Tips to calm itching in atopic skin

Did you know that symptoms related to atopic skin tend to worsen at night? Although it is not known exactly why some of the most bothersome symptoms directly associated with  atopic dermatitis tend to be more evident at night, the reality is that when this occurs, they can interrupt or delay sleep, which is why it ends up affecting the quality not only of sleep, but of life of the person who suffers it.

Fortunately, as we will see throughout this note, certain medications, medicinal baths, wet wraps, some simple tips and tricks, and other methods can be extremely useful in helping people with atopic dermatitis rest better at night. And, in short, they are especially useful for calming the itching so common in atopic skin.

Why does itching in atopic skin increase at night?

If you suffer from atopic dermatitis, it is quite possible that you have already noticed something common, and which tends to affect most people with this skin condition equally: itching and other associated symptoms usually increase at night, to the point of to interrupt or delay sleep, by becoming very intense. The itching, in the end, ends up becoming a very uncomfortable and annoying nightmare (and never better said).

At least for now, researchers are not entirely sure what the exact causes of atopic dermatitis are, although many agree that different genetic and environmental factors may possibly be involved. This would explain, for example, why the children of parents with atopic dermatitis also develop the condition (in fact, it is a common risk factor, since they are considered to be equally more likely to suffer from it).

On the other hand, they also do not know for sure why the symptoms of atopic dermatitis tend to be worse at night. Although they have established some possible reasons:

• It is common that our temperature tends to decrease at night, as a consequence of both the sleep and wake cycles of the organism. This can make the itching feel much more pronounced and noticeable.
• Even between dreams, it is believed that the itchy person, even if not fully aware, is more likely to scratch more while asleep. And this, in the end, ends up making the itching worse.

It is also known that some people often wake up during the night without realizing it, and it is perfectly possible that they are scratching because they are too sleepy, and they are not able to remember to contain themselves (that is, that they should not do it). In either case, scratching can only end up making the itch worse, which, in turn, can result in disrupted sleep again.

Is it possible to prevent itching and itchiness of atopic skin?

If you tend to suffer from nocturnal outbreaks of atopic dermatitis, and in recent weeks the uncomfortable itching or itching has not allowed you to rest properly, the truth is that there are some useful guidelines that can help prevent itching. For the most part, it’s vitally important to avoid items that can trigger an outbreak, and to do so before you go to bed. For example, you can try:

• Always bathe at night. Bathing regularly helps keep the skin hydrated, and is essential in preventing the appearance of dangerous infections. Also, to maintain hydration, it is recommended to moisturize your skin immediately (or at least within 3 minutes after bathing or showering).
• Moisturize your skin well before going to bed. Whether you just took a shower, or you did it at night but a few hours ago, using a medicinal cream (such as a steroid cream) or an oil-based moisturizer is essential, especially all if you do it before going to bed. And not only is it essential to hydrate the affected areas, or where outbreaks usually arise, but practically the entire body.
• Use some moist wrap. It may be possible that your skin tends to dry out easily at night.  If you have noticed that this happens to you, and also regularly, you can try wrapping the affected area with the help of a damp cloth immediately after moisturizing it. To keep the skin hydrated for as long as possible, it is recommended to leave the wrap on overnight.
• Avoid wearing rough fabrics. Perhaps you are wearing pajamas or sheets made of fabrics that can end up irritating your skin. This is what usually happens with some materials, such as polyester or wool. On the contrary, it is advisable to use garments or bedding made of one hundred percent cotton; and, if possible, with organic cotton. They stand out for being tremendously soft -and respectful- with the skin.
• Before going to bed avoid allergens. If you have noticed that atopic dermatitis increases at night, if you have allergies and these reactions tend to make dermatitis symptoms worse, you can try avoiding or getting away from allergens before going to bed. For example, you can try to stay away from common allergens like pollen or pet dander.
• Try to keep the room cool. Sweating, or excess body temperature, can cause the itching to increase irremediably. Therefore, it is advisable to try to make the room, or the room where we rest, as cool as possible.

Do baths with diluted bleach help against itching?

Although it may be surprising, as many experts believe, the reality is that diluted bleach baths can be very useful when it comes to relieving itching and symptoms related to atopic skin, especially when it comes to reducing the presence of bacteria in the skin, minimizing the risk of infection and inflammation.

