Itch Relief... | BigPinkCookie

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I’ve been to this website for so long to get info for my wife’s mad hitching… (started in 2003, always from around August to October-November) No creams/pills/or doctors helped… except for “ICE” and benadryl helped to knock her to sleep… The itching was mostly on the arms between shoulder and elbow. But this year was worst, and she best described it as the hitch you get when oven cleaner or varnish stripper touches your skin!

This year my pregnant wife was going even more crazy than before, specially around 38 weeks (I know you ladies are not all pregnant) and Doctors at the high risk clinic did a liver enzyme test and she tested positive for “Cholestasis in pregnancy”. It’s said that this happens do to high level of hormones in the body, and when the baby come out, the symptoms should go away…and they did!!! I know!!! Every time I came to this site, and someone had some kind of theory, we all passed, and read the next story… But it would be really easy to ask your doctors for a quick liver enzyme test (blood tests that evaluate liver function, bile acids, and bilirubin) and get it out of the way… I know that if it’s back next year, it’s the first thing we’ll check… Good luck!

To Linda: not sure where you live but I got mine in Walmart, (NUTRIVATE)in the vitamin section. Two kinds roll on and the sauve, I don’t like the roll on doesn’t work as well.
I too actually have been on Vitamin D, I take it usually after summer is over, not really sure if it works but I don’t think it can hurt

I found this website from my sister-in-law who is a nurse. She went searching on the topic for me. I told her of my itching arms to see if she could shed some light. She could not, so she went searching and came upon this site. I am so glad that it is not in my head! I have suffered with this itching since Nov. of 2004, shortly after an automobile accident( so I do wander sometimes if it is nerve related ) and like everyone else, doctors are no help. I do remember that my dad and two of my brothers suffered with this condition also. Although I do not suffer with bi-polar disorder, my two brothers are and my father, although never diagnosed (deceased now) suffered from panic disorder. I do find that the best relief is ice and I try to apply it just as soon as it starts. I try not to scratch at all because when I do, it itches all the more and seems to be real deep, not on the surface – the itching then becomes stinging. My first incident only lasted a few months, but then around late July or early August, it came back and lasted until January. It started on my left forearm and now it is on both arms and seems to be year round. I really can’t remember when it has stopped for any length of time this year. It must be stress related because it seems to get worse around the holidays. I was in hopes that it wasn’t a prolonged condition, because the doctor told me that he thought it was “neurotic eczema” and would probably be gone in about five years. I guess not – I now hear that some have suffered for 29 years! another doc told me it was “brachial radius pruritis” and that there was no cure. I do periodically have nights where I can sleep through, but then there are those nights where I have to get the ice and sleep with the packs. I have recently bought a cream called Sarna x-tra strength for eczema and also Gold bond cream x-tra strength, which does seem to help at times.BTW, I am almost 53, blonde and have blue eyes. I also have a hypothyroid condition and take synthroid, but I do think that is an age thing. I’m sorry that I can’t shed anymore light on the subject that has not already been shared.

re, Staphane #1001: This is a very interesting observation and theory and I will do some internet reading about it. I have to ask though, what explains the itch all the previous years? And why was it clearly seasonal then?

Hi,
This liver thing is very interesting indeed. To cut a long story short, a lot of things that I have bumped into lately indicate that the liver (whose job it is to get rid of toxic waste)could have something to do with our itching. It seems that everyone with liver diseases itch. It’s the biggest problem for people in treatment for liver conditions, and doctors have been studying for years on how to cure it. And they simply don’t have a clue what to do about it.

BUT in Denmark, the latest craze on removing toxic waste from your body (liver and kidneys) is Milk Thistle, that you can buy in any health shop as tablets, ampuls or raw in loose weight, ready to put on your morning youghurt. My local health shop tells me that the “drunks” from the bar around the corner are buying it in kilos, because it really does clean you liver!!! I am hardly itching at all this year, so I can’t test if it works, but maybe some of you could try it and see what happens? This still doesn’t explain the seasonal thing, but maybe our bodies change inside when the weather changes, maybe we eat differently, maybe there’s something in the air…? I don’t know, but how about trying this simple thing? I know a doctor who is also very open to alternative thinking, and the very first time he heard about us itchers, he said: toxic waste! Eat Milk Thistle! And at the time I thought it was a bit too “fresh” an answer. Now everybody’s talking about it. Anybody want to try?
🙂 Mari Anne

