What do you do for Neuropathy itch?

Good morning everyone. I am desperately in need of help with what is called Neuropathy itch. I have SFN (small fiber neuropathy) and am a medical cannabis user for pain. I don't know what to use for this itching. It appears that it reaches through several skin layers. No matter how much you scratch you make it worse, not better. Once you start itching, it's over....your are stuck scratching.

Have you tried certain baths? Oatmeal? I have a steroid cream called Triamcinolone Acetonide. Not exactly a wonder drug. Is there a better one?

The itching results in a terrible level of anxiety. I try to run away from it and cannot. It reminds me of summer in Minnesota when the mosquitoes launch their attacks. I am female with "O" negative blood which they just devour.

Even if you have a solution for other than neuropathy, please share and I will happily do the research. The stress of isolated living and a form of depression that is about our global community also creeps in.

The only thing that works right now for food is gelato.......Salted caramel, if you please. I hope you are all well and blessed with good health today.
Chris

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Skin Health Support Group.

I have extremely itchy skin and this may sound weird but Bath and Body Works Twisted Peppermint lotion gives me great relief. I think the peppermint oil in it. I have 3 bottles on hand now. My itchy skin is worse at night.

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@rashida

@polo is Naltrexone in pill form or topical?

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Thank you

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@bobweller

I rub my feet with menthol like Vick's Vapo Rub type products. I go to the local drug store and look over there OTC pain med rubs and sprays. Also the muscle rubs.

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My husband uses Vicks on feet for neuropathy pain that would otherwise obliterate sleep. Wears those "pedi" socks that go up only as far as ankle so the ointment doesn't get all over the sheets. And he uses it on the thumbs and even over entire hand(s) for the rheumatoid arthritic pain (wears cotton gloves). Really does help with the excruciating pain.

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Check:

https://therapath.com/pruritis-and-small-fiber-neuropathy/#:~:text=“An early diagnosis of a,use of anticonvulsants or antidepressants.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3139924/#:~:text=Treating neuropathic itch is difficult,and barriers to reduce scratching.

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@spryguy

Gabapentin works for me.

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@spryguy Gabapentin 100mg three times a day worked to reduce my scalp itch for about three days, then the itching came back. Doctor increased the dosage to 200mg twice a day which didn’t stop it, so my pharmacist suggested I take a Benedryl with it. Bingo! No more itching (although the scalp psoriasis still needs to be remedied - my government health plan rejected me for Otezla)! I now take the Benedryl with Gabapentin only at bedtime. In the morning I just take the Gabapentin 200mg.

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Your mileage may vary but lay off the cbd gummy bears. Just like an NSAI pill you’re just masking your pain. If you have Cancer and 1 year to live then I’ll be quiet and you can munch on your gummy worms.
If your pain is unmanageable try a low sodium diet and some exercise. Read the label on food, lean towards organic with no salt sugar or preservatives, For example things like sodium nitrate are not recommended. Movement is a key factor as is some basic stretching or chair exercise. Even though it hurts to walk upright the motions of foot ankles and calves doing so acts like a pump and helps with blood flow pressure and circulation.
Self massage daily helps with atrophy, which is the lack of movement in our muscles.
There’s no magical potion that you can apply topically for neuropathy for long term,
Most creams and ointments are just topical for short duration relief.
Lastly drink water and occasionally supplement with vitamins and and electrolytes.

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Actually I’m relieved to see that others have this itching too! Sometimes I feel I’m going crazy!! I have SFN and I have itching in the heels of my feet. Thanks for sharing your experiences. It helps to know we’re not alone!

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For immediate relief I put a damp, frozen, light towel over the area and it gets rid of the itch. My husband came up with this idea and it works quickly.

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Hi friends I too have this incessant itching, unfortunately I cannot take ant
hystamine as I am on Pregabalin, any help or solutions gratefully accepted here, my skin is a mess with the itching, makes me cry my eyes out every evening trying to get to sleep

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