"Don’t scratch!  You’ll only make it worse!’

Hearing, or even remembering, this advice always raises my stress levels — especially if I happen to develop a sudden itch.  You can get a sudden itch from many sources, including (but definitely not limited to) bug bites, nettle stings, hives and eczema flare ups.  Yes, you know you’re not supposed to scratch.  But how else can you soothe sudden itches and thus relax?  Here are a few suggestions for soothing sudden itches.  And please do not use this article as a substitute for a doctor’s advice.

 Cold Water Or Warm Water

Sometimes running cold water or warm water will help soothe a sudden itch and you can’t get a hold of any creams, lotions or ointments.  I happen to find cold water helps soothe itches on my limbs, but soaking in a warm tub helps best for soothing sudden itches of the …erm…nether regions.  You definitley don’t want to sit in ice cold water.  That will not encourage your body to relax.

Chamomile Tea Bags

As long as the chamomile tea bags aren’t scalding hot, they can help soothe sudden itches, even itchy eyes.  You make a cup of chamomile tea and save the bag or bags.  Use plain chamomile tea, not one with a lot of additives or flavors.  Drinking the tea will help your body to relax.  When the bags are cool enough, plop them on your area of sudden itchiness.  If your eyes are itchy, shut your eyes and lay the chamomile tea bag overtop of them.  Leave on as long as you want. 

Some people like to massage itchy body parts (except the eyes and nether regions) with chamomile oil.  However, chamomile oil is very expensive.  This is why I prefer used chamomile tea bags.  They’re cheap as chips (as the saying goes) and seems to be the one herbal tea that no company can really screw up.

WARNING:  If you are allergic to ragweed, then stay far, far away from chamomile.  They are in the same family.

Distract Yourself

I used to know someone who would purposefully kick a road or large rock whenever he got stung by nettles and couldn’t find a dock leaf to soothe the sudden itch.  The pain in the foot distracted him from the pain of the sudden itch.  Now, I really don’t recommend hurting yourself, but distracting yourself from the itch can help lessen the itch’s intensity.  And, thankfully, the mind can be easily distracted.

Soothing a sudden itch is one reason why we meditate in order to manage our stress.  If you can’t go into a meditative state, concentrate on another body part.  This works better for some sudden itches than others.  You could also dance around and scream, just don’t scratch.  This can open up your skin and make it infected.

Hope this helps.  And don’t scratch.

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