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Asian woman holding her hands while at the park.
Itchy hands can be a nuisance, especially when you don’t know why they itch in the first place.

Itchy Hands: 3 Causes and Remedies

Itchy hands can be annoying and distracting. Scratch the itch by learning what could be causing them.

February 3, 2023
Read Time: 3 Minutes

Eczema >

Sensitive Skin>

Dry Skin>


Do you still believe having itchy hands is a sign you’re about to come into some money soon? While the thought is comforting, all you might come into are some underlying conditions instead. 

Having your palms itch can certainly be annoying – and when the discomfort becomes too much to resist, all that scratching can lead to worse irritation, perhaps even breaking your skin and causing infections.

But while itchy hands are hardly symptomatic of a more serious health problem, it can entail an underlying chronic condition that, although minor, may require frequent management.

Do not diagnose your condition yourself. If your condition becomes a matter of concern, always consult with a specialist to get a more specific assessment and treatment.

Eczema 

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, can appear differently in every person and may affect the neck, hands, elbows, feet, ankles, and face, among other body areas. Because these rashes are not usually severe enough to warrant a visit to a dermatologist, many people with eczema are unaware that they have had it since childhood. The cause of eczema is unknown, but doctors believe an overactive immune system may be a contributing factor.

One of the most common types of eczema is allergic contact dermatitis. It's a reaction to something in your environment. These include irritants and compounds like nickel, perfumes, preservatives, rubber, and other plants. Dust, detergent, cleaning agents, and airborne sprays are also common eczema triggers, especially since they break down the skin's protective barrier on your hands.

Sensitive Skin

Asian woman scratching her arm.
Sensitive skin can make you more prone to itchiness and irritation.

Sensitive skin can be complicated since even the most seemingly harmless ingredient can trigger a bad reaction. Having sensitive skin also makes your complexion prone to inflammation, the chances of which increase as your skin gets drier. If you suffer from conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or others that have to do with the epidermis, you likely have sensitive skin too.

Gentle skin care, including mild soap, can help manage and reduce redness, dryness, or itching. These soaps do not remove the skin’s natural oils as they wash off dirt and grime. Meanwhile, some formulas also help increase moisture. Look for a product that has a gentle formula yet contains ingredients such as oatmeal, which can soothe your sensitive skin.

Mild soap can cleanse their skin of sweat, dead skin cells, bacteria, and dirt build-up without aggravating skin issues. For an effective yet gentle soap that does the job well, try LIFEBUOY Antibacterial Soap Mild Care. It fights 99.9% of germs with Activ Silver+, a unique and powerful ingredient that keeps you safe and protected while being suitable for delicate skin.

Dry Skin

Asian woman looking at her dry skin in the mirror.
Having dry skin means your skin barrier is compromised, making your hands itchy

One thing that dry skin and sensitive skin types have in common is a compromised skin barrier. A healthy skin barrier is free of dryness, redness, peeling, sensitivity, and rough texture or dullness. Conditions such as acne or eczema can make this even worse.

When your skin barrier is damaged or compromised, you can have flaky, overly sensitive, irritated skin – not the best feeling. You can heal and strengthen your skin barrier with products that contain hydrating and moisturizing ingredients.

The constant itching can be cumbersome whether your dry skin is weather-related or otherwise. Applying moisturizing lotion to your skin several times a day may be enough to ease the itching. Look for a product with elements that hydrate the skin. Think glycerin, lactic acid, topical urea, or moisturizers that prevent further water loss, such as petroleum jelly or ointments. Thinner lotions may not be as good for healing.

If you have skin woes, skip highly scented lotions, too, since they may cause further discomfort. Try Dove Nourishing Hand Wash Deeply Nourishing. It has a mild, hypoallergenic formula as well as the brand’s signature 1/4 moisturizing cream to keep your skin nourished and free of irritation.

Get to the root of your itchy hands to stop yourself from scratching. But until your dermatologist gives you proper treatment, make sure to use gentle soap and other skin products.

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