Itch Relief... | BigPinkCookie

I just came across this blog. I don’t have the problem you describe but I see such a pattern here and some things crossed my mind. The sun exposure trigger is one and many of you have mentioned having fair complexions. Also stress. How many of you have experienced severe sunburns (third degree burns) or have sun damaged skin? Ask your doctors if your symptoms might be related to nerve damage from severe skin injuries from sun exposure. It’s only an idea but the kind of intense itching you describe reminds me of the itching my sister suffered while recovering from third degree burns. Her burns were acid burns so I don’t know if that makes a difference but I spent many hours calming her literally raw nerves with ice cubes and rubbing her skin calming lotions into her skin. Once you sustain severe skin injuries from exposure to sun you are forever after vulnerable to sun exposure. Has anyone tried sun burn treatments for their itching? Just an idea. I hope one of you follows up on this and finds something useful in what I have added. I hate to think of you all suffering like this and not getting adequate help through conventional means.

Another comment about the left arm itching more. My left arm is always darker than my right arm because it gats exposed more to the sun while driving.

Strange beast. I wore a shirt in the pool and can’t figure out why I have all the same symptoms too.

I’ll try all your solutions. So far ICE helps. I had a similar reaction when 6 months ago the MD said my foot problem was gout and prescribe Naproxen/Naprocin. My foot pain left but boy I started to itch all over. Each time I scratched my skin would rise and amplify the area scratched.

The MD then prescribed a steroid. It has been 6 months now since the medication but my itching episodes look and feel the same as the bad reaction to Naprocin.

Sweat, sun, clothing, dry heat, humidity all can set off my itching.

So far..Gold bond powder helps.

God bless.

Thank god for Ice!!!! I just now used it after reading the site and it worked ( for a few minutes I did have some of the cryo derm chiro practic spray and tried that ( it is bassically icy hot) I think that is just giving me a sensation over the entire arm and taking my mind off the itch either way working for now, I have been dealing with this itch for a few months now and it is always worse at night. Could it be a mite or something, My neck used to get a lot of sun in the summer and it would itch bad, but never my arms. It will wake me up at night

What really irritates me about this whole thing is I maintain our yard and pool here as well in Florida. My problem is I make it a point every day without fail that I put on 45 or 50 sun protection. Within a few minutes I am itching like crazy from it. But there is no way I am going to take chances not putting it on along with a long sleeve shirt. I do believe the sun is one of the main factors behind the itch. Have tried different brands cream and lotion also sprays. Is there a sun product that someone out there uses that doesn’t react to their arms this way? Would appreciate any help.

Ida:
Everything I read and am told by one of my Dr.s is that the suncreen doesn’t help with BRP. The long sleeves are probably just as good as anything.
Diane

Hi from Australia,

Has antyone come with up any thing else for this “thing” we all seem to have. My gp told me it was a rare disease until I told her of this website. Anyway its still winter here in OZ and I’m still scratching. At least I know its not in my mind.

Cheers.

Kim – Sydney Australia

Hi Susan – #843.

Thanks for the info re “Ice”. Will check it out pharmacy today. As for Neurontin, my husband takes it for his back so I’m going to give it a go ( at least I don’t have to pay for another script)and see what happens.

I’ve stocked up on reuseable icepacks I now have 12!!

Cheers.

oh my god! thank you everyone what synchronicity runs through each & every insight i’ve got a lot more work to do & feel that everyone has their own truth but check out the spinal section of louise hays you can heal your body (excellent book to have in your library, bible text) amazingly i can feel immediate relief from stretching my neck with gentle range of motion thank you again everyone & god bless you cathy

