Itchy hands and feet at night home remedies

Tracking down the cause of your itch can take time and involve a physical exam and questions about your medical history. If your doctor thinks your itchy skin is the result of a medical condition, you might have tests, including:

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1. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
2. Ice the itch away.
3. Rehydrate your skin with moisturizing lotion.
4. Cool off with plant-based herbal remedies.
5. Take a lukewarm oatmeal bath.
6. Add an antihistamine.
7. Try hydrocortisone cream.
Why do my hands and feet itch at night?
Why do my hands and feet itch so badly?
How do I stop uncontrollable itching?
How do I stop my skin from itching at night?

Blood test. A complete blood count can provide evidence of an internal condition causing your itch, such as anemia.
Tests of thyroid, liver and kidney function. Liver or kidney disorders and thyroid abnormalities, such as hyperthyroidism, may cause itching.
Chest X-rays. A chest X-ray can show if you have enlarged lymph nodes, which can go along with itchy skin.

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Chest X-rays

Treatment

Itchy skin treatment focuses on removing the cause of the itch. If home remedies don't ease the itchy skin, your doctor may recommend prescription medications or other treatments. Controlling itchy skin symptoms can be challenging and may require long-term therapy. Options include:

Corticosteroid creams and ointments. If your skin is itchy and red, your doctor may suggest applying a medicated cream or ointment to the affected areas. You might then cover the treated skin with damp cotton material. Moisture helps the skin absorb the medication and has a cooling effect.
If you have severe itching or a chronic condition, your doctor might recommend this bedtime routine: Bathe in plain lukewarm water for 20 minutes, and then apply triamcinolone .025% to 0.1% ointment to the wet skin. This traps the moisture and helps the medication absorb. Then put on a pair of old pajamas. Repeat this routine at bedtime for several nights.
Other creams and ointments. Other treatments that you apply to your skin include calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). Or you may find some relief with topical anesthetics, capsaicin or doxepin.
Oral medications. Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), and tricyclic antidepressants, such as doxepin, may be helpful in easing some types of chronic itch. You may not feel the full benefit of some of these drugs for 8 to 12 weeks after starting treatment.
Light therapy (phototherapy). Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to a specific type of light. This can be a good option for people who can't take oral drugs. You'll likely need multiple phototherapy sessions, until the itching is under control.

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Itchy skin doesn't always require a run to the drugstore. Home remedies for itchy skin can help you quit scratching too.

Generally speaking, the key to soothing an itch is getting rid of what’s causing it in the first place, says Melanie Grossman, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, whether that means treating your apartment for bed bugs (ugh), stripping off that irritating wool sweater, or getting treatment for an underlying condition (of which there are many).

Just remember: While itching is usually easy to treat (thank you, moisturizer!), if you try a couple of home remedies for itchy skin and you’re still scratching, see a dermatologist, says Alix J. Charles, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

You’ll want to rule out a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema—or complications from pregnancy or diabetes. And if you have blisters, sores, or ulcers, head for help sooner rather than later.

Find relief ASAP with these dermatologist-approved home remedies:

1. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.

This one is simple: If you’re itchy, changing your clothes can make a big difference. Heat, irritating fabrics (scratchy leggings), and detergent or fabric softener clinging to your clothes can cause or worsen itchy skin, says Dr. Grossman. Letting your skin breathe can reduce the intensity of that must-scratch feeling.

2. Ice the itch away.

A hot shower isn’t always a cure-all: Heat and water exposure dial up the itch factor from mosquito bites, peeling sunburn, and dry skin alike by further drying out your skin, making it feel worse in the long-run.

A cold compress, on the other hand? The cold (and the anti-inflammatory benefits that come with it) can help relieve an itch. Aim for 10- to 15-minute icing sessions until your itch is resolved, suggests Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology.

A short-term solution for bug bites: Press an ice cube to your most bothersome hot spots, suggests Dr. Grossman.

