Why is my child so "itchy"

[Whatwouldscullydo]

I'm trying to work out why the heel she's started complaining over the last couple of weeks of being "itchy"

We already use products that are anti allergy there's literally nothing to react to

She is mainly moaning about the tights...her sisters old pure cotton non reactive, washed in ecover tights that she's worn under her trousers ( classrooms cold so she needs to layer up) for ages now.

No new products, nothing.

Negative covid test recently too and it pre dates the test.

Unfortunately we live in a hard water area u really notice if u don't use softener. I've stopped using using dryer so much as trying to cut my bills and my towels end up realky crunchy

Could you try her with just warm thick socks and no tights under the trousers? I would hate to wear tights under trousers they soon become itchy regardless of softness as you get warmer during the day. She might be running around at break time and heat up and get a bit sweaty and then as she cools the tights become incredibly itchy. Maybe a thermal vest layer if the classroom is particularly cold ?

Is her skin dry?
Shaved legs growing back?
Any plants or cut flowers in the house?

Can she take an anti-histamine to relieve?

It’s not scabies, with scabies you are scratching as hell ignoring any comments.
Low iron makes skin more dry and itchy. Also it could be central heating effect built up over winter.

If she is still itchy on antihistimines, it might be worth a trip to the GP.

There are some illnesses/conditions that have itchiness as a symptom.

She gets too cold with nothing under her trousers. I will try leggings. Whilst internally raging about how it's an example of the impracticallity of school uniform.

If she could wear her own.clothes she'd mot need to wear extra clothes under a uniform to make.it suitable

She was feeling a bit better once the antibiotics histamine kicked in thankfully.

She hasn't been shaving her legs as far as I know she's only 10... although I will ask/check later as who knows what she does in that bathroomuntil she gets bored and requests company 🤣

I stuck us all on vitamins due to lockdown , self isolation and bad weather so low iron i can rule out.

I have veey expensive children, you have no the amount if money I have to spend on allergy friendly shit. No poundland shampoo here 🙄🤯

Hmm I do wonder if the leggings will help - I would struggle with tights under trousers so that could be the issue. But yeah looseish trousers would help - fingers crossed you can get both layers on!

We went fir these trousers cos they were soft (ish) stretchy, no buttons/zips and no excess material around the ankles to trip over...

I never thought when I bought them I'd need to account for layers cos the doors and windows would all be open. I'm not buying any more til September she still has the play suits to wear for the Sumner

I also react to having synthetic fibres too close to my skin for a long time. Tights by their very nature surely have something synthetic in them, cotton is not really naturally stretchy. Wool can also be reactive because inly the most expensive wool from particular sheep is not itchy.

Oh and the fabric softener will stay in the washing machine and on clothes for a lot of washes, it takes more than just one or two washes to get rid of it. Use the dryer for things like towels and iron other things to get them softer.

Or, you could get a water softener installed. Costs a bit initially but running costs are low.

mygreencloset.com/never-use-fabric-softener/

I have an overactive thyroid that strikes every now and then, this is one of the symptoms believe it or not! I would scratch myself till I was bleeding. It’s worth getting their thyroid levels checked, just to make sure they are a normal level.

That's a very interesting post....

I have to admit I have no idea ifbrhe Vinegar does anything ir not ill have to not include it and see. Water softener way way way out my price range plus I live in rented accommodation.

I'm.a bit worried about this ironing malarkey...I erm...dont iron...occasionally I rescue some thing with my ghds..but ironing...nah...

My son has pollen allergies which trigger his eczema but doesn't get any regular hayfever symptoms.

He is also allowed to wear an adapted version of school uniform because he can't wear polyester.

I'm glad they allow that connie

That's another thing I hate about uniform. U pay ££ for shit quality, cheap materials, uncomfortable crap. A logo seems to turn a 5 pound tesco jumper into a 15 quid one. Once it's moulted the lining over your shirt it looks like shit.

I used the same washing powder for years, then had an awful period when all I done was scratch. It took me a long while to change the soap powder and I have finally stopped constantly scratching.

.I erm...dont iron...occasionally I rescue some thing with my ghds..but ironing...nah.

Then you put up with rough clothes? Ironing is a very inexpensive methid of softening clothing.

