I just posted this in my comments on the post below, but decided to make it a post too for anyone that might wonder or might have more information to share.
I had allergy testing done because every year I have sinus problems (to the point I’ve asked a doctor before if they could just cut them out) – and any time I end up congested from allergies, I then end up with a sinus infection – or this last time I ended up with tonsillitis. We know it is allergies because Claritin helps keep the congestion away. I’ve had swollen glands most of the fall & winter this year and my doctor suspected it is also due to allergies. Now that we have tested me and found out what my allergies are, they will mix up a special serum just for me and I will go in once a week for injections. (I think it is once a week – maybe once every two weeks?) This will help me build up immunities to my allergies – hopefully preventing the sinus infections and tonsillitis of my past.
My family doctor just gave me Claritin constantly to fight my allergies, without ever testing to see what they were. I went to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist for my tonsillitis though, and he is the one that recommended it (I’ve always wondered why no one did it in the past). Now that we know what we’re fighting, we can fight it better.
On a positive note, I called my doctor’s office this afternoon and she had me come in so they could check my itchy arms. They hooked me up with some special prescription ointment that made the itch go away. For now. Cannabis products from https://d8superstore.com/category/cbg may also help reduce the effects of allergies like swelling or inflammation. If stress is what triggers your allergies or any other health conditions, Dab Pens offers products that may help relieve your stress.
1,336 replies on “Itch Relief…”
Just checking in and giving an update. Still no big arm itch outbreak since I stopped Splenda. I have felt a little tingle and a slight itch a couple of times. I rubbed pure tea tree oil on it and it goes away immediately. I have tried every single thing on this posting and the tea tree oil and of course ice are the only two things that have given me relief. Just try tea tree, its inexpensive and it works so good. Trouble is it doesn’t smell very nice but I don’t care since it makes the itch go away. You can apply it as often as you would like. The first time I used it I was full blown itching and I had to apply it about 4 times a day for 2 days before the itch went completely away. I bought it at Sallys beauty supply. It’s actually sold for nail fungus. This also makes me think this might me some type of fungus we have all picked up. I have however used Lotrimin and that did not work. Well, hope we find out what this is all about soon. I am going to contact the Mayo Clinic and see if I can’t get some interest in someone doing a study. If anyone finds unscented pure tea tree oil please let me know.
I’ve had the itchy arms at night for the past 6 years. It is only relieved with ice packs. It starts in May and goes until November. I live in Florida, spend a huge amount of time in the sun, I am female, and I am 43 years old —
I believe that the heat in the summer agrevates it, but I want to say that it started 6 years ago, which is apparently when I also started perimeapuse. Last Novemeber I started to get irregualr periods so I went for a blood test to have my hormones checked. It ends up I had the estrogen levels of a post menapausal woman.
I now take bio-identical hormones to replace my own and when they are in normal range (proven by regualr blood work) I don’t itch. My doses have increased in the last year, and when they are low the itching comes right back.
If you google the word “formication” –it is one of the top 10 symtoms of menapause and it is described as an intense, feeling of itchiness, like bugs crawling under the skin!!
I know this doesnt help the guys (although they do have estrogen) but the HRT sure has helped me.
There are 902 posts on this site up until now. I am going thru each post and recording similarities. What meds worked, what causes an outbreak etc. I can do 100 posts a day and at the end I will post and let everyone know the consensus. Today after first 100 posts. 20 say ice only works. 10 have thyroid problems. 9 believe stress triggers it. 4 have it only summer. 3 mention worse at night. 8 say stay out of sun. 7 say sun does not cause it. 10 don’t have it in summer. 4 have had shingles. 7 have blue eyes. 6 say its spine related. 5 have been diagnosed with Brachioradial Pruritus. 4 have herniated disc. 6 have dry skin. 2 say sun helps. 2 say skin feels warm when it starts, 3 say they feel bumpy under skin. 2 believe it to be Candida. 3 believe you should drink lots of water. 3 believe sugar and alcohol trigger it, especially wine. Out of all the medications tried, Nerontin helped 7 people. Menthol helped relieve itching in 5 people. Lanocaine oitments seems to relieve itching in 5 people. Not enough statistics on the other meds to list here. I will however list all meds tried at the end when I have gathered all of the information. It appears that steroids helped no one. Marijuana helped one and not another. Benedryl and Ambien help you sleep. So does Nerontin.
Well these are preliminary figures on the first 100 posts. I will update each time I have better, more figures until I go thru every 902 posts!
Found a new doc yesterday who wants to know more and is willing to work with me to figure this out. We will start this process right after I get all of the statistics.
Hang in there, we will eventually figure this out.
Sue
I hate to say it, but formication is also a sign of coke/heroin addiction – when you are coming off of it, you claw at yourself because it feels like bugs underneath the skin. I am not speaking from experience (drugs) but know this because someone asked what was wrong with my arms, and told me about this condition….like I don’t already feel gross enough. I too am trying the low dose of Ibuprofen and feel like I am having some results…could be just a good day and I think I found a cure …. it is kind of funny to read the postings and see what people think it is – Tourettes? Pretty unlikely, that comes on early in life – although not much is known, I think we can safetly say we don’t have Tourettes…
Hi Sue I read your post with interest and Im also wondering what happened to the survey questions a lot of us anwered a while back? Does anyone know what happened to the results? did I miss a post on this.
I have bee undergoing treatment for something quite different since 3rd June until 31st August. I was on cycles of Methotrexate injections. This is a chemo drug used for many different things. All the time I was on the treatment I had no itching.
In response to this being related to peri-menopause I have to agree. I have hormone problems and non-existant progesterone since the age of 35. I’m now 42. I also have extremely low estrogen and my fsh levels show me to be in the top of the menopausal range. I tried hormones but they brought back my period and also gave me 5 extra pounds so I said forget it. I saw an allergist who gave me Zyrtec(doesn’t work) and my primary care doc gave my Hydroxyzine which makes me very sleepy. I’m trying to drink more water to see if that helps.
I am a 53 y/o female and I too have been suffering from the “itchy arm” syndrome for about 10 yrs. The itching reoccurs for no apparent reason and remains for several weeks/months mainly at night. I too scratch until I bleed; I keep a hairbrush on my night table to attach the itching/tingling/stinging sensation. I am currently taking neurontin; I started it last year and this is my first breakout of itching since I started it. I am now taking Ambien so I can get some sleep. I still wake up but I seem to be able to go back to sleep much easier than without the Ambien. I have ruined clothes from scratching and bleeding and when I have the breakouts I don’t wear White!
