What is E45 Itch Relief Cream?

E45 anti-itch cream is a unique dual-action, fragrance-free, non-greasy moisturising formula. E45 anti-itch cream leaves your skin feeling hydrated and smooth as well as providing instant relief from that itchy feeling caused by dry skin.

E45 Itch Relief Cream contains two active ingredients one of which is urea. Urea is one of the body's naturally occurring products which acts as a powerful moisturiser locking water into the skin. Added urea stops fluid loss through the skin which in turn leaves it feeling intensely hydrated.

E45 Itch Relief Cream also contains the anti-itch ingredient lauromacrogols which relieves the need to itch and scratch, caused by dry skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis, which allows flaky, sore, irritated skin to heal.

What is E45 Itch Relief Cream used for?

E45 Itch Relief Cream can be used by those over one month old and is suitable for the targeted relief of itching caused by eczema, dermatitis, pruritus as well as other dry skin conditions.

E45 Itch Relief Cream is also suitable to relieve itching caused by dry peeling skin associated with the healing of sunburn and scarring however the use of a basic moisturiser may be more appropriate to rehydrate the skin.

E45 Itch Relief Cream is designed to treat itching caused by dry, scaly skin. E45 itch relief cream is therefore largely ineffective in the treatment of itching caused by chickenpox, rashes, hives, and insect bites and stings. Eurax HC Cream is more suitable for the relief from itching for these conditions and can be used alongside oral antihistamines.

E45 Itch Relief Cream is also not suitable for the use to treat acne, rosacea or nerve itch. Treatment options for acne and rosacea can be found on our Acne and our Rosacea page.

If you are suffering from itching related to dry flaky skin caused by jock itch or athlete's foot your condition is likely to be caused by a fungal infection which will need treatment with appropriate anti-fungal medication. Treatment options are available at The Independent Pharmacy by typing in your condition or treatment into the search box at the top of this page.

E45 Itch Relief on intimate areas

E45 anti-itch cream can be used to soothe itching on the external skin of the genitals and anus and can be applied to the breasts, but not immediately before breastfeeding.

If you are suffering from genital or anal itching, and are not sure of the cause, you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment with any new medication.

E45 Itch Relief for babies

E45 anti-itch cream is suitable to treat itchy, scaly skin in babies, children and adults from one month of age.

Children are more likely to continue to scratch inflamed skin which puts them at an increased risk of their skin becoming infected. Make sure to keep the infected skin clean and only apply E45 anti-itch cream with clean hands. For best results apply straight away after bathing.

E45 Itch Releif for burns

E45 anti-itch cream along with other moisturising creams should not be applied to new burns as this may cause it to worsen.

Once the burnt skin has healed moisturising creams should be used to hydrate the skin to promote healing. If you find that your skin is excessively dry, scaly, itchy and a basic moisturiser is not enough to control the itching E45 anti-itch cream may be used but only if the skin is not open or broken down.

E45 Itch Relief on tattoos

E45 anti-itch cream should not be used to treat itching caused by the healing process of tattoos as the chemical components of the product may damage the tattoo and delay healing.

E45 anti-itch cream may cause new tattoos to become discoloured if used while the skin is healing.

Can you use E45 Itch Relief on dogs?

E45 products are designed to be used to treat skin conditions in humans and therefore it is not recommended that you use any E45 products to treat itching in dogs.

If your dog is currently suffering from dry and itching skin you should discuss treatment options with your veterinarian.

How does E45 Itch Relief Cream work?

E45 Itch Relief Cream is designed to relieve the sensation of itching while at the same time moisturising the dry, flaking skin which can worsen the need to scratch for people who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.

The active ingredient lauromacrogols are responsible for relieving itchy, irritated skin. Lauromacrogols, when applied to your skin, works as a form of local anaesthetic which blocks the messages getting to your brain telling it your skin is itchy.

By reducing your sensation of feeling itchy it results in you being less likely to want to itch, rub or scratch at your skin giving it time to heal.

E45 anti-itch cream also contains urea which works by locking in moisture under your skin allowing your dry skin to become more hydrated and unable to further dry out.

To ensure the best results from using E45 anti-itch cream you should apply it to your skin immediately after washing your skin. Your skin will have absorbed moisture while you washed and this will allow for more water to be trapped within your skin.

Sources

• https://www.e45.co.uk/your-e45/dry-or-itchy-skin/
• https://www.e45.co.uk/about-page/straight-up-products/
• https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/eczema-atopic/prescribing-information/emollients/
  
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scars/treatment/
• https://www.healthline.com/health/itchy-tattoo#treatment
• https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6586/smpc#gref
• E45 Anti-Itch Cream, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/378/pil