It’s 1:50am and once again I am in such misery from the itching and burning on my left arm. I happened upon this website a few weeks ago and since then have been trying to get more answers. I have suffered from “itchy left arm” off and on for at least 10 yrs. It began in Wisconsin in Jan/Feb, got a little worse in Nova Scotia, and now I live in Georgia and it never seems to go away. I am a 50 yr old redhead. I have some things in common with many of you. I do have sun damage to my skin and have had a few cancers removed, but my dermatologist tells me the itch is not dermatological. I also have gluten and lactose intolerance and have been on a very restrictive diet for 2 yrs. I have thyroid disease as well. Yea for me! I go tomorrow to get results of a spinal MRI with my chiro and physiatrist. I am hoping for some answers, both to my chronic back pain and the incessant itching, although I guess I will have to wait for the cervical MRI for the itching problem. By the way, my itching is now year round and it is a rare treat when I don’t have to whimper myself to sleep at night. I have tried the ice and the BioFreeze and get a little relief–on a good night, it lasts long enough for me to fall asleep. Most nights, I am just miserable and feel dreadfully sorry for myself. Just wanted to share my story. If I find any answers, I’ll be sure to tell all.

hi all. last entry was on July 11,06. i was trying 3 different things.i have been almost totally itch free for almost a year now.the key that i have found is the cervical neck pillow that i have to sleep on each night. i am a side sleeper so this took a little adjusting but i know it works because i went out of town and forgot to take my pillow with me, two days later the itch was back with a vengence. i got home and after two nights of sleeping on my pillow the itch is gone. i still feel a twinge every now and then but at least i’m sleeping!! hope this helps someone.

Hi all,
just found this board. I’ve been suffering with this for seven years. I am a sun worshipper and I also have back/neck problems so it’s hard to say where the itching originates from. My chiro thinks its from my neck.
I am blond hair/blue eyed.
Something interesting that I’ve noticed recently… I suffer from anxiety disorder. I also have adrenal exhaustion. The adrenaline that flows through my body does so at times that it shouldn’t. That’s why it’s a disorder.
I notice that whenever I get aggravated my adrenal starts to flow and then I start to itch! Possible connection? Does anyone here have an anxiety problem or adrenal problem?

I have been looking everywhere to solve this uncontollable itching on my lower arms below the elbows. What I have found is that it could be nerve damage,adrenal, shingles, pituatary, diabetes, kidney failure and on and on. I have had shingles and iniatilly thought this is what it was but shingles only occur on one side of the body and my itches on both arms not just the shingles arm. I did have elevated levels of prolactin and was on Parlodel for six years, could be my pituatary and adrenals. I have always had these weird symptoms, hives, swollen lips and eyes, never my tongue. They come and go for years at a time. I cannot find anything that I am eating or doing differently to trigger the reactions. I notice that the hives do start when I start having chest pains that are suppose to be diverticulitis in my esophogus. Again its been years since I had hives and chest pain but they started again in the last couple of nights a few days after the itchy arms. Two things I am working on since docs can’t figure anything out and nothing but ice makes the itch stop. Yeast overgrowth and insulin resistance. I didn’t see that mentioned here. Yeast overgrowth can make you itch in a lot of odd spots. I am taking a supplement that is supposed to be better than the expensive antifungals the docs use, will keep you posted.Last episode I tried antifungal cream and the itch stopped but maybe it was just that mysterious time to stop. This time it doesn’t seem to be doing much good. I did binge on sugar prior to this episode so it could be I fed the yeast and I have a sugar problem. I am checking that out next week. By the way there is a simple test for yeast overgrowth you can do at home. Spit into a glass of water first thing in the morning before putting anything in your mouth. If the spit is cloudy in the water or forms legs then you have a yeast overgrowth. If is clear you do not. My husband was clean and I was cloudy and leggy. Anyway, read up on yeast overgrowth and also shingles to see if it fits your itch. Well just wanted to share. If anyone has my other symptoms as well like the chest pain and hives that come and go for years at a time please let me know. By the way, I am not a nut, did go to the obligatory shrink to see if all this was psychological, he did get rid of panic attacks. I take nortriptyline which is also a histimine inhibitor. It seems to have helped the hives also. By the way first drug he tried was Paxil and I found out I was allergic to that, it caused hives. Any way he doesn’t think it is psychological. He thought I had an over active adrenal gland. He was a pathologist before he was a shrink so maybe he knows what he talking about. Well I am rambling. Glad to know I am not alone. Let me know if you have similar symptoms and you have found an answer.

