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Warning: just reading this article might make your skin crawl. Thinking about itching, seeing people scratch, looking at pictures of bedbugs or other itch inducers—all can bring on an irresistible urge to flick away that irksome feeling.
But itching—“pruritus,” to physicians—is more than an occasional nuisance. The sensation, which arises from an irritation of the nerve cells along the skin, serves as a helpful warning about potential hazards such as insects or foreign materials—and scratching is often a simple and effective method for dealing with them. Itching is also the main symptom of many skin diseases and appears in some systemic conditions, such as chronic renal disease, cirrhosis and some types of cancer.
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25 Comments
Add CommentHi Ray, Have you found anything that works yet? I am going through the same thing lately. It's been going on for months now. It seems to be worse at night.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI've been taking Zyrtek which is for allergies but it takes a long time to kick in. I've also tried Benadryl and that didn't work either.
So I'm curious if you've found anything that works.
Jody
I started itching about a week after spine surgery, it appears like claws marks nost of the time, it's on my back, feet, thighs under my breast, fore arms even in my hair. just left the Dr.'s office, he said it is something I come in contact with, but there is no new things I do or have taken by mouth that is different than before rhis started, I'm going nuts. Can some one help me. I'm in a brace so I can't bend, lift , twist or anything, it's killing me as I live alone and there is no one to put cream on my back or parts of my body that I can reach. HELP
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNita
I've had generalized itching and hives for nearly 20 years. It subsides and flares up, often before bed or when changing clothes. I was prescribed hydroxyzine (10 mg) early on, which has been very effective in keeping it under control. I take 1/2 or 1/4 of a pill as needed (every other day) to stop the itch. I still get welts and hives but I can live with that. The hydroxyzine makes you sleepy, so I only take it at night. Good luck-
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAngelina
Have you ever thought about a Vit D deficiency? I have been itching for months and had my Vit D levels checked and they were very low - 10 and should be higher than 30....check it out.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have had chronic itching off and on for 10 yrs but this time is the longest ever, almost 12 months. I have been food tested and had all my cosmetics, soups and detergents tested by way of an MSA test. I have been treated for a staff infection, candida and parasites. In the past chelation therapy worked and gave me relief but it keeps coming back. I really think it is some food and when I get enough in my system it reacts. I am still looking for answers and will be seeing one or two doctors next month. I hope I am not allergic to sulfites, it seems to be in so many foods. I do NOT eat gluten.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have never before had a skin problem or itching until about two weeks ago. My skin broke out in little white bumps (back, chest, stomach) and was terribly itchy. Over the next couple of days they spread to my thighs and arms and turned into a red rash. I tried Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream but neither worked so I headed to my doctor. I was first given Hydroxine, which did not help. I went back and was given a compound cream that includes Bactroban, Hyderm and Eurax. This did not work either. The third visit I was given Predisone for one week. I am still taking the Predisone and using the cream and taking the Hydroxine. I am nearing the end of the week and while the rash is going away the itching is still unbearable. The itching is not localized, it is my entire body (except my feet, hands and face) and I do not see any difference night or day. It is constant. Anyone hear of this before?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have been itching continuously for the past year or so. at times it can become very unbearable and embarassing. Ive tried using different antihistamines but they only work for a short while. Can anyone say whether there is a vaccine or something which would give longterm relief. Gonna try and get my vit. D level checked as suggested by a previous subscriber.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy son has the same problem. If you ever find a cure or anything that helps please let me know. Report back here.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthanks
We have 4 people in our family with this iching problem.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe only have the iching on the arms, no other place. Ice
cubes will be a quick fix for relief for awhile. Our arms feel
like pins poking from the inside and we scratch. My sister has
gone to many doctor's and no help. I have seen a skin doctor
and they only prescribed a certain lotion, no help. This sympton used to last about 2 months, disappear for maybe
4 months, then return. I have had the itching since summer and cannot stop. My arms are all pumps/scabs.
Do to no insurance now, I can only try over the counter
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisdrugs and like I said, ice cubes only help
I am finding that when my veins swell in and around my ankle bone, my arms and hands. My veins are expanded and you can see them sticking out and then the itching begins. And then the tears start because I can't stop scratching. I have used ice cubes. Massager helps some, I drink water and that doesn,t really help. I wonder is it in the blood? Is my blood to warm? Will cider viniger taken oraly help? If any one has any answers to my proplem please let me know. Itcing my life away.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisJune
I am finding that when my veins swell in and around my ankle bone, my arms and hands. My veins are expanded and you can see them sticking out and then the itching begins. And then the tears start because I can't stop scratching. I have used ice cubes. Massager helps some, I drink water and that doesn,t really help. I wonder is it in the blood? Is my blood to warm? Will cider viniger taken oraly help? If any one has any answers to my proplem please let me know. Itcing my life away.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisJune
My itching starts when my vains swell and stik out. Mostly in my feet ,arms and hands. Is my blood to hot? If I used apple cider vinigar orally would that help?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisItching my life away
June
Does anyone know of a clinic that would take on people to do testing for research on this problem? I would be will to try
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisanything to stop this itching!!
