Itching skin can be a pain to deal with, literally. Chronic itching can sometimes cause your skin to scar if you tend to scratch. Chronic itching is a lot worse if you suffer from inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema (atopic dermatitis), or chronic allergies that lead to hives. Thankfully, if you suffer from allergies or chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, modern science has provided us with a number of over the counter remedies for these issues.
The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about potential prescription treatment options. However, there are several natural remedies that can work alongside prescription treatments for itchy skin, offering long-term relief:

1. Tea tree oil
Similarly to coconut oil, tea tree oil has benefits for the skin. This essential oil has many helpful anti-inflammatory properties which can give relief from eczema symptoms. It can also penetrate the skin and reach the nerve cells beneath. This can go a long way in soothing the skin and stimulating the growth of new cells.

2. Apple cider vinegar
This type of vinegar is useful for minor skin irritations such as bug bites or dry patches. Unlike the other remedies, this vinegar focuses on the pH balance of your skin. Your skin is often more acidic, but harsh chemicals can strip the skin with continuous use. Apple cider vinegar helps to restore your skin’s natural pH balance through topical application to the affected areas.

3. Oatmeal baths
For chronic skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, an oatmeal bath can provide relief. Unlike treatments like Tremfya for plaque psoriasis or  Ponesimod and Stelara for pediatric psoriasis, which focus on mitigating the cells that cause these illnesses, oatmeal baths go a step further to deep-treat the skin. It will also bind to your skin to form a protective barrier.

4. Aloe Vera
Similar to coconut oil, aloe vera moisturizes the skin. The plant consists of almost 99% water, so it provides excellent hydration. In addition, it has a lot of nutrients that are good for your skin, such as Vitamin C and E. Both of these are essential for healthy skin, and both play a huge role in the destruction of free radicals, which can be harmful to the skin.

5. Cold compress
For itching caused by inflammation, applying an icy cloth or cold compress can soothe the skin. Itching skin is caused by irritation of skin from nerve cell reactions. Dilated blood vessels close to the surface of the skin can further increase this irritation. By using a cold compress, you can cool the area and relieve the irritation. A compress can also reduce inflammation, which commonly accompanies itchy skin.

6. Coconut oil
For relieving dry skin, coconut oil is an effective option. Instead of alleviating inflation, this method focuses on moisturizing the affected area. Sometimes when the skin is dry, skin cells become more irritated. Moisturizers protect the surface of the skin by forming a barrier, separating air particles from the surface of the skin. Lauric acid, a key ingredient of the oil from coconuts, is also a known combatant of itchy skin.