3. Rehydrate your skin with moisturizing lotion.

Think about it: Do you ever moisturize? Many people don’t, says Dr. Charles. If your skin is dry, itchy, and perhaps even a bit scaly-looking, it might just be super parched (which, yep, triggers an itch). Lather up every day with a body lotion or moisturizer free of additives, fragrances, and perfumes, per the AAD. (We love CeraVe’s Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion, which is free of steroids and fragrances.)

Pro tip: Keep some in a jar in your fridge and put it on for a one-two punch of coolness and moisture, suggests board-certified dermatologist Lauren Ploch, M.D., fellow of the AAD.

4. Cool off with plant-based herbal remedies.

Over-the-counter lotions, gels, and creams with ingredients like menthol, camphor, calamine, and aloe vera make for great natural remedies to spot-treat itchy skin, says Dr. Charles.

If you’re dealing with milder itchy skin issues like bug bites, a rash from poison ivy, or peeling sunburn, all of the above ingredients can help soothe your skin and relieve the need to scratch, which can actually aggravate the irritated area and increase your risk of infection.

5. Take a lukewarm oatmeal bath.

Sure, an oatmeal soak is far less luxurious than a steamy bubble bath, but it might help soothe your itchy skin, says Dr. Kanchanapoomi Levin.

Colloidal oatmeal (a.k.a. finely-ground oats) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities that can rehydrate your skin and dial down the intensity of an itch, per a small study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

Not a fan of baths? Colloidal oatmeal is also available in a number of OTC creams and lotions, like Aveeno’s Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion.

CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing LotionCredit: Amazon

Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment with Colloidal OatmealCredit: Amazon

Allegra Adult 24 Hour Allergy TabletsCredit: Amazon

Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Anti-Itch OintmentCredit: Amazon

6. Add an antihistamine.

When your body comes into contact with any number of irritants (think: allergens, plants like poison ivy and oak, or insect bites), it reacts by releasing histamine, a compound that results in hives, rashes, and itchy skin.

In this case, taking an antihistamine can be a great way to treat your itchy skin at home, says Dr. Grossman. For mild to moderate cases (as in, you don’t have full-body hives or other symptoms like trouble breathing), try an OTC medication like Allegra or Zyrtec, suggests Dr. Kanchanapoomi Levin.

7. Try hydrocortisone cream.

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help the itch that comes along with many common skin conditions, says Dr. Charles. Look for an anti-itch cream with at least 1% hydrocortisone to calm a must-scratch sensation, like this one from Cortizone 10.

Just note: If a week passes and you’re still itching, stop using the cream and make an appointment with a dermatologist for a proper ID and treatment, per the National Institutes of Health.

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Cassie Shortsleeve is a skilled freelance writer and editor with almost a decade of experience reporting on all things health, fitness, and travel. A former Shape and Men’s Health editor, her work has also been published in Women’s Health, SELF, Runner’s World, Men’s Journal, CNTraveler.com, and other national print and digital publications. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her drinking coffee or running around her hometown of Boston.

Why do my hands and feet itch at night?

Dry skin: Your body loses moisture at night, which can make your skin itchy. Hormonal changes: At night, your body doesn't produce as many hormones as it does during the day and certain hormones reduce inflammation (swelling). As you have fewer hormones at night, your skin could be itchy.

Why do my hands and feet itch so badly?

Itchy hands and feet, while normal to occur from dry skin, can also be caused by more serious conditions, including dyshidrotic eczema, allergic reactions, diabetes, impetigo, reactions to medications, scabies, cirrhosis, and peripheral nerve disorders.

How do I stop uncontrollable itching?

For temporary relief of itching, try these self-care measures:.

Avoid items or situations that cause you to itch. ... .

Moisturize daily. ... .

Treat the scalp. ... .

Reduce stress or anxiety. ... .

Try over-the-counter oral allergy medicine. ... .

Use a humidifier. ... .

Use creams, lotions or gels that soothe and cool the skin. ... .

Avoid scratching..

How do I stop my skin from itching at night?

There are several easy ways to help decrease nighttime itchiness without the use of medication. Common ways to reduce dry skin at night include: bathing in cool or lukewarm water before bed, using only moisturizing, scent-free soaps, baking soda, or colloidal oatmeal.