Correction!!!!!
Uh, sorry my english is not perfect. Of course I don’r mean toxic waste, but toxins and other waste material… maybe this is incorrectly put as well, but I’m sure you know what I mean…
:-= Mari Anne

Wow, really suprised today. I went for my first ion cleanse, I was only a few minutes into the procedure when the first thing she said to me is, you have alot of yeast in your system. Then she said you must have a lot of itch. I thought, boy, did she hit the needle on the head. I never mentioned anything about my itch to her. The procedure is really gross, different coloured water symbolizes different organs and so on. So my water color meant I have a alot of yeast in my lymph nodes. (this is where these toxins are stored in the lymph nodes) She said the itch comes from the nerve endings. Which I already figured myself. So, I am to go there for the next four weeks, 1 x time a week. She said I will see a difference, probably already from the 1st session. I will keep everyone posted for the next four weeks to tell you if there is a diffence. Suppose to help for achy joints, sleep etc.
MaryAnne, yes milk thistle is suppose to be good.
I can’t believe what we all try to get itch free, wish me luck

Hello fellow itchers… I was talking to a few other itchers and may have come upon a link that some of us may have in common. In my youth I experimented with different types of drugs, acid and extasy included… I was curious how many of you may have done some of these or other drugs in your youth or otherwise. It came to me that this might be a link to our neurological damage. Please everyone respond candidly.

Well I did survive the 70’s. I did not do many drugs though. I smoked pot once and it made me throw up for hours. I did a little coke once and I promised God if I lived the night I would never touch another drug again and I didn’t. I was in my early 20’s when I did that and I am 54 this year. I had a bout with Ativan. Had panic attacks for a while and lots and lots of hives all my life but it seems that comes from gall bladder inflamation. The Ativan depressed me terribly but did get rid of my panic attacks. I also suffered some memory loss from the Ativan. I haven’t taken it in 9 years though. Well there is my drug history. Hope it helps somehow.
Sue

I don’t know what causes the itch, I truly believe it is damaged / misfiring nerve endings but why? who knows….. but I think I have found a way to keep mine under control.

Firstly, I do believe that the environment can trigger the itch. I think that the damanged nerves can be set off or irritated by touch, heat or cold, a light breeze, a certain fabric, etc. We all know it gets worse when we scratch it after all.

I think that’s why the itch plays up for certain people during certain times of the year – the times where you may change the type of clothes you wear, or where there might be a wind blowing on the arm after the summer, extra sweat, or something, anything, small that can start it off.

You see occasionally people say a certain cream works….. of course they never work for long. I think that a good cream can act like a mild barrier for the environmental trigger that causes the itch. I use lubriderm personally, it leaves a thin protective layer which does help against accidental brushing of cooler air, itchy fabric, etc. I put it on religiously after my shower every morning.

Then when I sleep, my right arm being the itchy one, I sleep on my right side with my right shoulder pulled under me as far as I can pull it, stretching the shoulder muscles out and I think pulling whatever is compressing them or aggravating them to avoid making it worse.

This routine seems to have helped alot over the last year or so after 4 or 5 years of uncontrollable itch. Of course it might get worse as the weather changes.. mine tends to get worse during the winter. I’ll keep you posted, but I’d be interested if anyone would try this and see how they get on.

Hi Mel,
OK,here goes…. Did some cocaine back in the 80’s. Smoked some pot now and then. I do have an anxiety disorder which has finally calmed down. I often wonder if it was due to cocaine use. I am def going to give the milk thistle a try. I know my body is probably full of yeast due to overconsumption of sugar. I’ve tried giving up sugar but I still itch. It’s calming down now that it’s cold out. I noticed when my body gets hot, especially on humid days, that it brings on the itching.

Hello Mel, well I didn’t do any of those hard core drugs, I only tried Marijuana twice and a couple of mushrooms once and that’s about it.

To Mel: Yea man, I used to smoke a lot of weed, eat shrooms, drop acid, etc.. lol, Yea it could be neurological but I doubt it. I personally think it has to do with strained muscles and a messed up liver from me taking tetracycline throughout my teenage years for acne.

Hi To All,
The battles still rages,with no real help yet.
Have done some further thinking about the winter itch situation, and have posted my views about it on my blog. On, what I would do to correct the same situation if it were me with it.

http://waysofahealer.blogspot.com/2007/11/30-talkers-thoughts-about-winters-itch.html

To Mel;
Have never done any recreational drugs of any kind, havent’t even tried cigarettes!

