Itching after a shower
Discussion
Over the last few weeks I've started itching really badly after getting out of the shower. The itch is intense and causes me to scratch so hard I often draw blood, and am covered i'm scratch marks afterwards.
It's nothing to do with the soap, as Ive experimented showering without soap just to see what happens, but the itching persists.
It's mainly on my legs, and moves around as i scratch. It goes on for about 20mins before gradually subsiding and disappearing.
Nothing has changed in my routine, I cycle home from work, get in the shower and then start itching immediately after. I've tried waiting an hour or two before showering, but still it continues.
Never had this before, any suggestions why this is happening, or how to cure please?
It's nothing to do with the soap, as Ive experimented showering without soap just to see what happens, but the itching persists.
It's mainly on my legs, and moves around as i scratch. It goes on for about 20mins before gradually subsiding and disappearing.
Nothing has changed in my routine, I cycle home from work, get in the shower and then start itching immediately after. I've tried waiting an hour or two before showering, but still it continues.
Never had this before, any suggestions why this is happening, or how to cure please?
I had the same problem persistently (especially on my calves and shins) and, when I finally raised it with my GP, she told me I was simply showering too often.
She also pointed out that I wore wool suits five days a week and that lanolin was a known irritant. She suggested wearing a longer hose sock to help reduce the irritation.
PS I found Sanex, Simple Soap or Kiehls gels were the least irritating soaps.
She also pointed out that I wore wool suits five days a week and that lanolin was a known irritant. She suggested wearing a longer hose sock to help reduce the irritation.
PS I found Sanex, Simple Soap or Kiehls gels were the least irritating soaps.
Try dropping the water temp by a few notches. If the water is too hot it can cause your skin to flare up. It happens to me, especially on my shins and they feel like they're on fire with itching for 30 mins after a hot shower. Also don't rule out it being dead skin cells that just need a good exfoliating. If you get white bits appearing in your (dark coloured) towels when you dry off then you almost certainly have a build up of dead skin.
Sheets Tabuer said:
I'm not a doctor but if it's not from soap (how can you[r] shower without soap)...
Easily.I only shower with soap if I need to, when I'm 'properly' dirty - otherwise a good scrub with brushes and cotton flannel suffice.
Didn't suffer any skin issues when I used soap previously, but found my skin is in great condition since I stopped using it daily.
This is an easy fix. I have had this for years.
Next time you are in the shower turn it to as hot as you can stand and then aim it just at your feet first and for about 2 minutes work up to your shins and knees. Turn the heat to a regular temperature and the shower as usual.
Ta da! no itching! It's a circulation thing.
Next time you are in the shower turn it to as hot as you can stand and then aim it just at your feet first and for about 2 minutes work up to your shins and knees. Turn the heat to a regular temperature and the shower as usual.
Ta da! no itching! It's a circulation thing.
I get itchy and sore skin on my face after a shower, it’s lack of moisture and the layers of your skin rubbing together, my partner had it all over his body for 2 years and it was caused by stress.
I would imagine yours is caused by sweat, the heat from cycling and then washing away your skins natural moisture.
Get some dermol 500 or cetraben from the pharmacist and that should sort you out if you put it on right after showering. You can use dermol for soap too
I would imagine yours is caused by sweat, the heat from cycling and then washing away your skins natural moisture.
Get some dermol 500 or cetraben from the pharmacist and that should sort you out if you put it on right after showering. You can use dermol for soap too
Mothersruin said:
I get this sometimes, seems after showering and drying the skin is stripped of its protective oils and reacts by itching. Apply body lotion/moisturiser to the affected straight away.
Applying moisturiser (E45) in my case makes them even more itchy than they were to begin with! 
knk said:
Aquagenic urticaria.
Maybe what he/she said although I was told it was aquagenic pruritusIts certainly a bit weird and most docs dont understand it
Interest here is that I suffer wholesale and its deffo showers over baths but with added randomness
Bath = absolutely no problem ever
Shower in cool ambient temperature in house = itchy afterwards
Shower in gym with high temp in changing room = no probs
Shower in hard water area eg London = itchy hell no matter what the ambient temp is
Seriously nasty
Bath in hard water area = no major discomfort
Good luck, hope the above helps
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