10 Essential Oils for Itching According to Science and More

I’m sure you know what itching is. It’s that uncomfortable feeling in your skin that cannot seem to give you a break!

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Sometimes itching can be felt all over your body or in one centralized area. And sometimes it does seem that the best way to get rid of it is to scratch it off. Unfortunately, constant scratching can lead to inflammation.

If you‘re an essential oil lover and enjoy using them for headaches, energy or just a good smell, I have good news! You can use essential oils for itching too!

Obviously, there are a few precautions here and there. But, I’ll cover that later.

Symptoms and Causes of Itching

Some of the most common symptoms of itching include some of these:

• Skin redness
• Rash
• Flaky skin
• Blisters
• Bumps on the skin
• Cracked skin

Some of you may notice that itching is more intense at night or day. Sometimes both.

Once you notice these symptoms, it might be a good idea to think about what could possibly have caused these symptoms.

Most Common Causes of Itching

Itching might be caused by stress, anxiety. Often, a rash is a sign of an allergy to a specific food – nuts, citric fruits, strawberries or raspberries. Occasionally, it’s the chemicals we interact with – washing liquids or creams. This type of itching is caused by contact dermatitis. It sometimes means that your skin might even react to jewelry that you’re wearing. Thus, whenever you have an itch, you might want to consider these factors. Often skin itching is a side effect of the dry skin. But, in these cases, you shouldn’t be getting rashes. If you have a rash, it’s usually a sign of something more significant.

a) Parasites and Bugs

If it’s summertime and you’re surrounded by parasites and bugs, having itchy skin might be normal. Some of these could be fleas, lice or mosquitoes.

b) Psoriasis

Psoriasis can be another cause of itching. It’s a condition that speeds up the life cycle of cells. Thus, all the unnecessary cells build up causing itchiness or even pain.

While psoriasis has no cure, it can be managed with moisturizing creams, a few remedies and lifestyle improvements.

c) Genital Itching

Genital infections often cause itching. It could be a regular vaginal yeast infection or a sexually transmitted disease. Either way, genital itching often indicates a more serious problem. See your doctor to pursue treatment. They’ll usually prescribe antibiotics to tackle the problem.

Regular Rashes? Consult a Doctor

If you do suffer from rashes and have to deal with itchy skin all the time, go see your doctor. Perhaps you’re allergic to some foods. But, different skin rashes/changes sometimes can show more serious disorders. Those include hormonal, cancerous and blood diseases.

How to Prevent Itching?

Itching can be prevented by having a healthy lifestyle. Avoid smoking, drinking an excessive amount of coffee or energy drinks. Also, eating spicy foods. If you have extra dry skin, keep it moisturized. Avoid too much contact with water. Also, if you wash your hands, make sure to apply some cream to them afterward. Often, itchy skin is caused by dry skin. That’s perhaps why moisturizers are the most prescribed products. Also, avoid allergens – both physical and chemical ones. Thus, if you’re cleaning your home, wear gloves.

Additionally, avoid wearing jewelry that your skin doesn’t react to so well. You can always find a metal that you skin ‘’has no problems with’’.

How to Stop Itching?

There are many ways to stop itching depending on the cause of it. Natural remedies work well if the condition isn’t serious. In other cases, you might need medical treatment. That’s usually if the itching is constant and doesn’t seem to react to essential oils or other remedies. Anyway, let’s get to what this article is about! Essential oils can offer an easy way to deal with itchy skin, even if you’re a beginner and have no clue how to use them.

IMPORTANT: How to Use Essential Oils on Skin

When applying the essential oils to your skin, make sure you mix them with a carrier oil. Use either coconut, almond oils or any other plain oil that you like. For each teaspoon of oil add 1 drop of essential oil. Why? Essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause skin burns and irritations. It’s very important to dilute them when using on the skin to avoid that.

10 Essential Oils for Itching

Here are 10 essential oils that help with all types of itchiness. 

1. Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense oil is well known for being a natural treatment for cancer (source). Its anti-inflammatory properties make it a good remedy for itching (source). The essential oil is particularly useful when your skin gets extremely itchy. You can also use it for preventing it since the essential oil has the ability to get rid of old, unhealthy cells. You can also use frankincense essential oil in your holiday blends to relieve stress.

2. Myrrh Essential Oil

This oil is an antioxidant. That means that it has the ability to get rid of dangerous oxidizing agents. These agents could be the reason why you get skin inflammation.

Thus, you can use it for general prevention too. History shows that myrrh essential oil has been used to treat wounds (source). That’s because it’s highly antibacterial and anti-parasitic. Do remember that itchiness could be caused by parasites. Thus, you can use the essential oil to deal with that.

3. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Named by 18th-century sailors, tea tree oil is one of the most popular essential oils amongst beginners. It can be used for different infections. It’s antibacterial and antifungal since it has shown the ability to treat wounds (source). The oil soothes skin irritations of any sort. It’s a promising remedy for anyone who suffers from itchy skin. You can also use tea tree oil in a blend for sleep since it has an overall relaxing effect.

4. Cinnamon Essential Oil

This oil is well known not only for the smell but for the wide span of its benefits too. It has antibacterial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. While it stimulates the immune system, it also fights parasites. This is precisely why it can be useful when dealing with skin itchiness. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to prevent any type of skin problems. I often love to add a bit of this essential oil to a diffuser and spread it all over the room.

5. Oregano Essential Oil

A study shows that oregano essential oil has the ability to fight bacteria. Thus, you could also use it to prevent skin infections or inflammations and itchiness.

Also, it calms down the skin’s hypersensitivity and soothes the skin (source). The oil can be especially useful if itchiness is caused by an allergic reaction.

6. Peppermint Essential Oil

I don’t know about you but I simply love the smell of it. This essential oil is also a part of PanAway blend that’s becoming more and more popular. When it comes to itchiness, peppermint has a nice cooling effect.

Also, it calms down the skin’s hypersensitivity and soothes the skin (source). The oil can be especially useful if itchiness is caused by an allergic reaction.

7. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

The eucalyptus tree is known for being used in papermaking. But, that’s not the only reason why it’s beneficial. Eucalyptus essential oil gets extracted from the Eucalyptus tree. It’s anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. It reduces the pain that you might experience after having an itchy skin for a long time. It also aids the healing process (source).

8. Lemongrass Essential Oil

Lemongrass essential oil simply smells great. Also, it inhibits microbial growth (source). It battles both microbial and fungal infections thus reducing skin itchiness.

Lemongrass is well known for its sedative effects too. So feel free to use it before going to sleep. You might as well have a better night ahead of you!

9. Lavender Essential Oil

The most popular essential oil of them all. People seem to love both the smell of it and the benefits that it brings to anyone’s life. Some of these include help with panic attacks and lowering blood pressure. I’ve talked about this oil on this blog quite a bit.

Lavender essential oil is especially useful for skin treatments such as acne (source). That’s mostly due to its strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. So, rub some of the oil into your skin and let it deal with inflammation.

10. German Chamomile Essential Oil

This essential oil has a high concentration of azulene. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Thus, it soothes dry and sensitive skin. You’ll often find this ingredient in a lot of skincare products for this very reason. A blend of carrier oil and German chamomile could be used daily to keep your skin moist and healthy. Feel free to apply it when your skin is itchy too.

4 Essential Oil Blends for Itching

I know a lot of you love using essential oils in blends rather than just one by one. I thought I would share a few recipes with you. But, do feel free to adjust them to your own liking.

Essential Oil Blend for Itchy Scalp

You’ll need:

• 100 ml shampoo
• 10 drops Lavender
• 9 drops Tea Tree
• 10 drops Rosemary

Mix all the ingredients up. Feel free to store it somewhere in a bottle. Shake it up before using.

Recipe for Itchy Dry Skin

You’ll need:

• 1 ounce of almond oil
• 5 drops of Myrrh
• 3 drops German Chamomile
• 1 drop Patchouli
• 3 drops Carrot Seed

Mix all the ingredients and apply to your skin when it’s extra dry. It might be a good idea to keep the mixture in a small plastic container.

Blend for Psoriasis

You’ll need:

• 6 drops Bergamot
• 7 drops Lavender
• 4 drops German Chamomile
• Half a glass of Dead Sea Salt

Add the mixture whenever you’re having a bath. This blend will help you with lowering the risks of inflammation and should manage Psoriasis.

Another Blend for Psoriasis

You’ll need:

• 5 drops Lavender
• 2 drops Frankincense
• 2 ounces almond oil

Mix all the ingredients and apply it topically whenever needed.

Conclusion

Are there any other essential oils for itching that you use? Do let me know in the comment section, I’d love to hear what remedies have helped you with itching!