I AM SO DEPRESSED ABOUT THIS CONDITION THAT I HAVE HAD FOR 5 YEARS. IT IS RUINING MY WHOLE LIFE, I AM IN TEARS AS I WRITE. I USE ICE, COULD NEVER GIVE THAT BUT GOT A MILD CASE OF FROSTBITE FROM PUTTING IT DIRECTLY AGAINST THE SKIN. GLAD I CAUGHT IT EARLY, I ALWAYS USE A COVERING NOW EVEN THOUGH IT TAKES A LITTLE LONGER FOR THE ICE TO WORK.I HAVE TRIED NOT TO SCRATCH BUT THEN THE STINGING STARTS SO I HAVE TO USE ICE. I DID FIND A CREAM CALLED FREEDERM THAT SOMETIMES TAKES THE EDGE OFF OF THE ITCH. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN WEBSITE. I TRIED THE ZOSTRIX BUT ONLY ONE DAY BECAUSE IT BURNED SO BAD. I USE A MENTHOL AND CAMPHOR SPRAY WHICH HELPS TEMPORARILY. I WILL BE GOING TO A NEUROLOGIST TO TRY OUT THE NEURONTIN OR THE ELAVIL. WHEN I THINK OF LIVING WITH THIS THE REST OF MY LIFE, IT IS JUST TOO DEPRESSING. I ADMIRE ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN TAKING THE TIME TO SUPPLY US WITH ALL THIS INFORMATION. I ALSO WANTED TO TRY THE THALIMIDE AFTER I READ THE STUDIES THAT WERE DONE BUT IT DOESN’T APPEAR THAT WORKED FOR TB. SORRY ABOUT THAT. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE.

Does anyone think it can be harmone related? As far as I can tell most posts are from females in the 40+ range.

Hi everyone. I last posted in March, 2007. Have been trying the Doxepin, but is very sedating (OK @ night) and the Lyrica @ night and, if necessary (which it is) in the am. I believe my doses are too small as I am still living on Prednisone just ot get thru the day.

I am not yet sure if the Lyrica does anything and what the Lyrica/Doxepin relationship is. I seem to be the one to figure this out as my DR doesn’t play connect the dots with the drugs.

I would be very interested in other’s dosages and protocals with their drugs. I also put on topical doxepin, the Cortaid spray (cold, stinging, temporary relief only).

This condition sucks, period. All the drugs have side effects that are unacceptable. And relationship threatening–libido and esp. steriods that make you nasty.

Does anybody know of anything new on the horizon??? Who wants to live this way???

I am curious; What are you all doing about this situation with your partners? Mine cannot comprehend it and thinks I’m a nut case. Does anyone have a situation with a spouse that understands, and if so, how did you get there?

I will try to post more after more Lyrica and Doxepin trials.

well, it’s back (i think). had an episode last week…felt like the same thing — it’s like your whole body becomes this super sensitive tingly mess and ANYTHING that touches it makes the itch occur. my dr. had prescribed ZYRTEC-D for a non-related allergy/cold issue, and i took one of those, used ice, and lay down in bed. about an hour later it had def. gotten better. now in the am i take ZYRTEC D just in case it’s had any any effect in sort of keeping more episodes at bay…hoping it does. i am only just 30, by the way, and have had this since i was 20, so i doubt it’s related to hormones, but you never know…it shouldn’t be hard for most of you to get an rx for ZYRTEC D, if you want to try it…as far as significant other dealing with it…i’m sure it’s not easy. he can’t touch me sometimes at all for long periods of time, sometimes thinks it’s an “excuse” lol I WISH!!

well, it’s back (i think). had an episode last week…felt like the same thing — it’s like your whole body becomes this super sensitive tingly mess and ANYTHING that touches it makes the itch occur. my dr. had prescribed ZYRTEC-D for a non-related allergy/cold issue, and i took one of those, used ice, and lay down in bed. about an hour later it had def. gotten better. now in the am i take ZYRTEC D just in case it’s had any any effect in sort of keeping more episodes at bay…hoping it does. i am only just 30, by the way, and have had this since i was 20, so i doubt it’s related to hormones, but you never know…it shouldn’t be hard for most of you to get an rx for ZYRTEC D, if you want to try it…as far as significant other dealing with it…i’m sure it’s not easy. he can’t touch me sometimes at all for long periods of time, sometimes thinks it’s an “excuse” lol I WISH!! i think once he saw how upset the itching made me in general, how many times it affected random moments in the day, saw that every night i was up until all hours and every morning i was passed out (finally) with ice packs strewn about, he kind of got that this is a serious medical condition and that i of all people woudl do anything to be rid of it forever!

