Why your skin might itch after taking a shower?

After a soothing, refreshing shower, you should reach for the towel and not a scrubbing brush for unexplained itching all over the body. 

Whether you shower regularly or once or twice a week as part of your staying fresh in the summer regime, you might feel itchy, causing the shower glow to disappear. However, you may notice it more in winter because the water dries out your skin. 

Several reasons can cause itching after a shower. This article will discuss the most common reason behind this phenomenon and how itchy skin can be treated. 

1. Winter Itch

Xerosis, more commonly known as “Winter Itch,” occurs when your skin produces less “sebum” - an oily, waxy substance that keeps your skin moisturized. 

Make sure to use a pH-balanced antibacterial body wash that respects your skin’s moisture barrier and leaves the skin feeling fresh and healthy. 

Dry and heated indoor air can strip the skin of sebum during winter. Long, hot showers or baths make the problem worse. Extended exposure to sun and wind can also cause your skin to dry out. 

Xerosis is common in cold, dry climates and can affect people of any age. If you have Xerosis, your skin will be: 

• Very dry
• Itchy
• Flaky

In winter, you are more prone to infections and diseases such as skin infections, cold & flu, etc., than in summer. Here are some health and hygiene tips to adopt in the winter so you and your loved ones are always protected.  

2. Polycythemia Vera

Polycythemia vera is a chronic bone marrow disease that causes your body to make too many red blood cells, resulting in thicker blood. 

People with polycythemia vera experience itchy skin, especially after a hot bath or shower. In this medical condition, the body releases more immune cells that make histamine - a substance linked to allergies and its reaction. 

People with PV also have other symptoms, such as:

• Headaches
• Excessive sweating
• Dizziness
• Bleeding
• Enlarged liver and spleen

Here are some of the most effective ways to keep your immune system healthy. A robust immune system and a clean living room can help you avoid allergies. 

3. Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes. It causes the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, groin, or chest to get bigger. 

Itching is one of the main symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma as your immune system produces cells that fight cancer and, in the process, get into the nerves in the skin to cause itching. 

Other symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma include:

• Coughing
• Night sweats
• Fever
• Breath shortness
• Unexplained weight loss

4. Cholinergic Urticaria

Cholinergic urticaria is a rash of round, red welts on the skin that itch intensely. Hot showers, exercise, spicy food, or any activity that increases the body temperature can cause this problem. 

Even though the hives created in cholinergic urticaria are smaller than a mosquito bite, they can group together and form a giant hive.

Treatment & Remedies

If you are experiencing itchiness after a shower or bath, the following suggestions will surely help you find relief. 

1. Use cooler water for the shower. In addition, ensure using a pH-balanced antibacterial body wash that respects your skin’s moisture barrier while eliminating 99.9% of germs. 
2. Avoid showering more than once daily. More showers mean more chances to strip the skin’s natural oils. 
3. Don’t take long and hot baths, as they can dry your skin. 
4. Refrain from scratching your skin, as this action can increase skin irritation and might injure your skin. 
5. Avoid using washcloths, scrubs, or harsh sponges. They can irritate your skin in the same way as scratching.
6. Do not rub your skin with a towel after a shower; it can remove the skin’s natural oils. Instead, dry the skin by patting it gently. 
7. Avoid laundry detergent and fabric softeners with fragrances, as their ingredients can get attached to towels and clothes and cause itching afterward. In addition, use antiseptic liquid while washing your clothes to kill germs and bacteria. 
8. Do not use alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) products, as this ingredient may cause itching on dry and sensitive skin. 

After following the above suggestions, if there is no sign of improvement or relief from unexplained itching all over the body after a shower, it is best to consult a healthcare professional.