How To Treat Menopause Itching

Menopause symptoms are diverse and are mostly acquired past hormonal changes in the body. Ane such symptom is itchy pare, which is medically known as pruritus (i). But, what causes menopause itching?

Hormonal imbalances, particularly fluctuating estrogen levels, crusade this type of itching. Menopause itching tin can manifest itself in several areas of the body. While certain medications and home remedies tin can help you treat it, you lot can besides cultivate certain habits to help control and prevent it. Go along reading to learn everything there is to know about menopause itching, its causes and types, and how to avoid it.

What Causes Itching During Menopause?

The body goes through many hormonal changes during menopause. 1 such hormonal change is the decline in estrogen levels. Estrogen is vital for a number of functions, including skin health. Information technology helps the body retain its natural moisture.

It helps wounds heal and improves bulwark role €" that is, it strengthens the outermost after of skin and keeps information technology salubrious (2). It also aids the body in producing natural oils and collagen. Natural oils proceed the skin hydrated. Collagen and elastin (skin proteins) proceed the peel firm and elastic (iii).

Thus, estrogen is indirectly responsible for keeping your pare strong, hydrated, and tight. When these estrogen levels drib, your skin becomes thinner, drier, and itchy.

Menopause itching is of different types. Check them out in the following section.

What Are The Types Of Menopause Itching?

Besides dry and itchy skin, menopause can also cause pare rashes and acne. You might experience hyperpigmentation, which is a change in the color of your pare, or wrinkling due to dryness and reduced elasticity. Let us accept a closer wait at the types of menopause itching.

1. Peel Itching

Some of the nearly common areas you may feel itchy skin are the elbows and the T-zone, that is, your forehead and nose area. You lot might also feel itchy skin on your limbs, neck, chest, back, armpits, scalp, and the area effectually your ears.

ii. Paresthesia

Some women too experience a €œpins and needles€ sensation. This condition is called paresthesia (iv). It is an abnormal sensation characterized by tingling, prickling, spooky, burning, or numbness in the fingers and toes.

3. Formication

Another condition some women are known to experience during menopause is formication. It is a awareness of insects crawling on or under the skin.

4. Genital Itching

Forth with skin dryness and itchiness, women may also experience vaginal dryness and itching. If you were already experiencing vaginal dryness, it may go worse during menopause. The fall in estrogen level during menopause causes the vaginal tissues to dry out out. Dry vaginal tissues make the walls of the vagina thinner, which leads to inflammation. This status is known equally vaginal atrophy or atrophic vaginitis (5). Inflammation causes discomfort and itching around the vulva and labia. This is known equally vaginal itching or vulvar pruritus. Women who experience vaginal itching might as well feel a painful or burning awareness while urinating.

Discover out how to care for menopause itching in the next section.

Is It Possible To Get Rid Of Menopause Itching?

The good news is that it is possible to reduce or control menopause itching with the help of some home remedies. Check them out below.

I. Home Remedies

1. Colloidal Oatmeal

Footing oat grain is known as colloidal oatmeal. It is rich in vitamins, proteins, fats, and minerals that aid to soothe dry, irritated skin. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties brand it a valuable peel protector, especially during menopause (six).

Colloidal oatmeal is a fine powder that can exist dissolved in water and practical to the peel to relieve itching. Alternately, information technology can exist added to warm bath water that you tin can soak in for some time. Then, wash information technology off with lukewarm water and gently pat your skin dry.

2. Cool Shrink

A cool shrink is one of the quickest and easiest means to soothe irritated skin. Yous tin wrap a cool towel around the area that is itchy or keep it covered overnight if the itchiness keeps you awake. Using a soft, clean cotton towel is preferable to avoid further irritation.

3. Moisturizer

Moisturize your pare regularly to retain its natural moisture and forbid it from getting dry out. Petroleum jelly is one of the simplest nevertheless best moisturizing options. Calamine lotion, coconut oil, or aloe vera-based gels and creams as well help to lock in the moisture and soothe irritated pare. It is best to moisturize immediately after yous accept a shower.

4. Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to create collagen, which keeps the skin stay rubberband and hydrated (7). You can increase the level of vitamin C in your torso through natural means by eating citric fruits. You tin can opt to take supplements or use products that are applied topically. Vitamin C plays a big role in healing damaged peel and preventing dry, itchy skin.

5. Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens (or dietary estrogen) are naturally occurring compounds that are found in plants. Fruits, vegetables, certain grains, soy, and legumes contain phytoestrogens. Though this estrogen is slightly unlike from the estrogen produced by your body, it binds itself to estrogen receptors and works in the aforementioned way to produce collagen and natural oils (8). The efficiency of using phytoestrogens for menopause itching is yet being researched. Its benefits are similar to Hormone Replacement Therapy, while its side effects are bottom.

Ii. Medication

When y'all€™ve tried home remedies, and they fail to give relief or the itching worsens, it is time to consult a md to care for menopause itching. Some of these medications may be available over the counter, while others may crave prescriptions.

one. Anti-Itch Medication

Balmy steroidal creams can exist available over the counter or require a prescription by your physician. They are applied direct to the affected area.
A word of alarm: If yous are using steroidal creams, be mindful of using them just for a short duration (9). While they become a long way in soothing irritated and itchy skin, they can besides be harmful and cause the skin to blister, redden, or become thin if used for more than a week.

two. Over-The-Counter Medications

Hydrocortisone creams are bachelor over the counter and work well to soothe dry, irritated skin. They should contain at to the lowest degree ane% hydrocortisone.

Anesthetic creams, as the name suggests, help to numb irritated pare and provides relief for a short while. These creams should never be used on cleaved skin as they tin aggravate the condition.