Forgot one thing last night. How many others of you all have been prescribed prednisone (steriods)?? These are strong nasty drugs and seem to be the DR’s last effort–ie nothing else new…

Robin

Neuronton 300mg twice a day. Took the itch away for me, but like I said in previous comments on this board, one side effect is your libido gets affected. If you don’t have a partner or you have an understanding partner then try it but you have to be on it for at least 2 weeks for it to work. Good luck :}

Susan

I’ts been a while since I have posted anything on this thread. Some of you may remember that I went to the doctor and told him of this thread he was very interested and asked to keep the information that I had written down. He sent me for Xrays which showed something in c5 and the curve in my neck is too straight, probably from trying to over compensate for an earier pain or injury.
I was refered to a physiotherapist in the GP practice who works in a less conventional approach. On the day of my appointment with him I was itching in my usual place at the top of my right arm and also had the sharp edged itched in my right forarm above my wrist area (these have always been the only prominant areas of itch for me) He told me that this would be in keeping with the xray results as these nerves are directly linked. He worked on my neck which he had hanging over the end of the treatment bed, pulled it one way then the other. Twisting to the side and then back to the front. When I left both itches were gone. He gave me a sheet of exercises to help get the curve in my neck back. He said that I seem to twist to the right.

I think for me this is definatly a nerve thing. Im an embroiderer I work on tiny pieces of miniature art and have spent a lot of hours looking down at my work, this could be the cause of the over straightend neck curve (im sorry i dont remember the proper name for it) I also get back ache along the top of my shoulder blade areas.
I have now bought a floor standing frame for my work now it is helping me to keep the work at a higher height and hopefully will help me to correct the problem with my neck.
I have a day now and again where the itch comes back but not constantly like it used to fingers crossed it will only improve.

I also would like to point out that way back last year there was discussion on the ‘seasonal issue’ I still believe that this is related to temperature but more importantly what we do in the different seasons and especially in the colder weather. I dont like the cold and will huddle up on the sofa with a blanket, I sew more in the colder months and I hunch up and shiver more to keep warm, I have poor circulation Im sure all of this has an effect on the spine and neck posture.

*I still find Vapour rub helps with the itch when it comes and I also find the circular arm exercises that someone on here suggested are great for reducing it on onset.
I hope this has been of help to some.
Yvonne

Robin:
Sorry to hear that you are one of the chosen ones who has this horrible affliction.
I often wondered, but was so miserable I didn’t care, what my male friend must have thought about my misery. I was always whining and complaining awake and in the shower with cold water at 2,3 or 4 AM. He knew I had a real problem because when it would disturb my sleep, it would disturb him. He felt sorry for me, but was at a loss at what to do.
He works on the computer a lot at night and when he would hear me yell for him, at what ever time it would be, he would come running with the ice packs.
I lived with this misery at its worst for approx. 6 years. I ran the gamit with Dr.’s, drugs etc., but it has gotten 90% better since I never get in the sun at all anymore. I believe it is a nerve thing and is triggered by different things. I do have neck and back problems, but I also was a sun worshiper and I have seen a lot of articles that say damage to the nerves can be exacerbated by the sun.
Whatever, I still have episodes, but nothing like before.
And yes, the drugs play heck with the libido.
Good luck everyone, you need it.
Diane

I am from Texas and have been experiencing this itchy arm syndrome for 3 years. I think it’s related to sun exposure and at night, I fall asleep but wake around 2 or 3 AM to the tingling itchy upper arms and sometimes lower arms. I thought it was due to night sweats. This evening, it has been my elbow!! I’ve tried everything over the counter but after reading the posts, decided to try menthol (Vicks) and it seems to be working. As soon as I am up and about, it seems to lessen. This is frustrating.