Does anyone know of a clinic that would take on people to do testing for research on this problem? I would be will to try
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisanything to stop this itching!!
I have been itching since i can remember. Even as a baby my mom would have to put socks on my hands when i would go to sleep. It itches all the time. My legs itch the worse and its usually at night and it really disturbs my sleep patterns. I could itch for hours before i go to sleep or get so fed up with it that i just take two to three benedryl to knock me out. My doctor said it was egzema but i highly doubt thats the case. I've known friends with it and their cases dry up or disappear, mine has stayed with me for nearly 15 years...i am tired of this. It gets to the point where i want to cut my leg off. I want help. i NEED help
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have horrible itching on one of my arms. I've been to dermatologists, neuroligist, and my regular MD. I even went to a teaching college with no help. I have taken antihistamines, anticonvulsives, pain meds and all kinds of creams and lotions. To no avail. I finally got to a pain management clinic and the first few trips were miraculous, but the last two epidurals did not seem to help. I am at my wits end. I have scabs and scars on my arms that look live a have a horrible disease. The itching wakes me up at night and I can hardly stand it. I could easily become suicidal. Under the skin has a burning sensation and the itching is unbearable. The sun and heat definitely aggravate it. I was reading in my Dr. office about Neuropathic Chronic Pain, that seems to be the nearest diagnosis I have seem. I have had nerve conduction tests and nothing showed up. I would love for someone to help me find some help. please if you have had anything like this and have found help, share it with me.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have constant itch on my breast and below panty line, it is driving me nuts. can't wear a bra for long, Take showers, creams , aloe and 25 mg of Hydroxyz 3-4 times a day and it doesn't seem to help me.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have constant itch on my breast and below panty line, it is driving me nuts. can't wear a bra for long, Take showers, creams , aloe and 25 mg of Hydroxyz 3-4 times a day and it doesn't seem to help me.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have constant itch on my breast and below panty line, it is driving me nuts. can't wear a bra for long, Take showers, creams , aloe and 25 mg of Hydroxyz 3-4 times a day and it doesn't seem to help me.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have a constant itch after taking medicine for phylor bacteria in my stomach. I am taking Hydroxyz, 25 mg. 3-4 times a day, at first it helped but now it does nothing and itching getting worse, driving me nuts. I take showers, creams, straight aloe, anything some one suggests. PLEASE help, it is on my breast and my panty line. I cant wear a bra very long. PLEASE help
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOut of all the comments you are the only one with the exact problem I have. Itching in the arms only. Started first in the right arm and that lasted for about 5-6 yrs. this past year both arms and now back to the right one only. Heat from the sun is the worse to set it off. I've notice when I use the computer key-board a lot, it will begin to start. Usually always starts around the elbow at first, but can start anywhere on the arm without warning. Ice cubes really do help for immediate relief. I sleep with a cold pack wrap (designed for joint injuries) at night on my fore arm or elbow area and this works great. My favorite fix is a topical roll-on brand name "StopPain" with a menthol content of 8%, highest over the counter I've found. Used to use Bio-Freeze but the other is better. The menthol smell goes away shortly and gives hrs of relief especially after a hot shower when it can get into the open pores. Sorry you can't find a cure, I have been looking for years myself.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI had the same itching on my arms for years and menthol helped somewhat, but i finally found a cure for itching thanks to a new dermatologist. he told me to try a capsaicin (hot pepper) skin spray called thermaskin and believe it or not - this stuff really worked. there was no burning from it and it actually soothed my skin. I cannot believe how well it works. you should try it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAbout the itching and Scabies:I have had a very itchy skin and scabies for years until I found the triphala herb. This has been a slow process for me getting rid from my body those little itching burrowing mites and I intend on taking this herb for at least 6 months. Please have a routine for not getting reinfection. Boil all the clothes you can. Find out how to make a scabies kill spray ( spray furniture,mattress, car interior, toys, door handles,shoes and clothes which can't be washed above 80 degrees. A seven step process can be found www.scabiescurev.com. Please remember to have 3 different cream treatments rotating every other day.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisUse a hot hair blowdryer. It will stop the itching instantly. No need for medications. This will work on any type of itch. Unfortunately, it will not cure the underlying cause....but what a relief!
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