Deal With an Itch That Occurs Throughout the Night

Also known as pruritus, itching can be caused by numerous skin conditions (such as allergies, insect bites, eczema, and poison oak rash). If left untreated, nightly itching can be a cause of a sleepless night but besides interrupting your sleep, prolonged scratching could lead to scarring and infection. This article will examine how to deal and treat nightly itching.

Steps

Dealing with Itching During the Night

1. Use topical or oral antihistamines. Antihistamine creams and tablets are medications that can ease an itch resulting from an allergic reaction. They work by blocking histamines binding to your cells and thus, prevent the release of mediators that cause the symptoms of allergy (including itching).
   • Apply Benadryl (diphenhydramine) topical cream to the skin or take oral tablets/liquid before bedtime. Besides helping with the itching, oral Benadryl also causes drowsiness, which can help you sleep better.
   • If you have large areas of skin that itches, you should choose an oral anti-histamine instead of putting a topical cream on a large area.
   • However, choose either the topical cream or the oral diphenhydramine. Never use both together or you could be exposed to too much of the medication.
   • Always follow the directions in the label and never exceed the recommended dose.
   • Other antihistamines you can try include over-the-counter Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine).
   • Make sure you check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking oral medications if you have medical conditions, allergies to medicines, or take other medications.
2. Apply corticosteroid cream over the affected area. Corticosteroids are effective in controlling inflammation by altering the function of a number of cells and chemicals in the skin. If the itching is caused by an inflammatory condition (such as eczema), try using corticosteroid cream.
   • When using corticosteroid cream, you may want to cover the area with a damp cotton material soaked in water. This will help the skin absorb the cream.
   • Corticosteroid creams are available in mild forms over-the-counter, or stronger by prescription only.
   • If the itchy area isn’t large, your doctor may prescribe calcineurin inhibitor drugs (such as Protopic or Elidel) instead of corticosteroid creams.
3. Use a moisturizer, barrier cream or an anti-itch cream over the area. These may help for mild itching if you prefer not to use over-the-counter or prescription medications. Apply the moisturizing cream before bedtime and, in case of a prolonged condition, at least twice a day until the symptoms are gone.
   • Try Cetaphil, Eucerin, Sarna, or CeraVe moisturizers or Aveeno, which is made of oats.
   • Calamine or menthol are also good anti-itch products that can temporarily relieve the symptoms.
   • Optionally, form a protective barrier on the skin by using barrier creams that contain zinc oxide, lanolin or petrolatum. For example, petroleum jelly is an inexpensive treatment that is gentle in handling itchy, dry skin.
4. Apply a cool, wet compress over the area. This can help reduce irritation but also protects the skin and prevents you from scratching it during the night.
   • You may be attempted to scratch the affected area but try to avoid this. You can easily break your skin by constant scratching during the night, making the skin vulnerable for infection. If you can’t avoid scratching, trim your nails or wear gloves at night.
   • Optionally, you can tape a plastic wrap around the skin to protect it and prevent yourself from scratching it.
5. Take a warm oatmeal or baking soda bath before bedtime. Oats have chemicals called avenanthramides that fight inflammation and redness and can help soothe itching.
   • Grind oatmeal in a blender and slowly sprinkle it into the tub while the water is running. Then soak for at least 15 minutes before bedtime.
   • Or try Aveeno oatmeal baths, which are available over-the-counter and easy to use.
   • Or add 1 cup baking soda to a tub of warm water and soak your itchy skin for 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.
   • Localized itches can also be treated with a baking soda paste. Combine 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water and mix, then apply over the affected area. Only use over skin that is not broken.
6. Wear a loose cotton or silk pajama. These materials can help reduce irritation. Avoid clothes that irritate your skin, such as wool and some man-made fabrics. It may also beneficial to avoid tight-fitting clothes.
7. Avoid wearing substances that irritate your skin at night. Some materials can cause irritation or allergic reaction, such as jewelry, perfume, skin products with strong fragrances, cleaning products, and cosmetics. Do not use these at night.
   • Also use unscented laundry detergent when washing your pajama or bedding and use the extra-rinse cycle on your washing machine.

