Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Treat nocturnal itching yourself
• Method 2 of 3: Prevent itchy hands and feet at night
• Method 3 of 3: Medical treatments
• Tips

Itchy hands and feet, also called pruritus, can be a symptom of a variety of skin conditions, such as an allergic rash, psoriasis or eczema. It can hurt or be terribly irritating, and your skin can be rough and red with bumps and blisters. The itching may be worst at night. If you have itchy hands and feet it is important to get a diagnosis by a doctor. However, there are also things you can try at home to get rid of those pesky itchy hands and feet.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Treat nocturnal itching yourself

1. Don't scratch. Try to scratch as little as possible. Scratching can make symptoms worse or cause other problems, such as a skin infection.
   • Keeping your nails short may help you avoid scratching yourself.
   • Consider wearing gloves at night so you can't scratch yourself in your sleep.
2. Hydrate your skin. Moisturize the skin on your hands and feet before going to bed to minimize or minimize itching. You can support hydration by putting a humidifier in your room.
   • Apply a moisturizer to your skin at least once a day. This is best done after a bath or shower, while your skin is still damp. When applying the moisturizer, focus on the areas that are the most itchy, both after showering and before going to bed.
   • Use an unscented and colorless moisturizer that won't irritate the skin.
   • If you put a humidifier in your bedroom, you can be sure that the air is moist, which prevents your skin from drying out further and causing itchiness even more when you sleep.
   • Avoid extreme temperatures that can dry out your skin.
3. Soak your skin in a lukewarm bath. A lukewarm bath soothes the skin and reduces inflammation. You can optionally add a colloidal oat solution to the bath to help soothe your skin even more.
   • Sprinkle some baking soda, uncooked oats, or colloidal oats into the water to soothe your skin.
   • Do not stay in the bath for more than 10-15 minutes. Soaking for too long can dry out your skin, causing even more itchiness.
   • Make sure the water is lukewarm and not hot. Hot water removes fats from your skin, making it drier and more itchy.
   • After bathing and before drying, apply lotion to your skin, concentrating on your hands and feet. This allows your skin to better retain the moisture from the bath, so that your skin stays hydrated and is less likely to itch.
4. Apply a cold or wet compress to your skin. Put a cold, cool, or wet compress on your hands and feet when you go to bed. A cold compress can help with the itching and inflammation that can accompany pruritus by impeding blood flow and cooling the skin.
   • You can put a cold compress or ice pack on the skin for 10 to 15 minutes at a time until you fall asleep.
   • If you don't have an ice pack, use a bag of frozen peas, it will have the same effect.
   • Do not put the ice directly on your skin. Always wrap a cloth around it. Leaving the ice on your skin for too long can damage the skin.
5. Wear loose, soft pajamas. Prevent and relieve itching by wearing pajamas that do not irritate the skin. You can also avoid scratching your skin with this.
   • Wear cool, loose, soft cotton or merino wool pajamas to avoid scratching yourself and sweating too much.
   • Cotton clothing is good because it allows air to pass through and because it feels soft.
   • Consider wearing socks and gloves so you don't scratch yourself.
6. Create a pleasant and cool sleeping environment. Sleep in a bedroom that is comfortable, cool and well-ventilated. By controlling factors such as temperature and amount of light, by taking comfortable bedding and providing fresh air, you can prevent your hands and feet from itching at night.
   • For optimal sleeping conditions, ensure that the temperature in the bedroom is between 15 and 23ºC.
   • Use a fan to keep the air moving, or open a window.
   • Sleep between fine sheets made of natural fibers, such as cotton.
7. Monitor your skin symptoms to make sure you aren't getting inflammation. If you have dry, itchy hands and feet, you are more likely to get a superficial skin infection, also called cellulite. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor:
   • Redness
   • Swelling
   • Pain or tenderness
   • Skin that feels warm
   • Fever
   • Red spots, pits and / or blisters

