Itch Relief... | BigPinkCookie

I to have the same symptoms as everyone else in this forum. It is great to

see that alot of people have written in and told us all about there episodes.

I have had these symptoms now for around 1 year. I dont know what to do.

I have been to many doctors and nothing.It is a funny thing actually

because alot of you have a itchy left arm. As you drive on the right. I am

from Australia where we drive on the left and my right arm is the itchy one.

So I dont know if it has anything to do with drivers arm sunburn. Or could

it be just nerves. If anyone can help with some information that would be

great.

I just found this website when I googled “Brachioradial Pruritis.” Three years ago I developed the intense itch/burning in my arms. It seemed to follow a nerve right down my arm. After 2 dermatologists, 2 allergists and my GP tried their diagnoses and cures on me with no relief, I mentioned the problem to my Chiro. He treated my upper back and neck for a few weeks and the itch was gone for 3 years.
In January of this year my migraines became worse. An x-ray showed degenerative disc disease and spurs in my neck. Now guess what’s back! The dreaded itch! So I’m back to my Chiro for another series of visits.
I’m recommending those of you with a similar problem to contact a good chiropractor. Good luck to all!

Hi Cate, I’m going along with you. Heat triggers the itching as does wearing too many clothes, even the fabric on my sofa will set it off (I don’t know what kind of material it’s made from, something synthetic). But again, I have to ask everyone, whatever causes it, why does it seem to be seasonal?????

Hi Steven, I’m also from Australia – the Gold Coast – and have had this every summer really badly for the past eight years and this year I seem to have got on top of it.
I returned today from six days camping and hiking in our summer and no full itch at all so I feel the acupuncture of my upper cervical area has worked. I have had four weeks, once a week and the difference is remarkable. Once or twice I got the faintest prickle in one arm but found that by VERY slowly rotating it in both directions about five times, it just went away.
In the last year, I have had physio, chiropractic and massage, all of which helped a little with the itch but nothing as much as the acupuncture.
This may be a temporary fix because probably the spine damage is permanent but, if you can find a doctor to do it, it is mostly covered by Medicare.

Hi Dee thanks for your comments…..I’m thinking that the sofa problem is related to the fact that ‘foam’ does not breath….and it generates a lot of heat…for example if you by a foam matteress you would be perspire more due to the lack of breathing in the foam….. As for the seasonal issue…I’m thinking that the tempreture rises and results in the body heat rising…. therefore…the problem can be seasonal….eg: cool weather less feelings of being hot….this would also correlate with the notion that people in cold weather can get it….eg: if they turned down the central heating and stayed ‘cool’ would they suffer as much? What do others think?

Cheers……

Cate (Australia)

I find this most curious. My BRP is very seasonal, September to March and I live in the northern hemisphere, Canada. A few of you living in Austrailia have it at the same time, but it’s your summer?? I kind of envy you in a strange way because at least you can wear no sleeves or light clothing. Try going sleeveless during the winter in Canada! I do keep my heat relatively low in my home because I agree, heat, dry or wet, makes it worse. For the past month or so my itch has subsided to a bearable level and I’m pretty happy, I can sleep, hopefully it will be completely gone soon, for all of us!

My husband has all of the same symptoms as all of you! He is suffering with this itchiness on one arm. He actually gets up and runs to get ice. I shared this site with him and he was so glad to have found people that he could relate with! We tried the Vicks today with no luck :(… He does have a common ailment in Degenerative disk .. Please keep up the postings, we appreciate all of your input!

