Hello again, Fresh Face Beauties and FlawLESS fans!  I’m Dr. Candrice, your favorite, fun, board-certified dermatologist, AND your go-to-girl for everything healthy hair, skin and nails. Now, I know that sometimes it feels like you have an itch on your skin that just simply will not go away, but I am here to help you resist that urge to scratch!

First, let’s look at why your skin might by itchy.  There are several causes for itchy, irritated skin, and a common condition found in both adults and children is eczema.  Eczema is not necessarily a seasonal condition.  Eczema patients can suffer from itchy skin year-round, even as a result of stress, but topical corticosteroids and creams can be prescribed to help patients find relief.  So, if you have eczema, you don’t have to suffer!  Visit your dermatologist for help!

Itchy skin can also be a result of bug bites, which is very common in the warmer months of the year, as we have all experienced at some point in our lives.  There are some people that have very exaggerated responses to bug bites, for which prescription creams can also be the hero for them, as well.

If you are experiencing itchy skin all over your body, this can definitely be a sign that there is an underlying issue, and it is strongly recommended that you visit your dermatologist to get to the root of what may be causing your discomfort.

The most common causes of that relentless urge to scratch are simply dry skin, rough clothing, or an irritating substance such as perfumed soap, detergent, or even some cleaners.  Here are some really easy lifestyle changes and tips that can help you keep all of that discomfort at bay:

1. Avoid anything that might be causing the problem (soaps, detergents, etc).
2. Remember to wear bug repellent when you are spending time outside.
3. Keep your shower or bath at a lukewarm temperature.  Really hot showers are notorious for drying out your skin.  When taking a bath, add oatmeal or baking soda to help relieve the itchy symptoms.
4. Keep your shower short.  Not only is it a good idea to conserve water, simply cutting down your shower time from 15 minutes to 5 minutes can make a huge difference in reducing your itchy skin ailments.
5. Moisturize your body, and do it within 3 minutes of stepping out of the shower or bath.  This step is crucial, and studies have proven that moisturizing after the shower can be life-changing for your skin.
6. Apply cool, wet compresses to the irritated area, keeping it covered to protect your skin and prevent scratching.
7. If you can’t find relief on your own, visit your dermatologist.

And the most important thing to remember, is Resist the Urge to Itch!  The more you itch your skin, the more damage you are causing, and sometimes that can lead to permanent scarring!  

I want you to stay healthy and continue to be flawLESS beauties, so be sure to check out more beauty secrets to having the glowing skin of your dreams by clicking here!  

Join me on Facebook and Instagram!  And stay tuned for next week’s blog post, as I share the latest news on natural bug repellent – what works, and what doesn’t work!

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Dr. Candrice R. Heath (Dr. Candrice) is a highly respected board-certified Dermatologist. She is also board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Dermatology. Dr. Candrice is a nationally recognized author, speaker and expert in dermatology for children and adults. She is dedicated to taking the education she gives patients every day and delivering it to hard-working, busy, multi-tasking people who are on the go. Her bedside manner, fun personality and ability to connect with patients of all ages makes her a true gem. Dr. Candrice loves designing platinum level skin care regimens by melding her knowledge as a dermatologist, researcher and beauty expert. Go to bit.ly/DrCandriceSKIN to learn how to have glowing skin. Want to learn more?

Check out more tips and tricks from Dr. Candrice at www.dermonthego.com