Skin irritation can be frustrating and difficult to manage. There are many reasons or root causes for skin irritation, ranging from an easily solvable issue to more severe conditions. Skin irritation can come with a host of symptoms like itchiness, redness, swelling, and flaky skin. 

If your skin is severely irritated with serious itchiness, swelling, discoloration, and rash – consult a professional or dermatologist to rule out conditions like shingles, hives, or scabies. However, there are many causes of irritated skin that are much more acute and can be easily solved with home remedies and all-natural skincare products. We’ll walk you through the main reasons your skin might be irritated, and 5 tips for relief.

Skin Irritation Causes

Psoriasis, Eczema, and/or Dermatitis

Chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis are much more common than one may think. These conditions may look like severely dry, flaky skin, skin rashes, redness, and inflammation. Consult a doctor if the condition persists so that you can receive an accurate diagnosis and treat it accordingly.

Skincare Products Loaded with Chemicals

Skincare products or other personal care items like soap, dish soap, body wash, and lotions can contain chemicals that could trigger skin irritation. Drugstore products tend to be loaded with chemicals that trigger skin reactions, irritation, inflammation, and rashes. 

Severely Dry Skin

If you have a dry skin type, or your skin is tight, dry to the touch, and flaking, you should assess your severely dry, dehydrated skin as soon as possible. This can happen when you are in water for a long period, if you live in a dry climate, or if you haven’t used a lotion or moisturizer in a long time. 

Allergic Reaction 

Certain plants, animals, skincare products, and substances like fragrances, latex, and cement can trigger an allergic reaction on the skin, contributing to the irritation you may be experiencing. One of the most common allergic reactions on the skin is a reaction to jewelry containing nickel. If you are wearing jewelry that easily tarnishes, the metals in it are likely causing skin irritation.

5 Tips for Relieving Skin Irritation

Once you’ve identified what might be causing your skin irritation, here are 5 best practices for relieving the itchiness, and soothing irritation and inflammation.

1. Avoid Skin Irritants and Renew your Skincare

If the skin is responding to a particular irritant or allergen, ensure you eliminate friction or contact with the trigger. Once treated with other products and practices, the rash should go away within a few weeks. 

If you are unsure what your skin is reacting to, it’s a good idea to audit your personal care and skincare products and do a test on which one could be giving you skin irritation. Better yet, ensure that any products you are using do not include added fragrances, or long chemical names, and contain ingredients that you can actually pronounce. 

2. Cool Compress 

For an at-home relief for skin irritation, use a cool compress. Apply a cold, wet washcloth or an ice pack to the affected area. Apply with light pressure for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the skin irritation and itchiness subsides. 

3. Moisturize the Skin

If your skin irritation is contributing to severely dry, flaky skin, use a hydrating moisturizer to hydrate the area of the skin. Restoring moisture to the skin barrier is key for relieving skin irritation and inflammation. Use soothing, yet hydrating ingredients like Aloe, Coconut Oil, and Colloidal Oatmeal for gentle moisture.

The Disco Hydrating Face Moisturizer is gentle on sensitive skin and uses Macadamia Oil to soothe skin irritation and inflammation. Formulated to be lightweight, yet deeply hydrating, it can be used as an everyday moisturizer or to spot-treat irritated skin.

4. Apply Anti-Itch Creams

There are many anti-itch creams available that are also over-the-counter. For skin irritation from triggers like bug bites, dermatitis, and allergic reactions, hydrocortisone is an excellent cream for relieving skin irritation. Calamine lotion is a great choice for irritation caused by plant-induced rashes like Poison Ivy or Poison Oak, or for severe sunburns and dry skin. In addition, menthol is an essential oil with a cooling effect for irritated skin.

5. Colloidal Oatmeal

Colloidal Oatmeal is gentle and soothing for deeply irritated skin, especially with symptoms like oozing skin, blisters, or allergic reactions. Run a warm bath (not too hot) and add oat powder. Colloidal oatmeal can improve skin barrier function, skin hydration, and pH level.