Itching After a Shower: Why It Happens and How to Treat It
This thing can be frustrating and embarrassing.

For some people, hitting the shower brings with it an uncomfortable side effect: pesky, persistent itching.

Itching after you take a bath or shower isn’t uncommon. It can be caused by dry skin or other skin conditions. Keep reading to find out what’s causing your skin to itch after showering.

What causes itchy skin after showering or bathing?
There are several culprits that could be the cause of your post-shower itchy skin. Some are more common than others.

Xerosis cutis
“Xerosis cutis” simply means that your skin is too dry. Soaking your skin in hot water for extended periods of time can strip your skin of its natural oils, irritating skin that already lacks moisture. Sometimes that results in itching after a shower.

The itching may mostly happen on your feet or legs because those parts of your body have so much contact with the water.

Soap sensitivities
It’s possible that the soap you’re using is drying out your skin as it cleans. A harsh soap may not always leave a rash that you can see, but it can leave a lasting itch after your shower is over. Failing to wash all the soap residue off your skin after a shower can also be a source of itching and discomfort.

Aquagenic pruritus
With this condition, your nervous system can be activated by water on your skin. As a result, you get itchy after a shower or bath. This condition is rare, and if you have it, you probably already know.

Aquagenic pruritis causes immense itching after any contact with water, including washing your hands, and going into the pool.

Treating itchiness after bathing
If your itching is persistent after a shower, you may want to consider using a home remedy as a treatment. Below are some ways you can prevent itching or treat it if it happens:

Pat dry instead of toweling off. Rubbing your skin with a towel after a shower can strip your skin of moisture. Don’t try to remove every water droplet from your skin. Instead, pat your skin dry with your towel after washing off.

Moisturize your skin while it’s still wet. Applying moisturizer while your skin is just a bit damp will help to lock moisture into your skin barrier. Opt for a fragrance-free hypoallergenic moisturizer. Consider using one that’s “oil-free” if you have acne-prone skin. For an added cooling benefit, store your moisturizer in the fridge before applying it.

Switch your soaps. If you’re having recurrent itching without a rash after you shower, maybe it’s time to switch soaps. Look for a soap with mild, hypo-allergenic ingredients. Moisturizing soap has been foundTrusted Source to have a positive effect on reducing the symptoms of dry skin.

Change your shower routine. If you take long, steamy showers, you may be leaving your skin parched. Taking shorter showers that aren’t too hot, and that quickly taper off to a lukewarm temperature, may give you skin that’s healthier and less itchy.

Try a cooling agent after showering. The American Academy of Dermatologists recommends using menthol or calamine lotion at the site of itching and irritation.
Anti-itch creams that contain lactic acid may be usedTrusted Source to soothe itching from dry skin and to help bind moisture to the skin. Pramoxine hydrochloride is another promising ingredient that has been shownTrusted Source to decrease itching caused by dry skin. Note that over-the-counter creams designed to soothe itching symptoms caused by inflammation, like topical corticosteroids, don’t usually work to address itching caused by skin that’s just dry.

Consider essential oils as part of your shower routine. You can use essential oils to prevent or treat itching. Dilute any essential oil that you choose. The oil should be diluted with a soothing carrier oil, such as sweet almond or jojoba oil, before being applied to skin that’s irritated. Peppermint, chamomile, tea tree, and rose geranium all have potential benefits for soothing skin that’s dry and itchy.

Drink more water. Being dehydrated can lead to skin that feels dry. In general, make sure that you’re getting eight cups of water (or more!) each day to hydrate your body properly.


The bottom line
Getting itchy after a shower isn’t uncommon. Luckily, simple changes in your shower routine can usually address the underlying issues causing you to feel itchy.

However, if your itching symptoms don’t subside within an hour or two after showering, or if you feel the itching constantly even after trying home remedies, reach out to your doctor.

There are rare cases when itching can be an indication of a serious health condition, like liver disease or Hodgkin’s lymphoma, so don’t ignore symptoms of persistent itching.

https://www.healthline.com/health/itchy-after-shower

I believe this will help someone out there. I have been experiencing it sometimes. I guess my problem might be from my soap, or I should not dry my skin immediately after bath.

I have been experiencing it since my primary school and now that I'm still in university. the thing is really frustrating.
I think there's a thread for that,if I'm not mistaken sha

Herbephe1:
I have been experiencing it since my primary school and now that I'm still in university. the thing is really frustrating.
I think there's a thread for that,if I'm not mistaken sha

Very frustrating sha.

I have not seen any thread, that was why I made this one.

Emyres:


Very frustrating sha.

I have not seen any thread, that was why I made this one.

I'm very sure, it's a very long thread,I wish someone could post the link to the thread

Good thread.

Great explanation

For some people, hitting the shower brings with it an uncomfortable side effect: pesky, persistent itching.

Itching after you take a bath or shower isn’t uncommon. It can be caused by dry skin or other skin conditions. Keep reading to find out what’s causing your skin to itch after showering.

What causes itchy skin after showering or bathing?
There are several culprits that could be the cause of your post-shower itchy skin. Some are more common than others.

