Oh, the relief! Remedies to help you scratch that ITCH
WBut with so many products on the market claiming to help, which are worth buying? We asked the experts to assess some of the newest and most popular itch-soothing treatments around. We then rated them.
ITCHY SCALP Polytar Scalp Shampoo, 150ml, £5.49, from chemists
CLAIM: ‘Medicated, coal tar shampoo for the treatment of scalp conditions including itching and scaling.’ Use once or twice a week. Not suitable for under 12s. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Coal tar — a byproduct of coal production — dissolves skin flakes and has antiinflammatory and anti-microbial properties which means it can soothe inflammation and reduce the yeast, fungus and bacteria that can cause itchy scalp problems,’ says trichologist Iain Sallis, founder of hairmedic Clinics. ‘But about 15 per cent of people become sensitised to it, which can make the itching worse.
‘Coal tar can leave hair dry and has been known to stain blonde and grey hair.
‘Worth trying if you have significant flaking and itching but if you have sensitive skin or fair hair, it may be better to try a milder formula such as Philip Kingsley’s Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo, £24. It contains an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent that soothes the scalp and reduces flaking without the risk of sensitivity.’ 3/5
ITCHY FEET Scholl Athlete’s Foot Complete Pen and Spray Kit, £14.99, from chemists
CLAIM: With a ‘pen’ applicator containing antifungal cream and a spray for your shoes, this kit is said to ‘stop the itching from athlete’s foot and prevents re-infection from your shoes’. Use the precision pen to deliver anti-fungal cream to the infected skin twice a day for four weeks. Cleanse shoes contaminated with athlete’s foot fungus with three spritzes of the anti-fungal spray twice a week for four weeks. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘this is a neat and novel two-step system for treating and preventing athlete’s foot — an itchy, contagious fungal infection that affects the feet and can cause a flaky rash and sore, split skin,’ says Dr Natalia Spierings, a consultant dermatologist at Leeds teaching hospitals NhS trust and dermatica.co.uk.
‘the pen contains an anti-fungal treatment and the delivery system makes it easy to apply the product around the toes. It makes sense to have an anti-fungal shoe spray too, as feet can be reinfected by the athlete’s foot fungus via shoes and socks — though how the spray disinfects shoes full of awkward nooks and crannies is debatable. But if it alleviates the need to throw away footwear likely to have been affected, that’s great.’ 4/5
ITCHY SKIN E45 Wash Cream for Dry and Itchy Skin, 250ml, £5.39, from chemists
CLAIM: ‘Soap and perfume-free ... clinically proven to cleanse and moisturise dry skin without changing the normal skin ph. ’
EXPERT VERDICT: ‘this won’t strip natural oils from the skin like regular soap or shower gel can, instead it creates a barrier that stops water evaporating and so helps to stop skin drying out,’ says dermatologist Dr Spierings. ‘Normally skin is slightly acidic with a ph between 4.5 and 5.7 and regular soap is alkaline, with a ph between 9 and 10 — which can lead to irritation. It’s formulated to help maintain the skin’s normal ph, which is important with very dry or itchy skin as it helps to keep the skin’s protective acid mantle intact, protecting it from irritation, dryness and infection. But brands such as Oilatum and Eucerin are similar, so shop around for a product and price to suit you.’ 4/5
Emollin Emollient Spray, 50ml, £3.95, helloskinshop.co.uk
CLAIM: ‘Sprays white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin on to the skin which allows it to be applied without touching skin. Ideal for use on dry, scaly, sensitive or sore skin.’ EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Medical grade paraffin-based products are widely used for dry, itchy skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and nappy rash,’ says Dr Spierings. ‘they create a waterproof barrier on the skin, helping it to retain moisture. But white soft paraffin is the generic name for Vaseline — and there’s no evidence to show applying cream with clean hands can damage or infect skin. If you like the texture and spray application, go for it, but Vaseline does a similar job and is cheaper.’ 3/5
LloydsPharmacy Hydrocortisone Cream 1%, 15g, £3.39
CLAIM: ‘Can be used to treat irritant dermatitis, contact allergy dermatitis, insect bite reactions and mild to moderate eczema.’ EXPERT VERDICT: ‘topical steroid creams work within skin cells to stimulate them to produce anti-inflammatory agents that reduce redness and itch in the skin,’ says Dr Spierings. ‘One per cent hydrocortisone is the weakest available. Stronger formulas are prescription only. It is very useful for minor itchy rashes, sunburn and insect bites, but must be used sparingly — ideally no more than twice a day — and with caution, as side-effects of misuse, such as skin thinning and discoloration, can be serious. 4/5
La Roche Posay Lipikar AP+ stick, 15ml, £8.66, escentual.com
CLAIM: a solid, twist-up stick — a bit like a deodorant — of anti-itch balm ‘specially formulated for very dry, eczema-prone skin’. Said to ‘instantly relieve the urge to scratch and reduces eczema lesions’. Contains shea butter to help ‘rebuild skin barrier function, madecassoside, an antiinflammatory and healing booster, zinc gluconate to protect the stick from bacterial contamination and (soothing) thermal spring water’.