On the one hand, some experts suggest that baths with diluted bleach can improve the symptoms of atopic skin in some people, although it is necessary to always keep in mind both the possible risks and the different safety procedures to follow before using it.

However, doctors have some doubts, especially after a systematic review, published in 2017, found that baths with diluted bleach, or a mild solution of bleach and water, were actually no more effective than baths. bathing only in water after more than 3 weeks of treatment. For this reason, experts are divided about whether or not bleach baths can reduce the severity of skin and atopic dermatitis, so more studies are needed in this regard.

How to use diluted bleach baths:

Experts recommend taking a diluted bleach bath 2 to 3 times a week, but never exceed this amount. It is advisable to use non-concentrated household bleach, which usually contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. And how to do it? Here are the steps to follow:

1. Fill the bathtub with lukewarm water (remember to always avoid hot water, since with atopic skin it is not recommended at all, since the skin could dry out and flake even more).
2. For a bathroom with 150 liters of water, it is advisable to use half a cup of household bleach or chlorine. Or, well, for a half-full bath, use a quarter cup.
3. Then get into the bathtub, being careful not to soak your face or eyes, and leave it on for a maximum of 10 minutes (longer also tends to be counterproductive).
4. Finally rinse completely with the help of warm water.
5. To finish, quickly apply moisturizer or any other natural moisturizer. And then continue with your regular skin care routine.

It is also essential to follow other tips or basic guidelines to take into account. For example, no other product should be used in the water, even neutral soap. It is also not recommended, as we have mentioned in the previous section, to use very cold or very hot water, and not spend more than 10 minutes.

It is essential to avoid putting your face in the water, or your head. On the other hand, it is absolutely not advisable to apply the product itself directly to the skin, since the risk of irritation is very high.

What are the main side effects and possible risks?

When the skin is extremely dry, using a bath with diluted bleach can be very painful. If this is your case, the ideal is to always avoid it.

It is also not recommended for those who have allergic asthma, since they can be very sensitive to the gases of the bleach, and can end up irritating the skin or the respiratory system.

And in the case of babies? How can we calm the itching easily?

If your baby has been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, it is common for them to also feel itchy and uncomfortable at night. Fortunately, in most cases, both the treatments and the advice for babies and children (young or old) are the same as for young people and adults.

Of course, the most common thing is that the father or mother has to take certain additional precautions with the idea of ​​keeping the babies much more comfortable and calm, especially at night. Here are some guidelines or tricks that will be of great help to you (in addition to taking into consideration the advice that we have also indicated in the previous section):

• Avoid over-washing the baby. Most pediatricians recommend washing or bathing a baby with atopic dermatitis a maximum of three or four times a week. Of course, this does not mean that we should not keep it perfectly clean, especially in the diaper area. And, except for this area or area, it is quite likely that you have already noticed that, in reality, babies do not really get that dirty.
• Avoid hot baths. Instead of using baths with hot water, it is recommended to substitute it with warm and short baths. In this way, we will avoid as much as possible that your sensitive skin can dry out easily. On the other hand, it is not recommended that the bath be very long. The best? Don’t last more than 10 minutes.
• Be careful with the soap you use in the bathroom. In addition to cutting back on bath time, you should also pay special attention to the soap you use when cleaning. Only a small amount of soap is recommended, ideal for sensitive skin, fragrance-free, and ultra-gentle.
• After bath. Once we have bathed the baby, it is advisable to retain moisture immediately, with the skin still damp, with the help of a soft and hypoallergenic lotion specially made for use in the little ones. And if at that time it is not time to bathe the baby, it is best to apply this cream or lotion as well (in fact, it is recommended to do it a couple of times a day).
• Be careful with laundry detergents. The baby’s skin, especially if it is a topic, is even more sensitive if possible. Therefore, you must be especially careful with the detergent you use to wash both your clothes and bedding, and it is advisable to replace it with detergents for sensitive skin.
• Clean your slime to the max. It is normal, especially in the first months, for the baby to have an excess of saliva, especially in the area of ​​the lips, chin and neck. Excessive humidity can end up causing an outbreak of dermatitis, so it is essential to gently clean the saliva every time we see it.

Also, since scratching can cause more itching (and, furthermore, make the problem more serious), it is essential to always keep the baby’s nails short, and try to cover his hands with cotton mittens or socks while he sleeps. Thus, we will control at all times that the little one does not scratch, especially when it is something larger.

