Ever felt like an itch is just the universe’s way of testing your self-control? Especially when it’s due to eczema, a condition that stylishly refuses to discriminate, affecting a chic 31 million Americans every year. It’s not just about the urge to scratch; it’s the sleepless nights, the mental toll, and that dreaded effect on our glowing skin!
But here’s the ultimate style secret: giving in to the scratch is not on-trend. Believe it or not, science has our backs here! Research from the oh-so-official-sounding Center for the Study of Itch (yes, it’s a thing) at Washington University in St. Louis suggests that scratching actually ups our itch game, making us want to go for round two, three, and beyond. This fashion crime is courtesy of serotonin, our brain’s “happy chemical,” which ironically makes us want to scratch even more.
Now, scratching isn’t just a faux pas for your skin’s texture; it’s the arch-nemesis of eczema management. The more you scratch, the more you risk runway-unworthy inflammation and skin infections. It’s the vicious cycle that’s definitely not going to land you on the cover of a glossy magazine.
So, what’s a style-savvy soul to do when that not-so-chic itch strikes during a season finale or a window shopping spree? Experts have some haute tips that are more about accessorizing your mindset and less about declaring war on your nerve endings.
Think of the itch like a phone notification you’d rather skip. You know, like those annoying “limited-time offer” alerts. Sure, you can silence it by scratching, but that’s just hitting “snooze.” Instead, let’s put that energy into something fabulous, like planning your next outfit or mastering the art of the French tuck.
Our mindset guru, developmental psychologist Dr. Sasha Heinz, recommends a kind of mental makeover. Rather than swiping at every itch, engage in a fabulous diversion. It’s like swapping your impulse buys for a spa day. Treat yourself to self-massage, practice runway-ready breathing exercises, or strut your stuff with a walk.
But hey, nobody’s perfect, even in the hautest of circles. If you absolutely must scratch, Dr. Jeanine Downie, a dermatologist who knows a thing or two about maintaining cover-worthy skin, suggests icing the area or keeping those nails runway-short to prevent a skin scandal. And hydration? That’s your skin’s best accessory.
If you’re finding the itch to be a persistent tag-along, like a clinger after a fashion week after party, it’s totally okay to seek reinforcements. Chat with your dermatologist or even a therapist to develop your personalized anti-itch game plan.