If you put the Vicks Cream in the refrigerator it feels even better when you put it on. Also Noxzema because of the camphor and menthol also refrigerated and then used is great.

I have been a chiropractor since 1984. I have seen 1 patient in my office whose chief complaint was brachial puritis. Upon completion of a fairly extensive orthopedic/neurological. Manipulative therapy was carried out on his lower cevical spine. This treatment was repeated several times in the following week to 10 days. The patient reported increased active range of motion, remission of neck pain and headache. The patient also reported no improvment or relief from the puritis in both forearms. I referred him to his medical doctor accompanied with my finding and tratment notes. His physician recommended he take the anti-depressant ZOLOFT. I am not sure of the dosage,but after several days his puritis remissed and has not returned to this point which has been about 2 1/2 years.
I myself have suffered from this disorder off and on for many years. after being treated numerous times in the lower cervical by my associates i went and saw a good friend who is a dermatologist. she put me on a combination hydroxazine and B6. it worked really well.My symptoms were gone in 2-3 days. Now when I feel the itching{mostly right forearm} starting to return I go back on the hydroxazine and B6 and my symptoms are gone in 2-3 days again.

Just as an idea – a friend told me that Noni Juice helps with lots of things, boosting your immune system and some kinds of fungus and itching. So I went to WalMart and got some capsules and wanted to get some ICE, but the cheapstake in me kicked in so I got some Blu Goo – with Emu oil…..it worked….immediately..I mean on the spot. Every time I have started to itch I have spread it on and it has gone away. As a disclaimer, I am also doing Dr Naturas colonix and toxinout cleanse with good results so that could be a contributing factor to not only my itching, but also to my quick response.
I know that different things have worked for different people, but I wanted to throw this treatment into the ring and maybe it will help someone else.

I also suffer from itchy arm synrome. What a relief to discover this web site today and to find out that I am not the only one with this condition. Now I can refer to this site when doctors look at me like I’m crazy. Mentally, what a relief to know that I am not alone.

I believe sun damage is part of the problem but didn’t suffer with the itch until I started gardening with daylilies.

Condition begins in and around July through the first frost. I feel my problem centers around daylilies and perhaps other flowers.

Hello again. Well I have discovered a few things since my last post. I rubbed tea tree oil on my arms three or four times over a two day period and it hasn’t itched since. It stinks but it is the only relief I have been able to find. It was so bad I was digging my fingernails into my arm thinking that pain had to be better than itching. I also did a lot of research on Splenda. I was ingesting quite a bit of this so called safe sweeterner. It can cause the itch if you are using a lot of it. Not just in your coffee but everything you eat that has sucralose as an ingredient is also the same as Splenda. Ninety Eight percent of Splenda is a sugar by product but what they don’t tell you is that the other 2 per cent is arsenic, chlorine and a whole bunch of other very bad stuff. I had a heavy metals test and had arsenic in my system. I haven’t had a hive, an itch or a chest pain since I cut all sucralose and or Splenda out of my diet. Aspartame will do the same thing so stay away from artificial sweetners for a while and see if it helps.
Well hope this gives everyone something else to try. I also confirmed that I have a systemic yeast overgrowth which is probably why the tea tree oil worked.

This is (only) my second time with this intense itchy arm thing. The last time was in October. My dermatologist ahs tried me on different creams/lotions/bath aids to no avail. I was told it has to do with some spinal injury. She had me get an x-ray, and other than age related changes (I’m 47), all else looks good. I’m not an avid “sun worshipper”. Where does this come from?? My arms feel like alligator skin with bumps. What is the chiropractic success rate??

I take hydroxyzine when the itching gets bad. It’s inexpensive and works every time. The doctor gave it to me the first time when I had shingles on my leg. I was desperate and tried it for this itching on my arms. It works!