On the other hand, the clothes with which you dress the baby can also be a very important trigger element, since it is in constant contact with his delicate and sensitive skin. The best? Dress the baby in cotton, organic if possible, which is definitely an excellent option for the most sensitive skin. And, if this is not possible, it is advisable to avoid rough or striped fabrics (as is the case, for example, with wool).

As we have seen, the reality is that the tips and guidelines that we have mentioned above can be useful not only when the symptoms of atopic dermatitis increase or flare up at night, but they are ideal to take into account and carry them out in any time of the day.

Useful natural remedies to calm the itching of atopic skin

Baking soda bath

Sodium bicarbonate has become a tremendously popular natural remedy for the treatment and relief of a good number of conditions, among which is also the relief of itching associated with dermatitis and atopic skin.

To enjoy its soothing qualities, just put warm water in the bathtub, with the intention of soaking, and add a quarter of a cup of baking soda powder, mixing well with the help of your hands.

Then simply put yourself in the bath water, to soak, for up to 10 minutes.

If you want, you can also make a paste of baking soda, and add it directly to the skin. You only have to mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of olive oil or honey.  Combine until a paste forms. To finish, you simply have to apply it to those areas of the skin that itch, leaving it to act for 15 to 20 minutes. Then remove it with lukewarm water.

Wet wraps

So- called moist wraps can be great at rehydrating and soothing skin during an outbreak, when not only is itchy and uncomfortable, but it’s also particularly dry.

And how to do it? It’s actually simpler than you think. After bathing and moisturizing your skin (either with a moisturizer suitable for dry or atopic skin, or any natural moisturizer such as coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil), wrap the affected skin with warm, perfectly clean cloths, followed by a layer of dry clothing, such as sweatpants or a long-sleeved shirt.

Let the wet wraps sit for several hours. Or if the itching is too bothersome, overnight. In this way, you will ensure that the skin can absorb as much moisture as possible. By the next morning, the itchiness has probably subsided a lot (or even disappeared).

Soothing colloidal oatmeal bath

This may be the first time you’ve heard of colloidal oatmeal. Far from thinking that it is a hard-to-find oatmeal, the truth is that it is basically very finely ground oats.

Although it is possible to find it like this in herbalists and specialized dietetic stores, it is perfectly possible to make it yourself when you have oat flakes at home. Just add a little to a blender, coffee grinder, or food processor and grind well until the oats have turned into a very fine powder.

It is essential that the consistency is very thin, because otherwise, when adding it to the bath water, it will end up sinking and staying at the bottom, not mixing as it should with the water, so we will not be able to enjoy its calming qualities.

One way to test if it has acquired the ideal texture and consistency is to mix one or two tablespoons in a glass of water. If when mixing with a spoon, you notice that the water has acquired a milky consistency, then it will be perfect. If not, simply add the ground oats to the processor, grinder, or blender, and keep working for a bit longer.

Then, when it comes time to use it, you just have to do it the same way you prepared the bath with baking soda. How? Very simple: fill the bathtub with warm water, add half a cup of colloidal oatmeal, and mix well. The water will take on a milky consistency and appearance. Soak in the water for up to 10 minutes.

On the other hand, you can also prepare an oat paste. To do this, in a bowl or bowl, put 2 tablespoons of colloidal oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and mix well until a paste forms. Then apply it to the area you want to treat on the skin, leaving it on for 15 minutes. To finish, remove by rinsing your skin with warm water.

Salt bath

Although it may seem strange to use sea ​​salt in order to calm the itching usually associated with atopic skin (especially since it tends to sting every time we apply it to a wound), the truth is that although during a serious flare-up it can the skin itches, the reality is that salt water can help a lot when it comes to reducing pain.

In fact, a few decades ago some doctors were surprised when they discovered that their patients, during the summer months, improved a lot after spending long hours in the salty sea water. Since then, many experts recommend, especially for younger patients, bathing in sea water or taking daily sea salt baths. The result is more than evident: not only itchiness and dryness are reduced, but also redness. And all this in just a few days.

How to do it? It is extremely simple and straightforward. You just have to fill the bathtub with warm water. Once full, add 1 cup of salt to the water, and then enter the water, leaving it to act for 10 minutes.

