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I cannot imagine someone going through this level of discomfort especially for doing something as natural as having a bath, I love to have my bath and the least time I bathe in a day is twice, I cannot imagine having to itch my body after those two sections of bathing, it definitely will not be a funny experience. I was immediately moved to read up on this because I was hearing about it for the first time, funny thing is, not so many people in the comment section were not as shocked as I was, it seemed as if they have heard of it before, and that made me ask myself if I was living on planet at all, not to know about these things (smiles). Let's get to the reason why this may be happening in the first place.
Sometimes, fragranced products, harsh soaps, or preservatives could create irritation or allergic contact dermatitis, which would create post-shower itching. People with dry skin also lack moisture and may begin to feel itchy, especially after they have a shower. The use of hot water and soaps, especially those with fragrances or surfactants, can disrupt the lipid barrier of the skin and eliminate natural oils that will help to maintain hydration and prevent dryness.
When a person takes a hot shower, the soap and water will strip away the skin's oil, causing the skin to feel itchy and tight. In extreme cases, the skin may even begin to bleed or crack, increasing the chances of secondary infection. Writing about this now reminds me of a woman who said she usually bathes her baby with very hot water, which is dangerous to the baby's health.
Eczema can also lead to itching and excessive dryness of the skin. Eczema is a skin inflammation; it is usually a serious condition of the skin that causes rashes or bumps. More discomfort can happen after a shower.
Aside from all these common skin conditions, itching after a shower can also be a case of aquagenic pruritus, which is a skin condition that causes the skin to itch whenever water touches it; it does not create any visible symptoms like rashes or hives. There has not been any sure medical outlook on how the condition develops, but experts believe it may be linked to an abnormal cellular process in the nervous system, immune system, or the skin.
Aquatic pruritus can happen almost anywhere on the body, the most common location being the arms, legs, back, and chest region. It usually does not affect the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or the mucus membrane, such as the ears, nose, or inside the mouth. This means you can drink water safely and conveniently without feeling itchy in the mouth.
This skin condition is usually distressing for both patients and the physician treating the condition. It usually begins shortly after puberty, and is more common amongst people assigned female at birth. Gene may also play a strong role in its occurrence. Rain, freshwater, sweat, seawater, tears, and snow can trigger hives from this condition.
This condition can happen as a result of the presence of other conditions, polycythemia vera is a good example, one that involves the body producing too many red blood cells, hyperosinophilic syndrome which is a group of blood disorders resulting from having too many eosinophils (a type of white blood cell), chronic urticaria or hives, and even myelodysplastic syndromes and other cancers of the blood.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition, but available treatment can help manage it. Treating the condition is quite challenging, as mentioned earlier, it involves several options, including medications, procedures, and even natural remedies. You may be advised to try out different options and choose the one that works best for you. Varieties of medications and procedures can be provided to help relieve pain and itching.
We cannot talk about how the condition can be prevented since there is no clear report about what causes it yet. If the condition is not treated, then it may begin to affect the quality of life of the affected person. Imagine having to think twice before having a bath or going for a swim with friends; people may also begin to avoid going for a swim with you when they notice you have such a condition. For this condition, like others, instant treatment is required.
In the meantime, these relief options can help a lot. Trying not to scratch the skin, as this could lead to irritation or injury. Hard sponges, scrubs, or washcloths should be avoided, as this may lead to skin irritation. After bathing, the skin should be gently patted with a towel instead of rubbing, as it may cause irritation that will remove the skin's natural oil.
Products that contain retinoids should be avoided, even if they regulate epithelial cell growth, as they can also be an irritant that would worsen dry skin conditions. Retinoids include: retinol, tretinoin, and adapalene. Treating aquatic pruritus will require a lot of patience, but following the advice of a good and experienced medical practitioner will relieve your symptoms in no time.
For Further Studies.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326974#summary
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3179019/
https://www.healthline.com/health/itchy-after-shower
https://www.ducray.com/en/itching-sensations/causes/aquagenic-pruritus
https://www.healthline.com/health/aquagenic-urticaria