Unexplained Itching

What is the name of the OTC ointment? What kind of material is Tencel and where can I find it?

I've been using Cerave Healing Ointment. Tencel is a hypoallergenic fabric. I got mine at AD Rescue Wear. Good luck with your treatment.

I have tried Cerave and also Cetaphil. Everything I have tried - creams, lotions, ointments, shampoos, etc., prescription and OTC, allopathic or naturopathic - has worked for the first couple of applications then stopped working.

I live in Toronto, Ontario. We don’t have the store, AD Rescue Wear, here but I will look for clothes in that fabric.

Good morning @rashida. As the saying goes, "I feel your pain" and the frustration of trying to find something that works. Is there any way you can see a dermatologist in Toronto?

How long have you had this unwelcome and irritating "itch"? I can see that you have tried many products seeking relief. Where does the itch start? On your arms, legs, scalp? Do you have a rash also? And may I ask, do you know if you also have symptoms of neuropathy?

I have been fighting what I just call the ITCH! for a couple of years. You must be careful with products. I am going to attach a link to my most recent post. I have some relief right now by using Tacrolimus ointment .01%. It totally works but you can't use it every day as the ingredients include some strong elements. You will need a prescription.

I see you have connected with @tim1028. His recommendation to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize is a good one and coconut oil is a good "comfort" candidate without allergens.

Here is a link to my last post. Since I wrote that I have found that my external antagonists are Fragrances I and II. You may need to change some of your daily cosmetic and even laundry products. Even fragrance masks can be a culprit.

That's enough for this morning. Let me know what you think and if you want additional explanations. I am wishing you quiet sleep and a sunny day and will help you in any way possible. Here's the link.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

Thank you, Chris!

My dermatologist, who I had been seeing for the past five or six years, has retired as of last November, and he has passed me on to another dermatologist, with whom I have yet to get an appointment because of his patient backlog. I have held out seeing this new dermatologist because he has been highly recommended by my retired dermatologist who has been the best I’ve seen in all my years of skin problems.I figure if HE (who was Head of Dermatology in the hospital) has recommended this one, he must be good. Even my family physician called his office and was told about the backlog of patients and that they “will call” (I get the feeling my dermatologist has transferred all his patients to this one guy)! That was six weeks ago. Still waiting! Will call his office again on Monday.

Here, you can’t see a specialist without a referral from your doctor. It took me several years to find my last good dermatologist (two or three before him were no help to me) and now the one who was of some help has retired and I seem back at square one! I have even lost my ophthalmologist because he has cut back on his patients during the pandemic and is seeing only the most urgent cases - of which I am not one!

My itching mostly has been due to dry skin for years, and it’s all over my body, especially my back. It definitely gets worse during the “winter months” which can be from start of October to end of April. I have no rashes in my body, just my psoriasis patches which, aside from the nasty patch on the lower back of my head and nape of neck (THAT, is another itch that is even worse than my regular dry skin itching!) have been pretty much under control now such as it is - presumably because of the two 2.5mg weekly and the Stelara - except for the scalp and elbow.

I use no fragrances, use only fragrance free, sensitive skin detergent, don’t use any cosmetics other than lipstick which I rarely wear anyway - especially since the past year of masking. My clothing is all cotton against my skin (flannel nightgowns during winter; yes, I have wondered if the flannel is causing the itching but I itch during the day, too)! I know I cannot wear wool or lace, even as trim that could touch my skin, e.g., neckline, sewn into seams, etc. I slather myself with moisturizers a plenty and even use pure, organic coconut oil on my body - on my scalp too, before I shampoo. I only shampoo whatever little hair I have once a week because my hair and scalp is so dry.

In my experience trying various products and remedies, I discover something that works like a charm a couple of applications or so, stops working before long! Everything “good for you” doesn’t seem to be, for me! Someone once suggested I rinse my hair with apple cider vinegar (my scalp was clear of psoriasis at the time, but I have dry, frizzy hair). which I did, cautiously diluting it with some water, and nearly went through the roof because it burned my scalp! I cannot even take apple cider vinegar in any form internally - gives me major heartburn! And it - as well as lemon juice - are supposed to be alkalizing! 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have terrible itch without visual signs of skin issues and I have Dry skin. I get itch from contact with water (mostly arms and legs) this is labeled Aquagenic Pruritus. I also get itch from change in temperature with some visual rash appearance, This is labeled Cold Ucateria. I get relief from both by taking an OTC supplement called Beta Alanine. I take 750 MG before getting up on a cold morning, wait 15 mins and then take every four hours as needed. I take 150 mg 30 prior to showering...There is a Facebook group for Aquagenic Pruritus where thousands have been using Beta Alanine for 3+ years, most call this a miracle after years of suffering. Here is a link to a Stanford Paper in the use of Beta Alanine: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pde.14440

@rashida Have you used oatmeal ? put some in water or take a bath with it oatmeal is soothing I use to give my pts this for the itch

Hi @rashida, it's true that there are quite long waiting lists for dermatologists in Toronto, especially now during the pandemic. Good for you for being persistent and following up. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Another option you may consider is to contact your family physician for a referral to a different dermatologist.

I have done that, too. Gives temporary couple hours’ relief than I’m back to square one. My body doesn’t itch all overat the same time - seems different areas if my body take turns in itch attack - except the psoriasis patch on the back and nape of my nect; that is a constant itch. Hopefully the Stelara injection I took on the 22nd will kick in soon - it doesn’t provide instant relief, unfortunately.

Thank you, Colleen! Apparently there are long waiting lists for all specialists but it seemed there was some miscommunication about my referral between Dr. Shear, my former dermatologist and the new one. I finally got a virtual visit with the new dermatologist on Thursday! Long story short: he said to wait a few weeks to give the Stelara a chance and if the next dose (in May) doesn’t work I am to contact hm and he will recommend something else.