Itch Relief…

OK, I think we all need to find a centrally located University Hospital and sit in protest until some doctor finds a cure. Not a temporary fix but a cure!!! This itch is driving me nuts as you can probably tell at this point. I have never protested a thing in my life but I sure would be willing to march on Washington if it would help this miserable itch. It rules my life anymore. I don’t want to go through life drugged to the hilt and still itching. I have tried to get my doctor to pull this website up and read to understand what is going on but to no avail. Just a nod and some more drugs. We are changing again today. I’ve been on klonepin, cymbalta for several months now so its time to change to something else that will have just about the same results because it is still in the same group of medications. I think the main thing they are hoping for is to find something that will make me loopy enough I won’t care if I itch or not.
I’ve been the route of dermatologist, allergist, primary care, neurologist. I have spent enough on this to have had a wonderful month or two luxury vacation. Anymore ideas form anyone else? I’m just rambling at this point. I feel defeated to the max.
JW

Hi Sarah ( in Mexico)

I had noticed that I was the only itcher from the southern hemisphere.
I have itched daily, worse at night, from Dec 1st until 17th January. I have tried Telfast allergy tablets, cortisone cream, and am now on Endep 10 mg
for the past two weeks. Also I have been covering my arms when out doors. Now I have managed two days and nights without that terrible itch and have slept through without having to get up for ice packs. I think the Endep has helped, even with such a small dose. I do feel a bit dopey first thing in the morning – that seems to be the only side effect.

Since finding this site, I have been trying to pay more attention to my daily activities and diet to see if I can relate any specifics to the itch.
I have been doing intensive bike riding most days in training for a two-week ride coming up in March. I am wondering if the riding position is causing pressure in my neck and irritating the nerves in that area. Also being out in the sun a lot more, albeit smothered in sunscreen.

I guess I will just keep up the small dose of Endep and hope that will keep the itch at bay. As far as I can remember, it usually goes away in the cooler weather. We are in the middle of our summer in Australia right now.
This year I intend to keep a detailed record of “THE DREADED ITCH”

Jude

thank you all, read most all the postings, just started this mess this fall and been puzzled. Im not one who runs to the dr. and have been putting it off but almost at my witts end. so glad to find this arena and found several good suggestions I will try. Will be glad to share results if any work for me.
what a “affliction”! good luck to all, I will keep reading for more info….I do feel better knowing its not “in my head”

Hi, just tried the Vicks Vapor rub, it’s the first thing that’s worked, put it on last night after a stressed ‘itchy’ day of visiting both physio and dermatologist and reading posts on here, what a relief! I can still feel it slightly tingling and it does get hot, but no itch and I slept, oh my god everyone must try it, my poor partner bought it for his cold only yesterday and I’ve swiped it, and it won’t leave my side, well not while it works anyway!!
Saw dermatologist yesterday and told me my itching is not a skin ‘disease’, and they signed be off but they have prescribed Antax anti-histamine which is for the treatment of Brachialradial Pruritis, it also treats anxiety (hey at least when I’m scratching I won’t be anxious about it!!!). I also saw the physio who checked over my neck, reflexes etc., I had a neck injury 3 years ago and was treated by a physio and resulted in having a steroid injection, the itching is in the same arm/shoulder, she can find nothing wrong, but has booked me in for a 2nd opinion in a couple of weeks.
I have copied and printed lots of the posts from here and highlighted several paragraphs that particularly highlighted my problems and although I have produced them at drs, physio and dermatologists, not one of them has looked at it… what can I say, nothing new from reading other posts on here, no one seems to have a clue.
I am blonde blue eyed and fair skin, I don’t tan easily but do sunbathe but not excessively and I go on a sunbed maybe 6 times for 3 minutes each before I go abroad. I live in sunny England so obviously the hot weather is not to blame here! What does concern me however and I’m wondering if any other writers can help me here, is whether to go abroad for a holiday, we had planned to go to the Canaries or somewhere for a week at end of Feb or March time, but not sure if the heat will aggravate my condition, I don’t want to spend my time totally covered up and scratching! Any thoughts or experiences on this would be gratefully received!