I have been to 4 doctors in the last 8 weeks. Rite after my itchy right arm subsided I started having pain in the band of muscles up and down my right arm, in my neck and between my shoulder blade. I had MRI’s X-rays, blood test, the whole 9 yards.
The pain was so awful at one point between my shoulder blades I had to go to the hospital.
After all the tests……………….. Degenerative disks in my neck, between C4 to C7, slight arthritis. Bottom line, …Major Therapy. I have been on muscle relaxers and inflammatorys for over a month.
I have always had a slight neck and back problem from an old racing accident when I was about 23.
The two of these physical problems, uncontrollable burning itching of my right arm and neck-back-shoulder blade pain with sever cramping of the muscles in my forearm. Always seemed to show up very close together. The older I have gotten the worst it has got.
I totally believe these 2 things have something to do with each other. The funny thing is I never asked my new general Doctor, but I will……….This year I went from knee surgery, The Dreaded Itch for about 2 weeks, then less than a week later the neck, back, arm pain started. Gezzzzz give a guy a brake, I’m still fighting thru the neck pain and arm muscle spasms but NO ITCHING………… Good Luck to you all, I will talk to this new doctor to see if he thinks the 2 mite be connected.

After five sessions of acupuncture on upper spine, still no itch!!!!!!! Occasionally a vague tingling but that is it! And this is after at least eight years of the beast.

Just a quick update – since giving up sweets and chocolates for lent, the itching is almost down to zero – perhaps some of you should try it – it may help.

Hi everyone, I too have had itchy arm and back of neck for 8 or so years. I thought I was the only one as none of the drs. out there mentioned ever having come across this before. Not that I want you to itch but misery loves company and maybe we can put our heads together for a cure. Background, small frame, blonde, 60 have not had back problems but was diagnosed with osteopenia. I have thyroid problems and take medication I thought it was medication, fabrics, plant, sun, weather, wine, etc. etc. etc. need I go on? Something that works for my itching (but not always, as you all know) Noxema cream, doesn’t smell too bad and seems to calm it down. Nothing takes it away, I do not have this seasonally, but year round, lucky me. Ice gives the greatest relief, but last night that didn’t work. I am considering trying chiropractic since my gut says nerve endings. I always thought it was related to shingles or the herpes virus in some way, of course all the docs think your nuts. I have taken every med offered and every topical cream (even a babies diaper rash cream)
available OTC and prescription. Now, I take Valium I too thought it could be aggravated by stress, to help sleep, but do not want to overdo since this can be addictive, Maybe will try the Neurontin.Keep in touch, Linda

If you’re willing to try drugs, try Lyrica (pregabalin), a new drug, it works! See the tail end of my mile-long entry Feb 27th for dosage ideas.

Thanks for the Lyrica info, I’m willing to try anything at this point. Linda

At times I just cry with the thought of having to have this ODD PROBLEM for the rest of my life. My upper arms/shoulders and sometimes lower arms itch so must and so often that I can’t remember a time where there was a stretch of days linked together that I had relief from it. I’m 55 and have had it for about 10 years–progressively getting worse. I start “light therapy” tomorrow–3 times a week for 6 weeks–I’ll try most anything. Have been to many doctors–emergency rooms, etc. Ended up at the University of Pa.–where I had to take a really hot bath every night for 14 day–the bath had to be exactly 20 minutes–then out of the tub to put on a thinck vaseline type prescription medicine…THEN had to wrap shoulders/arms with sahran wrap and SLEEP LIKE THAT–with itching under this total mess–well I did it–it really didn’t help–but I know you’ll all understand that to feel like there’s relief in the future–you’ll just about try anything!!–which I have…I’ll let this site know how the light therapy works–I’ve never written in anything like this before–a GP Doctor gave me a cream for poison ivy that worked for awhile–nothing lasts for too long–and with me it’s year round. Thanks for letting me vent—Sandy

Sandy, I know exactly what you mean about trying anything. Besides all the prescriptions I’ve used I’ve tried Vicks, vineagar, soda, betadine, hydrogen peroxide, everything on the drug store shelf that says it is for any sort of itch, ammonia, alcohol, salt water, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, lotions, creams, bath salts, staying under water for almost an hour. Anything I can do. Ice packs, hot rags, warm rags, antibotic cream, vaseline, If I had all the money I have spent on itching to live on , I could probably live a year or so. The only thing I haven’t tried so far is a chiropractor. I’ve called several and asked them if they had ever treated anything like this and all have so far acted like I was out in left field so ….
Hope you find relief and can pass on the miracle.
Jeanette

