Don't Make Your Itchy Skin Rash Worse!

Tips for Finding Relief Without
Getting More Breakouts

An itchy skin rash can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but what is even worse is when you try a remedy or skin lotion and the next day, you wake up and the rash has actually spread and gotten worse!

Yes, this is something that unfortunately many of my readers have reported, both from prescription itch remedies and also over the counter skin lotions. I have had this experience myself, even from using a nice, all natural herbal remedy for skin rashes.

It's SO discouraging and frustrating, and not to mention mortifying if you have an important meeting or family event that you want to look good for!

What Do They Look Like?

A skin rash manifests as changes in the color, texture, or the general appearance of your skin. These unwelcome breakouts can occur in any part of the body.

They can look like red bumps, blisters, excessively dry skin, red irritate skin, blotchy red skin, and itchiness, to name a few. You can see a few pictures here.

Some of the skin conditions that can cause itchy skin rashes include psoriasis, eczema, hives, several different types of dermatitis, impetigo, ringworm, acne, rosacea, diaper rash, shingles, to name just a few.

What Exactly Causes Your Skin to Breakout?

This is not always easy to figure out, because it could be almost anything that is causing your rash.

When our bodies become stressed out and our immune system is weakened, any number of irritants can cause your skin to get inflamed.

What is important is that you figure out what you are sensitive to, so that you can stop the cycle of irritation, redness and unbearable itching!

Please remember that I am talking here about mild, annoying, irritating itches. I am NOT talking about severe, ulcerated, scary looking skin rashes that make you want to run to the emergency room.

I am not a medical doctor! Please be sure to check with YOUR trusted health professional if you have any kind of really intense, oozing, bad looking rash.

Possible Causes of Skin Rashes

These are just a few of the many possible causes of your skin rash. Now wait, don't get overwhelmed quite yet!

• Allergic reaction to foods or beverages
• Food dye allergy
• Chemicals in household cleaners
• Laundry detergents
• Rosacea or acne
• Pregnancy or hormonal changes
• Stress
• Medications - including skin rash remedies!!
• Cosmetics
• Allergic reaction to cats, dogs, or other animals
• Topical creams or lotions
• Reaction to perfume or body spray
• Tight or loose clothing chafing the skin
• Viruses or bacteria
• Systemic diseases
• Adverse reaction to immunization
• Sunburn or extended exposure to heat
• Monthly menstrual cycle
• Psoriasis

Yes, I know it can feel overwhelming to have so many possibilities. BUT, there is some good news in all of this.

#1 Tip to Find the Cause of Your Rash

Now before you give up on ever possibly finding out where that rash came from, take heart. There IS a solution!

Ask yourself this simple question...

What Has Changed?

The cause of your skin problems is MOST likely to be found in the one of the areas of your life that has recently changed.

THAT is the place to start looking. I know it takes a little extra time, but it WILL help you to find a solution and a treatment that will work for your sensitive skin.

For example, if you are breaking out from using your laundry detergent, it won't help you to put on a skin cream, because the next time you wash your clothes, you'll be back into the same problem!

I've created a special page to help you figure out where your rash may have come from, here: Why Do You Have Sensitive Skin?

A VERY Important Word About Itchy Skin
Remedies and Treatments

One of the most common stories I hear from my readers about their sensitive skin is how they used a skin lotion that was supposed to stop the itching and rashes, but it actually made the outbreaks worse!

For this reason it is URGENT that you TEST your skincare products or anything else you put on your face OR your body.

This advice also applies to any kind of home remedies, natural remedies, or even homeopathic remedies you may try!

This simple, two step process ONLY requires a little more time and patience. You can see the simple instructions here.

I wish I could remember to take my own advice more often! I often get so busy that I don't remember to be careful when trying new homemade skincare recipes or product samples.

Even using a little bit of a natural food on your skin could be enough to provoke a breakout. I know, it has happened to me so often!

Home Remedies for Itchy Skin

Okay, so you've got a skin breakout and you have some idea of what stopped it. Now, is there something you can do for some immediate relief?

It's possible you could improve the appearance of your skin and alleviate the itchiness by trying one of the following home remedies: (Remember to do a skin test first!!)

• Apply cool water compresses to the rash
• Sit in a bath of water and 1 cup uncooked oatmeal
• Aloe Vera is a classic, simple, soothing home remedy for itching
• Chamomile tea, once cooled, can be used to wash the affected skin
• Wash skin with a cloth that has been soaked in comfrey tea

If you have a very dry skin rash, you may find these tips helpful, although I wouldn't do this for any kin dof burns, sunburns, or rashes that are open or pus filled.

• Put a touch of olive or castor oil directly onto the rash
• Vitamin E capsules can be broken and applied
• Cod liver oil - I've never tried this externally but some people find it works!

Natural Itchy Skin Remedies

Creams and lotions are often prescribed to help alleviate the itchiness and discomfort associated with a rash. One of the problems with many anti-itch creams is that they can cause side effects, or they contain preservatives or other ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin.

Please remember to ALWAYS do a skin test before using any remedy.

In my long experience with this, I've found that some herbal and natural remedies can provide relief without the same risk of side effects that medications may have.

Although no one remedy will work for everyone, I have found that natural approaches can be very effective and soothing.

• Squeeze undiluted lemon juice straight from the fresh lemon onto your rash and allow to dry completely. It could take away the itchiness.
• Make a paste of baking powder and water and apply it to the affected areas.
• Itch Doctor is a soothing topical cream that will lessen the discomfort of itchy skin. It contains herbs and Vitamin E, is free of chemical irritants, and can be used on any part of the body where a rash occurs.
• Hive Away is a very effective anti-itch remedy that works for hives or any other kind of skin rash breakout.
• It can be taken orally as soon as you think you're developing a rash or think you're going to have an allergic reaction that will cause hives or welts.
• It's naturally calming because it works to balance your body, and it has very few or no side effects. It is one of the gentlest remedies that actually works.

If none of these works for you, pine tar soap can have a calming effect on some people's skin rashes although it may be too strong for others with sensitive skin. I would test this ONLY if you are really desperate and haven't found anything else.

Tips for Alleviating the Pain of a Rash

• Keep the room temperature as cool as possible - hot environments can make a skin rash worse and cause it to itch even more
• Use only warm or cool water to cleanse the affected areas - never use hot water
• Don't use lotions or cosmetics over the affected area because it could actually be the cause of the rash
• Pat the skin dry after washing or else you could inflame the skin and cause pain
• Wear natural, loose-fitting fabrics over the affected area
• Apply cool or slightly warm compresses to the skin rash periodically
• Stay out of the sun
• Use cleansers that are all natural and soothing
• Place an ice pack on the skin rash to get instant relief
• Add a small amount of mint, basil or thyme to a warm bath and soak

An itchy skin rash doesn't have to be frustrating and irritating if you know how to help it to get better without making it worse! I hope these tips can be helpful to you in finding a solution for your sensitive skin!