Trying Natural Remedies

1. Apply lemon juice over the affected area. Lemons contain aromatic substances that have anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties. Applying lemon juice to the skin before bedtime may reduce itching and help you sleep.
   • Squeeze undiluted lemon juice on the itchy skin and allow to dry before bedtime.
   • However, lemon juice may cause stinging and burning of any open areas of the skin, so use caution when trying lemon juice to irritated skin.
2. Try juniper berries and cloves. Combining the anti-inflammatory, volatile substances from juniper berries with eugenol (which numbs nerve endings) from clove can help reduce nightly itching.
   • Make a mixture by melting three ounces of unsalted butter and two tablespoons of beeswax in separate pans.
   • When the beeswax has melted, mix in with the butter.
   • Add five tablespoons ground juniper berries and three teaspoons ground cloves to the mixture and stir.
   • Allow to cool and apply to the affected area before bedtime.
3. Try herbs, such as basil, mint and thyme to help reduce itching. The substances in these herbs have anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe itchy skin.
   • Make a tea from mint, basil, or thyme by placing dried leaves or tea bag in boiling water. Cover to keep the aromatic substances from escaping, allow to cool and strain. Dip a clean cloth into the tea and apply to affected areas before bedtime.
4. Apply aloe vera gel over the area. Aloe vera is a common remedy for burns, but the same substances that reduce blistering and inflammation may also help reduce itching.
   • Apply aloe vera gel over the affected area before bedtime.
5. Take fish oil supplements. These contain essential fatty acids that may help keep you skin hydrated. If your itching is a result of dry skin, regular fish oil supplementation may be beneficial.

Treating Specific Conditions

1. Treat poison ivy, oak or sumac rash to reduce nightly itching. An oil found in these plants can irritate the skin and cause itching.
   • Use calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream over the affected area before bedtime.
   • You can also take oral antihistamine before bedtime or apply topical cream to the skin.
   • If the reaction is serious, your dermatologist may prescribe a topical steroid ointment or oral prednisone.
2. Treat insect bites. Insect bites are a common cause for itching especially during the summer months. Minor bites can be treated by washing the affected area with soap and water and applying anti-itch cream before bedtime.
   • If the bite is painful or swollen, use a hydrocortisone, anesthetic, or antihistamine cream over the affected area before bedtime.
   • To reduce the urge to scratch the area, place a cold compress over the affected area for the night.
3. Treat eczema. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a skin condition that may cause itching among other symptoms. Try the following methods to treat nightly itching resulting from eczema:
   • Corticosteroid creams or ointments that are available over-the-counter or prescription.
   • Oral antihistamines, such as Benadryl.
   • Prescription creams that help repair the skin, such as Protopic and Elidel. As these drugs have possible side effects, they are used only when other treatments have failed.
4. Treat swimmers itch. This is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites present in contaminated water. Try the following remedies to treat nightly itching caused by swimmers itch:
   • Apply cool compresses to the affected areas to reduce irritation.
   • Take an Epsom salt, baking soda or an oatmeal bath just before bedtime
   • Apply a corticosteroid ointment or an anti-itch cream over the affected area.

Tips

• You can also try over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, to reduce the agony during the night in addition to the above methods.
• Try calming tea or sleeping aids to help you sleep throughout the night.

Warnings

• Consult your doctor if you have any concerns or if the condition does not resolve after a few days. Besides helping you relieve the itching, your doctor can help determine the cause and treat the underlying condition.
• Use all over-the-counter and prescription medications according to directions and never exceed recommended doses.
• In rare cases, itching can be a sign of an internal medical condition, such as a liver disorder or a thyroid condition.
• Talk to your doctor if you are unsure of what medicines to take, and if you have any medical conditions, allergies, are pregnant or breast-feeding, or are taking other medications.

Things You'll Need

• Corticosteroid ointment and/or antihistamine cream
• Oral antihistamine
• Cool compress
• Oatmeal or baking soda for a bath
• Silk or cotton pajama
• Fish oil supplements

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Sources and Citations

See also

• Treat Severely Irritated Facial Skin
• Cure Jock Itch
• Lessen Fiberglass Itch
• Get Rid of Poison Ivy Rashes
• Heal Armpit Rash
• Treat Poison Ivy and Poison Oak
• Treat Chafing Naturally
• Use Herbal Remedies for Rosacea
• Get Rid of Sunburn Fast
• Stop Scratching Irritated Skin

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