Well, I have tried the chiropractor and it works for me so long as I keep it up. I went once a week for five weeks – no itch!!! He has gone on holidays for the past three weeks and last week the itch returned. I can’t wait for the chiropractor to get back. He works on my upper spine and shoulder blade area. I notice that the skin area on my back has started to tingle like it is stretched so I really do believe the arm itch is connected with this area. Also, sweet things which “heat up” the blood steam now seem to kick off the itch almost immediately.
In Australia, because my chiropractor is a medical doctor, it is covered by our universal health plan and I only contribute $8 a visit. I don’t care if I go once a week for the rest of my life.

Hi everyone,i have not commented for about five months, my ithching just stopped, well a few days ago it returned,mildly. I just pray it does not come back like the last time!!!!! It really has me baffeled, i am going to go back to bed and try to sleep, i have a busy day tomorrow…I pray the itching will go away!!!! God bless you all, sleep softly…Joi

Start Light therapy Monday–Mon/Wed/Fri for the next 6 weeks–we’ll see. Thanks for the good words JW..it’s SO Frustrating! Sandy L.

Hi all. Just today got some SULPHUR 6X and the itch is better tonight. It is supposed to neutrilize the rash and I believe I am better.

I am going to make an appointment with a chiropractor and see if this is related to my problem. Oh how I have suffered with this ITCH and it is worse than any other pain I know of.

Keep up the good works guys1

Lynn in East Texas

Found this site Googling ‘brachioradial pruritis recently and couldn’t believe other folks have this same problem! And the same problem with doctors not knowing what it is. I was fortunate to find a dermatologist who said my symptoms were ‘textbook’ for brachioradial pruritis. At this point is was a mild itch on my forearms, aggravated by the sun. He said go see a neurologist, which I did.

Well, the neurologist provided more information than I really wanted, and none good … I’ve always been aware of a slight deformity in my neck/spine but since I hit 50, now add cervical spondylosis (spinal C5-C6 osteoarthritis), osteophytes (bone spurs) and compression on the nerve bundle exiting from the neck down the arms. Over three years this mild-mannered itch has turned into a fire-breathing dragon under my skin which is only controlled by ice (up to 2-3 hours at a time. – I’m amazed at how long I can hold an ice pack on my arm without it actually feeling cold, just a modicum of relief.)

Like a lot of other folks here, I am fair, blonde/blue, early 50s and don’t sun well. Originally from Atlanta, GA now living in central Tennessee. I recently started a new business in wholesale ornamental growing, so now I’m outside even more. In the winter time I can’t wear long sleeves (the
cold air actually feels good on my arm!), in the summer the heat/sun aggravate the nerves and start the itch.

Neurosurgeon gave me an MRI and says I can get relief from surgery by removing/carving down bone spurs (ouch) to reduce compression on the nerves, but he also wants to do a few Frankenstein type experiments first … like a spinal tap prior to a myelogram (which I understand just this test can cause seizures!!!) and some kind of ‘electric’ test where they place electrodes in your arms to measure electrical travel speed. Sounds like that test would set me into orbit – can you imagine!!

The ONLY thing (besides ice) that has helped me is a product called Presley’s Itch No More, a spray-on product that is ‘all natural’. It works about 60-75% of the time, but relief is relief! I also tried the chiropractor thing, but it seemed to aggravate the nerves more. I think acupuncture may be next.

Thanks for letting me join in to ‘share the misery’!!