Then just pat your skin dry a bit, but it is highly recommended that when you apply moisturizer or any other moisturizer, your skin is slightly damp. You can take as many sea salt baths as you like, even one a day until you notice an improvement in symptoms.

Apple cider vinegar bath

Vinegar is obtained from apple cider, which has been fermented. Many use it in order to rebalance the acidity levels of the skin, thereby reducing the risk of infection. Even though no type of scientific study has suggested that apple cider vinegar can improve symptoms related to atopic skin, the truth is that it provides excellent benefits that could recommend its use.

For example, it balances the acidity levels of the skin, thanks precisely to the fact that it is an acidic substance, so that it can be useful to improve symptoms caused by many skin disorders, including atopic skin and atopic dermatitis itself. itself, protecting the skin against bacterial infection.

It would also help reduce both inflammation and infection, especially when applied directly to the skin. So it would be useful to reduce swelling, and reduce the risk of irritated skin becoming infected.

Of course, since it is a tremendously acidic natural product, when used excessively it can end up causing chemical burns. The best? Before using it, always ask a doctor. Although in most cases it is essential to always use small -and diluted- amounts of apple cider vinegar, and be aware of any reaction that may occur on the skin.

And what are the reactions that can arise? Basically any burning sensation or definitely any other abnormal side effect.

When preparing the bath with apple cider vinegar, you just have to prepare the bathtub as you usually do (always fill it with warm water, instead of hot). And add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. Mix well, and soak in the water, leaving it on for a maximum of 10-15 minutes.  This amount is usually enough to kill bacteria, which can go a long way in preventing infection.

Finally, rinse with lukewarm water, gently pat your skin dry, and apply a moisturizer or natural moisturizer.

Homemade shea butter and coconut oil cream

The shea butter is a vegetable product, a natural source hundred one hundred, which is composed of fat that is extracted from the nuts of the tree native shea Africa. It is true that it becomes a wonderful natural moisturizer, capable of being quickly absorbed by the skin and helping to provide a useful protective barrier in case of atopic skin.

On the other hand, coconut oil also becomes an excellent option, as it is a natural moisturizer that provides quick relief in case of not only itchiness, but also dry skin. This is because it contains lauric acid, a healthy fatty acid that helps soothe the skin, reduce itchiness, relieve irritation and lower the risk of infection.

• Ingredients:  1/2 cup of shea butter, 1/2 cup of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, 20 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of tea tree essential oil.
• Elaboration: In a bain-marie, or double boiler, melt the shea butter and coconut oil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until both ingredients are combined. Once this is done, add the honey and let it melt completely. When everything is in a liquid state, add the lavender essential oil and the tea tree essential oil (in the amounts indicated). Stir well to combine all ingredients. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool, to get it to start to solidify. When the solution has thickened but still remains liquid, with the help of a hand blender mix for a few minutes, until the color of the cream lightens.  As the solution solidifies, it is advisable to mix every ten minutes, until it acquires a consistency similar to a cream or lotion.

Homemade cream with colloidal oatmeal

As we have already explained to you in some other previous section, colloidal oatmeal is nothing more than finely ground oatmeal. You can find it like this in health food stores and specialized stores, although if you don’t have it, but you do have oat flakes at home (for example, because you usually use them for breakfast), the reality is that you can learn to prepare it yourself.

How? It’s very simple: just put a cup of oats in a blender, food processor or even your coffee grinder (electric or manual). Then just work continuously until you see that the oats are finely ground. Otherwise, it is essential to continue working for a few more minutes, since the key to colloidal oatmeal is precisely its fine consistency. Once achieved, it is time to prepare our cream with colloidal oatmeal. Pay attention to both the necessary ingredients and the steps to follow for it:

• Ingredients: 60 g of distilled water, 1 g of colloidal oatmeal, 15 g of sunflower oil, 10 g of shea butter, 7 g of vegetable emulsifying wax, a few drops of lavender essential oil.
• Elaboration: Put the distilled water in a small container that is resistant to heat, add the colloidal oatmeal in the amount indicated, and in another container put the sunflower oil, the shea butter and the vegetable emulsifying wax (we will therefore have two containers individual). Then place both jars in a saucepan over the heat with water, acting as if you were cooking in a bain-marie. Heat over medium heat until the wax and shea butter have melted (it will take about 10-15 minutes or so). Now pour the water with the oatmeal, and the melted wax together with the shea butter and the sunflower oil in a clean container, and stir constantly with the help of a fork. Finally, add the drops of lavender essential oil, and stir frequently until the cream begins to thicken as it cools. After several hours, it will acquire a creamy texture. When it has this consistency, simply pour into containers or small jars, and store at room temperature in a place protected from direct light and heat.

