Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Bathing makes me ridiculously itchy

24 replies

Icabod · 09/05/2022 22:06

I've developed a problem where bathing of any kind makes me itch. I'm not sure if it is a detergent allergy, but everytime I wash myself it happens. I've changed to a mild unscented bar soap, wash my hair twice a week with a mild sulphate free shampoo and only wash myself every two days (I know it's gross but I literally hate the itching, it's quite painful and sometimes I scratch till I bleed after bathing or showering ). I don't have eczema or anything. I'm also allergic to aqueous cream so can't use that, it burns. Any one else have similar or know what could cause it.

OP posts:
Threetulips · 09/05/2022 22:07

Have you had Covid recently that causes sensitive skin in some people.

VintageGibbon · 09/05/2022 22:09

Do you live in a hard water area? You could try adding unscented Epsom salts to soften the water. DS who has very sensitive skin uses Dermol instead of soap for washing. Also worth a try. They have lots of products so they probably aren't all based on aqueous cream.

Ponderingwindow · 09/05/2022 22:09

What happens if you use water only?

if you still react, it might be something like an allergy to heat or something in the water, but odds are that you won’t react at all. You are most likely allergic to the seemingly mild products you are using. The are rarely as mild and safe as they claim.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Skin conditions
theemmadilemma · 09/05/2022 22:11

Ponderingwindow · 09/05/2022 22:09

What happens if you use water only?

if you still react, it might be something like an allergy to heat or something in the water, but odds are that you won’t react at all. You are most likely allergic to the seemingly mild products you are using. The are rarely as mild and safe as they claim.

This. It's either the products, or water. Confirm which and take it from there...

SugarDatesandPistachios · 09/05/2022 22:14

If it’s happening regardless of whether you use products or not, and it’s in warm water, get a blood test to exclude polycythaemia

Smidge001 · 09/05/2022 22:18

Could you have scabies?

Fleur405 · 09/05/2022 22:19

I have quite sensitive skin. I have patches of psoriasis and rest of skin can get very
dry and itchy especially after a shower - not as bad as you though and I use an aqueous cream when it’s very bad.

Make sure the water is not too hot as that really won’t help.

Some products I like:

moogooskincare.co.uk/cleansers/milk-wash

www.boots.com/ProductDisplay?productId=1400883&cm_mmc=Eucerin

otherwise try the baby skincare section - aveeno is also quite good.

EdHelpPls · 09/05/2022 22:25

What do you use to clean the bath? And are you rinsing really well?
Warm water flares my dds rashes. All creams sting like mad straight after bath too.

Original poster
Icabod · 09/05/2022 22:32

This evening I had a coolish bath, literally as soon as I got in the water the itching started, no soap had touched me. I live in London so yes, the water is hard and I had Covid on February.

OP posts:
Original poster
Icabod · 09/05/2022 22:35

I confess I just use one of those magic e cloth things in the bath to clean it together with scrubbing brush, nothing else. I try to avoid chemicals although sometimes I clean the taps with spirit vinegar.

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 09/05/2022 22:49

This happens to me. Especially if I have a really hot bath.

ooherrmissus14 · 09/05/2022 22:51

I've had this off and on for most of my life. I've tried all sorts of creams and soaps but it doesn't help. A few things I've noticed make a difference:
If there's a big change in temperature between being in the shower and being out (and vice versa).
It's worse if I shower in the morning (not sure why)
It's at it's worst when I've been abroad and got a better tan, usually starts a few weeks after I get back and lasts for a few months. Therefore, it tends to be worse for me in autumn

I currently live in a hard water area but grew up in a soft water area and had it then too.

I know someone else who gets it too and, possibly coincidentally, we both have an under active thyroid so not sure if that has something to do with it.

Sorry this isn't much help but I do sympathise with you as it can be very annoying!!!

Ponderingwindow · 10/05/2022 02:06

Do you have the same problem if you take a shower?

Original poster
Icabod · 10/05/2022 03:28

Yes, I get if from showering too, I'm awake now still scratching. Honestly I think I'd rather be dirty.

ooherrmissus14

OP posts:
Original poster
Icabod · 10/05/2022 03:28

ooherrmissus14

OP posts:
Original poster
Icabod · 10/05/2022 03:30

Really interesting about the underactive thyroid. Thanks

OP posts:
madasawethen · 10/05/2022 03:33

Sounds like it might be the water.
Can you take a shower at a relative or friend's house to see if it still happens?

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 10/05/2022 05:13

I've had this all my adult life and like pp said changes in temperature make it worse - going from warm bath or shower to cold air. It has a name en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquagenic_pruritus
I manage it by moisturising thoroughly immediately after getting ou while my skin is damp and not getting dressed until completely dry. I sometimes get into bed wrapped in my towel to warm up as quickly as possible.

GrumpyPanda · 10/05/2022 05:35

Dry skin? Sounds like you are reacting to water exposure rather than the detergents you are using although any detergent may make things worse. I've had episodes like this before and am prone to neurodermitis - btw you don't have to show overt eczema to manifest it, I've often simply had itchy skin just like you. What I was told by my dermatologist was

  • don't shower every day if possible (good you're already doing that)
  • shower better than bath, and best to avoid really hot water as that dries out more
  • rather than usual cleansers/bubble baths better to use bath and shower oils. Epsom salts as pp mentioned are also good
  • avoid water-based lotions in favor of fat-based creams. Not based in the UK so can't recommend specific products but it may be worth checking a pharmacy rather than drugstore.
familydrama3 · 10/05/2022 06:02

It sounds exactly like what I have, aquatic urticaria . Try taking an antihistamine everyday and it should help x

Musicalmaestro · 10/05/2022 07:06

Speak to your pharmacist. Maybe try something like Oilatum in the bath?

Ponderingwindow · 10/05/2022 14:01

i would do a couple of tests. Start by taking a small towel and soaking it in room temperature water. Lay it on your arm for 15 minutes. Do you end up itchy?

it not, then a couple of days later, try it again with hot water.

the experiment would work better with a very clean bowl so the residue detergent on the towel isn’t a variable, but it’s harder to patch test on the forearm that way. I find that spot works well because it’s easy to see, it’s a relatively sensitive skin, and it won’t drive you quite as insane as if you test on some other spots that might be more convenient, but if you do react have more nerve endings.

Original poster
Icabod · 12/05/2022 21:35

Hot water definitely makes it worse, I have some antihistamines so I'm going to try that. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Icabod · 12/05/2022 21:35

Hot water definitely makes it worse, I have some antihistamines so I'm going to try that. Thank you

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread