Spring is just around the corner, and it's buzzing through our veins. Unfortunately, as allergy sufferers spend more time outdoors, so do symptoms like itchy skin. That's why I'd like to share a short article today about the possible causes, peppered with a few tips.
Possible causes of skin itching
Allergies
Allergies are a common cause of itchy skin. Your immune system overreacts to otherwise harmless substances such as pollen, dust mites, or certain foods. This reaction can lead to symptoms such as itching, rashes, or even breathing difficulties. According to recent studies, almost one in three Germans suffers from allergies, and the number of affected individuals is steadily increasing.
Dry skin
Especially in the winter months or with frequent use of air conditioning, your skin can become dry. Dry skin tends to feel tight and itchy because it lacks the necessary moisture.
Skin diseases
Conditions such as psoriasis or eczema can cause intense itching. These chronic skin diseases often require specialized treatment and care.
Special features of atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, also known as neurodermatitis, is a chronic skin disease characterized by dry, inflamed, and itchy patches of skin. The causes are varied and include genetic factors, a compromised skin barrier, and an overreaction of the immune system. Stress can further exacerbate symptoms. An international observational study has shown that 71.4% of neurodermatitis patients suffer from itching on at least three days a week, which significantly impacts their daily lives.
Current treatment options
Traditionally, atopic dermatitis was treated with cortisone preparations. Today, more modern, targeted therapies are available; your family doctor or dermatologist will be happy to advise you on these.current study by the Medical University of Viennahas also shown that bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, could serve as a new treatment option for atopic dermatitis. These phages could help balance the skin microbiome and thus alleviate symptoms. In any case , individually tailored skincare is always essential. Mild, moisturizing cleansing products protect the skin barrier during washing, while the right – preferably natural – care products rebuild it and keep the skin intact. Learn more on our website about how our KAMI skincare products work.
Practical tips for everyday life
Skin care:Regularly use products that keep your skin supple. There are some products that are free of fragrances, mineral oils, etc. But only KAMI skincare contains marmot oil with natural corticosteroids and synergistic plant oils. It soothes the skin while helping it build a healthy barrier.
Allergen control:Identify possible allergens in your environment and try to minimize contact. This can be achieved, for example, by using hypoallergenic bedding or air purifiers.
Stress management:Since stress can worsen skin problems, incorporate relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation into your daily routine.
Clothing:Wear breathable, loose clothing made from natural materials such as cotton to avoid skin irritation.
Nutrition:A balanced diet and avoiding processed foods can have a positive effect on your skin health. If you have known food allergies, you should avoid them consistently. Speak to a nutritionist who specializes in atopic dermatitis; they have experience with this skin problem.
If the itching persists or worsens, it's advisable to consult a doctor or dermatologist to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment. Hopefully, you can enjoy spring to the fullest! All the best. Your Kerstin
Was tun bei Neurodermitis – besonders bei Kindern? Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck, Ärztin und KAMI-Gründerin, hat das Osmose Basenbad entwickelt, das die Hautbarriere schon beim Baden stärkt und Juckreiz lindert. Jetzt im Crowdfunding: Früh unterstützen und beim Package-Deal richtig sparen.
Stress ist einer der häufigsten Auslöser für Neurodermitis-Schübe – bei Kindern wie bei Erwachsenen. Dr. med. Kerstin Schallaböck, Ärztin und vierfache Mama, erklärt, wie chronisch erhöhtes Cortisol die Hautbarriere schwächt, warum Mütter besonders gefährdet sind – und welche einfachen Rituale den Unterschied machen können.
Men care for their skin – but often with products not designed for them. Because men's skin is different from women's: it's thicker, produces more sebum, is regularly exposed to razors, and reacts to exercise, cold, and stress with irritations that many simply put up with.
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck, general practitioner, skin expert, and founder of KAMI skincare, explains in our interview what men's skin truly needs, why dry skin is more than a minor issue, and the role of conditions like neurodermatitis in men.
Why men's skin needs its own care and what distinguishes it from women's skin
Kerstin, many men think: skin is skin. So why a separate skincare routine for men's skin?
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck: Skin is definitely not just skin. Men's skin is, on average, about 25% thicker than women's skin, produces significantly more sebum, and has a higher collagen density. This initially sounds like an advantage – but the flip side is: men's skin is exposed to greater stress daily. Shaving is the most obvious example: every shave is a kind of mini-trauma for the skin barrier. Even with a good razor, microscopic injuries occur, through which irritants can more easily penetrate.
In addition: men sweat more during physical exertion, are often outdoors longer – sun, cold, wind – and frequently use products for care that cleanse too aggressively or do not replenish enough lipids. The result: irritated, dry skin, feelings of tightness, redness. This is often ignored or dismissed as normal. Yet, it's a clear signal that the skin needs support.
Shaving, Redness, Problem Skin: When the Skin Screams After Shaving
What exactly happens to the skin during shaving and how can problem skin be soothed after shaving?
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck: The blade not only removes hair, it also scrapes off the uppermost protective layer of the skin. This temporarily weakens the skin barrier and makes it susceptible to redness, burning, and ingrown hairs. For men with already sensitive skin or problem skin prone to irritation, this can quickly become a vicious cycle.
The KAMI SOS Skincare Oil is my clear favorite here as an after-shave care: It absorbs quickly, leaves no greasy feeling, immediately soothes redness, and sustainably strengthens the skin barrier. The plant oils contained, such as grapeseed oil or plum kernel oil, have anti-inflammatory and regenerating effects without clogging pores. For particularly dry or rough skin areas, I also recommend the KAMI SOS Balm.