I went to a neurologist a couple of years ago and was told I had a couple of herniated disks in my neck and that was causing the itching. He told me I had 3 options: surgery, oral steroids for like, or steroid shots in the neck. I chose the shots and that worked but it is not something that can be done on a regular basis.
I also work-out a lot and I was thinking perhaps it could be from using heavy weights for upper body workouts.
I guess at a younger age I abused sun tanning and had a couple serious burns…….I would say it was caused by exposure to sun except that I have breakouts in the winter when I have no exposure to sun.
I am really confused and would love to find something to relieve the horrible itching.
Wow, I am so grateful to have found this website. I can totally relate. I get this on my upper inner left arm like every year for the past 4-5 years, usually around the same time of year. June, July and August. I have itched so bad that I have taken a butter knife to my arm. It has woke me up at night. I think mine is related to Shingles. In 2001 I had my first bout with Shingles and got the tell-tale band from my back to my abdomen on my left side. I went to the doctor and was treated with an anti-viral med. Every since then a horrible rash has shown up on my arm once a year. I feel like it is shingles because it has all of the same symptoms, just a different area. Do any of you have flu-like symptoms when you get the itch? My arm gets red and swollen and blisters appear, but sometimes it itches when no rash is evident. I also get headaches, neck pain, exhaustion, pins and needles sensation and a nerve crawling sensation. It is my left arm right at the small pox vaccination scar (I found it very interesting that others had it in that spot too, maybe something to do with the vaccination?). I also have neck problems. I want to share what has worked for me to stop the intense itching. The thing that has worked the best for me is called Fuller’s Earth Clay. I add enough water to make a paste and I add a couple of drops of essential oils (peppermint, tea tree)and it gives amazing relief. I’m sure it would work just as well with out the EO’s and you can use other clays. The other thing that has helped me is St. John’s Wort oil. It is St. John’s Wort in an olive oil base. St. John’s is purported to alleviate nerve pain and it did for me. You can find it at a really good health food store or probably online. I hope this info helps someone. Best of luck to you all.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I am a 37 year old female with brown hair, hazel green eyes and fair skin.
ne
I just wrote a huge page about a program I heard on NPR conc. itching, and as I was signing my name it deleted. I don’t want to go through all of it again, but it did say they have been studying itching and it is rated the same as pain now. It is considered life harming when you have a disease such as ours.
Maybe I will try to pull it up on their site. Very interesting.
Sorry, but I am to tired to go through it again.
Diane
I also heard the interview on NPR with the Doctor who spoke about itching. I am going to pull up the article on NPR’s website. I feel like there may be some hope for us who get high running to Walmart and finding a reusuable ice pack for $1.84. I feel like I should be nicknamed the Ice Queen. Sometimes I look like a fullback with my floppy icepacks hanging over my shoulders. I always am looking for the perfect solution to holding the icepacks in place but haven’t figured it out yet. Sometimes I use the self stick ace bandages. I live in Arizona and my itching is the worst in the Summer which lasts 5 months! Ice is my savior. I have had to stop the car more than once to run into a fast food restaurant and stick my hand under the ice dispenser for a few ice cubes to keep me from going insane. I really should keep an ice pack with ice packs in it to take with me wherever I go. I give them to my friends to keep in their freezers for me just in case I get the itchies. I think my condition is nerve related from my neck. It’s always worse when I lie down to sleep. I manage pretty well but I have my two icepacks close by. Well good luck to all of us sufferers who will hopefully find a cure for our itching. And for those who think that sugar is is a factor in itching, I just can’t give up my dots.
Emily
Acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, Shaitsu – anything that relaxes the muscles across the upper back. We are all probably stuck with our upper spine damage but there is one muscle in there that the nerves seem to get constricted in and, if the therapist can hit that spot, you are clear for ages. Some kind friend might beaver away there for you. The pressure doesn’t have to be hard, just exact. If you download an acupuncture chart, you can see how the nerves and muscles run across your back and down your arms. Do try the arm rotations if you are going crazy. It does work for a while.
I am a ten year person and I started getting control with acupuncture early last year. The gentle muscle pressure though is free.
When the itch starts up when you go to bed, it is probably something to do with the angle of your neck on the pillow. Move position as soon as it starts and it seems to ease right off. The itch can start when you sit in a high backed chair too.
I saw a dermatologist who diagnosed me with prurigo nodularis he put me on tetracycline for a month hydroxyzine 50 mg 3x per day in the beginning and triamcinolone acetonide cream this was in June almost immediately I stopped itching and have beed itch free since then I now only take the hydroxyzine one and at night and rarely use the cream, my life has changed completely since the itching went away. I hope this helps some one. I wish you all lots of luck and to be itch free soon
Yes, they held the 4th International Workshop for the Study of Itch in San Francisco, Sept 9th to 11th. It spawned the NPR broadcast. It seems there are a few doctors who are hearing our complaints more and more and are starting to listen and take an interest, at least I hope! It makes me wonder if this is somewhat of an explosion of symptoms brought on by something new in our invironment or our food source. Perhaps it’s simply the swell of population entering “middle age” at the tail end of the baby boomers. Anyway, some doctors seem to recognize it’s not “just an itch” but can be quite debilitating. They used words like driving us crazy, suicidal, ruining our lives, sleep-deprived, drained, all ways of discribing my life at times!!
P.S I’m visiting the site today because my itch has returned with a vengence, like clock-work after a wonderful summer of reprieve. As soon as the weather turned a bit cool…it’s back.
FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS AN INTERESTED DOCTOR:
We have now CLOSED THE SURVEY, since 100 people have now participated and the expenses were 500$ a year to keep it open. 100 people’s personal accounts of living with BRP should be enough to whet the whistle for an interested doctor to maybe start his/her own research.
THE RESULTS PAGE IS OPEN FOR ANY MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
So all of you who have an interested doctor, tell them to e-mail me at
zinkaduus@yahoo.dk
and I will send them the results page address. There’s tons of information I’m sure they couldn’t possibly get anywhere else
I’m sorry it can’t be shared with all of you, but we promised those who gave us their e-mail address to share it with medical professionals only.
This is Mari Anne from Denmark on behalf of the survey crew consisting of Stephanie Roomes from Great Britain, Mark Seghers from USA and myself . We thank you all for participating!
Hurry, hurry let’s put all this information to use!!!!!
🙂 Mari Anne
TO Emily
Go to the local Uhaul Store and get the clear wrap they sell. Hold the Ice pack in place with the clear wrap. The 4-6inch should be fine and easy to use. Plus it is cheap.
I too have “Itchy arm” it is horrible during August to November, My doctors have not helped me and I have yet to find out a good solution. I appreciate any info you can give.