Or just part line dry and finish off in the tumble dryer.

But please don't underestimate just how long lasting and reactive fabric softener can be. Yes things can be expensive, but if the alternative is to have my DC suffer then I know what I would choose to do.

I agree with a pp, I find tights and some leggings/jeans pull on my leg hairs and it feels itchy.

Could it not just be the change of season? This is around the time I get itchier than usual, beginning of Spring and beginning of Autumn, for no apparent reason at all.

Yes things can be expensive, but if the alternative is to have my DC suffer then I know what I would choose to do

The reason I stopped using the dryer was becuase I split up with my partner and I couldn't afford to continue paying 180 quid a month on gas and electric . Especially when I'm.only getting paid half my rent . So no a water softener is sadly not an option.

Especially when most of the clothes especially the underwear have been specifically purchased for the very material they are made from because they wash/dry well and remain reasonably soft (the perks of a hard water area and an older child with eczema)

I will start trying to use the tumble dryer once a week and blast the underwear tights and base layers and I will try and avoid using the softener now and stick to the vinegar to see if that helps.

Its pe today so she's in leggings and apparently is still a little itchy. She's taking an antihistamine. I'm clearly going to have to re wash all the clothes I just washed 😬. Good job I have no plans for the weekend , I'll do all the bedding again too...

I do feel for you. I am in a similar position to you. I know what it's like to be desperate to cut expenditure, I lost absolutely everything as a result of my break up and having to start over again, not having worked for over 10 years, with absolutely no assets, at 50 years old. It's not easy. But medical conditions can't be messed around with.

I suffer from eczema, react to fragrances and chemicals, raspberry bush thorns gave me ulcers on my legs within 4 hours. If I wear certain synthetic fibres I start developing an itch and if I don't get the clothing iff it will develop into a rash. The ones that cause me to sweat are the worst offending ones, and so I rarely wear tight clothing. I certainly can't go a full work day/school day like that.

I also get cystitis as soon as I anything that has fabric softener goes near my groin area. I've taken to air drying 'downstairs' when I visit my DM because the residue fabric softener in the towels still make me react even though she rewashes them for me without it.

I line dry my clothes and quickly iron anything that is too stiff. Not a lot tbh, even in an Australian summer. I tumble dry only in an emergency - or to soften the towels if I've left them in the sun too long.

The other thing is a very good, non allergenic moisturiser in the morning. Dry skin will react more.

I still think that if she is still itchy with antihistamines a trip to the GP would be a good idea. Itching isn't just caused by allergies.

Ha I swear the oldber I get the less I seem to be able to tolerate too.

I used to be reasonably OK provided I didn't get too ambitious with a product. So as long as it was say simple or another high street cheap but hypoallergenic brand or a sensitive option, I'd be ok. Not any more

I've had to overhaul all my toiletries now...

I did switch from violets a few years ago which was extremely expensive but good, to ecover as it was cheaper and stocked in supermarkets ( some like bio D just didn't work fir us ) but I'm worried I might have to switch back.if this keeps up 😬

Anti allergy stuff can be a red herring as can the idea it has to be expensive. DD is allergic to significant number of wash powders inc. Some anti allergy. Fine with Aldi and tescos value bio, not the non bio though nor Asdas value bio. Very specific indeed.

Try an Eco egg. We've always find they wash perfectly and eliminates the problem altogether. Similarly you can eliminate the water softener by putting tumble dryer balls in the tumble dryer. Best are the wool ones, the plastic ones seem to fall apart. Both save you (significant amounts) of money. The lack of smell is still unnerving, but we found out adding a few drops of essential oils to the tumble dryer balls was ok for us.

YY to a sensory thing tight clothing making you itch. Worse if you are stressed, tired, hormonal or a combination of the three. Tights under clothing are diabolical for this and should be banned. Thermal leggings are much better. They are also warmer, even primark's basic thermals.

Well this is am expensive morning.. I have 2 pairs of thermal leggings , dryer balls am eco egg and a washing powder on the way...

Let's hope that this is all just a " recipe change " with the ecover and one of these solutions helps.

I had it all nailed for so long. Bloody kids

Thanks for all the suggestions... now I'm itchy thinking about it

This is going to all be another incidence of not realising how bad it all was til it stops isn't it...

Wish me luck