When using it, you should only apply it to your skin as you would any other moisturizer, as part of your daily skin care routine, after bathing or showering, and when the skin is still slightly damp.

Homemade shea butter and calendula ointment

Although this homemade ointment is not a cure for atopic skin, it is excellent when we apply it on the affected areas, especially on those parts of the skin where we have itching, since it provides rapid relief, helping to calm the symptoms quite a bit. fast.

This is because it is made from calendula-infused oil, which is made from castor oil, sunflower oil and dried flowers of this wonderful and beautiful plant, which help remove dead skin cells already relieve irritation. Coconut oil, as we have already mentioned, is a very popular natural remedy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and associated itching.  Neem oil provides moisturizing qualities, as well as being an excellent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and pain reliever.

• Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of shea butter, 2 tablespoons of calendula infusion with castor oil and sunflower oil, 1 teaspoon of neem oil, 1 tablespoon of beeswax and 10 drops of essential oil of camomile.
• Preparation:  Put water in a saucepan. Add a heat-resistant glass container inside (in the same way as if you were cooking in a bain-marie), and inside this container add the oils and shea butter along with the wax. Once they have melted, remove from the heat and add the essential oil. Stir well until ingredients are combined, and let sit at room temperature until oils have solidified and become ointment-like. To finish, reserve in the jar, which you must close properly with the help of a lid.

When you are going to use it, you can simply use it on the skin, applying it gently on the areas of the skin that itch the most. On the other hand, did you know that you can also use it as if it were a lip balm, or an exquisite facial moisturizer? Its qualities will help you nourish and care for the skin in depth, reducing itching.

Homemade cream with vitamin E oil and oatmeal

The homemade cream recipe that we propose on this occasion becomes an excellent natural remedy to soothe the skin, by reducing itching and inflammation. In addition, it is made with one hundred percent natural ingredients, so you can use it whenever you need it. Its preparation, in addition, is very simple and easy, so that as long as you have all the necessary ingredients, you can make it at any time.

• Ingredients: 1/2 cup of coconut oil, 1/4 cup of shea butter, 1/4 cup of rolled oats, 2 teaspoons of vitamin E oil (in capsules), and 20 drops of lavender essential oil.
• Elaboration: Since the oats you have are most likely to be coarse oats, it’s best to first finely grind them with the help of a spice or coffee grinder, food processor, or just a blender. It is necessary to grind it very well, until the coarse oat flakes turn into powder.  Put a little water in a saucepan, but not enough to fill it (a few centimeters will suffice), and heat over the fire. Once this is done, put the coconut oil and shea butter in a glass container that is perfectly resistant to heat. Put this container in the saucepan with water just at the moment it starts to boil. Turn the heat down a bit, so it’s still simmering but gently, and wait until the coconut oil and shea butter have completely melted. Now remove from the heat and add the oatmeal powder (in the amount indicated). Stir well so that the ingredients combine and integrate with each other. If you have vitamin E oil in capsules, just make a very fine hole in them with the help of a cooking needle, and pour their contents into the container. Then add the lavender essential oil. Mix and stir again. Once all the ingredients are well incorporated, and properly combined, pour the mixture into a small container, or a can. Leave in the fridge or at room temperature, until the cream has solidified. and pour its content into the container. Then add the lavender essential oil. Mix and stir again. Once all the ingredients are well incorporated, and properly combined, pour the mixture into a small container, or a can. Leave in the fridge or at room temperature, until the cream has solidified. and pour its content into the container. Then add the lavender essential oil. Mix and stir again. Once all the ingredients are well incorporated, and properly combined, pour the mixture into a small container, or a can. Leave in the fridge or at room temperature, until the cream has solidified.

Ready! Only every time you are going to use it, apply this cream on clean skin, in those areas where you feel that uncomfortable and annoying itching.