Though antihistamines are usually used in cases of allergies, they can also be used to soothe itchy skin. Antihistamines may be available as creams or as drugs.

3. Prescription Medications

You can also use corticosteroids bachelor as gels, lotions, creams, or aerosols. However, they demand to be prescribed by a doctor.

III. Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements also provide relief from itching. While they assist the body in producing hormones naturally, always utilise them merely later a consultation with a doctor. Here are some herbal supplements that are useful during menopause:
Soy extract is useful in treating a variety of symptoms during menopause.
Neem creams may reduce menopause itching.
Dong Quai may increase levels of estrogen for a brusk while.
Maca root may help the trunk in producing hormones.
Zinc supplements may increase collagen, thus bringing back the moisture retention and elasticity of the pare.
However, extensive scientific enquiry is required to prove all these benefits

IV. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormone Replacement Therapy is a treatment used to reduce the symptoms of menopause. HRT increases the levels of estrogen in the body, which, in plough, increases the product of collagen and natural oils. These practice their piece of work of keeping the skin healthy and retain moisture. Thus, the dryness and itchiness reduce.

Information technology is important to consider HRT only after a consultation with your physician. While HRT is extremely effective in treating menopause itching, it is also known to cause some side furnishings. Some of these include:
Changes in the color of the peel
Vaginal spotting or bleeding
Swelling or pain in the breasts
Bloating
Urinary incontinence
Increased risk of gallstones and center disease
Increased risk of breast and uterine cancer (x)
Wondering if you tin prevent menopause itching before it occurs? Find out in the next department!

Ways To Prevent Menopause Itching

It is possible to forbid menopause itching through some dedicated skincare habits:

Hydrate
As always, drinking plenty of h2o is i of the simplest and well-nigh of import means of not just flushing out toxins but hydrating your trunk from within. It increases the moisture in the pare and improves its status.

Diet
A adept and healthy diet goes a long way in providing your body with essential nutrients to fight illnesses. A diet rich in omega-three fatty acids is conducive to the product of natural and protective skin oils (11). Fish such every bit sardines and salmon, eggs, walnuts, soy, and flax seeds are rich in good for you, fatty acids.

Tepid Showers
Avert having hot water baths or showers. They can exist harsh on your vulnerable peel. Hot h2o dries out the skin and removes its natural oils. Instead, go for lukewarm or cool showers. They aid to soothe itchy, irritated skin. You can employ a loofah to take off some of the dry, dead peel. Pat yourself dry subsequently your shower instead of rubbing your peel with a towel. This helps to lock in its natural moisture.

Exercise
Regular practise helps to regulate hormones and maintain them at their optimal residuum. This, in turn, facilitates the production of collagen.

Increment Sleep, Reduce Stress
Stress activates the release of histamine, which is known to cause itching and rashes (12). Try to go at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily and alive stress-free to go along your body in good wellness.

Avoid Scratching
It tin be quite a challenge non to scratch itchy, irritated pare, just it is a must. Scratching your skin could break it and get out it more than vulnerable to germs and infection. Trim your nails regularly and, if necessary, use gloves at nighttime to prevent uncontrollable itching.

Simple Skin Care Products
People often choose to use fancy, scented products on their peel. The fancier they are, the higher run a risk that they contain chemicals that might not hold with your skin. They rid the skin of its natural beneficial oils. Instead, choose unproblematic, unscented products €" soaps, lotions, creams, etc. €" which are gentler on your skin. Avert using perfumes.

Comfortable Clothes
It is important to let your skin breathe. Constructed fibers and wool tend to irritate the skin that is already sensitive. Article of clothing loose cotton apparel, especially when you have sensitive, itchy skin.

Wear Sunscreen
The sun tin be harsh and ultraviolet rays tin worsen any skin conditions y'all already have. SPF 15 or higher is the most benign protection for your peel. Remember to apply sunscreen whenever you step out. Harmful UV rays are nowadays even on cloudy, dull days.

Avoid Alcohol And Nicotine
The ingredients in alcohol and nicotine tend to dry out the peel. They can as well cause your skin to historic period and wrinkle faster.

In Conclusion

Itching is one of the more common nevertheless lesser-known symptoms before and during menopause. Menopause itching tin can occur on different parts of your torso, normally the confront, elbows, and genital area. While at that place are many home remedies that tin can be used to treat and reduce menopause itching, information technology is advisable to consult a md for medication if the itching continues or worsens. In that location are also several healthy habits y'all can develop to preclude the occurrence of menopause itching.

References:

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified data from peer-reviewed and bookish inquiry papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

1. Pruritus ,
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/manufactures/PMC2924137/
2. Estrogen and skin: therapeutic options ,
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21714580/
3. Aging changes in skin,
   https://medlineplus.gov/ency/commodity/004014.htm
4. Paresthesia ,
   https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Paresthesia-Information-Page
5. Vaginal Atrophy (Atrophic Vaginitis) ,
   https://world wide web.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/vaginal-atrophy-atrophic-vaginitis-a-to-z
6. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of crawling associated with dry out, irritated peel
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25607907/
7. Vitamin C in dermatology ,
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/
8. The pros and cons of establish estrogens for menopause ,
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960076012002567?via%3dihub
9. Hydrocortisone for pare ,
   https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hydrocortisone-skin-foam/
10. Risks – Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) ,
    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/risks/
11. Healing fats of the peel: the structural and immunologic roles of the omega-half-dozen and omega-iii fatty acids ,
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20620762/
12. Effects of Stress on Crawling ,
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32147148/

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Arshiya Syeda is an editor at Stylecraze. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and... more

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