My itching started about 15 years ago. I was so shocked to see that this is a problem shared by so many. I too have seen an uncountable number of doctors and have gotten the same diagnosis as many of you. I have been told to stay out of the sun, tried neurontin, allergy pills, ambien, ect. My itching seems to be worse from May – Nov. I have scratched so hard my skin bleeds, using anything I could get my hands on. I have used every type of cream available, none give any relief. I have a neck problem and thought it could be coming from that. My arms itch on the top from midway up my forearms to midway up my upper arms. I have spent countless sleepless night. People look at me clawing myself as if I have some sort of contagious disease. Having run out of options I decided to try my own version of an exfoliant. After rubbing rock salt on my damp arms, much to my surprise the itching subsided. I then decided to desolve salt in a bowl of water and rinse my arms with the water several times a day, relief again. I was on vacation, staying in different hotels and the itching became so intense. The final week of vacation I was staying with my sister. When I made up a bowl of salt water upon my arrival and told her why I was doing it, she thought I was insane. She suggested I go take a shower since she had a water softener which would be the same thing as “making” soft water. Within 2 days the itch was gone. A few weeks ago we installed a water softener and I have been itch free. I am so greatful for being itch free, yet so angry at all the doctors for putting me through one test after another, one drug after another and the remedy was so simple. Salt is cheap. Give it a try.
Hi All,
Last year I did not post here because itch had temporarily gone away.
This year, it’s BACK in spades. Started about Aug 1. Worse before bedtime, not a problem usually during the day.
ICE works real well, but here are some other things that I rotate through (each works well sometimes but not other times):
– run forearms under cold shower or tub spigot (we have well water so this works real well)… the running water penetrates the skin better than ice somehow, sometimes..
– Capsaicin cream (made from hot peppers) causes an all-over sun-burny feeling which covers the itchy feeling pretty well- but WASH HANDS thoroughly after applying and don’t touch your eyes!!
Nothing reliable, sadly, even the ice.
Going to try the lidoderm patch as someone else here recommended.
Thank you for this site and everyones suggestions. My mother for years now has been going crazy with itchy arms. It is her arms only. She is up all night, sometimes the itch gets so bad she uses a fork to scratch her arms, ice helps slightly. She is light skinned and has to stay out of the sun (she hates it anyway)because she gets red very fast. She has been to numerous doctors, dermatologists, and now an allergist. So far, she is not allergic to anything environmental or foods. All bloodworks are fine and she is perfectly healthy otherwise. The allergist has one more test to do, otherwise he to is puzzled. Over the years she has been prescribed everything from topical creams, antibiotics, antihistimantes, not to mention all the over-the-counter anti-itch creams and the unconventional creams she has tried on her own-vicks, diaper rash ointment, etc. Nothing has helped. I am grateful for the suggestions of possible medical conditions and will pass them on for her to give to her doctor.
I have this condition as well. Always in the fall, from late August to Oct/Nov. Some years worse than others. Then it is gone until the next season. Actually, it never goes away completely, but it is minor during the remainder of the year. I have tried many things – I haven’t found anything that works consistently. I am 49, blue eyes, brown hair, fair-skinned, female, who has had neck injuries and a lot of sun exposure over the years. I will never keep a gun in the house as I feel, some nights, that I just can’t take it anymore. I was wondering if anyone has tried a TENS unit? Thank you all for being out there. It REALLY helps to know that you are not alone. I went to a well-known neurologist at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. He had never heard of this – but agreed with my self-diagnosis after he researched it.
I never tried the TENS unit. Always wanted to, but didn’t, but ,as I said a while back,when I was at the car wash washing my car with the high pressure hose, I was having an extremely bad day with the itching and just out of exasperation I turned the hose on my arm for a short period and it stopped the itching .It definitely has something to do with the nerve endings.
Anything that interupts the nerve impulses must have some success.
I would try anything when I get desperate. I remember telling my one of many Dr.’s that I would think of how dying would be better than living like this for the rest of my life and he did not want to give me medication for fear of me overdosing.
I stay out of the sun always. Used to be a great sun worshiper. I know the sun has something to do with it. I stayed out of the sun for exactly 3 months and it started to go away at least 85%. It was heavenly. I then started to sunbath for short periods and in two weeks it was back with a vengence.
Go figure. I also have some neck problems, but I think with some people the sun combines with the nerve problem and makes this worse.
Just my thought
I have been doing acupuncture with a very awesome Chinese Dr. and my itching is pretty much gone. I did however have to do about 7-8 sessions before seeing a total difference. I went on holidays and didn’t go for over a month and it came back so now I have gone another 4 times in the last month and it is getting better again. I go on a weekly basis to keep it at bay, I only have to ice maybe once every other day. For me I believe it has to do with being a sun worshipper in my early days as well as having c5 and c6 issues. We are going to find out what this is one of these days, I have forwarded the survey email address (above) to my doctor to find out more information and maybe shed some light on this situation. Thank you to those of you who took the time to put this survey together and to those who filled it out.
Susan
IMPORTANT:
Dear Susan LeBlanc,
I am overjoyed to hear that you have a doctor
who is interested. But I don’t know which survey address you have given him/her? I hope you all understand that your doctors (and I am still waiting for a single doctor to write to me!!) HAVE TO WRITE TO ME FOR THE “RESULTS EMAIL ADDRESS”.
They have to write to me at:
zinkaduus@yahoo.dk
and I will send them the email address. PLEASE, those of you who do have an interesrted doctor: get some action!! Without doctors looking into this, nothing will have come out of it!
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH we, the survey-people (who by the way are just ordinary fellow-sufferers) are working on a way to give the rest of you access to the results without violating our promise not to reveal people’s email addresses.
We don’t know how well it is going to work, but here are some of the results, and people’s comments about what has helped them: Hope you all find something there!!!
🙂 Mari Anne & co.
Please write the name of any prescription, non-prescription or alternative medicines/creams that has or has had any positive effect on your itching.
1. Doxepin capsules and cream, Klonipin
2. Benedryl sometimes, Solarcaine Aloe Burn Gel, Gold Bond cream
3. Psoriasin gel( coal tar)
4. Atarax, Vicks Vapour Rub
5. Amitriptylene
6. Cetaphil cream; Freeze It; Neutragena oil (no fragrance)
7. Gabapentin, Atarax in extreme amounts
8. ICE that’s all
9. Doxepin
10. Sarna
11. Freeze it
12. Menthol creams help when the itching isn’t very bad
13. Neurontin
14. Vicks Vapor Rub Cream, Sarna – sometimes
15. Lidocain, a very thick cream
16. Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10mg tablets makes it bearable, but
doesnt take itch away
17. Capsacian Cream
18. Have the trimethicone (not sure how to spell that) prescription
ointment, it doesn’t really seem to help. And I take Benadril(??)
at night.