Dry Skin After Exercise or Showering – and What Conventional Shower Gels Have to Do With It
Many men shower multiple times daily due to sports. What does this do to the skin?
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck: Frequent showering in itself is not a problem – if done correctly. The main issue is aggressive surfactants in conventional shower gels and soaps that imbalance the skin's pH. The skin's natural pH is around 5.5, meaning it's slightly acidic. Many cleansing products are significantly more alkaline and thus destroy the so-called acid mantle, which protects the skin from external irritants.
Many know the result: skin that feels tight, itchy, or dry and rough after showering. Especially for men who exercise daily and shower multiple times, this effect accumulates. That's why we developed the KAMI Cleansing Fluid: an oil-shower that is pH-skin-neutral and simultaneously replenishes lipids during washing. It forms a gentle cleansing emulsion with water – the skin is cleansed but not dried out. For those who don't have time to apply elaborate creams after showering, the care happens almost incidentally here.
The cleansing fluid is also suitable as an alternative to hand soap. It cares for dry, reddened hands with calluses or inflammation.
Itchy Scalp: The Men's Problem Hardly Anyone Talks About
Itchy or flaky scalp – one of the KAMI products is also very well suited for this. How common is this problem among men?
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck: Very common and very underestimated. Men often wear hats or helmets, sweat under head coverings, and frequently use shampoos that cleanse too strongly. Dry, itchy, or flaky scalp is the logical consequence, because the scalp is no different from the rest of the body – it needs moisture and care just as much.
The KAMI 2-Phase Care Spray has proven particularly effective here: It combines a moisturizing organic aloe vera phase with a nourishing oil phase – without emulsifiers, but with the genuine power of both phases. Application is incredibly simple: shake, apply directly to the scalp, leave on for at least 10–15 minutes, then wash as usual. Many men report significant improvement after just a few applications – even those who had tried all medical shampoos before.
Neurodermatitis in Men: When Dry Skin Is More Than a Comfort Problem
KAMI skincare was originally developed for your son with neurodermatitis. How relevant is the condition in men?
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck: Neurodermatitis, medically atopic dermatitis, affects one in eight children and one in twenty adults. In men, the typical daily routine such as shaving, sports, and fluctuating temperatures further burdens them, regularly triggering existing neurodermatitis symptoms. Many sufferers don't even realize that their chronically dry, itchy, or reddened skin is neurodermatitis, because they dismiss the symptoms as a normal "men's skin problem."
What happens in the skin with neurodermatitis – and why isn't cortisone alone enough?
What is behind the disease and why is conventional therapy often not sufficient?
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck: The core problem with neurodermatitis is a disturbed skin barrier. The skin cannot properly retain moisture and is simultaneously much more permeable to irritants, allergens, and bacteria. This triggers inflammatory reactions – and the typical cycle of itching, scratching, soreness, and renewed inflammation begins.
Cortisone fights inflammation – that is important and right in acute phases. But it does not repair the skin barrier itself. That is precisely my approach with KAMI: products that strengthen the skin barrier from the ground up, supply the skin with the right fatty acids and active ingredients, and thus reduce the frequency of flare-ups in the long term. As a supplement to medical therapy.
An important factor often overlooked in men: stress is one of the strongest triggers for neurodermatitis flare-ups. The stress hormone cortisol exacerbates inflammatory processes and, on top of that, weakens the skin barrier. Therefore, the essential oils in our products – lavender oil and blue tansy – are no coincidence: they act on the nervous system through the sense of smell, calm it, and thus also interrupt this stress cycle.
When should men with suspected neurodermatitis see a doctor?
When is dry, itchy skin more than just everyday discomfort – and when does it require medical clarification?
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck: If the skin is chronically dry and itchy, symptoms accumulate in specific body regions such as elbows, backs of knees, neck, or face, and do not respond to conventional care products – then it should be investigated. And if signs of infection appear: yellowish crusts, severe redness with warmth, or even fever, then please see a doctor immediately. These are signs of a bacterial superinfection that requires medical treatment.
KAMI skincare for men: Which product helps with which skin problem?
Please give us a brief overview: What do you recommend for men with which skin problem?
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck: Gladly:
• After shaving, for redness and irritation: KAMI SOS Skincare Oil. Absorbs quickly, soothes immediately, no greasy feeling.
• For very dry skin, chapped hands or problem areas such as elbows and knees: KAMI SOS Balm. Rich, nourishing, with shea butter.
• For itchy, flaky, or irritated scalp: KAMI 2-Phase Care Spray. Shake, spray, let sit, wash.
• As daily cleansing for dry or sensitive skin, also with neurodermatitis: KAMI Cleansing Fluid. pH-neutral, lipid-replenishing, no aggressive surfactants.
• For neurodermatitis flare-ups: Combination of SOS Oil (immediately after showering on still damp skin or in bathwater) and SOS Balm for particularly dry areas. As a supplement to medical therapy.
Kerstin, thank you for the interview!
Dr. Kerstin Schallaböck: You're welcome! I believe many men suffer more silently than necessary – be it with dry skin after exercise, irritations after shaving, or chronic skin problems like neurodermatitis. Yet, there are natural, effective solutions that are chemical-free. Feel good in your skin!
