Itching: discover how to relieve it with Sichuan pepper

What is itching 

Itching is a symptom due to chemical and physical stimulation of skin nerve receptors. It can occur in a localised part of the body or over a larger area. In the latter case it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention. 

It presents itself as a discomfort on the surface of the skin that prompts scratching to relieve the discomfort, an action that sometimes creates lesions and inflammation of the skin. 

Causes of itching 

• Itching can be of two types: 
• exogenous, if it depends on external factors,
• endogenous, if it depends on internal factors.

Exogenous itching may depend on external factors such as contact allergies, intolerances, insect bites, synthetic clothing, sun exposure. The endogenous one, from internal factors that can be: skin disorders such as psoriasis or eczema, diabetes, liver disorders, kidney failure, anaemia, blood circulation disorders, anxiety, stress.

Understanding the causes of pruritus through thorough medical examinations is essential for proper care. 

The importance of relieving itching

This symptom, because it prompts uncontrolled scratching for relief, can cause excoriations, lesions and inflammation of the skin that can develop into infections.

This is why it is important to adopt some useful behaviours that can prevent an increase in skin sensitivity:

• the use of lukewarm water during cleansing combined with mild natural detergents, 
• avoid exposure to the sun, especially during the hottest hours of the day, 
• wear clothes made of natural fibres, not synthetically dyed and not tight, 
• alleviate as much as possible emotional states of tension and stress that may increase the disorder,
• moisturise the skin with natural soothing products.

A useful remedy from Traditional Chinese Medicine: Sichuan pepper

For centuries, Traditional Chinese Medicine has used the herbal remedy Zanthoxylum bungeanum, a plant belonging to the Rutaceae family, also called Sichuan pepper. 

Zanthoxylum bungeanum fruits are rich in alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids and free fatty acids which, according to scientific studies reported at the end of this article, have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-itching effect.

The extract of this plant incorporated into a moisturiser can be useful in relieving itching, promoting hydration and improving the inflammatory state of the skin. 

Article written in collaboration with BenessereCorpoMente.it

Sources and insights

NCBI, Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (Rutaceae): A Systematic Review of Its Traditional Uses, Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, and Toxicology