Hi, I have a problem with itchy arms. I am female, 43 caucasin. This started for me about 5 years ago, occassionally on both arms a small area about the size of a silver dollar on the top of my arm right at the bend of the elbow would start to itch in the fall and then be gone by the winter. I grew up in So. Florida and spent my youth baking in the sun then moved to the mountains of Colorado 14 years ago. I thought it must be damaged skin (need to reseach PORPHYRIA CUTANEA TARDE??) I have taken to wearing long sleeves as much as possible when in the sun. The first few years of the “the itch” I could control it with Cortisone creams and I kept some next to my bed. During the past year it has spread to my entire arm. It is driving me nuts. An “outbreak” is preceded by a tingling sensation. If I scratch my skin gets blotchy red and the surface becomes raised. I have not been able to id anything coming out of the affected skin but will watch for that now that I have read some about ringworms. The itch is totally confined to my arms, not shoulders just arms. It is unbearable. I have often itched until bleeding. I get scabs and now have scars on my arms. I have on occasion had some mild itching on the bottom of my foot, I don’t know if that his related. The cortisone creams have lost their effectiveness pretty much. Benadryl cream seems to help some. I found that oral over the counter antihistamines work; I now resort to this about once a week. Also, if I rub creams on it right at onset I can sometimes reverse the direction of the itch cycle, which gets worse if I scratch it. I rub the cream on and hope for the best and if it continues I take a Benadryl so I can sleep. The itching, when it was confined to those little spots on my arms would onset in the fall and last a few months. Since about a year ago it is year round. I don’t think it is heat or sun. I have made few changes to my lifestyle; still drinking coffee, not drinking enough water, not getting enough exercise (enough to really sweat). A Naturopath suggested that it might be a liver problem and I need to detox better – ie more water and exercise that makes me sweat. She said she has seen other tile setters with rashes on their entire body from grout toxins! But I wear a respiration and cover my arms when I use grout. I can see that a liver detox would be a good idea in general and plan to do one once my knee heals from arthroscopic knee surgery and I am off ibuprofen and vicodin. I had a bad bout of itchy arms last night before bed. This prompted my Google search. I am amazed how many have this problem; At least I am not alone in my suffering. Most do not find relief from the usual recommendations like “don’t itch” as if that is an option, prescription creams etc. I have never had shingles. As far as I know I have normal thyroid. I have trouble with my lower back, but have been told this due probally to major pronation of my right foot (also causing knee pain). Don’t think I have any problems with the cervical spine but now will look into that. I hope someone finds a cure.

Katie, regarding your posting 1010. Very interesting, I’m going to try that I don’t quite understand what you mean by “with my right shoulder pulled under me as far as I can pull it” I understand you lay on your right side, is it with your right arm straight down your side and you are laying on it? You know with us all putting our two cents in here we are going to come up with a common thread, soon I hope. I go to a Neurologist on the 6th of December, It took me 1 yr and 2 months to get the appointment. I pray that he isn’t just going to look at me and shrug his shoulders.

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions.

Susan LeBlanc
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I have to disagree with this itching being liver trouble…though that might be the case in some instances. I thought it might be that when I first started researching it…and it doesn’t add up symptom wise. This itching is WAY too localized.

On to the drug thing…I’ve smoked pot, done a few lines, and even tried crystal meth once. I don’t think it’s related either. In fact, I bet smoking a joint would friggin’ help…might have to look into that 😉

I say this because it is a relaxant…and this is most definitely a muscle/tendon/spine thing causing nerve impingement… I see the naprapath, and get my 1/2 hour massage, and am so much better itch wise afterwards…at least for a few weeks. Not saying it goes away completely, but it doesn’t wake me anymore…thank goodness!

Oh Boy, how incriminating! I did lots of pot and cocaine in my twentys and thirtys, but have given up the enjoyable vices (Pot only, cocaine scares me) because they are illegal.
Never thought about the association. I stil think it is from compressed nerves made worse by some triggers, like the sun in my case. Still take ativan to sleep and I don’t care if it is addicting because it is the only peace I have.
After 8 years of this torment, I will do anything for relief.
That’s my drug history.

Susan,
No I lie on my right side with my right arm stretched out infront of me about 40 degrees away from my body with my shoulder bent under me as much as I can…… I figure it stretches all those nerve endings and stops them itching. Seems to work for the most part.
K xx
PS Not sure I buy the drug theory. Most people have surely done something like that at some point in their life so very hard to pinpoint it as a trigger any more than, say, anyone who has drunk a cup of tea would have the itch.

