Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center

Home remedies may relieve itching from blisters.

To relieve itching

• Keep the itchy area cool and wet. Apply a washcloth that has been soaked in ice water, or get in a cool tub or shower.
• Take an oatmeal bath or hold an oatmeal-soaked wet cloth on the itchy blisters for 15 minutes.
  • You can buy an oatmeal powder, such as Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal, in drugstores.
  • If you prefer, you can make your own oatmeal solution. Wrap 1 cup (0.2 L) of oatmeal in a cotton cloth and boil it for a few minutes until it is soft. Use this as a sponge and bathe in cool water without soap.
• Apply a paste of baking soda mixed with water.

If any of these home remedies make the itching worse, stop using them.

To keep itching from getting worse

You may be able to prevent itching from getting worse.

• Stay out of the sun and in a cool place. Heat increases itching.
• Use gentle soaps, such as Dove, Oil of Olay, or Basis. Avoid using strong soaps and deodorant soaps around blisters or a rash.
• Try a cool, saltwater compress. To make the solution for the compress, use 2 tsp of salt in 1 qt (1 L) of cool water. Wet a cloth with the solution and apply the cloth to your skin.
• Wear cotton clothing. Avoid wearing wool and acrylic fabrics next to your skin.

Don't scratch the blisters. Scratching leads to more itching and may cause a skin infection to develop. Wear cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching. Put mittens or cotton socks on the hands of babies and young children to prevent scratching.

Over-the counter medicines for itching

If home treatment does not relieve the itching, you may want to try taking an over-the-counter medicine.

• Topical hydrocortisone products may be used according to label directions. Note: Do not use the cream on children younger than age 2 unless your doctor tells you to. Do not use in the rectal or vaginal area in children younger than age 12 unless your doctor tells you to.
• Calamine lotion may help dry out itchy, oozing blisters.
• Oral antihistamines, like diphenhydramine hydrochloride (such as Benadryl) or chlorpheniramine maleate (such as Chlor-Trimeton), may relieve the itching, but they also can cause drowsiness. Don't give antihistamines to your child unless you've checked with the doctor first.
  • Read and follow any warnings on the label.
  • Avoid applying antihistamine, such as Benadryl cream, spray, or gel, or Caladryl lotion, to the skin. These products may further irritate your skin. Also, it is more difficult to control the dosage of medicine that is absorbed through the skin.