Xerosis cutis
“Xerosis cutis” simply means that your skin is too dry. Soaking your skin in hot water for extended periods of time can strip your skin of its natural oils, irritating skin that already lacks moisture. Sometimes that results in itching after a shower.

The itching may mostly happen on your feet or legs because those parts of your body have so much contact with the water.

Soap sensitivities
It’s possible that the soap you’re using is drying out your skin as it cleans. A harsh soap may not always leave a rash that you can see, but it can leave a lasting itch after your shower is over. Failing to wash all the soap residue off your skin after a shower can also be a source of itching and discomfort.

Aquagenic pruritus
With this condition, your nervous system can be activated by water on your skin. As a result, you get itchy after a shower or bath. This condition is rare, and if you have it, you probably already know.

Aquagenic pruritis causes immense itching after any contact with water, including washing your hands, and going into the pool.

Treating itchiness after bathing
If your itching is persistent after a shower, you may want to consider using a home remedy as a treatment. Below are some ways you can prevent itching or treat it if it happens:

Pat dry instead of toweling off. Rubbing your skin with a towel after a shower can strip your skin of moisture. Don’t try to remove every water droplet from your skin. Instead, pat your skin dry with your towel after washing off.

Moisturize your skin while it’s still wet. Applying moisturizer while your skin is just a bit damp will help to lock moisture into your skin barrier. Opt for a fragrance-free hypoallergenic moisturizer. Consider using one that’s “oil-free” if you have acne-prone skin. For an added cooling benefit, store your moisturizer in the fridge before applying it.

Switch your soaps. If you’re having recurrent itching without a rash after you shower, maybe it’s time to switch soaps. Look for a soap with mild, hypo-allergenic ingredients. Moisturizing soap has been foundTrusted Source to have a positive effect on reducing the symptoms of dry skin.

Change your shower routine. If you take long, steamy showers, you may be leaving your skin parched. Taking shorter showers that aren’t too hot, and that quickly taper off to a lukewarm temperature, may give you skin that’s healthier and less itchy.

Try a cooling agent after showering. The American Academy of Dermatologists recommends using menthol or calamine lotion at the site of itching and irritation.
Anti-itch creams that contain lactic acid may be usedTrusted Source to soothe itching from dry skin and to help bind moisture to the skin. Pramoxine hydrochloride is another promising ingredient that has been shownTrusted Source to decrease itching caused by dry skin. Note that over-the-counter creams designed to soothe itching symptoms caused by inflammation, like topical corticosteroids, don’t usually work to address itching caused by skin that’s just dry.

Consider essential oils as part of your shower routine. You can use essential oils to prevent or treat itching. Dilute any essential oil that you choose. The oil should be diluted with a soothing carrier oil, such as sweet almond or jojoba oil, before being applied to skin that’s irritated. Peppermint, chamomile, tea tree, and rose geranium all have potential benefits for soothing skin that’s dry and itchy.

Drink more water. Being dehydrated can lead to skin that feels dry. In general, make sure that you’re getting eight cups of water (or more!) each day to hydrate your body properly.


The bottom line
Getting itchy after a shower isn’t uncommon. Luckily, simple changes in your shower routine can usually address the underlying issues causing you to feel itchy.

However, if your itching symptoms don’t subside within an hour or two after showering, or if you feel the itching constantly even after trying home remedies, reach out to your doctor.

There are rare cases when itching can be an indication of a serious health condition, like liver disease or Hodgkin’s lymphoma, so don’t ignore symptoms of persistent itching.

Mine is when I use sponge on my body especially limbs and trunk

haaaa my legs....

For me, I think it depends on your body. Just make sure you study yourself and make sure that you know the time your body reacts to some conditions.
I normally have itchy skin after bath since my primary education but I found the solution in my secondary school days.... I noticed that after taking my bath and I put on another bathroom slippers immediately I would have itchy skin
OR
If I stand or walk barefooted on sand I would have itchy skin so I make sure that I sweep my room before taking my bath.

yusufdayo1:
For me, I think it depends on your body. Just make sure you study yourself and make sure that you know the time your body reacts to some conditions.
I normally have itchy skin after birth since my primary education but I found the solution in my secondary school days.... I noticed that after taking my bath and I put on another bathroom slippers immediately I would have itchy skin
OR
If I stand or walk barefooted on sand I would have itchy skin so I make sure that I sweep my room before taking my bath.

Lol

that sweeping of rooms used to work for me

MansoryMX:
Mine is whenever I use a towel more than 4 times I get itchy skin.

Yes, at times.

https://www.nairaland.com/239270/body-itching-after-bath


wear tight clothes after bathing, warm water works for some while it doesn't work for others,

Herbephe1:
https://www.nairaland.com/239270/body-itching-after-bath


wear tight clothes after bathing, warm water works for some while it doesn't work for others,

Ok

I know what you're passing through cause I suffered this condition for close to 30 years. Nobody talks to me after bath, cause I take out my frustration on anyone around me. But that is all in the past. This product works like magic and stops the itching within a week! www.naturelabs.ng/7days