Hi Karie, thanks so much for your advice and reply, I must admit that you may have a point with the BP, as the tablets seem to be working also, I tried using the ointment and the tablets separately and had a few problems but together… I haven’t itched for 2 days! Just some tingling and I’m wearing long sleeves today, apart from a tiny scratching on my shoulder (I put on the Vicks) that has been it!

hi to all! also just checking in after several weeks away from this site. An update on my nuerontin dosage: I am now at 1800 mgs/day and am virtually itch free. Before my follow-up at the University of Alabama Birmingham dermatology clinic, I was dosing at about 4 hour intervals. Rather difficult to keep up with and complicated. The doctor told me I could just take 600 mgs 3 times per day. Much easier schedule to follow. I am not experiencing any discernable side effects and I do still have a flare-up every now and again, but seldom and only need to use ice for about 10 minutes when it does occur. I’m not especially happy thinking that I’ll be on this medication forever, but I believe it is possible some other remedy may be found in the future and am grateful for the relief now. sweet dreams!

Hi I am a male 53 yrs old with itchy arms. Mainly my right arm in the afternoons and night. I’ve been to all sorts of medicos with no answers. I have spent years in the Australian sun, so maybe that is a cause. I am blonde but with olive skin. Ice works and I also use Vicks vapour rub which gives some relief.

I must get my two cents worth in also. I have been reading this site for quite some time and this is what I have to offer. I am 60 years old and have been a sun worshiper all of my life. I am very dark skinned and never really burned but let myself get to the “black” point. I have been suffering from itchy arms for approx. 5 years. It usually starts in October when the cold dry air arrives in our area. However, we go to Florida for 3 months (Dec. Jan. Feb.) and two days after we arrive the itch disappears. Ice has been my only relief but I have purchased Sarna which I understand is a new product on the market and will have lots of it on hand when we return to the cool dry air. I have not read all the threads on this site but I understand that sun causes this condition so why does it go away when I return to the beach and warm weather. I have not sought medical help as I know what they will probably tell me. STAY out of the sun!!! Is anyone on here similar to me???? This itch is unbelievalbe!!!!!!!!

Hi all
My last post was Jan. 19th when I had just started taking Endep tablets for the itch. I have 10mg per day, and I have stopped itching completely. I can’t believe it. I am still bike riding daily but in long sleeves and suncream everywhere – it is our mid-summer in Australia.
I dare not stop taking the tablets in case the itch flares up again.
Good luck everyone. Life’s a bitch with the itch !!

I have read all the posts over the last month and had nothing to add so just watched and waited. I realised that only people with the itch are searching for answers – the others have somehow found a cure and got on with their lives.

1. Mine is seasonal – summer time for the past ten years but in varying degrees. I have it in three areas – both arms and centre back over an old injury.

2. It is worse if I eat bread.

3. It is relieved if my husband massages my upper spine and the knotted muscles on either side and the itch often stays away for a couple of days. Also, seven years ago, I broke my central back and the skin over the damaged vertebrae itches like crazy but it stops with very firm pressure on that part of my spine. I had a deep Thai massage in Hanoi which I thought would kill me but I had no itch anywhere for two years. The deep theraupeutic massages here in Australia only temporarily relieve it.

4. I think it is something to do with a depletion of blood supply caused by damage to the spine and the itch is the body’s attempt to get blood to the area. A couple of minutes of rotating my arms slowly and alternatively in both directions also relieves the arm itch for several hours.

5. At the moment, massage of the damaged areas are the keys for me.

Good luck to everyone.

Hi Virginia,

That really is interesting and ties in with the massage helping. I will print out your response and go see my friendly chiropractor. Thank you. Judith

I have had this severe arm itching for about 16-18 years. I’ve been to so many doctors, tried every cream, now when it gets unbearable I just scratch to get relief, wipe off the blood and put ice on it for a few minutes. Sometimes I double-dose Claritin. (generic is cheaper and works fine). I too have light eyes and blondish/brown hair, but it seems that so many people of all types have this problem. One year it will be on my left forearm, then it may change to the other arm. Makes no sense at all, just comes and goes as it pleases. I have to wear long sleeves at work so people don’t see the scabs on my arm from scratching. My daughter laughs at me because I’m always telling her “don’t touch my arm!!!