Molly
Tennessee

I try most things that come up on this site if it is not ice or drugs. Four weeks off acupuncture and the itch came back last week with a vengeance. I read on an English “itching” website that two people had had great success with Omega 3-6-9 (flaxseed oil capsules), the first said three capsules three times a day and I did that. The itch stopped after twenty-four hours but, boy, did I have stomach cramps and diahorrea! Then the next person said they did one capsule three times a day so I reduced the dose to that yesterday.
I am going back to the acupuncturist this morning (he’s back from Africa thank heavens) and the work certainly makes a different to the discomfort in my upper back from wear, tear and injuries. A nice flow-on seems to be controlling the itch. I think it increases the blood supply to the area.
Tomorrow I am going snorkelling in Samoa so it will be interesting to see if the Omega 3-6-9 controls it while I am away in the tropics.
After eight or nine years of feeling like a victim with the itch, I am enjoying working out my own way of controlling it. For that, I am very grateful to all the lovely suffering folk on these websites. It really is a support group at its best.

What a relief to find this website. ICE GEL -THIS DOES WORK & LAST NIGHT GOT THE BEST SLEEP IN AGES. Its main ingredient is menthol and is used for muscle/ backache/arthritis etc.It works exactly like ice but lasts a way lot longer…don’t know if you can get it in the US or anywhere outside Australia & NZ but here is the website http://www.mentholatum.com.au/index.php
Maybe there is something similar in your country and it may be worth a try.
Have had this itch – always confined to the upper arms & back of neck for the past 20 years. I am 51 & live in the southwest of Western Australia. Interesting that a lot of posts here have had this thing for around 7 to 20 years! I find this thing iis seasonal around Autumn when the temperature changes & it has progressed from my left arm to the back of my neck & now is working it’s way down my right arm ..never in the same spot but in tiny increments over the past 20 years. Totally maddening with lack of sleep & an itch that makes you want to scratch til you bleed, then the whole area turns red & hot and comes back with a vengeance like hot needles under the skin. Have used lavendar oil with some relief amd ice works best but after reading these posts yesterday thought I’d try something else, found the Ice Gel & decided to send in my comments. Will keep posted.

Hi everyone

I live in Australia and have had this itchy arm business for about five years off and on. It certainly is mysterious. It just stops for a few months as if someone has pressed the stop or off button, and then returns gradually and intensifies. Also it is worse at night. I have tried all sorts of creams also. The lastest that helps to sooth is emu oil. But I think this is just a bandaid treatment as I really think it comes from inside.

I think it may have something to do with the sun or heat as mine only itches on the top part of the arms, from shoulder to wrist. The under side of the arms has never ever itched.

I have recently found out that my spine is very crooked. I went to a chiropractor and had x-rays. I have damage at the neck, mid-back and have had a brocken tail bone. I have have treatment, but was not suffering very much itching at the time, but haven’t been able to get to him for treatment for a while and my itching is really bad.

I do suffer from stress quite a bit too, but when I was really stressed and depressed last winter I did not have the itching. I had recently shifted from one country town to another and was plagued by the itch. Then I thought that maybe because it was only the arms that were affected that it might be something to do with underarm deoderant. Although I use only natural stuff from the health shop. Anyway I stopped using all deoderant and within a week the itching stopped altogether. I was in seventh heaven. But lo and behold by christmas time it slowly came back again. I was so sure it was the deoderant. I am now quite desperate. I have looked on the net before but have not found this site. I am amazed that so many other people have the same problem, but disappointed that no one has any answers.

