type of cream can not only treat itchy skin, but can also treat eczema or dermatitis.

2. Use a skin moisturizer

Apart from anti-itch creams, the skin also still needs a moisturizer to overcome this problem. Choose the right moisturizer for the skin, whose active ingredients can fight dryness in the skin, such as urea.

Urea is a natural substance that keeps skin cells hydrated. By hydrating the skin, this can prevent the itching sensation you feel at the same time.

3. Use antihistamine drugs

These antihistamines are needed to reduce inflammation that occurs as a result of an allergic reaction that triggers itching on the skin. Antihistamines used include diphenhydramine, hydroyzine and promethazine, for example.

4. Clean the body before bed

Take a cold or lukewarm bath before going to bed. This is the simplest treatment that can be done at home.

Use a soap that is fragrance-free, and choose a soap that is not easy to dry out your skin. Choose a soap that can help hydrate the skin so that skin moisture is maintained.

For example, soaps containing soybean oil and avocado oil. The oil is rich in natural emollients (skin softeners), which helps to maintain moisture and moisture in the skin, so it doesn't dry out easily. If the skin is dry easily, then the skin is prone to itching.

When to see a doctor?

Itchy skin at night can indeed be treated with over-the-counter medications, and with proper home care. However, if some of the things below happen to you, you should consult a dermatologist.

• The itching comes suddenly without a cause and lasts for more than 2 weeks.
• Dry skin at night that doesn't get better despite medication and home care.
• The skin feels so itchy that you can't sleep.
• Itchy skin on the feet and all over the body.
• Itchy skin is accompanied by dryness, discoloration of the skin, fever, feeling tired, and weight loss.