Homemade cream with coconut oil, oatmeal and rosemary

Throughout the different homemade cream recipes that we have talked about in the previous sections, we have already used different ingredients, one hundred percent natural, whose qualities are simply excellent when it comes to calming the itching associated with atopic skin, as well as the rest of the related symptoms (redness, inflammation, dry and cracked skin…).

On this particular occasion, in addition to reusing oatmeal and coconut oil for their interesting soothing and nourishing qualities, we also added two other unique ingredients: olive oil and rosemary oil.

• Ingredients: 1/4 cup of ground oatmeal, 3/4 cup of virgin coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 10 drops of rosemary oil.
• Preparation: If you do not have colloidal oatmeal at home, you should only grind the oat flakes very finely with the help of a blender, a food processor or a spice or coffee grinder. Of course, it is very important that the oatmeal is very well ground, since then the cream will not acquire the appropriate texture and consistency. Next, heat the coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat until melted (it will take at most 20 seconds). Now add the rosemary oil, the ground oats and mix well until the ingredients are integrated. Then remove from the heat and add the olive oil. Mix again to combine. Transfer to a small glass container, and store in the fridge until solidified and slightly hardened.

To use it, you only have to apply this cream to your skin every time it stings you, and wait for it to absorb slowly.

Homemade lavender cream

This homemade lavender cream is a delicate and extremely soft option, which may even be ideal for use on babies with atopic skin, thanks to the fact that it is made with only three wonderful natural ingredients: coconut oil, vitamin E oil and olive oil. essential lavender, which will provide an excellent relaxing fragrance.

In this case, it is useful to use a fragrance such as lavender essential oil, since it is not a chemical fragrance that can end up worsening the symptoms of atopic skin, and cause even more irritation and itching.

• Ingredients: 2 cups of virgin coconut oil, 2 tablespoons of vitamin E oil and 5 drops of lavender essential oil.
• Preparation:  We will start by melting the coconut oil. To do this, place it in the microwave and heat for at least 20 seconds, stirring occasionally until it melts. If you are using vitamin E oil in capsules, make a hole with the help of a needle, and add the vitamin E oil to the bowl of melted coconut oil. Put it in the blender jar, and beat well for at least 2 minutes, making sure to trap as much air as possible. Then add the drops of lavender essential oil in the amount indicated, and continue mixing with the hand blender for another minute or two.

If you wish, you can use this cream immediately, or add it to a container and put it in the fridge for at least half an hour, so that when applied to the skin it is cold, which will also help reduce the inflammation and related itching.

Soothing lotion bar with rosehip oil and evening primrose

If, in addition to itchy skin, you suffer from inflammation, peeling and redness, this  homemade lotion bar will be very helpful, since it is ideal for reducing that uncomfortable itching, and also in a completely natural way.

For its preparation we will use only soothing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, nourishing, protective and moisturizing ingredients. Do you dare to make it with us? Take note of the ingredients you need and the steps to follow.

• Ingredients: 50g grated or minced beeswax, 50g kokum butter, 30g rosehip seed oil, 30g evening primrose oil, 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil, 20 drops oil ylang essential oil, 10 drops of myrrh essential oil, 10 drops of yarrow essential oil, and 5 drops of chamomile essential oil.
• Preparation: In a saucepan over very low heat put a little water, and in the center place a glass container. Inside this container put the grated beeswax, the rosehip seed oil and the kokum butter, heating in a water bath. Then, after a few minutes, remove from heat and add evening primrose oil and vitamin E oil. Stir well until ingredients are combined.  Then, now add the essential oils, in the amounts indicated, and mix again. Pour into molds (if you want the bar to be shaped like soap), and let cool completely. Then store in a cool, dark place.

As you will see right when you are going to use it, this wonderful natural product will not have the consistency of a conventional cream or lotion, so it will not be sticky.

When it’s time to use it, simply rub the stick against the affected areas of the skin, and enjoy the fast relief it will provide in just a few seconds. Although it is true that you can use it whenever you want and need, when you have itching it is recommended to do it at least 4 to 6 times a day.

Homemade ointment with avocado oil

Although avocado, it is true, becomes one of the foods whose consumption when we have atopic skin we must avoid as much as possible (despite being tremendously nutritious and healthy, it is one of the richest sources of amines and salicylates, which induce an increased itching), we can indeed enjoy its soothing qualities when we use it in the form of avocado oil on the skin.

To do this, for example, on this occasion we are going to propose a wonderful homemade ointment in whose preparation we will use not only avocado oil, but also shea butter and vitamin E oil.

• Ingredients: 60 g of shea butter, 12 g of avocado oil and 2 capsules of vitamin E oil.
• Elaboration: Put water in a saucepan put it on the fire. When the water begins to gently boil, put a glass container inside, in the same way as if you were cooking in a bain-marie. In this container add the shea butter and avocado oil, and heat over medium heat until the butter melts completely. Once this is done, remove from the heat (carefully, yes, so as not to burn yourself with the water), mix well and add the vitamin E oil. Mix again. With the help of a hand mixer, beat the mixture until it acquires a consistency similar to that of meringue. To achieve this, you can do it by leaving the container inside ice water, while you whisk. Once it has this consistency, simply store it in a jar or lotion container,

When using it, it is recommended to do it between 2 to 3 times a day, sometimes alternating with any other lotion, or simply alternating it with pure coconut oil, which, as you well know, acts as a wonderful natural moisturizer.

Lotion bars to soothe itching

In addition to the homemade creams that we have proposed in the previous sections, you can also learn how to make a lotion bar, which stands out precisely not only for its ease when making it easily at home, but also for its simplicity when applying it.

The ingredients used to make them we have already mentioned before, since they provide excellent qualities against atopic skin, as well as to relieve the itching of atopic dermatitis, but combined with each other they simply provide even more interesting benefits.

We will use shea butter, cocoa butter and mango butter, which help nourish and care for the skin in a completely natural way. While beeswax, on the other hand, is ideal for covering the skin and protecting it against dryness. And what about cod liver oil? Basically, it is extremely rich in healthy fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, which optimally nourish and heal the skin.

• Ingredients: 1/3 cup shea butter, 1/3 cup cocoa butter, 3 tablespoons beeswax pastilles, 1/4 cup cod liver oil, and lavender essential oil.
• Elaboration: Using a double boiler combine the shea butter and cocoa butter with the beeswax pastilles on top. Add a little water to the bottom of the double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can do it directly in a bain-marie, putting the two butters and the beeswax in a heat-resistant container, over a saucepan with water. Heat over medium heat until it boils. Then, when it reaches this point, reduce the heat to a simmer and stir the mixture carefully until all the solid ingredients have melted. Remove from heat. Now add the cod liver oil and a few drops of lavender essential oil. To finish, stir well and quickly pour into the plastic deodorant molds. Reserve in the fridge until hardened.

When using them, you only have to use the lotion bar directly on dry skin. It is not recommended to use it in the bath or shower. On the other hand, you can rub a thin layer on your skin as many times as you need.

Ideal homemade lotion for dry skin

Almond oil is a natural oil with excellent moisturizing qualities. Plus, it provides anti-inflammatory benefits, making it a wonderful option should the annoying and uncomfortable itchiness associated with atopic skin flare up. Olive oil, on the other hand, is interesting when it comes to soothing and repairing the skin, by helping to neutralize free radicals and in turn stimulate cell growth.

Cocoa butter is excellent at neutralizing free radicals, which are often associated with premature aging, especially when they accumulate on the skin. In turn, it provides ideal vitamins and minerals to help reduce the symptoms of itching.

• Ingredients: 1/2 cup of almond oil, 1/2 cup of coconut oil, 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup of beeswax, 1 tablespoon of shea butter, 1 tablespoon of cocoa butter, 20 drops of lavender essential oil and 1 teaspoon of vitamin E.
• Preparation: Fill a wide-mouthed canning jar or container with the almond oil, coconut oil and olive oil, solid beeswax, shea butter, and coconut butter. Put this container in a saucepan, fill halfway with water, and heat over medium heat (in the same way as when you cook in a bain-marie). Once the ingredients have melted, remove the jar being careful not to burn yourself, and allow it to cool slightly, stirring occasionally. When it has cooled but not so much that it cannot be easily stirred, add the lavender essential oil and vitamin E. Stir a little, and let cool, placing the lid on the jar and keeping it in the fridge or at room temperature.

Given that this lotion, as it contains a greater amount of oil, tends to be oilier than the cream whose recipe we talked about in the previous section, we recommend that you make sure that it has been well absorbed before putting on your clothes, since otherwise you will run the risk that it ends up being transferred to the clothes or fabrics, and they get stained.