I'm a pretty fair skinned person, and my mom and I (I'll be 15 next week) have recently started going to the tanning salon so I can get a base tan because I do not want to get burnt when I go on vacation this summer. Well, I've started itching very badly on my stomach and back. It's one of the worst things I've ever felt! I've had this problem once before, but that time I had gotten sunburnt. I haven't gotten burnt from the tanning bed, (I've actually been tanning lightly) but I am ultra itchy! I've actually had to get down on the ground to rub my back and stomach on the carpet to help ease the itching. Scratching so much hurts, but I prefer pain than the itching--it's that bad! The woman who owns the tanning salon suggested I try some cocoa butter and shea lotion, but it hasn't really helped. I've found that a first aid spray, Solarcaine, helps ease the itching, but only temporarily; not for long at all. I've also taken a generic form of Benedryl, which hasn't really shown signs of lessening the itch. The itch isn't constant though--it's off and on. The salon owner has never encountered someone with this skin problem before, because, as I've said before, there is no rash, no redness, no blotches. I don't think I am allergic to the cleaner they use to sanatize the beds because the itching occurs on my stomach and back--nowhere else--and my stomach doesn't even touch the bed. I thought I might have some sort of sun allergy, but that would most likely affect more than just my stomach and back. I know you'll probably tell me I shouldn't artificially tan, but I'd rather experience the itching and pain now than to get sunburnt or have problems while on vacation. The maximum that anybody is allowed to tan for is 20 minutes, and I haven't stayed in for longer than 12 minutes so far, and that is in a bed with older bulbs (less severe). The most I've stayed in a bed with new bulbs is 9 minutes. Please help me. I'd greatly appreciate it if somebody could suggest what is wrong. Also, does anyone know of a way to get rid of itching for a long time? It's excrutiating right now! Thank you sooo much for reading this; I know it was long. I really do appreciate it, and I hope you can help!
I just encountered this same problem. I have had far more severe burns before, and only used the bed for about half of the max time. I ended up practically going insane!! I went to the ER, it got so bad. They put me on an IV and gave me some benedryl. Sure enough, itch went away (for the most part) It struck again later and I took 50 MG of Benedryl. It a bit for it to kick in, but it does eventually kick in. For immediate relief, I used ice packs. They some how calm the nerve endings and numb the skin to the itch. Amazing what a little ice will do!!!
I am still experiencing the itch, which started about 3 days ago. It is nothing in comparison now, but I continue to take one Benedryl every several hours.
I know exactly what you are talking about. It has happen to me twice in the sun and I am only 17. I just recently started going to a tanning bed for the same reasons and I am in a wedding. Sure enough last night I began to itch. It is not bad yet but we will see.... It can take up to a week for the itching to go away. I know thats not what you want to hear but that is my experience with it.I wish I could tell you what it is but I do not know. My parents have always thought it was sun poisioning but they are not sure either. I know it is tough and you will have some sleepless nights but hang in there. Benedryl does help some, itching will not go away but it will be better. A thing I use to do was take a towel or blanket to wrap around me tight. When I did that I didn't itch, it is kind of weird. Hope some of this helps. I hope the itching goes away soon
Wow. I thought I was the only one. The itching is so intense, I felt like I couldn't catch my breath, and I got really anxious from it. I never used indoor tanning before except for the past two weeks. I went in a few times last week, and three times this week. Yesterday I started to feel itching on both sides of my lower back, near my rib cage, as well as up the sides of my side. The itching is really bad, and nothing helps, and everything makes its worse. I tried Aloe, it made it worse. A cold shower worked for like two minutes, but I had to get out of the shower because then it came back ten times worse. I just took some Benadryl, and put some Caladryl Lotion on the itching locations, and around that. The intensity of the itch has decreased. I'm going to suggest doing that, but also DON'T scratch it. It raises the blood to the surface of your skin and intensifies the itching much more. I'd say it will probably stop itching once the slight burn I have starts to fade. The burn is so faint, but I'm assuming that it caused this. I'll be sure I go tanning maybe once a week from now on, if ever again. Hope you all stop itching soon, and remember, Don't scratch!!
Hi, I know exactly how you feel. The first few times I tanned I was itchy for days on end and it drove me nuts, but eventually it goes away once you get used to tanning. I work at a tanning salon and what the itching is is dry skin. Always mositurize before and after a tanning session. What tanning does is pull the moisture from your skin leaving it dry, flaky and severely itchy. Your body will eventually get used to the itching after a few sessions. Also, try the lotions the salon offers, alot of indorr tanning lotions offered at salons have moisturizes in them. You might also want to ask your local salon for a mosituizer call Dark Till Dawn from Emerald Bay. It is really good and sells quick at the salon I work it, plus it has a great smell. Don't worry the itch is nothing serious, just your skin reacting to the dryness of your skin.
Hey, I was actually laughing as I was reading through all of those messages because I thought I was the only one too!! My itching was mainly on my upper stomach and lower back. My tanning salon thought it was from the cleaning supplies or my lotions too... but I knew it wasn't those reasons because it only happened in certain areas. Basically the areas that never see the sun. However, it drove me absolutely crazy.