19. Doxepin – helps me sleep at night
20. Actifed help occasionally, Neurontin helped a lot, Itch- X helps a little
21. Lanacane
22. Lanocaine
23. I most reccently have found that VICKS will “break” the itc cycle.
At one time spray Benedryl worked, and also hydrocortozone
ointment worked, but they no longer provide relief
24. Cortisone
25. Goldbond medicated cream; sarna lotion; hydorcorotizone cream 2%
26. Neurontin
27. Lanacane over the counter cream
28. Typical anesthetic creams provide temporary relief
29. Deep Heat mentholated (and similar over-the-counter products)
30. Lanacane
31. Zanax, Prednisone nothing else works; am going to try Lyrica
32. Cetaphil:menthol 0.5%-hydrocortisone 2.5%lotion
33. Unguentine burn ointment
34. Malcolm harker m.h.d extra strength chronic itch relief balm
988 shingles & itch cinnamon & pepperment
Paw Paw cream very slightly relieves itching.
35. Xepin
36. Zonalon Crea
37. Band Aid Gel, Wintergreen alcohol, Aleve Cold & Sinus Tabs,BenGay
(I believe any product that contains high % of menthol and campher helps)
38. Capsina
39. Lyrica and clonapin
40. CLOBEX
41. Tiger Balm
42. Parmlonase cream..when it is mild
43. Garbentin
44. Capsaicin otc., cortizone 1%, betaderm, mometesone
45. FREEDERM and MENTHOL AND CAMPHOR SPRAY
46. Lotrimin, Lanacane for intense itch, worked once or twice but not always
when itch is not so intense
47. Sarna
48. Lyrica, temporarily
49. Capsasin (limited relief)
50. Aveeno, Benadryl
51. Capsacum cream ice again is the only relief i get
52. Finalgon (Europ. ointment)
53. Triancinolone Acetonide Cream
54. I have taken Atarak so that I can sleep at night. I have taken Benedryl by
day. Today for the first time, before going out I took Ipruprofin as a
preventive approach. I’m having a good night!
55. FREEZIT Cream, Menthol Creams, Gold Bond powder, Icy Hot
56. Sarna, Benadryl at night
57. Zostrix helps but burns badly. Gold Bond menthol lotion helps once in a
while.
58. A dermotologist prescribed a compound of steroid and mineral oil called
cyclocort slush. It is a cooling lotion and has helped. I found the pepper
lotion recommended made it worse as did sarna and the rest.
59. Crotazone
60. Eucerin Calming Itch Cream—TEMPORARY CLOBEX TEMPORARY!!!
61. Eucerin Plus lotion sometimes helps.
62. Olux, positive but temporary and very expensive even with
insurance — co-pay $100+! Atarax to a point, only takes edge off.
Describe anything else you do that has a positive (even if momentary) effect on your itching. (Ice, baking soda etc.)
1 Wash arms in Noxzema, put on menthol alcohol, ice.
2 ICE!!!!!
3 a cervical neck pillow to sleep on at night for proper
alignment of the neck while sleeping
4 Ice, Cold Shower
5 ice
6 ice packs
7 Ice, Vaseline occasionally, Strong Anti Histamine to help sleep
8 Ice helps
9 ice, antihistamine, and aspirin
10 ice and staying out of the sun — have to stay out of it for at
least 2 months before improvement
11 ice
12 ice ice ice
13 ice on itch or on upper back/shoulder blade area
14 ice, stretching, Aveeno body lotion
15 Doxepin
16 ICE
17 ice
18 ice
19 ice, bare arms at night
20 Ice
21 Vapour rub & arm circling movements
22 ICE!!!
23 Ice
24 just after the shower, when I used crems it helps for a bit.
25 Ice, splashing water on my arms, a light lotion after a shower
rubbing with brush
26 ICE works the best
27 Ice
28 ice
29 ice, cold water, chiropractic therapy, PT, prednisone,
antihistamines
30 hot hot hot shower on arms
31 Ice
32 Ice
33 ICE
34 Ice, and a type of soap available in Mexican natural foods
store
35 ice
36 Ice helps
37 Ice
38 ice
39 Ice
40 ice packs.. until my arm is numb
41 ice,otc pain meds
42 ice
43 Ice Packs
44 Ice
45 ice, sarna cream, aloe
46 ice
47 cold water, ice pack
48 Oatmeal bath with coolish water
49 ice
50 Ice definitely;sometimes a good body lotion with no added
scent helps
51 ice; just used Biofreeze last night for first time and it helped
52 bag balm, isopropyl alcohol
53 ice
54 cold water;
55 ice
56 Cold water.
57 ice
58 ice, cold water, vasaline intensive care lotion
59 ICE
60 ice
61 ice
62 Ice, ice, ice…
63 ice,
64 ice, drinking wine
65 ICE!!!
66 ice
67 ice
68 Ice, cold or burning oitments
69 Ice, cold compresses, cortizone-10, lotion
70 Ice packs directly on skin from the freezer. Get, stay cool.
Cold water directly on skin. Get quiet. Drink ice water.
71 Ice
72 PRESSURE ON AREA
73 ICE
74 Ice packs work well.
75 Thinking about what is irritating in my life
76 wet flannells, ice packs, after sun gel with Aloe Vera
77 I am out of the cyclocort and it is hard to get a pharmacist to
make it so my only relief is ice packs and towels tied to cut
the circulation off of my arms.
78 ice and calaman lotion
79 Ice, Icy Hot
80 covering the iching area with bandage is a very useful
treatment to avoid scratching
81 ICE
82 washing with soap and cold water.
83 Ice, Ice, ICE!
84 Ice. Nothing else.
Neck problems:
Myalgia 7%
Whiplash 16%
Herniated disc 16%
Cervical Spondylosis 12%
Osteoarthritis 18%
Rheumatism (Rheumatoid Arthritis) 4%
RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) 7%
Other:
1 neck curves the wrong way
2 bulging disk
3 Apparently C7 is slightly compressed
4 not sure, car accident i think started it
5 atlas out of alignment, narrowing between c5 and c
6 I have a herniated C5-6 disc.
7 not specified yet awaiting x-ray results
8 Hydromyelia
9 not sure, maybe computer work
10 Hardware due to previous thoracic fracture
11 degenerative disc disease
12 lifting
13 Bone spurs
14 Don’t know
15 just always very tight muscles
16 car accident
17 sometimes neck and back pain like most normal peop
18 Neck does not curve correctly
19 Not sure of cause, seeing chiropractor
20 haven’t been diagnosed by a dr.
