Why does my skin itch when i go outside?

Are you tired of scratching yourself silly every time you go outside? Do you get weird looks from strangers who assume that you have fleas? Fear not, my friend. You are not alone in this itchy predicament. In this article, we will dive deep into the possible culprits behind your irritating itch and provide some solutions for how to scratch less and enjoy the great outdoors more.

The Great Outdoors: A Breeding Ground for Irritants

Surprise, surprise – nature is full of things that can make your skin crawl…literally. Whether it’s pollen from flowers or insects lurking on leaves waiting to bite, going outside exposes us to a variety of irritants that our sensitive skin just can’t handle. Here are a few common suspects:

Pollen:

Ah yes, the beautiful harbinger of springtime allergies also happens to be one of the most prevalent provocateurs when it comes to itching. The tiny grains released by plants float around aimlessly before making their way up your nose or onto your skin, leading to sneezing fits and unwanted hives.

Bugs:

Buzzing bees may bring blooming blossoms but they’re also no stranger when it comes to biting humans. Mosquitoes want nothing more than a taste of human flesh while their distant cousins like ticks wait patiently in tall grass eager for any mammal encounter! From spider bites (not Spider-man!), scabies mites (like microscopic ninjas), chiggers (aka berry bugs) and bedbugs hiding amongst foliage there’s plenty reasons why creepy crawlies shouldn’t remain unnoticed.

Poison ivy/oak/sumac:

These three could definitely give Volcano-eruptions a run for their money as far as uncomfortable experiences goes; with urushiol – an oil created by these plants – wreaks havoc on bare exposed skins leading to itchy blisters which can persist for a baffling two weeks!

Humidity/dryness:

Sometimes we don’t even need to encounter bugs or plants – simply the sun beating down on us, decreasing our skin’s hydration levels from sunlight’s pesky um…ahem UV rays – drying up natural lipids & moisture causing some unfortunate dry patches. While humid weather can also immobilize sweat and increase bacterial skin accumulation.

Inside Out: Your Body is Speaking

There might more behind itching when outside compared to just environmental factors as your body may possess plenty answers itself! For instance:

Sunburn irritation:

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can tear apart cells and cause DNA damage that cell-repair mechanisms struggle with, leaving areas red, painful or swollen leading to inflammation /itching etc. This experience occurs primarily when enjoying outdoor activities without sunscreen safeguards in place despite being warned countless times!

Health conditions:

In some cases, prolonged exposure to cold environments can lead something called “cold urticaria” during which the body creates histamine sensitising one’s skin against cold exposure where allergen inhibitors like antihistamines could be beneficial- seeking professional advice would help in ruling such allergies occurring.

Solutions for Scratching Less and Living More

Itching and scratching are never outright fun but here are 6 ways you could attempt before solely resorting into living life indoors completely;

  • Wear protective clothing: Depending on season this could mean wearing hats, socks/gloves/bandannas long-sleeved jackets/tops/long pants/formal indoor wear if appropriate concerned of insects unperturbed by sunscreen

  • Use topical creams: Lotions/smooth balms filled with oatmeal or other itch-fighting ingredients accessible over-the-counter at any pharmacy will soothe inflamed areas! Seeking professional advice beforehand certainly wouldn’t hurt though.

  • Bathe regularly – obviously right? Scrub the sweaty layer accumulated during the day with cool water to limit skin-irritation and create an overall soothing feeling.

  • Drink Wa-ter!: Keeping hydrated should be a no-brainer but sadly it does require repeated reminders. Hydration helps keep your body’s natural moisture levels balanced especially on hot summer days, avoiding dry patches & other alien feelings that would encourage excessive scratching!

  • Cleanse clothes and bed sheets: Unless you own anti-bacteria bedsheets (haven’t heard of such either) or happen to constantly air-dry clothing related items after every use; washing these regularly decreases bacteria buildup which could potentially cause rashes or anything generally unpleasant – overusing detergents may also contribute in damaging fragile skins!

  • Seek out medical attention:
    Certain variants like hives/rashes can indicate serious illness therefore visiting any certified health workers if symptoms persist beyond two weeks – since they’re likely to ask quite a few questions there’s nothing stopping one from prepping reasons prior.

We hope this article has been able to educate you about why your skin might itch when you’re outside and provided some helpful tips for minimizing discomfort so that you can get back into nature without constantly being reminded how much annoying itching sucks! Remember those nifty solutions because everyone knows life outdoors is too splendid not to be enjoyed sans irritation till the next suggestion arises.

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