I started to search the internet for the reason I was itching. Many sites said because of dry skin, or even certain types of body soap. But none of them described my symptoms. So although dryness can cause itching, the type that all of these girls are talking about is not caused from dryness.
I finally found the correct answer. The itching is caused by lack of melanin (SP) in the skin. Mainly the parts that have never been exposed to the UV rays. It usually starts to itch after the 3rd session. It is recommended to go every other day and raise your times as the itching decreases. This process allows the melanin in those areas to reach the same quantity as in the other areas of the skin. The itching feeling is actually caused by the over-stimulation of the nerve endings. The website also said that it is not harmful to the body, only a nuisance. The only way to stop the itching is 1) stop tanning or 2) keep pushing through the pain until the melanin is evened out.
Hope that helps some of you out there who going itching crazy like I was!
oh.my.god. I had this exact same problem! the first time i went tanning (in a tanning bed) my back itched SO BAD i would start SCREAMING. i scratched to the point of bleeding. it took a week to go away... ever since then, if i have even the slightest itch on my back i go into a panic attack...
Dry skin is DEFINITELY not the cause of your itching. I have had this problem for 5-6 years (I am 24). It start when I was in college and has remained the same. Pills do help to dull the itchiness, but what I have found to be super helpful is Goldbond. Yes, you feel like you are 90 years old when you are buying it, but it works. Best time to apply? Right when you get out of the shower and all of your pours are open. It stops the itch and you feel cool all over your skin. It doesn't completely take away the itch, but it is the best cure I have found. Also, if you are in a lot of pain, go to an urgent care and request a steroid shot. This will really stop the itching. I wouldn't advise doing this a lot because steroids are not good for your organs, but if you are like me and it keeps you up at night, then this is your best option. If Goldbond wears off through the day, you can sit in a bath for a few minutes to let pours open up again and then reapply.
Also, this allergy will get better through more sun exposure, but two things you should take note of. One: Your skin will begin to develop a tolerance to sunlight and reaction will go away after first outbreak if you tan consistently. If you are in the middle of an outbreak though, DO NOT TAN again until a few days after the itching stops. Through 6 years of this I have found that tanning again during an outbreak or too soon after just makes it worse. If you wait a few days you will itch a tiny bit again, but it will go away very quickly. Two: Outdoor exposure is different from a tanning bed...so lets say you are super tan from being outside and go to a tanning bed, you still might get a bad reaction (not horrible, but bad enough) so choose one or the other or both, but if you choose both make sure you get consistent exposure with both. Three: You don't have to be super tan to not be itchy, you just have to get tiny bits of exposure consistently. Go in a bed for 5-10 minutes every week or twice a week and that is enough. Cover your face to avoid wrinkles or damage to your eyes and it is very safe.
If anyone has any more question you can feel free to e-mail me at ktausz@yahoo.com. I know everything about this stupid allegy because I have lived it for 6 years. It sucks, I hate, I wish I could fix it, but I have found the best coping mechanisms for me that seem to work.
Hi! Im so pleased i found this website i was starting to get worried!Im 17 & Ive just started using the sunbed as im going to a wedding and ive been on about 3 times and i cant stop itching its my back and my stomach and its absolutely awful!! My back is itching as we speak! I dont no what to do
This page has been a life saver, let me tell ya. I'm currently 18, and I've tanned regularly before. I'm very light skinned, but I usually start tanning after a few sessions in a tanning bed, but this time I experienced the exact same symptons that all of you had. It was really worrying me because it's NEVER happened before. I was about to head to the ER because the itching has been so bad I haven't been able to sleep. I think I'll postpone that visit upon reading this and keep up with the ice pack routine. It seems to be the only thing working right now. Thanks, guys!
ktausz had some very good suggestions, but I would like to add to it. I have experienced this problem for the past 15 years, whenever I start using a tanning bed again. The itch can be caused from different things depending on the person. For me, and a lot of people, it is actually a heat rash. Basically the heat from the lamps causes you to sweat, but since you are in the tanning process, the melanin released by your cells causes your skin to thicken a bit so that sweat is not all being released. A few ways to help prevent this are 1) Take a shower before you go to the tanning salon. Use a lofta to remove any dead skin and open your pores. 2) A quality tanning lotion will mouisturize, which is good, but it will also increase melanin. You might want to skip the tanning lotion unil your fourth or fifth time. Also, start slow. If you get the heat rash, the next time you go, do it for less time. 3) After your tanning session, take another shower to cool your skin and remove any tanning lotion you used. 4) Apply a good moisturizing lotion to your skin after your shower. Also, try to only use soaps and lotions that are unscented. I hear a good soap to use is Dove. If you do get the itch, try to take a few cool showers a day. You can use your lofta, but very very gently. Aboslutly do not take a hot shower. It will feel good while in the shower, but you will be in agony after. The heat will aggrivate the itch. Also, I would not recommend that you "push through" it by tanning while you have the itch. That will only aggrivate it more. You should wait about two days after it goes away before you hit the bed again. I have heard it can take 1 to 5 sessions for this to stop happening. Also, DO NOT SCRATCH IT. I know it is very hard not to, but trust me, scratching it WILL make it worse. If it itches really bad, try a cold shower then an ice pack.