I thougth I’d post a copy of the message that I posted to men’s health this afternoon. I had called and talked with Jerry’s chiro today and what I posted is from what he told me.
I called this morning and left a message and he called me back a little later. He spent about 25 minutes on the phone with me talking about BRP (Brachioradial Pruritus). He also believes that for a lot of people there has probably been some sort of trauma or such to a person that causes this condition to begin. For Jerry, he did a lot of riding mountain bikes and one day he went over his handlebars and landed hard.
Anyway, Dr. Reagan said that for Jerry’s BRP, he specifically works on levels C5, C6, and C7. He added that depending upon how easily he could gets Jerry’s back to move (or whatever you’d call it) sometimes he also works from T1 – T4, although not necessarily all of these (T’s) at the same time. He said it depended upon how much inflammation he found there as to which one specifically he deals with.
He also said he checked or worked up in the plexis – behind the collar bone.
And lastly he said he remembers having Jerry use cold packs on the side of the itching up on the base of the neck and top of the shoulders.
I totally agree with the statement that the topical creams and ointments just help calm the irritation – they don’t address the true problem which is from that radial nerve. The one lotion that Jerry found that help calm the beast was called Sarna. At our WalMart they don’t have it out on the shelves, you have to ask for it. Dr. Reagan said he spent a bit of time studying that radial nerve and it’s path. Hopefully anyone who wants to visit their chiro. will find one as concerned as ours is, who was willing to do some research and really hunt a solution.

Hi, all. I’m a 52 year old and it took me 5 dermatolgolists before I heard the term “brachial radial pruritis” and then I thought, “Thank God, I’m not crazy!” I have cervical dis disease (lots of arthritis and degeneration of discs plus spurs) suffered trauma in a car accident long ago, and this condition is directly related to that. My doctor prescribed a cream with steroids that works, but I need to exercise tremendous willpower to not scratch before it sinks in. Flucinonide is what it is (check that spelling, though – I’m not sure) I also highly recommend another prevention that has worked incredibly since I’ve been doing it for a month – and that is swimming 3x a week. I find that the neck movemnet if I breathe bilaterally releases some of the tension in my neck and is as therapeutic as massage. In any case, the episodes of itching have nearly disappeared – so much so that my arms have completely healed. Try it!

Hi Judith and Cathy. You both are very welcome – for whatever small part I may have had. I don’t have a clue why, but when I woke up the other morning it just stayed on my mind to get back online and see what was being said about this disease and to tell how Jerry has been helped. My heart sincerely goes out to anyone who has this. I’ve just wanted time and again to sit down and cry for Jerry.
When Jerry was first diagnosed, all I could find online was statements about the cause being sun related and that was about it. Then I chanced up on one little statement someone had made in some medical paper that was located outside of the US. They brought up the fact that they felt there was a great possibity that the disease could be brought under control/cured/helped with spinal manipulation instead of drugs. This was what I’d been digging for. I immediately called and spent a good hour on the phone with Jerry’s chiro and that got the ball rolling for us. I so hope that you guys get the same relief.
Cathy please continue use of the ice packs the doc recommended. They truly help the inflammation. Every time Jerry goes to see Doc Reagan, he immediately comes home and grabs his ice pack out of the freezer and does exactly what the doc suggested. He’s proven for himself that they are very beneficial.
Please don’t be discouraged if you don’t get immediate relief at the chiro. Encourage him to continue working in that area until he finds the place where you get relief. That isn’t to say that you can’t get immediate relief – I know Jerry did. It was miraculous to witness the change that took place in about 30 minutes.

HELLO ALL, IF ANYONE SUFFERS PRICKLING ITCHING, REDNESS AND BURNING AFTER WATER CONTACT — TRY THIS. STOP EATING SUGR AND SWEETNRS AND START A VERY VERY VERY LOW GLYCEMIC DIET IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS A FREE AND EFFECTIVE CURE, I’M LIVING PROOF OF IT. IN THE FIRST WEEK YOU SHOULD NOTICE IMPROVEMENT.HOWEVER, FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF TAKE COOLER SHOWERS, AFTER A SHOWER STAND IN THE SUN, WASH-UP INSTEAD OF SHOWERING AND WEAR LONG CLOTHES TO STAY CLEANER LONGER. I’VE TRIED MANY REMEDIES FOR MANY YEARS AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THATS WORKED FOR ME, HOPEFULLY IT WILL WORK FOR YOU. TELL EVERYONE!!! barrywilllwin@yahoo.com

Thanks so much to everyone with information on itchy arms. With all the things that Virginia wrote, I feel much more hopeful and I think everyone is getting closer and closer to the answer. My itching had died down for awhile but it seems to have popped up again so I didn’t have much relief. It’s not too intense but it’s always there, worse in the evening and overnight. Maybe it’s the way I sit and/or sleep. I do have a sore neck most of the time and it hurts especially when I hang my head. Would arthritis contribute to this I wonder. I’m not saying I have arthritis because I don’t know. Sorry I don’t have information for you. I wish I could contribute more.