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!! ITS NOT ALL IN MY HEAD!!!!!! I AM SO GLAD I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. I DON’T WANT TO GO TO MY DR. BECAUSE HE MAY SAY IS PSYCHOSYMATIC. AND I DON’T WANT TO WASTE MONEY TRYING EVERY MEDICINE ON EARTH. I THINK IT IS THIS BRACHIAL RADIAL PRURITIS. I’M GOING TO TRY CAPYSIN, IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE -ICE IS THE ONLY THING THAT REALLY HELPS. I HAVE A HERNIATED DISC (2) IN MY NECK, NOT SURE WHICH ONES and ARTHRITIS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN THE TANNING BEDS THIS SUMMER. I’M NO DOCTOR, BUT I THINK IT IS A COMBINATION OF THE TWO. THE NERVES IN THE NECK CONTROL THE NERVES IN THE ARM AND IT COULD ALL BE RELATED. I HAVE READ THAT A HERNIATED DISC CAN CAUSE A BLOOD FLOW PROBLEM TO THE ARMS, AND THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN HOW I HAD TENNIS ELBOW LAST SPRING, WHEN I HAVEN’T DONE PHYSICALLY TO CAUSE THIS.MANY MORNING I WAKE WITH MY ARMS AND HANDS ASLEEP DUE TO THE HERNIATED DISC. I ALREADY TAKE AN ANTIDEPPRESSANT (CYMBALTA AND WELLBUTRIN) AS WELL AS XANAX for depression and anxiety. I AM ALSO IN MY EARLY 40’s (PRE-MENOPAUSE??) MAYBE I SHOULD TRY A CHIROPRACTOR. I’VE TRIED EVERY OTC REMEDY AVAILABLE. IS THERE ANY NEW INFORMATION ON THIS??

Like many of you I have suffered from itchy upper arms, no rash during the warmer months. This sounds crazy but, this summer I started scrubbing exfoliants on my arms. The grittier the better. This has helped me tremendously. If anyone tries this, please post a comment as to the results.

Just an update since my last post to let every one know what’s going on. I have not itched since I stopped all artificial sweetners. I have done nothing about my supposed yeast overgrowth. Just stopped the massive amounts of Splenda. Seems I may have a couple of things going on. I am going to say it was the Splenda doing this to me, because the itcing stopped immediately. My body just could not handle all these toxins. There is another piece of the puzzle since my last post also. I have had periodic hives and chest pains over some 20 years. Turns out that my sister had the chest pains and my sister in law was told she was everything but crazy because she had the itching and chest pains also. Both of them had gall stones and once they removed the gall bladder then all was fine and never another itch for five years for both. I think that there is something wrong with my gall bladder because this can cause, itching and hives and the chest pains. All of the Splenda I was ingesting was probably aggravating all these problems. It’s all about good digestion. Well my next step is to have an ultrasound to see if there is something wrong with my gall bladder. Please post if you are also having any other weird symptoms with your arm itching, like occasional hives or weird chest pains either in the center of your chest or to the right under your ribs. I would also like to know if anyone uses a lot of artificial sweetners and if any of you have any digestive problems. As for the back problems that a lot of us seem to have. I dated a chiropracter for 2 years and was getting adjustments on a regular basis, daily really. I never had this arm itch when I was dating him. I don’t have a ruptured disc but do have some deterioration in my neck and a birth defect, fifth lumbar vertebrae is not completely formed, spondylolisthesis. Well please let me know if any one is having the other symptoms. Thanks, Sue

Hello all, I wanted to wait until I had 6-8 Accupuncture treatments to see if Accupuncture works for this horrible affliction and I am pleased to say that, for now, I am cured!! today was my 8th treatment. In the last 2 months I have only had to ice my arms 4-5 times, compared to 3-4 times a day before accupuncture. I have thee best accupuncturist, Dr. Jun Wei, she is Chinese and is so knowledgeable in her field. I was on Gabapentin (Neurontin) last summer and that helped as well, but I didn’t like the side effects. If you do try accupuncture, you have to give it a fair shake as well as making sure you get a very qualified accupuncturist. She is very committed to helping me. Try it out.

Hi…not been here in a long time. The Splenda theory is interesting, as I stopped ingesting aspartame (nutrasweet) and switched to splenda sometime before my itchies started…I don’t really think that’s the issue though.