EXPERT VERDICT: ‘the idea products can “rebuild” the skin’s barrier function is controversial and unproven,’ says Dr Spierings. ‘Instead, this reduces water evaporation from skin, which can help eczema. Madecassoside is a plant extract that may have antiinflammatory and healing properties, and minerals in the spring water may feel soothing, but more research is needed. there are no magic ingredients that “instantly” relieve itchiness.’ 2/5 hat do irritated eyes, athlete’s foot and haemorrhoids have in common? they can all cause incessant, infuriating, not to mention uncomfortable, itching.
ITCHY NOSE Sterimar Isotonic Nasal Hygiene Spray, £7.99 for 100ml, boots.com
CLAIM: ‘100 per cent natural seawater spray that can be used daily to clear allergens, dust and airborne contaminants from the nasal passages and help prevent allergic reactions.’
EXPERT VERDICT: ‘If you have a nasal allergy, symptoms of which can include an itchy nose, a sterile saline spray or wash like this, used three times a day, is a simple way to rinse out allergy particles and ease discomfort,’ says Dr Rishi Mandavia, an ear, nose and throat specialist at the UCL Ear Institute in London. ‘Spray it into your nose — without sniffing — then wipe your nose with a tissue to remove the excess saline and allergens.
‘I often also prescribe a nasal spray that combines a low-dose steroid (to reduce inflammation) with an antihistamine (antiallergy) that can treat allergic nasal symptoms. Your GP or an ENt doctor can advise.’ 4/5
ITCHY EYES Optrex Hayfever Relief Drops, £5.99 for 10ml, boots.com
CLAIM: ‘Soothing relief for itchy eyes affected by hay fever.’ Squeeze a drop or two into the eyes four times a day. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘this contains sodium cromoglicate, says Dr Preethi Daniel, who is a GP in hertfordshire and medical director of London Doctors Clinic. ‘It reduces the allergic response to irritants like pollen, pet hair and dust mites, it is thought, by stabilising immune cells called mast cells to stop them triggering the release of a chemical called histamine that causes inflammation.
‘It works for itchy, watery, irritated eyes in hay fever season, but red, sore or discharging infections should be seen by a doctor. 4/5
HAEMORRHOIDS Germoloids HC Spray, £7.29/30ml, chemists
CLAIM: Contains 0.02 per cent hydrocortisone (a steroid) and lignocaine hydrochloride, a local anaesthetic, said to relieve the pain, itching and irritation of external haemorrhoids. Use up to three times a day. EXPERT VERDICT: Consultant colorectal surgeon amyn haji, of the Whiteley Clinic in London, says: ‘haemorrhoids — or piles — are swollen blood vessels in or around the lower part of the anus and rectum. this spray contains hydrocortisone, a steroid that can reduce swelling and irritation and a local anaesthetic to temporarily ease pain. Spray applicators can be useful for such a sensitive, hard-to-reach area. If symptoms are no better after a week, or keep returning, see your GP.’ 4/5