21 thoraic outlet syndrom
22 Ankylosing spondylitis
23 occasional pain
24 work
25 DO NOT KNOW
26 Not sure of the cause
27 degenerative discs ?
28 I don’t know. Probably since birth.
29 ? – whiplash or related to other joint problems
30 Bone spurs, chronic neck pain/cracking, scoliosis
31 college cheerleading injury
32 Occasional sharp pains in trapezius muscle.
If you have a neck problem does/did the treatment have any POSITIVE effect on your ITCHING?
Surgery yes 2 %
Surgery no 5%
Prescription medicine yes 24%
Prescription medicine no 21%
Non-prescription medicine yes 7%
Non-prescription medicine no 29%
Physical therapy yes 12%
Physical therapy no 17%
Chiropractor yes 26%
Chiropractor no 36%
Acupuncture yes 12%
Acupuncture no 10%
Massage yes 17%
Massage no 21%
Alternative medicine yes 0%
Alternative medicine no 10%
Other treatments that helped:
1. LOTS OF NECK AND ARM EXERCISES
2. Low level laser light, YES
3. Pilates, core strength
Back problems:
Myalgia 5%
Whiplash 7%
Herniated disc 10%
Prolapsed disc 7%
Slipped disc 0%
Sciatica 12%
Oestoarthritis 15%
Rheumatism (Rheumatoid Arthritis) 3%
RSI (repetitive strain injury) 10%
Other:
1 neck curves the wrong way
2 Lower back due to pelvic shift after pregnancy
3 misalignment
4 bulging disc many years ago
5 upper back/nerve pain
6 unsure of nature think it may be linked to a fall
7 Hydromyelia
8 not sure, but I know I have problems
9 Harrington Roads due to previous fracture, 4 surge
10 not sure, occasional back spasms/sore lower back
11 Injury: Fell down stairs
12 not applicable
13 old injuries,
14 none
15 scoliosis
16 nothing particular other than chiro visits
17 Lower back muscle spasms and tightness
18 unknowen sprains and pains ect
19 Schermanns Kyphosis
20 not sure – maybe car accident
21 unknown
22 years of “guarding” old injury/chronic pain
23 Don’t know, lifting just about anything hurts.
24 fibromylagia
25 ankylosing spondylitis
26 5th lumbar vertabrae spondylolisthesis
27 do not have back problems, only neck problems
28 Assume it is from weak abdominals
29 work
30 do not know
31 REGULAR STRAIN FOR OVER WORKING
32 muscle spasm
33 lower back ache from pregnancy 2 years ago
34 Age
35 ?
36 Scoliosis, bone spurs
37 previous problem lower back, undiagnosed
If you have a BACK problem does/did the treatment have any POSITIVE effect on your ITCHING?
Surgery yes 3%
Surgery no 5%
Prescription medicine yes 16%
Prescription medicine no 21%
Non-prescription medicine yes 5%
Non-prescription medicine no 16%
Physical therapy yes 3%
Physical therapy no 39%
Chiropractor yes 32%
Chiropractor no 39%
Acupuncture yes 3%
Acupuncture no 18%
Massage yes 11%
Massage no 32%
Alternative medicine yes 0%
Alternative medicine no 11%
If you’ve had direct treatment against ITCHING, does/did it have a positive effect?
Prescription medicine/cream yes 36%
Prescription medicine/cream no 51%
Non-prescription/cream yes 24%
Non-prescription/cream no 49%
Alternative medicine/cream yes 0%
Alternative medicine/cream no 20%
Massage yes 5%
Massage no 14%
Physical therapy yes 1%
Physical therapy no 18%
Chiropractor yes 11%
Chiropractor no 26%
Acupuncture yes 5%
Acupuncture no 14%
Surgery yes 0%
Surgery no 8%
Other:
1 antihistamine
2 Neurotin, just started
3 low level laser light,Yes
4 Ultra Flora Immune capsules and Maca Plus capsules
5 Tiger Balm, YES!!!
6 cortisone pills
7 Acupuncture helped temperary
8 cortisone injections: no
Anything else you would like to mention?
1. Thanks for doing the survey. I hope we can get a positive feedback from it to present to our physicians
2. This is the first year that the itching has been minimal…..so far. Had a slight bout in the summer, but not too bad since. It will probably start soon. I live in the South, in Atlanta, Ga. but am not a sun-worshipper.
3. I was in a car accident and then two days later i got a bad sunburn. two weeks later the itching started and hasn’t stopped in 13 years.
4. Prescription has helped 90%. I take 50 mg before bed and sleep like a log. I have been on the medication for 4 months and have noticed that later in the day the ithcing is beginning to come back. Prior to that if I had an itch it was more like a mosquito bite and a little scratching and it was gone unlike the chronic itching from before. This medication is used for many chronic conditions and I went to a neurologist and had an MRI which showed no damage other than mild arthritis. Thank you for doing this.
5. Could it be a vitamin D deficiency?
6. I saw a Neurologist last week and he wants to prescribe Neurontin/Gabapentin for the itch. He won’t do this while Im pregnant. He did prescribe this medication in cream form as apparently some people have had success but it didn’t help – it actually dried out the skin which aggravated the itch. I have to wait for 4 more months before I can take the Gabpentin and I cannot wait
7. I literaly suffered from this condition. I sought all types of help. I answered these questions as I would have when the condition was bad. I have not been in tanning bed or sun for over a year and it has improved tremendously
8. MRI shows degenerative disk disease c-6, c-7. Also shows bone spurs. I have a very straight spine…not much curve in lower back and neck is curved the wrong way. (Forward head syndrome.) I have a long neck also.
9. My hunch is that this is nerve related from a neck injury when I was rear ended in a car accident 7 years ago. I haven’t been uncomfortable with my neck, but after seeing a dermatologist, he said immediately it was nerve related and I should see a Neurologist. The sun in AZ makes the problem much worse, but I do itch year round.
10. It is now January and the “itch” usually starts in November. I am however itch free with no explanation as to why.
11. I think the side of the car we sit on to drive may have an impact on the sun exposure. I sit on the left side and my left arm is the one affected.
12. In the summer from end June until October, no itch was noted in hot sunny weather.
13. This year is tghe first year that the itching has extended over the usual December limit. It is now nearly February and I still cannot wear a bra. Climate changes? Not sure.