PPS Shoulder stretched so that it’s pulling the arm away from the body, to clarify!

What simple things I found help in the long term

1. Lots of fish oil and flaxseed oil
2. Vitamin B
3. Not much sugar
4. Not much junk
5. Enough water – not a lot, just enough

All the above feeds the nervous system.

6. Relaxing, gently stretching the muscles which feed from across the back down the arms, like slow arm rotations. It increases the blood flow without heating it up.

A number of other things helped with the symptoms – acupuncture, chiropractic and so on but the simple things have really held it at bay for a long time after ten really dreadful years.

I am itch-free for the first winter in 4 years, and I have my life back. An allergist provided me with a prescription of Doxepin. My intense and painful itching covers my entire body at the slightest degree of warmth during winter…hell on earth! Initially, I gradually increased my daily dosage to 80mg/daily, and have now reduced it to 50mg every other day. I’ve have tried nearly everything before and nothing worked and Doxepin. I love this stuff!

I am all over the liver theory. It explains a lot. I have been itch free since Aug 8, 2007. I stopped using Splenda and cut back on fat and sugar. It is not the Splenda per say that was causing the problem, its the toxins it creates within the body. The reason I am convinced that all this itch comes from an over taxed, liver, pancreas and gall bladder is that you can get some very weird symptoms from these organs being sick. In thinking back when I first starting itching, it was terrible but didn’t last very long. I also at the same time started taking milk thistle coincidently because I read somewhere that it would help you lose weight. I did the milk thistle for about 3 months and then didn’t itch again for 3 years! Milk Thistle cleans out your liver. About it being so ramdom and occuring at diferrent times of the year for us. Maybe, just maybe, it has something to do with our diets and what we put in our bodies. In the summer we get more fresh fruits and vegetables, in the winter they are not readily available and the ones we eat maybe canned or frozen and full of preservatives, toxins. I have had a gall bladder problem for 25 years and it has taken that long for a doctor to say that some very weird symptoms come and go from this gall bladder inflammation. The gall bladder and the liver go hand in hand. Problem with one, problem with the other. Trish, about the itching being localized and not being the liver let me tell you how nuts our bodies can be. I have had hives for 25 years and it comes from my gall bladder. They are never in the same place and come and go just like this mysterious itch. Remember also that we don’t all itch in the same place. Mine is lower forearms, others, neck, shoulder, upper arms, lower arms, it’s not so localized. I am always changing my diet, sometimes good, sometimes bad. My gall bladder just decides when to make me have hives. Can’t figure out what I am doing different. Your body just decides when it has had ENOUGH. Thus the variances in the time of year we all have it. The thing is this comes and goes for years at a time, just like my arm itch. Another weird thing is that if I take Ibrupofen, swelling, the size of a large egg in one spot on my arm pops up! Why there? Why always in this spot on my arm within a couple of inches of where my itch starts. Ibuporfen is notorious for causing liver problems. So you see it is not so strange for all of our bodies to just decide where we are going to itch from our own individual problems, diet and toxic levels. I firmly believe this has something to do with toxins. I am back on the milk thistle and no itching still. Gross part is I can smell and see the toxins coming out of my body in my elimination!
Something very odd that I noticed from looking at my all my old blood tests, that no doctor seems to notice, is that I always have an elevated billirubin count! THE LIVER!!!!! Ok, now how do you explain back and neck problems. Well if your spine is not in alignment let me tell you that your body is not functioning properly, not just your nerves but your waste elimnation system. I dated a very great chiropracter for years and no arm itch with regular adjustments. When I asked him about it he said your body and organs are functioning better, not just your nerves.These spine adjustments are about having whole body health not just for a bad neck or back. So as far as the acupuncture and chiropractic working its because our whole body is affected by bad spine alignment and after treatments, everything is working better, not just our necks or backs. As for pills and creams that work SOMETIMES! These are treating symptoms, not causes. Try a cleanse, milk thistle, digestive, anything. It can’t hurt. It won’t cost another doctors visit and it might make the itch better. Look at what you put into your body not only today but years ago that has accumulated all this time, bad stuff that your body has not been able to get rid of for one individual reason or another. Well there is my 2 cents worth for today. I welcome any discussion on this. Thanks
Sue

Sue…you certainly are correct about a LOT of stuff you said…and a naprapath (chiropractor and then some – google it) is all about the spine being in line, etc. I also am aware of milk thistle being good for the liver, and how chemicals such as aspartame, etc. mess up our systems…not to mention all the processed foods that we eat in todays world.