Coffee does not seem to aggravate my itchy arms, but I do notice that desserts and sugar sometimes starts the itching. I’ve cut down on as much sugar as I can, but am still going to contact a chiro if it gets unbearable again. Mine has finally subsided a little and my arms are finally healed up. I just dread next Fall. I can’t imagine what the correlation would be to the seasons and a spinal/neck problem. This is such a mystery!

It has been my experience that, when I heat up, the blood vessels constrict and I itch. High carbohydrate food will also cause it. I do have upper spine damage and I find that I can increase the blood flow to my arms without heating up by just slowly rotating my arms forward and back about ten times each arm, slowly being the operative word. The itch then retreats. Don’t know why this works but it does. I found the topical creams thin the skin, especially if they contain steroids, and this seems to make the condition overall worse. I have had this for eight years, generally in summer and this is the first year I think I understand it.

Thanks for your input. The itching mostly is triggered by my arms getting too warm, such as in a very warm room or wearing too many clothes. If I’m cold then the clothing doesn’t bother me. I spend most of my time bare arms when I’m indoors. So heat definitely starts the itching in my case. I’ve also noticed if my arms are constricted they start to get itchy.
Funny how they can get men on the moon but this itch is a mystery to the most intelligent of people. Thanks for listening, once again. Can’t wait for a permanent cure.

Hi all fellow itch sufferers

It has been several months since my last entry,the itch has gotten alittle better but is still there. I am astounded at the amount of people from all over the world that are suffering from this and most doctors know nothing.
Thanks Virginia for your Chiro info, I am going to email that one and also #215 (Eva) to my Chiro today then I will make an appointment with her next week. Everytime I go see her she asks how I am doing so I know she is interested.
I stopped going to all the other drs because they weren’t doing anything to help. If you go back and read my first entry #103 which explains all that I have been thru you will understand.
The only things that I have found to be helpful is the ice (but instead of using ice packs I made myself some corn bags to freeze) they don’t seem to be as harsh as the ice packs, also the Vicks cream.
I seem to remember one of the comments was about itching on the legs, has anyone had any problems with that. My sister has leg itching but isn’t exposed to the sun that much. In the past I have itched on one are then the other, this year it was only the left arm (closest to the driving window), it started in late Aug/early Sept and slowed down about a month ago. It all seems very strange that it happens at the end of the summer season here. He have a boat and I have always been a sun goddess…..but no more….we are selling the boat too.
Let you know what happens when I see the chiro next week.
Good sleeping to all
Rosie

I am going to try the doctors again both general and a Chiro, and I am going there armed with all your symptoms and cures,(Brachioradial Pruritus)will be discussed as well as the spine C5-C6 ideas.
Thank you all, and I’m real sorry for “Such” a long babbling of my “itch” history but I fill I finally mite be on to something that will cure this for good.

Please, please, please, please.