14. Thank you for this survey, I live in Southern California and not one doctor I’ve been too knows what this is!!!!
15. I will re- enter this again: I went to Rosarito, Mexico area in late July 2006 (I thought is could be the icky Jacuzzi water at the hotel), also started going to Curves to exercise around the same time. By Mid August (2 weeks later) I was and have been itching with no real breaks in-between. I also got a new Jacuzzi in June 2006 and keep the water clean and chemicals all where they should be. I take a Jacuzzi about 4-6 times a week. I have stopped taking them so often, because after I get out hours later I itch worse than before. The doctors first thought it was scabies and I used the cream (poison) treatment around 6 times in 2 months time (I had read others saying how they couldn’t get rid of the scabies either.. perhaps that is NOT what it was) as in my case. Later the dermatologist thought I had eczema and maybe an allergic reaction to that (poison) cream. After 5 months he gave me a shot of cortisone and he did a biopsy on my arm, and it showed no fungus, an allergic reaction, and he still says I have eczema. I stayed out of my Jacuzzi for a week, the itching wasn’t so bad (maybe because of the cortisone shot also), after I went back in the Jacuzzi it started to itch more again. Also when I am near a heat lamp (outdoors) I seem to itch more, perhaps having an alcoholic drink makes it itch more too. I could be allergic to the chemicals in the water. I am using chlorine (Leslie’s pool supplies) with the nature II stick. I am going to stay out of the Jacuzzi for a couple of weeks and switch to Bromine and see if that helps. I have never been allergic to anything before. No one else in my family seems to be bothered by any of this. I have always been pretty healthy. My hormones might be out of wack and starting menopause soon. I have been in car accidents and used to see a chiropractor for awhile about 7 years ago. I did have my right calf area go numb for about a year in 2001-2001, the doctors said it was my sciatic nerve. I do sit at the computer for my job and have been doing more data entry work in the last year more than I used to. Not sure if any of that matters, I know some people have listed nerve damage, or ?? on this site.
16. I truly believe this is a nerve problem and I don’t know how much the chiropractor can help me. I also wonder if our bodies are having a problem regulating temperatures because when the arms flare up, there is an increase in the blood cell activity near our skin.
17. White wine also CAN make it worse
18. This itch is so unbearable,have thoughts of ending it. There is no relief, ice does ease the itch for a few minutes, then it just comes back. No one can help me.
19. Chiropractic adjustment and therapy eliminates the itch, as long as I continue to go for the treatments. Thank you for developing this survey.
20. I have had shingles and wonder if this might have triggered this itching or have some implication. I have never had any back or neck injury and reject this connection. This itching seems to be “turned-on” like flipping a switch when I lay down to go to sleep. I used to also wonder if it was related to bed mites, down, or fabric conditioners/softeners/detergents. However, after completely fumegating (sp) my bedroom and throwing out all old bedding and other soft goods (new sheets, pillows, mattress, cleaned carpets) I have dismissed all consideration of this itching being caused by environmental factors. Thanks for doing this survey. Please feel free to email me and thanks for enlightening the world on this real problem.
21. Yes. Doctors are hopelessly in the dark about this condition!!!
22. I find it strange this is SO seasonal… fall to spring is the worst time of year. cannot seem to find anything that would trigger the seasonal reaction as I actually get LESs sun during the months in question.
23. Condition started 8 years ago in middle of night, felt like I had been stung by a wasp. Patch of hot,itchy, oozing blisters followed, disappeared in a week. Then the pinpoint stinging and itchiness continued for several months. Went dormant, now comes and goes. Occasionally experience the pinpoint stinging, mostly just itchy. Not stress or sun triggered.
24. The iching increases with the more weight I put on.
Question 57 should have I do not know for people that were adopted.
25. Mother and Grandmother both have the same condition. We all used to get it on the back of our neck but I tend to get it more on my forearms in recent years – can’t say when the last time was I got it on my neck.
26. Hope the Lyrica and Doxepin work–so good to know that I’m not the only one!
27. I have an identical twin browther with the exact same problem – two younger siblings that do not. A tan from the sun prevents it completely (summer for example), a tanning bed helps until the tan fades (about 5-7 days)
28. my arms feel like they have an army of ants walking under my skin.. most all day long.
29. would like to find out somethings that Drs. can look and cure not just cover up symptoms….
30. definatly sun related.only on neck and forearms for past 3 years until i changed jobs and wear singlet outside-now shoulders efected too
31. Pregnant at the moment and has become a lot worse due to increase in body temperature.
32. In May 2006, under advice from my naturopath, changed my diet to high protein, low carb to lower blood sugar. By September 2006 blood sugar was back to normal. Have pretty much continued with the high protein/low carb lifestyle. Am so relieved to find out that other people suffer from this itching on the arms. Also feel that my back problems may be connected ?
33. Ferrous sulfate (iron) 65 did work for me for quite a while no itching at all then started up again still take the iron anyway
34. I am desperate for some answers and relief. I am scheduled for an MRI in 2 weeks on spine, then will schedule neck.
35. Thanks for survey and site. I think it is related to problems with the spine
36. I have suffered from this for 14 years to the point of feeling like I was crazy – only rx med to help was clobex – but new dermatologist said it was too strong to be on and would cause atrophy of the skin if used daily like I needed it. I hardly have a week or few weeks go by in a year that I do not experience itching, but INTENSITY is definately in spring and summer.
37. My brother (5 yrs younger) had just one attack in the middle of the night, nearly scratched himself to death, and never got it again after, and that was a couple of years ago. I got a couple of Budgies about the same time this condition started
38. the year of two before this came on, I had a blistering rash on my arms, it was biopsied as pseudeo prophyria and came on after we were in the caribbean.
39. I have gone to the Mayo Clinic site and they don’t even recognize this problem:
Back at entry 921 and 922 Jean and Diane mention a TENS unit. I didn’t want to write too soon, but since they’re asking I’ll tell you about my recent experience. For 5 nights in a row I have had no itch. Here’s what I’ve done. Took two 400mg Ibuprofen tablets and went to bed a little early, lay flat on my back, head on the pillow, and attach the pads of my little Dr. Ho Machine, which I think is like a tens unit, but not sure. The little pads (2) stick to your skin and complete a circuit to send electrical impulses to your insides. Muscles tendons and all I guess, I’m not a doctor, obviously! I set it on a program that feels like a karate chop massage!! And turned it up high, as high as I could stand. I was determined to rearrange that mass of mixed-up wires sending the horrible itch message down to my arm. I positioned the pads first on the back of my neck, one right above the other immediately below my hairline, for 10 minutes. Then I moved them slightly so that they were both at the base of my neck on each side of the spine and repeated the process. Then I moved them slightly again so that they were still sitting on my shoulders just spread apart a little more and repeated once more a little wider apart still. My itch is down my left arm this year but I took a symmetrical approach to pad placement. The entire time I closed my eyes and tried to relax. I almost fell asleep a couple of times despite the intensity, so I was able to relax. I disconnected the machine and went right to sleep with no disturbance from itching all night, 5 in a row so far. I plan to experiment without the Ibuprofen and then without the machine but it’s worked so well I’m kind of afraid to take that step. I’ll keep you posted but in the meantime if you already have a tens unit or a Dr. Ho machine, try my technique and let us all know if it works for you too. (I had tried the machine previous years but always attached it to the location of the itch and it had zero effect.) I’m not suggesting anyone rush out and buy one yet (they’re expensive) but wait and see if it works for others. Maybe I’m just kooky or maybe it’s just a coincidence. I sure hope not.