However, what I meant about ‘localized’ was on our own bodies…not in the general population. My itch is localized, and many peoples itching is localized. The liver thing came accross as body itching, and all over the body – not in a localized area such as left shoulder, right arm, etc.

I have medical issues already, and no one else has mentioned if they’ve been on PREDNISONE…because I am sure that much of my muscle tension and nerve impingement is due to being on it for almost 6 years (I’m 34 with severe osteoporosis because of it).

The fact that ice on my upper spine/back can instantly stop the itch is a great testament to the fact that it is certainly inflammation causing nerve impingement.

Sure, the liver thing can certainly be the issue for some of us… I have had liver function tests due to the use other medications…no problems have arisen.

Hi Trish, I have to agree. I had thought it could be a liver issue as well until 2 doctors mentioned that liver itch is not localized to the arms or shoulder, it would be an all over the body itch.
I’ve seen on this website about taking essential fatty acids and vitamin D, I have been doing that for about a month now and I am almost itch free and hey who doesn’t need essential fatty acids and a little vitamin sun.
Regards
Susan

Sue: I agree with you about toxins. I have gone twice now for the ion cleanse, and can’t believe the disgusting stuff coming out of my body. I never told these people of any ailments I had and twice they were right. First cleansing they said I have alot of yeast in my system whick causes itching, so that was their first question to me if my skin is itchy. Second time I went it was more my digestive tract showing, well the next day I came down with an intestional flu bug, which my husband has today. So I do believe we have alot of toxins in our body. Just look around where you live and what you eat. I think its just a matter of time when the body can’t handle it all and has to come out somewhere and thats why we get itchy. Well, those are my 2 cents worth.

Thank you so much for your response Trish. I really don’t think it is the liver for all of us but for many maybe, yes. Again, it is not all in the same place for all of us either. When my itch first started I did not take any type of medication. Of course 5 years later, I have something called Syndrome X, a metabolic disorder with no cure, just a lot of diferrent medications. I never could tolerate any type of steroids. My system acts very differently to medications than most people. I have ADD. Diet pills put me to sleep and steroids keep me awake. One benedryl will make me sleepy but two keep me up all night. I am not a good candidate for figuring out if different meds could be causing this. A good total body cleanse can’t hurt, just help, so those who try it and feel better, well their problem may be solved. In a previous post I wrote that we don’t all have the same thing. I still believe that. Thanks
Sue

Not a problem Sue.

We probably don’t all have the same thing…but I certainly think many of us do.

I’ve noticed that the itch is more intense if I spend a LONG TIME doing repetive typing on the computer (last night for example). My left shoulder gets sore, and the itching is awful! I know when it’s tight, that the itching will be bad…weird!

Sue, thank you for your insights. For me at least I do think it is toxin related. It seems that there is more than answer to the “itchy arm syndrome”. I had an accupunture treatment yesterday for my healing knee and she also treated me for itchy arm, and for liver functions. Last night my arm felt itchy and I scratched it and the itch went away!!!!!!!!!!!!
No more itching since. keep your fingers crossed for me!

I do not take any regular meds, had my first surgery ever 2 weeks ago for knee pain. Until the itch have never had any medical problems. I did have mono as a teenager.

My supplement my diet with with taking BerryGreen, a dehydrated mixture of organic greens and antioxidant fruits. Flax seeds which I grind myself just before consuming. And I make and drink Kefir from scratch daily. I make real fermented saurkraut and we eat that almost daily. I also blanch and freeze enough of my organic garden greens that we (2 adults) have 2 heaping servings of these each week from mid Oct until mid Feb.

I need more exercise. Due to knee pain I quit running a year ago and also stopped yoga and pilates and had to cut back on skiing (live at a world class ski resort) last winter so that I was pain free so I could grow my art business. I get exposed to boiled Linseed oil in my studio, and a variety of sealers. I have been lax about wearing my respirator at work but once back to work have promised myself that I will wear it as much as possible and run the air filter during work hours more. My itch has spread from the one little identical spot on each arm and gotten worse since I stopped running and sweating!! Again, a toxin issue?