If I have any success with the chiro or maybe accupunture I will be in touch

Well hello all. I went to the chiropractor today and had x-rays. He has never heard of brachial pruritis, but says he will check out my cervical spine and see if he can advise me. Just my luck, a chiropractor who knows nothing of this dreaded disease. I am to go back in two days.
Does anyone in Texas know of a chiropractor who is familiar with this? If so, please advise. I will appreciate it so.
Thanks.
Lynn

I can’t believe that I stumbled onto this site! I have often wondered how many people might commit suicide at night due to itching- it is absolutely MADDENING! I am in my late forties and have had itchy upper arms for about three years. My doctor put me on cimedatine which is an upper GI medication but works on histamines,. and the itching was much better for quite a while. Then I took a vacation out in the sun, and for the past three weeks it has returned in full force, so I am positive the sun has something to do with it (which really stinks since I love the beach and also drive a convertible.)It is almost exclusively my left upper arm but now seems to involves my right shoulder and neck as well. Wearing long-sleeved shirts won’t work because when I itch I can’t stand to have ANYTHING on my arms at all. Actifed helps a little but makes me too tired to function. Ice is the only thing that gives me relief. It works really well but isn’t always convenient. Does anyone know of an “itch” specialist? There must be some doctor who deals with this- I’ll go anywhere!

Oh my goodness….what a treasure trove I’ve run across this morning! I’ve had this thing for over 20 years and like all of you, I have tried anything and everything over these years that I thought would help.
My conclusions have been for me that ice is #1 after the itching has started. I use the cool gel packs. I keep them in the freezer and when needed, I just sit in my recliner (or lay in bed if it’s keeping me awake) and have the packs on both arms.
The other thing is limiting the time I spend in the Texas sun, and covering my arms with long sleeves….which is not pleasant when it’s over 100 degrees, but I don’t suffer well. 🙂
I am dark haired and brown eyed by the way.
I have printed out this whole discussion so I can go over the entire thing to see if anyone is having success with something I havn’t tried.

I would love to hear from anyone else who has tried the Omega oil 3-6-9 (flaxseed oil). I have been on it now for three weeks and it seems to have done the trick for me. I returned today from two weeks in tropical Samoa and had absolutely no problems at all despite all the sun, humidity and salt water. I started with 3×3, dropped to 2×3 and now take 2×2 a day. This is after eight to ten years of the rotten beast. I feel good in other ways too and I know my skin is getting much smoother. If anyone else is trying this, I would really like to hear from you.

Dear Judith: Thanks for the heads up on the Omega oil. I will get to the health food store tomorrow and hopefully purchase this. The sulphur 6x does give some relief, but nothing so far has gotten rid of this awful plague.
How many days did you take 3×3, 2×3 and 2×2? Please advise.
Thanks,
Lynn

Hi Lynn, I took 3×3 for about three days, then 2×3 for another couple. By then, the itch was gone and I kept forgetting. The past week or so, it has probably only been 2 once a day because that is all I remember. I got the faintest prickle after eating honey as a syrup on pancakes so upped the dose then. One thing is that the Omega oil won’t hurt generally at all. My skin all over is in much better shape. I am fairly careless about skin care so this is a real plus for me.

2:43 am: Thanks Judith. As you can see the time of the morning, I am up scratching…….I purchased the Flax Oil on my way home from work and took one w/supper and another when I went to bed. It is 1200mg but this is the first time in several weeks I have been awakened by the itch on my arms. Not sure if this agrees with me or not.
Thanks for your reply.
Lynn

Lynn,
I can’t do without my sleep. When I have itching in the night, I get up and get out two of my frozen/cold packs I keep in the freezer. Put them on my arms, or maybe just alternate one between arms so I can get more comfortable. I can almost always go back to sleep. I wake up and find the gel pack on the floor or in the bed, but I can go back to sleep.

Reading all the comments about itchy arms I am quite discouraged. I also came upon this site by accident. I am wondering if anyone has the itch on the legs and also has anyone had a rash connectd to the itch?