It’s not a coincidence. Almost anything that loosens up the muscles across from the centre of the back to the shoulders can work – acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, gentle pressure on the right spots. I am convinced it is due to muscle spasms caused by spine problems.
I am amazed at what I have just read. I have had this condition for 3 years now. Definitely seasonal (fall to winter for me here in So. California. I had been symptom free for 1 year after eliminating hormone patches (Dr. thought it was pseudo porphyria). I have sadly had a recent recurrence and am now totally confused. I have been tested for gluten intolerance and all was fine. The only things that help are ice, benadryl and use of a TENS unit. I believe their is a neurological component. The itch starts, my forearm gets very red and hot and shortly after there will appear a couple of tiny red blister like spots. I actually had a dermatologist get angry with me because I wouldn’t accept his diagnosis of folliculitis…he said if I just stopped itching it would go away.
I found this site a couple of weeks ago – like many of you, I was awake at 3.30 am, going crazy with the ‘arm itch’.
My doctor is suggesting I go see an allergist, however, reading the posts here, I see that many of you have been to see a number of “DOCTORS” with little avail.
I therefore have been searching the internet and believe I have found a name for this arm itch – BRACHIORADIAL PRURITUS.
There seems to be a difference of opinion as to what the cause is, one field of thought is that it is sun related, another, is that it is cervical damage. It looks as though the consensus might be that both these things play a part.
I have printed out some information from the Web, to give to my doctor on my next visit.
I hope this information is of help, in at least giving a name to the suffering, although as yet, not a cure.
Have just discovered this site. I can only sigh, I have had all same symptoms, tried all same attempts at treatment. Everything, everything the same………..
Yes, I tried TENS – no effect. I did have an extensive work-up with my neurologist, who is baffled. Her only comment was “…the possibility that my brain is misfiring, and interpreting pain as “itch” – but that doesn’t cut it, because it is SEASONAL only. LYRICA has given me pretty good relief, however it needs to be taken regularly, twice daily, it is expensive and unfortunately has a side effect of weight gain (OH NO, NOT THAT AND ITCH). I really don’t want to take the full 600 mg. daily dose, so now will ask GP for a sleeping aid to help with break through itching during the night. Anyway thats my 10 cents worth. Ice at base of neck and Lyrica and weight gain. This is the pits.
I’m still itch free, don’t know for sure why. we’ve had some beautiful warm weather here for October, not sure if that has something to do with. But my daugther went through her itch already starting in August, and she lives only minutes away, so what gives.
Anyways, I was just on the Oprah website to ask Dr. Oz the big old question about this itchy arm syndrome, instead of going into too much detail I told them about this website, so lets see if someone will read it. Lets keep our fingers crossed that this issue might make it on Oprah, wouldn’t that be great!
A few days ago my blue squishy ice pack and my ace bandage to hold it in place finally died after much use. I also use flattened frozen water bottles at night but I can’t “strap” them to my arms during the day. I’m going out for more ice packs today but what I discovered for holding the ice packs in place I wanted to share. I cut the top part off one of my husbands tube socks, inserted ice pack, inserted arm and it worked really well. Just want to add, I live in NJ and we’ve been having some warm humid days again and I noticed the itching is definitely worse when it’s humid out.
I also have suffered from the same symptoms for quite some time now. If my dog jumped on me or I bumped into a doorway, the sores would break open and bleed. It wasn’t til I was hospitalized for another condition that my doctor called in a dermatologist who diagnosed my condition as prurigo and treated it with Fluocinolone Acetonide Cream USP, 0.01% and antibiotics. I also have had relief from using ice, and rinsing in cold water after I shower. I’ve noticed when my skin gets warm or I’m under stress, the condition worsens but keeping my skin COOL seems to help. I’ve also use Dial Green Tea & Honey Body Wash since other cleansing products have been too drying or left a filmy residue that made me itch more. I follow up with the cream, then apply body lotion. I’ve had good results with Jergens Aloe, Suave Aloe and Avon Moisture Therapy Intensive, which help to relieve the itch, which stops the scratching, that allows the skin to heal. Check the following link for more info.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003217.htm#visualContent
Hi everyone,
I’m sorry I wrote some time ago that the survey was closd. It wasn’t and people have kept participating. 111 to be exact. That’s pretty good! We will leave it open for another week, so if you would like to share your peoblem with others please go to the survey site at:
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB225VX8PDVAV
After that I will send all the participants who have given us their email address the results on Excel-spread sheets. Those who have participated but have not given us their email address can still write to me and I’ll send it to them, too. But I’ll remind you all in a week’s time.
🙂 Mari Anne
Yes, please send me the results.
Thanks
Dear Patty (and everyone else),
You have to send your email address to me (unless i have it from the survey) at
zinkaduus@yahoo.dk
and I will send you the results.
🙂 mari Anne
I wanted to throw this idea out to you all. My husband commented the other evening that since this appears to be seasonal, and always begins at the end of summer, then perhaps one of those Sunlight appliances may help. The ones that people with the seasonal depression disorder use. Any thoughts on that anyone? P.S. I forgot to mention before that I also had an MRI which showed nothing apart from the age-realted degenerative changes at C4-5-6 in the neck. There has been discussion that this is related because of bone spurs resting on radial nerve, however if this is the case, WHY does it only come into play in September!!!! I can think that this pneomenon now is totally sun related.
My MRI showed nothing either…however, MRIs do not show connective tissue problems.
I’m seeing a NAPRAPATH now, and went from weekly to bi-weekly sessions. I’m no longer waking up in the middle of the night itching!! =)
There is obvious inflammation around the spine…which equals pinched or constricted nerves…which equals itching. I can FEEL it during the sessions…it’s amazing, and weird.