I was exposed to many toxins in my youth growing up in florida on a golf course (spraying for mosquitos, and exposure to fertilizers on our lawn and on the golf course).

Well, thanks again for your post. I have printed it out and will refer to it again as I plan on having my liver and now my gall bladded tested. I will take the results to my Chinesse Medicine Dx when I get them back. I will post the results.

I am curious about those pads they advertise for putting on the bottom of your feet that ‘draw out’ toxins…kinda scary…but wonder if it’d help.

I honestly have been thinking about it and cannot figure out if I’m worse in winter or summer…I think it just depends. I also think stress and tension makes it worse.

Someone posted that an allergist gave them a medicine that helped…that’s great…! I just don’t want to take a medicine because it’s a ‘band aid’ and not an end to all of this crazy itching…I’ve got a ton of small sores from scratching (all on my shoulders)…it’s awful! Ick!

Thanks to all for their posts!

mt wrote” I think its just a matter of time when the body can’t handle it all and has to come out somewhere and thats why we get itchy.” I agree, we all intuitively know on some level that the varity toxins in everyones “world” are debilitating at the very least. Also, The yeast connection seems likely for me and will look into how to reduce yeast in my body.

Talib: thanks for posting about the Doxepin! Good to know something works to relieve symptoms right away! I would use it in acute situation and agree with those that suggest finding and treating the underlying reason(s) for the symptoms, thus reducing the longterm use of a drug.

Judith, thank you for your suggestions! Especially the arm rotation. I have not had an itch/scratch cycle since my acupunture treatment! Just since Wednesday but I am thankful for even just one night and so far 2 in a row!!! Also my bowel movements have changed since my treatment! I think the Dx has stimulated some things! I am so glad to hear that your approach to “treating” your symptoms has provide relief. I see that you suffered a long time. Please, you provide a list of your symptoms for me – do you get a rash and raised skin? Did you find relief from antihistamines and sometimes oc 1% hydrocort creams? Was the itch on your arms or other places too? did it start in one small place and then spread? I am so curious.

I have this time to read and post while resting my knee. I am thinking of creating a list of symptoms to see if I can narrow down the differnet “types” of the itchy arm syndrome. Does anyone know of one?? A website dedicated to this topic would be swell too! I’ve done crazier things!

Thanks again to all who are posting their suggestions, comments, and experiences!

Valerie

I just spent the last hour reading testimonials on the website for the colan cleanse that is recommended by my Chinesse Medicince Doctor.

http://www.drnatura.com/index.html

All I can say is WOW. She told me to check out the site before she told me how her 1st cleanse with this stuff went. I have never done a cleanse but have known about and considered doing one for a while. To say I am now convinced in an understatement. I can’t wait to hear the Dx story after seeing the photos and reading the testimonials. WOW.

valerie

Hey Valerie, the Dr. Natura cleanse is a really good one, be prepared for what you’ll see leaving your body, (ewww!) I would really suggest you get the Probiotic pills, I’m not really sure what they are called but Dr. Natura sells them. The cleanse gets rid of all the bacteria in your body, good and bad, so the Probiotic pills replenishes the good bacteria that gets cleansed away. I didn’t take it and wished I did, I had to go off the cleanse early. I live in Canada so shipping to Canada was tricky and I didn’t think I would need the Probiotics but I did. Just a suggestion.

Susan LeBlanc

Thanks Susan, glad to get another recommendation and in fact I did order the probiotics!

I did the footpads, they worked great. I am going to get some more here pretty soon. I bought them on Ebay and my husband and I both used them. I had a lump on my thyroid and my lymph glands were swollen and after a couple of nights the lump went down and the swelling was gone. I recommend them highly. I just finished an ion foot cleanse and I am positively energized. I had mucous from my lymph glands come out and lots of yeast.

Attn Sue: Glad to hear someone else has tried the ion foot cleanse, I’ve had 3 so far.

Where can I get the foot cleanse pad thingies? I would like to try that before a colon cleanse.

Noticed that itching seems to be worse lately. Probably a combo of the cold, dry air of winter…and whatever is causing it to begin with! ARGH!

PS;

I did try the Dr. Natura cleanse years ago. I had colonics at the same time. I swear I saw some eyeballs come out one day…………LOL

I liked the cleanse but it was hard for me to stick to it more than a month.

