Dear,

I always feel itchy after I take a bath. It doesn’t matter whether the water is cold or warm. When I was younger, I used to think I was allergic to water, which would make people laugh. But I’m not the only one, I have asked around and some people I know also have the same thing. What is it? Is it the water or just my skin? It is quite irritating. It doesn’t last longer than 10 minutes though. Beth

Dear Beth,

You have not specified whether this problem of feeling itchy after a bath has started recently or if it is of long standing. Does itching occur all-round the year or it comes in a specific season? The answer to these questions can help to identify the problem and find a solution.

The m ost common cause for itching to occur after a shower is dryness of the skin. Dry air, soaps, hot water, these can deplete the skin of essential oils and nutrients, making it dry. This makes the nerves more sensitive, causing one to feel itchy. Deficiency of vitamins A, B complex, C, disorders like hypothyroidism, cause the skin to be very dry and there can be itching after a shower.

Allergy to chemicals present in soap, cleanser, shampoo, among others, can manifest as itching with or without rashes or eruptions if the body comes in contact with it. Though rare, one can be allergic to water itself. Since, during a bath, there is more prolonged exposure to water and that too in excess quantity, there can be itching after that, mostly with rashes. This condition (aquagenic urticaria) can occur with both cold and hot water use. Some people can develop urticaria due to allergy to sweat. Taking a hot shower, particularly after exercise or some sport, can aggravate this condition. Taking baths in dry climate can also induce this condition.

Individuals suffering from asthma, eczema, and other allergic conditions, can have itching with change of season due to allergy to something present in the atmosphere.

Viral or fungal infections of the skin can cause generalised itching with eruptions and or rashes; this may be aggravated after a shower. In other skin conditions associated with itching like eczema or psoriasis, use of soap may cause irritation and itching after a bath.

To prevent this condition it is useful to avoid dryness of the skin. It is advisable to apply a moisturising lotion over the body when it is still damp, after a shower. The lotion will preserve moisture, thus preventing total dryness and subsequent itching. One can also try to change the soap/ shampoo, being used and see whether the problem has been solved or not.

Diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains helps prevent dry skin. Hypothyroidism, skin infections and other disorders can be easily diagnosed and are curable.

Use of an anti-allergy ointment locally is sufficient to give relief in mild allergy. However if it is severe, one has to take some anti-allergy tablet like chlorphenaramine and cetrizine to suppress it.

Dr. Rachna is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital.