People say that “hell’s itch feels like getting bitten by a colony of honeybees, wanting to peel off your skin” and “an uncontrollable itch that, when scratched, causes relief and stabbing pain at the same time.
How long Does Hell’s itch last?
Now jumping to our main topic, there is no certain time for hell’s itch to go that’s why it is also known as the suicide itch. For some, it has mercy and takes less than half or one day to go, but in some cases, it has been seen that it shows no mercy at all and takes more than 3 days to go.
How to treat hell’s itch?
Most of the hell’s itch treatments are home remedies. People may take a variety of steps at home for relief and to heal the skin as quickly as possible.
Treatments that are proven effective against hell’s itch are as follows:
Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a gelatinous substance and also has wound healing effects, so applying aloe vera extract or gel on the skin without added ingredients, soothes and hydrates the skin.
Drink a lot of water: Sunburns make skin dry, which means you need to drink extra water to rehydrate the body and reduce dryness.
Bathing with colloidal oatmeal: This remedy has been very effective against the itch and redness from chicken pox, eczema, and poison ivy. Colloidal oatmeal helps to reduce inflammation and protect the skin.
Cover your skin: Exposure to the sun can cause more itching, redness, and damage to your skin. Avoid the sun and try to walk in shades or shadows, if you are outside.
Use cool compresses: Using an ice pack or ice bag, and a wet washcloth or towel help to relieve pain and itching.
Wear light clothes: wear clothes that do not cause sweat and heat as sweat and heat can increase itching and redness.
Things you should avoid if you have hell’s itch
There are some things that you have to avoid before it will make your condition worse. Things you should avoid are listed below:
Exposure to sun: You should not go out in the sun if you don’t want more sunburn and itching. Cover yourself properly with cloth and by applying sunscreen. Do not scratch: You should not scratch the inflamed area, because of this, itching would spread and you will suffer more. Don’t peel off your skin: If you peel off or remove your skin, it will only increase redness, itching, and pain.
Do this if you don’t want hell’s itch again!
If you have already faced the itch of hell, you won’t want to feel it again, not only you, those who haven’t had it, won’t want to face it either.
Here are some methods that one can adopt to avoid sunburns, which are listed below:
Whenever you go outside, you should always wear sunscreen. Apply it, to the part of the skin that is directly exposed to the sun.
You should avoid going outside in the middle of the day especially from (11 am to 3 pm). The ultraviolet rays are strongest during this period.
Try to walk in the shadows as much as possible, by doing this you can avoid the harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun.
You should use glasses, that filter the harmful rays coming from the sun.
Bottom line: If you have mild sunburn then there is no need to worry about it, it will go away on its own all you need to do is take precautions like covering yourself from the sun, wearing light clothes to avoid sweat and heat, and do not scratch it but If you are suffering from severe sunburn or even if you are just uncomfortable and not sure what to do then, I suggest you to call your doctor, it will prevent the disease condition from getting worse.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Benadryl help with sunburn?
Ans. “Yes,” Benadryl helps with sunburn. It gives relief from redness, itching, and pain.
- How rare is hell’s itch?
Ans. It’s not rare, it’s common. Sunburn happens to everyone, some get less, and some get more because everyone’s skin is different.
- Applying aloe vera makes the itch worse?
Ans. Aloe vera has wound healing effects, it doesn’t make the itch worse, but you should use it without added ingredients because they can react oppositely and can cause more itching problems.
- Is hell’s itch a symptom of skin cancer?
Ans. “NO” it’s not the symptom of skin cancer. Hell’s itch happens to 2 out of every 10 people.