Hi Natalie, Don’t get discouraged. Until I located this site, I thought I was the only person in the world with the itch. This is definitely my best year because I think I understand it now and I don ‘t feel such a victim. I really think it is something to do with lessened blood flow from the upper spine, maybe caused by damaged nerves or something. I have a lot of spine damage.
But, this year, I am able to manage it. Acupuncture across my upper back will hold it for over two weeks. I think the Omega 3-6-9 helps. What sounds a bit strange but really does work is, when the itch begins, very slowly rotate your arm about five times in each direction. The itch goes within about a minute. I think it increases the blood flow to the arm area. Don’t know about legs and don’t want to think about them!
As regards a rash, the skin seems to get bumpy and rough when the itch is bad. The Omega 3-6-9 is definitely improving my skin tone all over. Whoever initially mentioned it, thank you!
Just for what it is worth, does anyone else have a problem with constipation?

I agree that the skin gets bumpy and rough when the itch is bad- I’m never sure which came first. Sometimes I get bumps which seem to cause the itch… Anyway, I have been having a really bad episode since I went on a cruise the first week in April and was in the sun. Then just when it seems to be subsiding, I had a small glass of white wine last night and was up between 3 and 4 am. Even with ice I couldn’t get it to go away, and it continued into the morning today and still feels “prickly” now. I really really don’t want to give up the things I love (like sun and white wine and my convertible car!) so I’d like to know if any of these things that people do like the Omega 3-6-9 allow people to resume their normal lives. Oh, and by the way… I broke my back in 1994 and have rods in there. The last surgery I had was in 2001, and was much more extensive than the previous ones. It was after that that the itch started. At first I didn’t make any connection, but after reading things on this website, now I’m wondering…

Give acupuncture on your upper back a go. I have broken my upper spine twice over the past eight years. Also, when it starts to prickle, do try the SLOW forward and back arm rotations – about four or five. I do it in shops or anywhere and I haven’t got arrested yet! I think these things gently increase the blood supply and that seems to calm the itch.

hi all……. got to my wits end tonight and in desperation ‘googled’ “excessively itchy arm”….
i am so relieved that there are others who understand the discomfort..

i am super fit, work as a builder, and surf competitively…. non smoker, and live the most healthy life imaginable, in a tiny bush community on the coast… i do however spend near every waking hour outdoors and exposed to sun. i am pakeha, but very dark…with dark skin tan, even in winter…
i would say im in perfect health ( other than the itch!!)
i have however suffered in the past with a retrolisthesis(spelling?!) of the L4….
i am seeing a pattern in many people here. sufferring the itch, and having back problems

saw something on this site which pretty much sums my complaint up….http://www.vgrd.org/archive/cases/2001/brachioradial/brachioradial.html

sorry.. i cant offer a remedy, i just scratch like crazy… i wish i knew what was really going on….. but i do feel better sharing! and knowing you all are out there….

hi again…. just a slight post script to my last note…. just read thru the threads about half way back…. saw the discussion re; brachioradial has been covered already…. sorry folks…

also pps… going on monday to see a woman about “rolfing”… otherwise known as “structural intergration”. for my back condition.
anyone heard of/used/can comment on this treatment……??

interesting if i get some itch relief from it?!

Hi – thanks to all for sharing your stories. I’m a self-diagnosed brachioradial pruritus sufferer. Been itching for about 5 years. Live in Panama City, Florida (originally from England). My itch is generally with me from May-Nov. Female, 43, brown hair, blue eyes. And like many others, ice is the only thing that helps – actually I keep bottles of water in the freezer – wrap one on the affected arm each night with a towel -stays mostly frozen all night. Zero tolerance for capsaican – felt like I was sticking my arms in a fire, and only occasional relief using other topical treatments. The cervical/spine theory is interesting…I woke up on my 16th birthday unable to move my neck without experiencing excruciating pain; since then about twice a year I go through what I call a pinched neck nerve episode – tho I really don;t know what it is. Treated with a prescription muscle relaxer and pain reliever immediately, it subsides within a week. But so far, nothing but ice relieves the itch. Except for one really weird experience- and this must be coincidence, but will share it anyway. After several particularly bad sleepless, itchy nights in a row, I spent half a day sanding cabinet doors with an electrical sander. Really curious as to whether the constant vibration could have anything to do with nerves, etc. – as I then had two totally itch-free days. Couldn’t think of anything else I’d done differently. I have seen mention on some web sites about TENS units being used (and my husband has one) – but wouldn’t really know where to attach the electrodes (arms? neck?!!) Just wondered if anyone else had tried a TENS machine.
Teresa

I would put the TENS on your upper spine radiating out across your back. That is where the acupuncture needles go and that sure works.

