1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Menopause

itchiness after having showers

Posted , 8 users are following.

susan556
susan556

Hi ive posted this in another section but got  no replies so thought id ask hear, does anyone else experience a horrible itching after having a shower, ive tried having the water cooler, using no soap not even the none perfumed delicate shower wash but it makes no difference, i come out the shower, dry myself gently and about five minutes later it starts, the awfull prickly heat type itch, i feel like clawing myself mainly on the arms and legs and it can be on the verge of unbearable sometimes, only thing which helps is to hold my arms under very cold water and dab my legs with it too. this has been going on for years, the E45 itch cream doesnt help much. is this yet another affect of the menapause?

Sue

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • brimbo67
    brimbo67 susan556

    Posted

    Hi Susan

    I had years of itching, especially on the legs & at night. Would often have bruises from scratching so much. Unbearable like you say. Had no idea I was in peri, but it has stopped now. All these symptoms stop eventually thank goodness. smile

  • Camikitten
    Camikitten susan556

    Posted

    I too get really itchy skin, worse at night after a bath or shower and mainly on my back. It's strange but I don't tend to get it after my morning shower... Bizarre 😕

    I drive my hubby insane as I'm constantly asking him to scratch my back!!

  • marlene21102
    marlene21102 susan556

    Posted

    I've had this ever since I hit menopause at 48 ,still have these itchy arms and back ,now 67 ,it's itchy at night regardless when I have a shower ,so it's hormones I believe doing it  just forget it I would. No rash ever appears ,so it's not an allergic reaction .

     

  • gill00147
    gill00147 susan556

    Posted

    Hi Susan. Every time I have a bath it drives me crazy. I'm sure it's menopause related as my friend who is also going through the menopause has the same problem.
  • susan556
    susan556

    Posted

    Hi Thanks ladies, im glad its not just me, the dr gave me antihistamine tablets but didn't like the way they made me feel and they didnt help much either. im hoping that my vitamin D defeciency  may have something to do with it and the tablets may help,  along shot i know but ill let you know if it does improves.
  • HotDot7
    HotDot7 susan556

    Posted

    Hi ladies Since menopause I was getting dry and itchy skin, especially my face, driving me nuts.   I tried Bio Oil that relieves me from being itchy and helps with wrinkles too.  It soaks into the skin nicely and gives you a nice healthy glow, so I use it morning and night everyday.  I just love it.  It's in the isles where the face creams are. 

    xxoo

    • shaznay96184
      shaznay96184 HotDot7

      Posted

      Hi HotDot

      I didnot see your reply.  I've just suggessted Bio Oil too.  I love the stuff.  X

  • shaznay96184
    shaznay96184 susan556

    Posted

    Hi susan,

    I should say at this stage that I am the most unlikely of people to give advice about anything remotely 'feminine', being the Gezza Bird I am, but I must say that for someone who has done little more than apply a good moisturiser on her face for the past 40yrs, that's about as good as my beauty regime goes!!lol

    But, I have been fortunately not to have ever suffered from acne, or other problems with my skin. In fact as fat as I am, I have pretty low-key stretch marks compared to some of my 'over-stretched-during-pergnancy' slimmer friends!  (That's the fat, ugly mate getting her own back, ha halol!!)

    When I get out the shower I don't put anything on my skin generally.  A family tradition was to use Imperial Leather soap, and I suppose that's stayed with us all in adulthood.  For ease, I generally opt for 'fragrance free' or 'hypoallergenic', or even baby bath formulas to avoid any irritation.

    Have found my skin has got really dry over the past year.  I now just use baby oil on my legs and body when I get out of the shower.

    Oh, tell a lie:  a few years back I started applying Bio Oil to my face, to ward off wrinkles (vain cow!).  My face can sometimes be a little dry so can take these oils.  I now tend to use them.  I suppose given I'm 54, I don't suppose I look too bad for my age, and don't have THAT many wrinkles - compared to some I suppose.

    Would you  try something like the Bio Oil or even the baby oil on your skin?  I suspect very much that you're not alone with regards to the itching skin.  I just don't want my skin to get too dried out (natually very fair skinned and hate the sun - but love Factor 50.  Shame its been no good for my Vit D absorbtion!!)

    Oh, just had a thought:  have you changed soap powder/fabric conditioner?  Could it be your towels giving your grief, if you've not used soap etc??? 

    S x

    • HotDot7
      HotDot7 shaznay96184

      Posted

      Hello you are right our skin changes as everything else does....guess that's why its 'the change'.  I was using Avon bubble bath and have for years.  I was scratching my thighs so bad in the water.  I stopped using it and the itchiness went away and that was early perimenopause and now I can use it again with no problems.  It can be something you've used for years cause it happened to me.  I also now use Bio Oil on my face and it's the greatest for itchy skin.  It's not that greasy either.  It gives the face a nice healthy glow too!  xxxooo
    • HotDot7
      HotDot7 shaznay96184

      Posted

      Hi dear. I am glad you use the oil too and mentioned it.  Pregnant women use it for stretch marks so it's good for my face hehe xxoo
    • susan556
      susan556 shaznay96184

      Posted

      Hi Shazny, i will try the bio oil and the baby oil to see if this helps me, i have read its more beneficial to moisterise before rather than after a shower, used to use this on my face but think it went off as started to irritate my skin, need a new bottle of the stuff. mmmm (vein cow!) lol thats me for sure. long dyed hair and 64, told i look 40 s razz. yes i have also read about the fabric conditioner being the culprit too, i did try using one for senstitive skin but no difference, will try the baby oil too, thanks for tips

      sue x

    • HotDot7
      HotDot7 susan556

      Posted

      Hello and there is Skin So Soft by Avon and that's really nice to take a bath in. xxoo
  • kathy46259
    kathy46259 susan556

    Posted

    It sounds like an alergic reaction, but you seem to have taken all the precautions you can.  I do not showere every day, use no soap, nothing scented and use baby shampoo with a vinigar rinse.  Surprisingly the vinigar (apple cider) leaves my hair (what is left of it) very clean and manageable.  Hope you find an answer.  Do you use a good lotion on your damp skin after drying off?  Nothing with scents or preservatives or coloring.  I had to look at all types of  lotions, stuff I would never pick up or look at.  Plain Cocoa lotion is good, its pure with nothing else in it.

    Hope you find an answer.

    • susan556
      susan556 kathy46259

      Posted

      Kathy thanks, im not surprised about the vinigar rinse leaving your hair clean and managable as ive read about vinigar rinse being good for the hair but dare i risk it with it being dyed, would it removed the colour i wonder. ive tried applying a cream for dry skin before i shower rather than after and it seems to help, think i need a barrier to the water. its not cheap though and a friend  gave me some of hers which she gets on prescription, i will try the coco lotion as its pure, thanks for the tip.
  • motoguzzibob
    motoguzzibob susan556

    Posted

    I'm a 68 year old male and had this problem which gradually got worse over a period of about 7+ years. I tried some of the suggestions here and elswehere. I travel a lot, so I knew it wasn't any particular towel, water or soaps.

    The solution for me was simple in the end. I got out of the shower and only dried my hair, my crotch and toes. I just drip dried - you soon get used to it and it doeasn't take long. Oh joy, after the first time, hardly any itching which previously had lasted 30+ minutes of intense itching. That was about 6 months ago. Now, I very gently pat myself and I'm dry by the time I get to the bedroom. 

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.