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Itching can be caused by fungal growth on the skin, insect bites, allergy to certain drugs and chemicals, and more rarely, due to diseases of the liver or kidney. Scratching itchy skin causes it to crack and makes it more vulnerable to infection. Consult a dermatologist to make sure that your mother is not consuming any medicine or using any cosmetic product that contains chemicals she might be allergic to. Dryness caused by the lack of humidity in the air can also cause itching, especially during winter. Very hot baths should be avoided to prevent the skin from getting dry and itchy. Regular application of moisturizers, especially after baths, is recommended.
Itching and irritation may be reduced to a certain extent by washing the affected area with lukewarm water and an herbal or an antibacterial soap. Adding two cups of oatmeal or cornstarch to a lukewarm water bath and letting it soak into your skin is also an easy way of countering itchiness. An oatmeal soap can also be substituted for the bath. Add a cup of baking soda to a tub of water and soak in this bath for an hour. Make sure that you let your skin dry naturally after your bath. You could also make a paste using 3 tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of water. Apply this paste locally to the affected areas. Do not use this paste on skin that is already cracked or infected. Lemon has antiseptic properties so applying lemon juice to the affected area soothes the skin. Massaging the skin with aloe vera, cod liver oil, wheat germ oil, witch hazel tea or vitamin E oil also helps. Mix a little melted beeswax with some melted unsalted butter and stir this well. To this add 5 tablespoons of ground juniper berries and 3 teaspoons of ground cloves and mix them well. Once this mixture cools down apply it to your skin to cure inflammation and itching. Boil a few basil leaves in a pan of water and cover the pan with the lid till the solution cools down. Soak a piece of cotton wool or cloth in this and apply it whenever the skin feels itchy. You can also substitute basil leaves with mint, since it contains menthol, which is a natural anesthetic and anti-inflammatory agent, and helps soothe itchy skin. A thyme solution made in a similar way has similar effects.
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