OK…not DEFINITE relief…but I am using the “Twisted Peppermint” cream, body wash and body spray from Bath & Body Works…the lotion…an AMAZING cooling effect with it…feels great! I would think that it would help a bit with the itch…temporarily, of course…but…it’s an idea for the ladies… and guys, IF you want to smell like a candy cane. I’m considering stocking up on it for later…!

Hello all- I have been lurking on this site for a couple years, mainly in the middle of the night when the itch is keeping me awake.Ice has been the only thing that helped. I have tried every cream, lotion, drug mentioned here- no effect. I finally tried acupuncture and it has eliminated my itch. I have to go weekly or it comes back. I was to the point of wanting to cut my arms off and got relief after the first treatment. My itch is also seasonal-Sept to March. I am blonde blue eyed, live in a northern clime- get lots of sun in the summer.. 51 years old- itching for past 6 years.

when you went to have the acupuncture, how did the doctor know what area to treat? i tried it, and it was unsuccessful.

thank you. lynne

Kim:
Try staying out of the sun in the summer. I didn’t want to believe it, but after staying out of it for the 1st time in 8 years I was living an almost normal life.
I think the sun just made whatever I had with the arms much worse.
I was diagnosed with BRP and do have trouble with neck and back, but staying out of the sun certainly helped me.
It is hard to do, but do it and see

Kim:
Try staying out of the sun in the summer. I didn’t want to believe it, but after staying out of it for the 1st time in 8 years I was living an almost normal life.
I think the sun just made whatever I had with the arms much worse.
I was diagnosed with BRP and do have trouble with neck and back, but staying out of the sun certainly helped me.
It is hard to do, but do it and see.

Kim, I haven’t been on here since last winter because… you got it… the itch was gone until now. I have the same deal… only this year it didn’t start until early Dec. NOTHING works but ice. No dermotologist can figure it out. And no cream, shot or anything works. I do wonder if the sun is related to it?? I am also blonde, blue eyed and 52. Itch starts on the middle of my right arm always. And not usually until late in the day.

Hi Martha, When the itch starts up late in the day, are you sitting in a particular chair? I found that I can trigger the itch by pressure on parts of my upper back. This can happen sometimes when I lie down. By changing position before it really takes off, it makes a difference. This doesn’t always happen and I think the particular pressure is “the final straw” – maybe it is eating more sugar or something which sets up the situation.

Hi Martha and Kim, I have been itch free since Aug 8. I gave up Splenda, don’t know if that had anything to do with it. I also applied pure tea tree oil 4 or 5 times that day. The itch stopped. I can feel a little tingle every once in a while and I just apply tea tree oil and it goes away immediately.I keep it in my purse and I don’t go anywhere without it. Try it, it can’t hurt. I bought it at Sally’s Beauty Supply and it is usually used for toenail fungus and sold as such there. You can also find a wealth of other uses if you search the net. IT WORKS and you don’t have to have a prescription or have a doctor tell you that you are nuts to buy it! It might take a couple of days of application depending on how bad your itch is right now. Please try it, it worked so good for me and has kept the itch at bay since then. It doesn’t smell too good but you don’t notice the smell after about 20 minutes. Sue

Too much sugar can absolutely trigger an episode! My last big itch started with a weekend of company and lots and lots of cookies.

Hey Judith, I have to agree with you, I notice my arms start up when I’m sitting on my couch, which is usually at the end of the day. I veg out on the couch and watch TV in the evening, I think it may be a particular way I’m sitting. Sometimes I’ll move around a bit and the itching subsides. Has anyone else noticed if it’s a particular chair or how you sit in it, etc?

Susan

In answer to Lynne’s question- my acupuncturist is trained in Traditional chinese medicine- she did a TCM diagnosis to show where my deficiencies and excesses are and treated accordingly. She doesn’t treat just the symptoms but the underlying causes. Since acupuncture has gotten so popular in the west many are using it in a more Western approach(ie-treat symptoms only) which does not get the same results. If your acupuncturist wasn’t trained traditionally I would try someone else who is.
My other question- it doesn’t make sense to me that if sun is the trigger- why are most of us completely itch free in the summer when we are in the sun? My itch also goes away in the winter when I travel to warm climates on vacation and returns shortly after I return to frozen Minnesota.
I also tried the tea tree oil- didn’t help. Sometimes if I do a deep massage with tiger balm it helps a bit. I also tried St. John’s wort oil thinking it should help since it appears to be neurologic but that provided no relief also.
Kim

By Christine

1,336 replies on “Itch Relief…”