Hello Teresa and Judith:
I have also self diagnosed myself and went to the chiropractor last Thursday for the needle treatment (in my ears) This is something new and takes the place of the staple previously used for weight loss, migraine headache and other problems. At any rate, he placed 4 in my left ear and the itching has really subsided. Also, I have more energy and less appetite.
Really amazing. You can find out more under amazingearstaple.com. His name is Dr. Dixon, and I am very impressed with this treatment.
Hopefully this will help some with their problem, i.e., cervical spine injury/illness causing the itching. Please tell him I told you about him.

Lynn Brown

I’ve been undergoing “light treatment” for the past 5 weeks–at first I thought it was helping a little–but I’m worse now—it’s been so many years of itching. Ice is o.k. But most of the time lately nothing seems to help. Have been to so many local Doctors..went to The University of Penn—top notch Doctor–no help. Am going to head up to NYC as soon as I can get an appt. with a Dr. there. My husband suggested the Mayo Clinic–don’t even know where to begin to find out how to get an appt. there!~~~I’m starting to think that there never will be any help for me. It’s not stress related…my Son was married a few weeks ago–and I had a pretty good stretch..this last week has been awful–just awful–I’m glad to be able to write this and have people understand, Sandy

Dear fellow Itchers:

Just an update on my arms. I am really impressed with these needles that remain in my ears. It is a kind of magnet very similar to acupuncture, but they remain in until they fall out. It is amazing. I felt better immediately when he found the pressure spots, and they have given me relief that I haven’t known in several years. Please see my previous entry and check this procedure out. I am so improved, I may be able to get back into my sleeveless outfits again. The sores are healing and I am only using Vitamin E on my scars now.
Thank God and Dr. Dixon for this.
I sincerely recommend this to all of you “arm itchers.” It is also very in-expensive.
God Bless you all,
Lynn

I saw my dermatologist this morning for the constrant red itchy rash and today he said it is called brachial radial pruritis (it is damage to the skin nerve endings from too much sun over the years), and I am guilty of loads of sun bathing. SARNA, OVER THE COUNTER IS THE BEST I’VE FOUND SO FAR. YOU HAVE TO ASK THE PHARMACIST FOR IT HOWEVER, ABOUT $12 BUT WORTH IT. GREAT STUFF.

I have had this condition for 16 years. Came on me suddenly at a retreat. Someone else at the retreat got the same thing at the same time, suddenly. It has returned every year but twice since then. Sun exposure in the summer intesifies the itching in the late fall, early winter. It doesn’t itch in the summer. I suspect brachial purites and plan to try a chiroprator, read a journal article that claimed that quite a few people got relief from that treatment. If It is nerve damage from the sun, why is it only on the tops of the lower arm? Why not anywhere else???? Good question! The nerves in the tops of the arms are fed by the neck area of the spinal column. BUT, why did this guy at the retreat get it at the same time as me? Virus???? The Docs don’t have a clue. You will spend a fortune on this.