I’ve had xrays and MRIs done. Xrays show slight curves in numerous places in my spine. MRI showed NOTHING! So, I went to a NAPRAPATH…which is a chiropractor PLUS…he can feel where the ligaments are all bunched and/or streched…RIGHT in the area where this stems from…I’ve been going for a few weeks, and I tell you…it’s been BETTER! Naprapaths are only LICENSED in Illinois and New Mexico, but surely there are others outside of these states…

About the chest pains. Look into costo-condritis, either a “c” or a “k”. There is a bit on the internet about it. It is an inflammation of the breast bone and is scary the pain is strong and can also spread up the neck. It seems to be exacerbated by stress and a simplepain-killer as soon as you get it will ease it away. It is nothing to do with your heart. Once I knew what it was, I got it a lot less. Friends have been hospitalised for suspected heart attacks with this but, for some reason, doctors don’t think about it. A very nice specialist relieved my concerns.

this is truly a miracle cure for brachial radial pruritis
it’s a lidoderm patch
they are specifically made to relieve nerve pain
i thought i had possible scabies, the itch was so bad
i went to my dermatologist who knew immediately what it was & after using the patch nightly for 2 weeks it’s totally gone
i’ve been a nurse for 30 years & never heard of this except
i remember my mom had the same problem over 20 years ago around menopausal time also i think the sun exacerbates it
whatever the lidoderm patch is truly the cure

Hello again everyone! About the chest pains. They are the worse pain you could possibly imagine except for shingles pain which I have had. It is scary because it does resemble heart attack pain. This is the way that gall bladder pain is described. The stone gets stuck and that’s what causes the pain. Believe it or not I have had it on and off for 23 years with the itching, mostly hives and early on lips, eyes and ears would swell. Scars me to death because I keep thinking it will only take one time for this to happen in my airway. Benedryl does work on this itch and makes the hives go away. It does nothing for the arm itch however so it is probably two different things. I am so sick of doctors saying, it’s stress. I am probably the happiest person on the planet. Have a great life and feel no stress. Nothing to stress about. My children, grandchildren are ok, have a unbelievable great husband who is the love of my life and on and on about things that I am blessed with. No stress at all in my life. I am so lucky. My biggest stress is when I transplant a plant in my a garden! The reason I am writing is that 23 years ago, a doctor, no longer living now, asked me if the pain subsided when I took a drink of water. It does. Because I am 54 and at risk of heart attack this is how I check to make sure this is “the same old pain” and not a heart attack which also terrifies me. How will I tell if it is the same pain or a heart attack as they are so similar. When I take a drink it always goes away so I rest a little thinking its not a heart attack. 23 years of doctors and I am still trying to figure out what is going on with this itching. Thank you all for being here and letting me know I am not nuts and this is not all in my head. Still no arm itching since I stopped artificial sweeteners. By the way I used to win every spelling bee and now I can’t spell worth a darn! Think its itch or menopause………LOL Thanks for listening, Sue

Sue, Very interesting about the artificial sweeteners. I’ve been using sweet & low for years. As of this moment I’m going to give it up and see what happens.
I’m also trying different antihistamines. The latest one I’m trying is Claritan but it’s not working cause I’m itching terribly right now. This is so upsetting and pretty embarrassing at times. I went out to lunch with a group of girls a few weeks ago and one of ths sores was itching and bleeding so bad that I had to ask the server for a bandaid and then another bandaid and finally I had to hold a glass of ice on it throughout the meal.I have a wedding to go to next month and I’m going with scarred up arms. I can’t wear a dress with sleeves because when the itching is at it’s worse I can’t have anything touching my arms.
I can’t imagine going through the rest of my life like this but then I guess many people have it worse. I’m glad I found I found this website and I hope everyone keeps each other updated.

I have just glanced over some of the postings about ITCHY ARMS. I to WAS an arm itcher!! After seeing many doctors,trying all sorts of drugs and creams, I found the most simple solution on my own. I realized I was ready to claw my skin off when I was at my vacation home. When I was back home the itching stopped. We installed a WATER SOFTENER and the itching was gone. About 4 years ago we moved to Hawaii from Arizona. I started itching again. I was told the water here was not hard. After 4 more years of the itching, near bleeding arms, I found a solution. The water. I ordered a shower water softener that installs right on the shower head and I am itch free once more. They are about $100 and you can order one on line at watersticks.com. I hope this will help fellow itchers. Good luck !!