One thing I have noticed was that if I get a LOT of sun, I will itch the same day. So, I have to say that sun might have some effect also, but it’s definitely nerve compression. I’ve been going for a few months to the NAPRAPATH, and I’m VERY GLAD I found him!
Does anyone else have worsening of the itching after working out??? Every time I do a cardio workout, the itching gets very bad that evening.
I’ve not noticed a difference after working out. I’ll have to pay more attention (or work out more)…
Yes, when I go for walks or even start to work up a sweat at work I start to itch. I don’t walk in the warm weather because I just can’t stand it.
I am still itch free since I stopped Splenda and all artificial sweeteners. I have had a tingle now and again as it were about to start but I always apply tea tree oil and stops the tingle and no itch. No itch since August 8th 2007. You know I was just sitting here thinking that we keep trying to find one thing that is wrong with us. I think that there are several things going on here and you need to figure out what is going on with you by process of elimination. I have just about every problem that could cause this itch, bad thyroid, bad neck and back, insulin resistant, had shingles, was badly sunburned as a teenager,just past menopause and on and on. I found a website called healthcheckusa and I had a lot of blood work done. They are so inexpensive. I am not selling them but my insurance doesn’t pay for squat when it comes to tests and I got an awful lot of test for around $155 that the docs wanted $725 to have done. They just send you to a lab near you and you don’t need docs orders to your tests. If your itch is seasonal then it must have something to do with the season. If your itch is when your neck and back hurts then that may be it. If your itch is triggered when you eat too much sweets then maybe you should have your sugar levels checked. If you have gained weight and you can’t figure out why then have your thyroid checked. Do you have high blood pressure? Do you have any type of herpes? My fever blisters are triggered by a raise in body temperature or stress, just like this itch. Each and every one of these could be causing your itch. Just try to figure out which one is your’s and by process of elimination maybe you can figure out what “your” itch is all about. God I hope mine stays away. Will keep you posted and my heart goes out to each and every one of you. I know how much you are suffering.
Sue in Houston
The Wikipedia entry for Brachioradial Pruritis is very well done, and was helpful to me. It is incomplete, but isn’t that the story of this thing??
Brachioradial pruritis (sometimes abbreviated BRP) is an intense itching sensation of the arm usually between the shoulder and elbow of either or both arms. The itch can be so intense that sufferers will scratch their own skin to a bleeding condition. The cause is not known, although there are a few lines of thought on what causes it. No cure has been found. Many different medications and types of topical creams have been experimented with, but none seem to make any difference. The only thing that seems to help most sufferers is the application of ice to the area until the itch is diminished.
Causes
Brachioradial pruritus (BRP) is a localized pruritus of the dorsolateral aspect of the arm. BRP is an enigmatic condition with a controversial cause; some authors consider BRP to be a Photodermatosis whereas other authors attribute BRP to compression of cervical nerve roots.
BRP may be attributed to a neuropathy, such as chronic cervical radiculopathy. The possibility of an underlying neuropathy should be considered in the evaluation and treatment of all patients with BRP.
The main cause of BRP is not known but there is evidence to suggest that BRP may arise in the nervous system. Cervical spine disease may be an important contributing factor.
Patients with BRP may have underlying cervical spine pathology. Whether this association is causal or coincidental remains to be determined.
There has been a controversy regarding the cause of brachioradial pruritus: is it caused by a nerve compression in the cervical spine or is it caused by a prolonged exposure to sunlight?
In all but two of the patients, itching of the arms or shoulders was seasonal. Some patients reported neck pain. In the skin of the lower arm, the number of protein gene product 9.5 immunoreactive nerve fibers was reduced 23% as compared with controls ( P = .03), the number of intraepithelial nerve fibers being reduced by 27% ( P = .03). The number of calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactive nerve fibers in the dermis was reduced by 34% ( P = .02) and the number of capsaicin-sensitive nerve fibers by 43% ( P = .008). The innervation of the four patients who were their own controls became normalized during the symptom-free period.
Treatments
The application of an ice pack, chilling the skin to numbness, is sometimes the only treatment that can provide relief. This finding is nearly pathognomonic for this condition.
Regarding the itch on exercising. When you heat up, the blood vessels constrict, the flow of blood decreases and the itch starts up. Keeping the pulse areas cool really does help.
Mark~thanks for posting that.
I still am not so sure about the sun thing…but, never really paid attention to when my itching is worse. Going to see if it stops or subsides even more now that it’s cooling off…but I do know my therapy (Naprapath) is helping tremendously!
My skin itched intensely after working up a sweat and it made the sores burn. My skin felt like I was being eaten alive by ants or like I’d rolled around in fiberglass insulation. My skin has split between my toes(most likely due to diabetes). There can be many reasons for itching, like diabetes, thyroid condition, stress, BRP, sun poisening, etc., but I’ve learned to stay away from strong scented products (shampoos, bath products, perfumes, cleansers). Using a mild, glycerin based body wash/soap, patting myself dry and following up with a mild lotion/cream, and keeping my body COOL has made a big difference. I still itch daily but its not nearly as bad as it used to be and the sores are starting to heal. Some days I’ve applied the prescription cream (Fluocinolone Acetonide Cream USP, 0.01%) and lotion (Jergens Aloe, Suave Aloe and Avon Moisture Therapy Intensive) up to 3X that day, which is what the doctor ordered. Its hard to find the time to this, but for my own sanity, I’ve made the time and am seeing some results. Let me know if any of this works for you.
Judith,
Thank you for your experience re: exercising. I don’t feel the itching while exercising or when finished. The itching ususally begins in the evening into the night….I generally exercise in the morning. I believe, with me, it is the compression on the disks in my neck that become aggrevated as a result of a heavy upper body workout.
Had a SUPER bad itch night last night…first one in a LONG time. Been stressed out…and surely that tightens up the ligaments/tendons around the spine that cause the compression of the nerve responsible.
TRY THIS: Place an ice pack on your spine, between the shoulder blades.
It works so well for me that even if I’m not itching, I do it at bed time…it really helps a LOT!
For those of you that don’t sleep at night due to the itching, get your doctor to prescribe xanax. I have the same problem with itchy arms, but at night I get relief from this because I take a xanax before I go to bed (can’t take during day because it makes me sleepy) and I sleep all night without a problem. My itchy arms start back up after I get up though. Will try some of the solutions I have read from your experiences.
Please change my email from deenawriter@earthlink.net to deenawriter@cox.net
Thank you!
Well, its back, about 2 months later than usual. Just like that out of the blue it started last night.
Wondering how many of you’s have insomnia? Not sure if there is any relation to this, I have trouble sleeping, just can’t get comfortable because of a sore back. So I’ll try like before and take ASA and an antihistime.