BETADINE® Health Answers

Key takeaways

• Itchy Skin (Pruritus) can be triggered by dry air, heat, sweat buildup, or caused by skin conditions as well as surface microorganisms^1-2.

• Scratching introduces surface bacteria into micro-tears, which can lead to infection and skin disease³.

• Moisturizing regularly and keeping cool in hot weather helps protect your skin from dryness^3-4, which can trigger skin itching and can expose it to infection because of a vulnerable skin barrier⁴.

• A lack of sleep can throw off the release of hormones  and proteins that help cells control inflammation⁵, which makes you feel itchier — good sleep hygiene⁵ can help prevent this.

• For germ-related itching, you might want to consider using a cleanser that kills 99.99% of bacteria and fungi in as early as 30 seconds based on in-vitro data⁹.

Itchy skin (pruritus) is a common problem¹ that almost everyone experiences at some point². Whether caused by warm tropical weather, sweat buildup after a workout, skin conditions like alipunga, or subtle microbial growth on the skin^1-2, an irritating itch can distract you throughout the day and disrupt your sleep at night^1-2.

While skin itching is common, you don’t have to always tolerate it. Here are five practical ways to help stop the itch and restore comfort to your skin.

1. TIP #1: Don't Scratch

When an itch strikes, your natural reflex is to scratch it immediately. As a matter of fact, humans in the older times did this in order to get rid of insects and parasites³. 

But while scratching can temporarily relieve itchy sensations, it can damage the outer skin barrier and introduce bacteria into those tears, potentially leading to infection and skin disease.³ Instead of scratching, you can try calming down the sensation with a cool compress¹ against the area.

2. TIP #2: Moisturize Regularly

Aside from being one of the causes^1,4 of itching, having dry skin can also make you more prone to skin cracks where germs⁴ can enter — more so if you scratch³. Moisturizing regularly after showering^1,4  locks in hydration and helps keep the skin barrier healthy to keep dryness-induced itching at bay⁴.

3. TIP #3: Stay Well-Rested

Did you know that sleep is crucial to calibrating the functions of your skin⁵? That includes your skin pH, blood flow, and skin temperature⁵ — and potentially even your hormones.

A lack of sleep could then throw off the release of hormones and proteins that mediate inflammation, making you feel a little itchier.⁵ To help prevent this from happening, it is advisable to have a regular sleeping pattern and perhaps find calming bedtime routines to give you the sleep you need⁵.

4. TIP #4: Keep Cool During Hot Weather

You might find yourself getting itchy in warmer climates, as the heat can dry out your skin^3-4 and the sweat can trigger that need to scratch². For Filipinos especially, the blazing heat can bring on an itchy, prickly sensation, especially among kids and those who work outdoors⁶. To help manage this, you can wear light, loose clothing that can help keep you dry and cool, while staying in well-ventilated spaces^6-7.

5. TIP #5: Use Products That Relieve Skin Itching

While cleaning your skin can help temporarily relieve itching, washing with regular soap might not be enough⁸. Using an antiseptic cleanser like POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Skin Cleanser not only relieves skin itching, but it also kills 99.99%⁹ of bacteria and fungi on the skin in as early as 30 seconds based on in-vitro data.

Take Control of Your Skin Comfort

You don't have to live with persistent skin itch. By avoiding scratching, maintaining hydration, keeping cool, and using POVIDONE-IODINE (BETADINE®) Skin Cleanser as indicated, you can keep going on with your day.

_{^{If symptoms persist, consult your doctor or dermatologist.
Not recommended for children below age 2.
Not recommended for continuous daily use throughout the year.
®: BETADINE is a Registered Trademark of iNova Pharmaceuticals.
ASC I0002P091826B}}

References

1. Rupert J, Honeycutt JD. Pruritus: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2022;105(1):55-64.

2. Roh YS, Choi J, Sutaria N, Kwatra SG. Itch: Epidemiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic workup. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022;86(1):1-14. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2021.07.076

3. Mack MR, Kim BS. The Itch-Scratch Cycle: A Neuroimmune Perspective. Trends Immunol. 2018;39(12):980-991. doi:10.1016/j.it.2018.10.001

4. Mayo Clinic Staff. Dry skin: symptoms & causes. Mayo Clinic website. Published January 25, 2023. Accessed August 19, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885.

5. Afzal UM, Ali FR. Sleep deprivation and the skin. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2023;48(10):1113-1116. doi:10.1093/ced/llad196

6. Zenarosa DH. Beat the heat: gov't doctor's guide to keeping your skin healthy this summer. Philippine Information Agency website. Published April 8, 2026. Accessed August 20, 2026. https://pia.gov.ph/features/beat-the-heat-govt-doctors-guide-to-keeping-your-skin-healthy-this-summer/.

7. Mayo Clinic Staff. Heat rash: symptoms & causes. Mayo Clinic website. Published May 6, 2022. Accessed August 20, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-rash/symptoms-causes/syc-20373276.

8. Langley J. From soap and water, to waterless agents: update on hand hygiene in health care settings. Can J Infect Dis. 2002;13(5):285-286. doi:10.1155/2002/105306.

9. Tan et al. Comparative in vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activities of povidone-iodine and other commercially available antiseptics against clinically relevant pathogens. GMS Hygiene and Infection Control 2021,Vol. 16, ISSN 2196-5226