I have eczema and have noticed that when my arm or hands itch from eczema, pouring really hot water on it feels really good and stops the itching immediately!  The downside is that it dries out your hands and can cause it to crack.  Why does hot water stop the itching and make it feel good?
134575
Itching is low grade pain. Sometimes a change of temperature balances the nerve endings just enough to change the natural signal for awhile.
590533
You could have a skin condition called "eczema".That would explain the itching and dryness.That might explain the problem with the sweat too.The scaly skin could be so thick that it's covering your pores/effecting your sweat glands somehow.
83493
depends what it's used for. for example zits and dandruff gunk dehydrate to prevent oil buildup. When I think of lotion I think of moisturizer, which shouldn't be drying at all.\n\nAnything that makes you feel tingly and a little tighter skinned will make you feel like it did something. Just watch the penn and teller episode where they put slugs on people's faces and ask how much they'd pay to do it again.\n\nThe bad part about it is that it can clog pores with all kinds of random chemicals and make skin worse. People need to exercise and still been to wash well with water soap and a good scrub.
130991
an itch is when something causes histamines in your skin cells to be released. then your sensory cells become depolarized and signal to your spinothalamic tract. itches are controlled by your spinal cord if i recall from anatomy class, because it is not really needed to be noticed by your cortex. if you noticed every single itch in your cortex you would most definetly go insane. \nanti-histamines are usually in allergy medication to relieve itchiness.\nim pretty sure you might scratch hard enough to remove cells, but i dont think scratching is used for removing dead cells.\nthis might be a a bit vague or not quite correct but its the best i could remember.
518837
Not to long ago I read that those little zit-like things happen on your legs and arms if you're dehydrated. The article said that they'll go away if you drink more water.
82578
DRY SKIN, medically called xerosis, is a source of discomfort and a frequent cause of itching.  It is most common in the cooler climates, especially during the winter months.  Many people call this the “winter itch.”  The predisposition for dry skin is both genetic and environmental.  Exacerbating factors include frequent bathing, hot water, harsh soaps, irritating clothing, friction, cold air, low humidity and central heating. \n\nThe structure of the skin is analogous to a “brick wall.” The base of the “brick wall” contains dividing cells that migrate from the base to the top.  In young healthy skin, the cells at the base divide rapidly and are readily exfoliated (sloughed) in the upper layers of the skin.  In sun damaged older skin, there is less cellular division and subsequently less exfoliation.  Sun damage also affects the oil glands causing less lubrication of the skin.  This is seen as dry, rough, scaly skin. Sometimes irritation is present and a red itchy rash can result. \n\nSuccessful treatment is accomplished by identifying exacerbating factors and changing bathing habits.  Liberal use of moisturizers and occasionally a non-steroid anti-inflammatory cream or cortisone preparation may be necessary to decrease the skin irritation and inflammation before the healing process can take place. \n\nRecommendations: \n\nBathing:  Take brief lukewarm showers instead of baths.  Do not shower more than once a day.    Hot water, long showers and baths rid the skin of its natural protective oils.  If you must take a bath, a lukewarm tub-bath is acceptable, particularly if you put bath oil in the water.  Remember, a quick cool shower, without soap, is preferable to a long hot soapy one. \n\nCleansing:  Deodorant soaps and detergents remove the natural skin- protective oils, leaving the skin dry and irritated.  Clear water alone will remove accumulated dust, sweat and grime.  If cleansing is necessary, use a mild moisturizing or glycerin soap.  Use soap only in the odor-bearing areas, such as under the arms and in the groin area.    \n\nSoap must be thoroughly rinsed from these areas as this too can cause irritation.  Finally, avoid scrubbing with a washcloth or loofah; this will remove the natural protective oils and irritate the skin.   \n\nLubrication:  Immediately after towel drying, while the skin is still damp, apply moisturizers.  Ideally, moisturizers should be applied twice daily.  If a rash is present, a topical non-steroid anti-inflammatory cream or cortisone preparation is used before the moisturizing cream or lotion. Generally speaking, the thicker the moisturizer, the more effective it is for severely dry skin.  Moisturizing creams or lotions are preferred over oils.  Lastly, avoid moisturizers with strong perfume smells, as this can be a source of irritation for many people. \n\nAdditional tips:\n\nAvoid bubble baths \nDo not allow the furnace or car heater to blow directly onto your skin.  The hot, dry air can make your condition worse. \nIf you live in a dry climate, consider a humidifier or vaporizer in the bedroom.  If you have baseboard heating, try a large pan of water next to your bed. \nAvoid applications of alcohol, astringents, drying lotions or powders. They can be overly drying. \nAvoid hot tubs or spas. The hot chlorinated water will strip every bit of natural oil from your skin.  It may be soothing at the time, but can make the symptoms worse later.  \nSuccessful treatment of dry skin includes a thorough understanding of the causes and appropriate treatments.  If your skin does not clear with conservative measures, consult your dermatologist.  Dry skin can be the first sign of other underlying medical conditions.
