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Itching skin after shower

Hello! It's been about 4-5 years since I'm having this problem with my skin. I suffer from long intervals of skin itching(30-45 min.) after I take shower. This kind of allergy affects me only during the season of summer and it's associated with the sunbathe(as far as I've noticed).The itching spreads only in my arms and legs and  I'm pretty sure that I get this irritation of skin after sunbathing( I know that it's normal to itch during the regeneration of skin after sunbathing, but I get this kind of itch for about a month after I stop sunbathing). I try to avoid contact with the sun as much as i can,by using also sun protection creams. I've tried different shampoos but nothing seems to work. I would describe the feeling of itching  as " electrical discharge", which really drives me insane. In different forums,I've read about "skin dehydration" as the main problem of itching after shower, but I think that my allergy is more related to the sunbathe I get.
Every respond from someone who suffered from this allergy or is somehow informed, is welcomed.Thank you!

p.s I apologize if I did not use the right terms, but English is a foreign language for me.
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Avatar universal
It sounds like you have aquagenic puritis. Basically what it translates to is (Water induced itching.) If you have no rash or hives,then it's likely that is what it is. Doctors don't know what causes it, but I've been doing some tesing of my own. I'm not a doctor, but I do have the same itching. First let me tell you I've tried antihistamines of all kinds including Benadryl, reactine etc. The seem to work a bit for a time, then not anymore. A while ago I read something about Cod Liver Oil, and recently I've been testing it. I used to have severe reactions in the shower, and even in bath or pools. I also would get itchy when I got hot and sweat a lot.  After taking the Cod Liver Oil for 2 weeks, everyday, my itching has reduced considerably. I still get a slight bit, but no where near as bad as before. I intend to continue taking them for the foreseeable future. Hopefully they will work for you too. Really what do you have to lose. I wouldn't take more than the recommended daily dose though.
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Avatar universal
Hello! I haven't heard of Benadryl, but these days I'm using Pantenol and Bepanthol(2-3 times a day as it's written in the description), even though I think that the problem is deeper than just skin dryness. Sometimes the itching starts during the shower and it gives me no time to at least dry off ( let alone to apply body lotion). Thank you very much!
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Avatar universal
I appreciate your opinion and I'm aware of all the dangers that you mentioned...but since I've been having this problem, I avoided sunbathe 100%.It's not that I'm sunbathe addicted, I even wear clothes on beach during super-hot days, but it seems that my skin absorbs sun rays very quickly.
Thank you for your advice!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

Hello there,

Are you aware that skin cancer is on the rise. It would be a good idea
to limit your time in the sun.  Some people are allergic to the sun.
My mom once got a rash on her hands after gardening in the sun.
Her family doctor diagnosed this rash as having been caused by the sun.
You also have to be careful what sunscreen you are using. Some sun
screens contain ingredients that you could be allergic too. Since you
are sun sensitive and maybe even suffer from a sun allergy, it would
be a good idea to limit your sun exposure and perhaps no more sun
bathing. I used to lie in the sun and try and get a sun tan. I'm fair skinned
so I burn easily.  The ozone layer in the sky is getting thinner and more
UVB and UVA rays are getting through. Melanoma which is sun cancer
is on the rise because of this. Needless to say, I don't sun bathe anymore. Hope these ideas help.  Eve
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You should keep your skin very moisturized during this time. Drink plenty of water. If the itching is very bad you can take a Benadryl. I have experienced this with using tanning beds and it really is that the skin gets dry really fast from fast tanning. You should apply lotion as soon as you get out of the shower and dry off also.
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