Head and body itching?
Hi, my husband is bed/wheelchair bound. I’ve been washing him with a soapy or no rinse cleaner and washcloth as needed in the chair or bed. He hates being washed, and I haven’t insisted unless there’s a reason... smell, dirt, etc. Of course, I keep the groin area clean regularly. On his remaining hair, I use dry shampoo once every few weeks. It’s not oily and he doesn’t smell.
He has had skin itching for a long time, but now it’s become much worse: arms, scalp, belly... I thought the itching was because of kidney failure. But, now I’m wondering if it’s the lack of exfoliation! His head and his chest, for example, are driving him nuts. His hand is always scratching with his finger nails at his skin. Moisturizing lotions don’t seem to help reduce the itching.
I feel silly asking, but has anyone dealt with this? I didn’t think it was the shower because in the past, showering didn’t seem to help to reduce it. That’s why I thought it was kidney related. But maybe things have changed? Maybe I need to use different soap? Different lotion? Wash him with exfoliant? I want him to feel good after washing up and not itch as much!
What's the humidity level in the rooms where he spends the most time? My skin can become itchy during winter when the heat is up and the moisture down. Do you use a humidifier to keep the air more moist?
Another possibility is food. I recently ate something and began to itch afterwards, but I can't remember right now what it was. This doesn't happen with fresh fruits and veggies though.
I agree that moisturizer might help, but the only suggestions I have are for the ones I use on my face and legs (which often are the first place to begin itching).
For my face I use a bergamot and lavender face cream, or a frankincense & myrrh face cream. For my legs, which often become uncomfortably itchy after shaving, I use a rosemary mint body lotion. But it can't be used if the skin has been scratched up; it needs to be used preventively. Its fragrance also creates a soothing atmosphere.
All 3 are compounded by the herbal supplier I discovered at a fall crafts show decades ago. Let me know if you want contact information.
I've also used, over the years, Organic Shea Body Butters, with Lavender, Honey Almond or other blends. These can create discomfort though, if the skin is already inflamed.
He may also be allergic to some of the lotions and washes being used, especially with kidney issues.
Has a dermatologist ever been consulted?
The dry shampoo is great, but, it causes me to itch. For that reason, I rarely use it. I've tried several and they all seem to make my scalp itch.
Any kind of soap, detergent, lotion, etc. can cause itching. I have extremely sensitive skin, so, I have to be very careful of any products. Some just cause itching for no apparent reason. I am careful to use Ivory soap and skin so soft avon lotion. I'd be careful of lotions that have a lot of alcohol in them, as they can be drying.
I'd also consider laundry detergent, dryer sheets, etc. They can irritate the skin too. I'd go for none or fragrance free. Check the dryer sheets. some that say fragrance free are NOT and still smell heavily.
I'd also discuss it with his doctor. Sometimes the person has nerves that are overactive or have anxiety that can cause itching. Some people take meds like Vistaril that quiets it down. It's for hives and anxiety/tension.
Then gently dry him and rub gentle lotion into the itchy spots and then all over.
Daddy would get itchy--after several weeks of bed baths and it took both brothers to get him in the shower and he always felt a lot better (and cleaner).
Vistaril is good for the itching and the anxiety it can cause. And yes, laundry detergents and dryer sheets, while making our clothes and bedding smell good can cause reactions. I use Dreft (very expensive, but gentle) and no fragrance dryer sheets.
I found that Ivory was the worst for us. It dried both my husbands and my skin out. We now use Oil of Olay. I have seen a difference and my itching has gone away. I do agree about unscented products.
Maybe try washing his clothes in Dreft. Its made for babies. But since this seems recent, it just maybe something newly introduced. Maybe he just needs a good shower. Maybe its a build up. I found washclothes in Walgreens that is cloth on one side and an exfoliating material on the other. He could sit on a shower chair and use a handheld shower head. Maybe a baby soap, lather up good and then use something that will help get rid of the old skin.
That, and periodically getting my late mom out of bed and showering her with only water, helped quite a bit.
I wish you well.
See All Answers