309203
Am I going to feel dumb answering this. Once in a great while....not all the time now.....once in a great while, especially in the winter when skin is dry, I have been known to splash on a little creamy stuff to keep the itch down. I swear to the  almighty it is only for the itch.
661196
Basically you dehydrated your cells in your skin. The h20 your skin has decreased too rapidly. That water helps to keep you from buring. Place two metal objects in the sun and then add water ontop of one. within a few minutes the dry one will become much hotter. When the water evaporates off the other one it too will becomoe the same temp. Your skin is the same way if you stay in the sun for too long you dried out your skin. The itch is from the sensor receptors getting fried as well as from pealing. The pealing occurs because of of the damaged dryed out skin and the new skin is forming underneath.
185979
I was able to cure my eczema naturally with many different kinds of herbs, including python bile to cure my eczema secondary infections. Another practical method is very hot water in a pail.\n\nI did my colon cleanse. \nI did my kidney cleanse.  \nI did my liver flushes.\n\nThe worst culprit was my liver and gall bladder. 170++ 1cm stones and counting after 5 liver flushes.\n\nI found out the true cause of my eczema. Toxemia and Vicarious elimination. Because my liver could not filter my blood properly and could not release the precious bile because it was stuck up with so many many stones.  My blood was "dirty" or toxic, my body chose my skin to eliminate the toxicity.\n\nhttp://www.eczemacure.info/article/articleview/62/1/9\n\nRead my whole story with pictures for proof from the beginning (just 20 pages, 10 minutes).\n\nEczema is cureable. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. I got well. You can too. This is my full story. For Free!\n\nhttp://www.eczemacure.info
93226
My doctor and many sites reccomended taking a daily dose of Flaxseed Oil (add to a smoothie) and rubbing Aloe Vera gel into the area at least twice a day.\n\nNot only has this cured me of most of my eczema but it has also reduced the itching on the tiny part still to go.\n\nFlaxseed oil is often reccomended for skin conditions. It's available from health food places and some supermarkets. Keep it in fridge and use quickly though, it goes off fast like milk. \n\nAs for Aloe, get a pure aloe gel - not one in moisturiser. It's more expensive but it lasts a long time. You will find it will itch or sting when you apply it but that will ease off and generally soothe it. \n\nHowever - talk to a doctor because eczema comes in many types and some treatments will work best on some and not so good on others. Generally they will either tell you the same as me or prescribe an ointment, but be careful as those ointments often steroid based and can be harmful. Generally they won't prescribe for any longer than a few months and won't give refills because of the health dangers.\n\nHope you find a cure, coz yes it sucks!\n\n\nEDIT: A poster above stated evening primrose oil is good, yes I had forgotten that, it is very good thanks to that poster.
669591
histamine reaction in the skin, hydrocortisone will stop the itch
524644
All the answers until now have mentioned the soap, shower gel, shampoo, but no one mentioned the water.\n\nhave a look to the shower head as the lime scale accumulates in it and can provoke itchiness.\n\nand the worst case scenario you also can get legionaries disease "small microbes that bread on your shower Head".
165943
sounds to me like you may have eczema.  it usually flares up from stress.\n\nIf you have eczema, at first your skin may feel hot and itchy. Then, if you scratch, your skin may become red, inflamed, or blistered.
444277
My daughter and myself have eczema. I have it just briefly on occasion, a spot here and there, but my daughter gets it in a really bad way. One winter, her hands got so chapped from the eczema that they were a bright, bright red on both top and bottom. We have found that Aveeno oatmeal baths work wonders during the winter, especially for prevention. We use it at least once a week in the bathtub during the winter months. Also, I use Aveeno lotion on her entire body from head to toe at least once a week. I use Eucerine (not sure about spelling) lotion on problem areas such as her face, hands, and elbow areas. Since I started this regimen, we have not had any serious break-outs!\n\nGood luck to you!
324570
It could be several things. You may need to try a soap that has no fragrance or additives in it, like Ivory. Changing soaps often isn't good to do either. You may also have "hard" water in your area which will leave a soap film on your skin which can cause itching. Your skin may be extra sensitive to it. Try having your water tested or get a water softener installed. Your shower water may be too hot which pulls all the natural oils from your skin, causing drying which could also be the culprit. Try taking a cooler shower. Keep in mind that it will take a few days for your skin to regain it's PH levels so the itching may continue for several more days.
378303
The cause of an itch is because of dead skin cells. Itching promotes sheading those skin cells and prepares for new ones.
20184
You can't get rid of "dry and itchy skin permanently." But there are helpful ways to prevent that from happening. I use the Jergens ultra healing lotion and I recommend it. Check it out and see if it helps you and mabey you like it. Also, The doctor says water is what makes your skin dry the most. So, I would try to wash yourself less than you normally do like from a 30 minute shower to a 5-10 minute shower ,or perhaps take a shower every other day unless within reason. Salt water like the ocean heals your skin instanly. If you have dry skin and wet your body with sea water, then it heals it instanly. I'm not sure why but trust me, it does. You may talk to your doctor and ask why it does. If he doesn't say sea water heals you, then let me know and I'll get the answer for you.