I am a black woman who lives in Michigan. This started last year..and has recently (about the last 1-2wks) reoccured. I’ve noted that it increases when i’m very sleepy. I can’t stop scratching when i’m sleepy. As a matter of fact, that’s how I knew i was tired cuz i would catch myself scratching my arms. i’ve scratched my arms and have seen red welts across my arms that always disappear. It starts out like a pin prick/tingle that turns into an itch. Now i’m noticing that i’m also scratching my back, sides of my stomach, and legs (not as much as my arms). it feels like pins are sticking me and I always end up scratching. I know if i go to the Dr…they will not be able to diagnose it. I don’t have sun damage, i’m going to try Omega-3 and see what happens. I needed this site, good to know i’m not alone.
bree

Just found this site. Same thing here, docs & all haven’t got a clue. I use ice & Sarna P. Helps me alot. Don’t care what anyone says, I won’t give up my ice. Sometimes I’ll use antihistamins, but I don’t really think they help much. Don’t remember ever having any serious back injury, but I do sometimes wake up stiff in the back or neck. Did have a very sore shoulder once about 8 years ago for about 4 or 5 months, attributed to overwork with that arm. Now that I think of it tho it is the same arm that is usually itchy, altho the itch does move from arm to arm sometimes or from forearm to upper. Anywho, the chiropractor did give me relief the ttimes I went & if the itch is going to stick around for ages this time I will make an appt with him & let you all know how it goes. One other question, do any of you suffer from “restless leg syndromn”? Another of those obscure maladies that no one seems know much about, Take care everybody.

Bless you all for your willingness to share and help! I’m nearly 60, female, brown eyes & hair (except for the gray), English & German descent, spent most my life in Hawaii, Guam or So. Cal – but never a sun lover, so only one big sunburn in my life. Contracted itchy arms about 18 mo ago – syndrome starts on the top of my right forearm (I’m always a passenger, never a driver) and then “spreads” over to JUST the top of my LEFT forearm. One thing I have not seen ANYONE suggest is TEA TREE OIL!! I use that in conjunction with Eucerin Itch relief moisurizing spray + a few drops of lavendar oil + a drop of emu oil (to carry it to the lower layers of the skin). It stops the itch for 15 min to 4 hours (depending upon the position of the moon and stars??) I know Tea Tree oil helps alot for burns (the secret is to always apply it a SECOND time, about 10 min. after first application for BURNS – then you could (figuratively only) run over the burn site with sand paper and it wouldn’t hurt! Very odd, but oh so grateful for this knowlege). On the third try I finally found a derm. doc that didn’t scratch his head but actually recognized this syndrome and suggested Capsasins (0.02% only); Neurontin (haven’t tried it); Sarna anti itch lotion; menthol; Chriopractor C5, C6 & C7 spinal manipulation; strontium chloride, zonalon and Vit B-100 mg. daily. (good luck on these); He also suggested (hmm? might work?) OTC hemorrhoidal anti-itch prep called Tronolane (active ingred is pramoxine hcl 1%). The added KICK to my itchy arms is that I also have gone thru menopause and have “senile purpura” (tops of my forearms bruise and skin tears easily because of the lack of collagen, etc) so whenever I scratch, the skin bleeds underneath and it looks like huge angry red bruises (I’ve had to cut my fingernails to the quick so I can’t scratch, and try now to only scratch with one of those rubber toothed round scalp massagers). Anyway – hope some of this helps my itchy bros and sis’s out there! I’m heading for the Chinese Herbalist and a Chiropractor now. (ps the capsaisin started burning my itchy spots – and besides, I know it was only a matter of time til I unconsciously scratched the capsaisin areas and then rubbed my eyes — yikes!!) I’m also thinking topical Aloe and some A, D & E cream/oil to help rebuild healthy skin (not for itching). ARE THERE ANY MDs out there willing to help us? I think I’ll check Dr. Andrew Weil’s site – maybe there is help there. Good luck and God bless us, everyone.

Oh yea – I forgot to mention: I have Fibromyalgia — this latest Dematologist I went to (most knowledgable so far) seemed to wonder if FibroM might be part of the syndrome – since I also have a lot of achiness (joints, back and neck pain).

Fibromyalgia….that might be an interesting poll. I have had it for over 20 years. How about the rest of you with the forearm itch?
Ginger

By Christine

1,336 replies on “Itch Relief…”