Joe

I’m finally done reading all the previous entries! Took me three seperate sittings, and now I guess I’ll add my own two cents. Firstly, before I forget, I want to mention in case some of you don’t know, there are packs filled with a gel substance that you can buy at drug stores (chemists, for you Britts) instead of actual ice. I have a couple that I alternate. They’re soft and pliable to mould around the curve of your arm and they might even fit under your sleeve. Having said that, I stopped using ice several days ago after reading above (my presentation of this site doesn’t have numbers??) that it might not be the best idea. The explanation made sense so I gave it a try. Whether it’s the reason or not, my itch has lessened. Do what you have to NOT to scratch and NOT to ice, I know it might be impossible seeming especially if you’re at the hight of your spell, but try to distract yourself and see what happens.
This is only my second year with this but I am so determined to find a solution. At first I wanted the cause but now I’ll settle for a solution. I did love some of the eager-beavers earlier who suggested a survey/questionaire be compiled. If I were more computer-literate I’d try myself. Last year it arrived in September (right, upper arm) and lasted ’till March! This fall, like clockwork it came back in September (left, upper arm) so I’m hoping I’m almost done with it again. After it’s peak, in November and December, it’s become more manageable. Perhaps that’s why I can keep from scratching or iceing.
My stats are; female, caucasian, brown hair and eyes, 45, live on the west coast of Canada where it’s temperate, sunny and very dry in the summer and cloudy and very wet in the winter, never really hot or really cold. No known alergies. My history could support either of the suggested causes. I have a notoriously bad lower back and my neck is frequently stiff and sore. I also play a lot of tennis so although I’m relatively fit I’ve had lots of rotator cuff (shoulder) problems and tennis elbow currently (but both on my right side, the itch is on the left this year). I used to be a total sun worshiper in my teens and twenties (in Toronto) but not so bad any more. I have been know to visit the tanning salon in the winter months, but not lately! That’s something I find interesting about this site…how many of us have or do use a tanning bed. Are tanning beds just that common? Or could this be more significant??? I do tend to support the sun damage theory (or something related to weather) a little more than the neck compaction theory, even though I don’t want to, I adore the sun. Here’s why. My back and neck are sore all year round so why only itch September to March? Recently our weather took a dramatic turn from record-breaking rain to steady sunshine. After two or three days of sun my itch was GONE. No itch for several sunny days, I was so happy. Then the rain came back and so did the itch! I don’t know much about atmospheric/barometric pressure and it’s effect on the human body, but perhaps there’s a connection??
Like many of you I’ve tried all kinds of things, many lotions, anti-histamines, sleeping aides, accupuncture, herbs, massage, chiropractor (not a good one I don’t think), psychologist (recommended by the chiropractor!). I’ve been for blood tests and x-rays of my neck (no problems indicated?!).
In the end, here’s what has helped me. A simple remedy for not-too-bad times is an arthritis relief gel sold in Canada as Mentholatum “Deep Cold” Gold (extra strength). It may be what Susan refered to since it has a blue label. It’s probably a lot like the Vicks some of you use (I’ve not tried Vicks). Here’s something funny, I live in an old, drafty house so I need to keep warm but not my one arm so I went to the used clothing shop and bought some cheap (but actually pretty good), soft cotton, ski-type turtle necks ($5 ea.) and cut off the left sleeve! They’re really weird and ugly but around the house they do the trick. I even sleep in one. Oh, too much information!
Finally, I did try the new drug, Lyrica (pregabalin) recently. I took 50mg twice daily for a month (mid Jan to mid Feb) and it really helped but I’d try a higher dose if/when I take it again. Another woman with BRP takes 150 mg twice/day and had better results–hers vanished! I believe I’m coming to the end of my ‘spell’ so I did not go back to my doctor for more (I hate my doctor and the drug is expensive). I do plan to get more for sure if this returns again next year. I experienced no side effects, didn’t feel like I was taking anything at all.
Thanks everyone who’s ‘listening’. I appreciate all the info. and I hope I can help someone too.

My chiropractor said to tell you to see a “Corrective” chiropractor. Guess there’s a difference. I plan to go for a while. My itching has subsided quite a bit. I’m only using Sarna lotion at night, only because I’m so afraid it’ll start itching again. But so far, so good. I itch just a little, and close to the surface of the skin – not deep – and the intense, prickly sensation is gone. Good luck!!

I’ve suffered with itchy arms for the last ten years.It started during my first pregnancy but stopped as soon as my son was born. Throughout my next pregnancies I suffered again but this time the itch remained.It affects my upper arms and sometimes my neck. I’ve noticed it isn’t really bad during the day, but come night time just after my shower it gets really bad. I don’t get a rash at all and it feels like something crawling under your skin. I’ve been to 4 Doctors over the years and have been told I have everything from Hormonal problems, being allergic to water( itch is terrible after a bath)and also that it could be from taking iron tablets or panadol (get a lot of headaches) It is such a relief to find I’m not the only one suffering from this horrible condition.It has affected my life for such a long time and after reading some of the other entries it scares me that some of you have had this for 20 years or more.I’ve tried Cortisone creams (with minimal relief), Anti histamine tablets, Telfast, Polaramine ect. I haven’t used ice yet but I’m going to give it a try. I am so glad I found this site as it has given me peace of mind that it’s not just all in my head. Lets hope we all have a cure very soon.