Method 2 of 3: Prevent itchy hands and feet at night

1. Take good care of your hands and feet. Wash your feet and hands regularly to minimize the risk of a fungal or bacterial infection, which can be extremely itchy. Use a mild soap to keep your hands and feet clean and prevent infections.
   • If you tend to sweat a lot, wear absorbent cotton socks so you don't get itchy feet at night.
   • Wear gloves made of natural fibers such as cotton to avoid itching on your hands.
2. Choose mild or "hypoallergenic" soaps and detergents. When purchasing soap and laundry detergent, choose products that say they are mild, fragrance-free, colorant-free, or hypoallergenic. These products contain less harmful chemicals that can irritate the skin and cause itchiness.
   • If it says "hypoallergenic" on a product, it has been tested on sensitive skin and will not cause irritation.
3. Avoid allergens and irritants. Pruritus can arise from allergens or specific irritants. Knowing what's causing your itching can help you avoid these substances and relieve the itching and discomfort.
   • The cause can be an allergen, a food allergy, cosmetics, environmental factors, an insect bite, or strong soap or detergent.
   • If you wear jewelry, the itching can also be caused by an allergy to one of the metals in it.
   • If you suspect a particular cause, try to limit exposure to it and see if that relieves symptoms.
4. Stay well hydrated. If your skin starts to itch, it could be a signal from the brain that you need more water. That's because dehydration causes itching. The inner skin layer does not get enough moisture, which can lead to itching. Drink water throughout the day and have another full glass of water before bed.
   • Try to drink at least 8 to 12 large glasses of water a day. When you are tired of the water, add a little bit of fruit juice to give it some flavor.
   • You can also eat foods that contain a lot of water, such as cucumbers, cherries, tomatoes, celery, peppers, strawberries, cantaloupe and broccoli.
5. Avoid known irritants and allergens. Your condition may get worse if you expose yourself to potentially irritating things, such as chemicals and pollen. If you know you are allergic to anything, including food or dust, try to stay away from it.
   • If you do not know what you are allergic to, you can have an allergy test done by a specialist to find out what the substances are that you cannot tolerate.
6. Avoid vasodilators and excessive sweating. Certain foods and drinks known as vasodilators, such as coffee and alcohol, can make itching worse. Excessive sweating does too. Try to avoid vasodilators and situations where you start to sweat a lot to reduce itching and discomfort.
   • Well-known vasodilators are caffeine, alcohol, spicy herbs and hot water.
7. Reduce stress. If you have constant stress in your life, it can make the itching worse. Try to minimize the amount of stress so that the itching decreases or disappears.
   • You can try a variety of techniques to reduce stress, such as therapy, meditation, yoga, or sports.

Method 3 of 3: Medical treatments

1. Go to the doctor. If the itching doesn't go away after a week, or if it gets really bad, see a doctor. Your doctor can prescribe oral medications, steroid ointments, or light therapy for the itching.
   • See a doctor if the itching is so bad that it prevents you from sleeping or functioning normally, if your skin hurts, if over-the-counter or home remedies aren't working, or if you suspect your skin has become inflamed.
2. Apply calamine shake or anti-itch ointment. Calamine shake or an over-the-counter anti-itch ointment can relieve symptoms. You can find these remedies at the pharmacy, drugstore or on the internet.
   • Although only available on prescription, hydrocortisone is effective. Make sure you buy a cream that contains at least 1% hydrocortisone.
   • Look for an anti-itch ointment with camphor, menthol, or pramocaine.
   • Apply this ointment to your hands and feet before applying any moisturizing cream or lotion. Your doctor may also suggest smearing the skin and then covering it with a bandage so that the skin can absorb the ointment even better.
   • Follow the specific instructions in the package insert so you know how to use the ointment.
3. Take oral antihistamines. These agents neutralize allergens and can reduce itching and redness. There are several antihistamines that you can buy without a prescription from the drugstore, pharmacy or online.
   • Cetirizine. The recommended dose is 1 tablet of 10 mg once a day.
   • Loratadine. It is also recommended to use 10 mg once a day.
   • Some antihistamines have the side effect of making you sleepy, which can be helpful if the itchiness prevents you from sleeping properly.
4. Consider taking antidepressants. There is evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can help against pruritus. If no other treatment works, talk to your doctor about this option.
   • Known selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors used against itching are fluoxetine and sertraline.
5. Apply corticosteroid ointment to itchy areas. If the itching cannot be relieved with over-the-counter remedies, your doctor may be able to prescribe a stronger corticosteroid ointment, such as prednisone ointment.
   • Oral steroids have serious side effects when used for a long time.
   • Keep moisturizing your skin when using oral or topical corticosteroids. This not only keeps your skin hydrated, but you also prevent your skin from itching again as soon as you stop taking the steroids.
6. Use a cream with calcineurin inhibitors. If no other treatment works, ask for a calcineurin inhibitor cream that can restore the skin. These agents, such as tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, can help your skin return to normal and reduce itching.
   • Calcineurin inhibitors affect the immune system and can have side effects such as kidney problems, high blood pressure and headaches.
   • These drugs are only prescribed when all other treatments fail, and they are suitable for adults and children 2 years of age and older.
7. Get light therapy. Your doctor may prescribe several sessions of phototherapy (light therapy) to relieve the itching. This is a very effective treatment that can range from exposure to sunlight to exposure to artificial light, but it is not without its risks.
   • In phototherapy, the skin is exposed to controlled amounts of natural light or artificial ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB). This treatment can be used alone or in combination with medication.
   • Exposure to light increases the risk of premature skin aging and skin cancer.

Tips

• Talk to a dermatologist about the itchiness. The best way to treat the itch is to find out where it actually comes from and cure this condition.