As this problem has been diagnosed as having some arthritis connection as well as sun and heat, I started taking a low dose (400 mgs) of IBprofen which is an anti inflammatory over the counter drug, as soon as I felt any itch coming on….This is the first year in about 5 that I have found relief without a prescription drug. If I wake in the night I apply ice, and take the meds. After a bit, they take affect and I am back to sleep. You can take up to 800 mgs. three times per day if needed, but I prefer the lowest dose that I can get by with. It’s not magic, but it has helped. The key word here is anti inflammatory…I would be interested to hear if this is a comfort for others.

I eat advil and Aleve like M&M’s.
Not really, but I do take at least 4-6 advil everyday.
good suggestion though.
I’m really thinking this itching has something to do with the adrenaline or cortisol in my body. The other night my hubby came home from work late and I was sleeping. I awoke startled by the dog barking and within 20 seconds my arm was itching quite badly. There has to be a connection.
I “think” beta blocker drugs have something to do with blocking adrenaline in the body. I don’t like to take drugs like that but I’m getting desperate and I’ll try anything.

I have found that when my itching is at its worse I too take an Aleve Cold & Sinus Caplet. It works for 12 hours you only take 1. Here in Florida you now have to get it at the pharmacy dept. Used to be over the counter item. Works every time for me.

Like most I suffer from the same intense itching. My dermatologist has called it brachial radial pruritus. It comes and goes and currently I am batteling the itch. I woke up with a stiff neck the other day and went to a message therapist, whoes specialty is backs. He worked out the kinks in my back and I woke up the next morning with no itch at all. It was like magic

I have posted on the survey, and wonder when the results will be available. Really looking forward to seeing if there are any common threads..

my right arm on the topside has itched for about seven years. About 4 years ago I began taking Orap. It stopped itching in 24 hrs. It’s tourette’s yall. I can stop the Orap for a week or so and it begins itching. Now recently the Orap has become ineffective. I’m going to my Dr. next week to try a different med. I remain confident that my itchy arm is a tourette thing because it is in my family history to have tics.

sorry, but if its tics, why does it only happen certain times of the year, my understanding was that tics is an occurence that is a regular pattern not just periodically through out the year.
I too have suffered with this for serveral years and have been on this website for over a year. I usually get it from Aug to Nov, so far so good, but the difference, this time of year I have taken asa and a antihistame and so far it seems to be keeping it away.

I too have posted on the survey and never seen anymore of it. Sure would be nice to see what we all have in common

My arm started itching a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t read all of the entries, but feel both relieved and apprehensive about finding so many other people with similar sensations and thoughts- with no definitive solution.
My usual way of looking at physical problems is to try and find out what my body is trying to tell me via my symptoms. So I tried a Gesalt technique of being my arm and describing myself. As my arm I was intensly irritated, which is true of me too, although I hadn’t acknowledged it. The sources of my irritation are – my partner’s snoring which wakes me up, and my job, which is stressful and worries me at night. I used to be able to tolerate my partner’s snores by telling myself he is purring, but it just annoys me now (though I still like him a lot).
Still itching……………………………..

I am a 60 yr old & have an intense itch with no rash on my right upper outer forearm that started in August and is now (early Sept) growing. Getting over my long-duration fear of too much sun, I am now exposed to more sunlight, going without a shirt while working outside during the day. I try never to eat anything that exits a colorfully-printed cardboard box, and am on no meds. My neck bends back more sharply than normal over my rather stooped back, with a history of 6th cervical neuropathy (pain shooting down arm highly dependent on position) and have ‘going to sleep’ tingling in left arm, often aggravated by lifting heavy objects. I have found relief from the neuropathy by using a Chi Machine (google it) to loosen up the vertebra (I call it a chiropractor-in-a-box); if it gets much worse I will try a human one, (if s/he has an understanding of brachioradial pruritus, of course!) Will try the ice, too. Thanks to all who have posted here!h

By Christine

1,336 replies on “Itch Relief…”