These steps will hopefully work, but you still might get it. If you do, hopefully it will not be as bad as it could have been.
There are also reports that the cleaning solution used by salons can cause reactions. This would only be on the surface of the bed you actually touch though. So if you are on your back in the bed, but the rash is also on your stomach, the cleaning solution did not cause it.
Also, if you are on acne medication, you might not want to use a tanning bed at all. It makes it easier to get the condition, and takes longer to get rid of it.
This itching after tanning problem kept me up ALL NIGHT LONG last night and it was miserable! I finally got some GoldBond cream this morning and it was AMAZING. It cools down your skin and I was barely itchy at all. I had to re-apply it halfway through the day, but it helped so much I feel like I should write the GoldBond people a thank you letter.
It could be atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis. For diagnosing atopic dermatitis, you may be able to find the cause by having a skin-prick test which tests a number of common causes of eczema by looking at the skins reaction. For contact you need to look at your daily routine and chemicals that you come into contact with often. you can find more information at http://www.nutrition4yourskin.co.uk/
It was so great to find this website and see evferyones replys. I am having the exact same problem right now and i could not sleep last night. I have been trying everything that i thought i should do, like taking hot showers, i put an anti itch cream all over my chest and a little on my back and nothing was working! I finally put the ice pack on and it takes some of the itch away for a short time. I also am starting to take benedryl and that helps to relieve the pain. Mine started up the third time i went and when i was at school and work i could not stop itching so i had to stay home today becacuse it got so much worse over night and i couldnt get any sleep. I just want to thank all of you who posted a reply again becuase you are helping me out so much!!!
There is no way i can stand the itching any more lol! I have to go tanning though. I bought a month memebership, so i can be tan by the time i go to Florida for spring break! I can't sleep at nite becasue i'm up 24/7 itching! I'm 17 and i feel so jelious of the other girls who can tan and feel no effects! I really hope it goes away! I am scrapeing at my stomich and lower back! Even my chest!
Oh my goodness, you guys do not know how much reading this all has helped! Like everyone else, I thought I was the only one who was getting EXTREMELY itchy from tanning, I started 2 weeks ago, had gone about 4 times when the itching started (started at 4min, increased to 7min).
I was super itchy on my upper abdomen, and breasts. I was putting aloe on, but it did NOT help my case. I took a few days off, let the itching go away (it did, fairly quickly) and went back, and lower minutes than the last time. Itched again, but not as bad, and only on my breasts. Took another couple days off, went today, and am itching again, just the chest. After I get off campus I am going to book it to the pharmacy to pick up some Gold Bond.
Luckily each time I go its itching less (but still SUPER itchy for the time it does). Thank god its supposed to go away!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: mod_kelly,
I am so happy that I found this site! I just started tanning 5 days ago and tonight I am itching like no other! I haven't been able to sleep for the past 3 hours its so bad. I was about to call the ER when I thought I might look online first. The only bad thing is that I am in college and I don't have my car here right now =( I want to go to the store to get some Benedryl so I can at least get to sleep. I'm either going to be dead tired in class tomorrow or I won't be able to go because the itching is so bad. At least I know its not something terrible that I need to go to the hospital for. I must say that I never plan on fake baking again! Thanks for the suggestions! One question:
I started tanning 5 days ago on a base bed. I went for 8 minutes, then 10 the follwoing day. I skipped a day and then went for ten yesterday and today. Do you think the itching will be gone by tomorrow if it started aroung midnight tonight?
I think it should yes. Mine has been lasting about 5 or 6 hours and then goes away.
I'm itching right now, but I'm just dealing with it. I took a couple benadryl this time so we'll see what that does. I tried Gold Bond, and that works wonders, but since it's almost bed time I figured I'd take benadryl so maybe I wont itch when I"m sleeping.
I'm really glad that I found this! Now, not only do I have a "cure", but a reasoning! Smartydress1 made the most sense to me..."I finally found the correct answer. The itching is caused by lack of melanin (SP) in the skin. Mainly the parts that have never been exposed to the UV rays. It usually starts to itch after the 3rd session. It is recommended to go every other day and raise your times as the itching decreases. This process allows the melanin in those areas to reach the same quantity as in the other areas of the skin. The itching feeling is actually caused by the over-stimulation of the nerve endings. The website also said that it is not harmful to the body, only a nuisance. The only way to stop the itching is 1) stop tanning or 2) keep pushing through the pain until the melanin is evened out." I start tanning mid-March, and the 3rd-6th time tanning, I would get this crazy itch on my stomach and back...mostly stomach, RIGHT under my chest. It would be really weird, too, because no matter WHAT time I tanned, it would start itching late at night, so I wouldn't be able to sleep. I have always just taken a lukewarm bath, the smothered on lotion and wrap myself tightly in a towel, then go back to bed. It works for maybe an hour, if that. I'm definitely going to try the goldbond, though!
