1. < Neuropathy

Can chronic itching be caused by Neuropathy

Posted by Rosebud @rosebud123, Feb 6 6:07pm

I have had Peripheral Neuropathy for about 20 years.
The only symptoms I’ve ever really had is a lot of tingling, numbness and spasms in the legs and toes.
For the past 12 months I’ve developed this chronic itch that started in my scalp but is now my whole body.
I have absolutely no rash or dryness anywhere.
My neurologist has told me he hasn’t heard of neuropathy causing itching which surprises me.
I’ve been to a Dermatologist who says he can’t see anything that’s causing it.
My Dr says she thinks it’s from high Uric acid.
In totally confused as to what it could be as it’s driving me crazy.
All three of them can only suggest Amiltriptyline which I’m not willing to take as I’m super sensitive to medication.
Has anyone here had the same problem and what did you do for it please.

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Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Feb 11 9:43pm
In reply to @cehunt57 "I might suggest that when you have an ailment that is difficult to diagnose and you..." + (show)
@cehunt57

I might suggest that when you have an ailment that is difficult to diagnose and you are considering possible treatments start with just one thing. This is important both for diagnosis and successful treatment. If you are trying too many things at one time it makes diagnosis even for difficult. You have no way of knowing what may be working and what isn’t. You can help your provider rule out what you don’t have. Your provider can help you prioritize and choose treatments to try. It can be tedious and requires patience but can yield better results in the long run.

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….even more (not for) difficult. Sorry I forgot to proofread before posting.

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Rosebud | @rosebud123 | Feb 11 11:25pm
In reply to @cehunt57 "I might suggest that when you have an ailment that is difficult to diagnose and you..." + (show)
@cehunt57

I might suggest that when you have an ailment that is difficult to diagnose and you are considering possible treatments start with just one thing. This is important both for diagnosis and successful treatment. If you are trying too many things at one time it makes diagnosis even for difficult. You have no way of knowing what may be working and what isn’t. You can help your provider rule out what you don’t have. Your provider can help you prioritize and choose treatments to try. It can be tedious and requires patience but can yield better results in the long run.

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Thank you so much.
My biggest frustration is that nothing is showing up.
Kidneys and liver are apparently all healthy according to ultrasound and Blood tests.
Neurologist is saying it’s not from neuropathic itch.
Dermatologist says it’s not skin problems.
I’ve run out of ideas to even suggest to my Dr.
She has no clue either.
This constant itch with no rash is making me a hermit.

REPLY
Rosebud | @rosebud123 | Feb 12 11:47pm
In reply to @michzn "You might consider seeing an immunologist. It was determined my T Cells have for whatever reason..." + (show)
@michzn

You might consider seeing an immunologist. It was determined my T Cells have for whatever reason are elevated due to - pick anyone one: history of eczema , flu vaccines, lime disease, noro virus, COVID 19 (severe), 4 covid vaccines and 2 Shangrix vaccines.
I understand this itch and it is maddening and debilitating. I have it on my scalp and on my left arm only at this time. I will say at this time I am definitely finding relief most days thankfully: GLUTEN FREE DIET Cold packs and where I can place them, dermatologist ordered a compounding creme of lidocaine and trimphylete- messy for the scalp, buy hey when you itch it’s worth it. 5 months of weekly sessions of accupuncture, Started supplements recommended by both the immunologist and a functional medicine dr: Vitamin C with zinc, vitamin C only, Biotin, Folic acid ( blood test showed defiencicy in Folic - this can affect the nervous system), Magnesium, Vitamin D with K ( they say the K part is essential - who knew?) and Calcium strain got only. SHAMPOO: Capsaicin shampoo from Amazon and CAPSAICIN spray for itch is AMAZING - both can be purchased from Amazon. This has became a marathon and while it’s not clear what caused my severe neuropathic itching it’s also not specially clear what is helping - I am doing ALL of the above and I am definelty getting RELEIF. I wish you well and I really do feel for you.

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Thanks so much for the detailed information.
I have a nerve conduction test next week.
My Dr has suggested that if that doesn’t show up anything then she’s sending me to an Immunologist.
I’m taking most of the vitamins you have mentioned already as well as Acetyl- L Carnitine, Taurine, magnesium, B1, B2. PEA
Not sure if it’s doing any good but who knows.
Naturopath has also sent away a sample of my hair to the lab.
Apparently they can pick up on over 500 different things that could be causing the itch.
I won’t hold my breath but it would certainly be fantastic if I could get answers to this itchy scalp and back.
Wishing you the best of luck with your health.

REPLY
dbz8 | @dbz8 | Feb 13 1:09pm
In reply to @rosebud123 "Thanks for the reply. Yes mine started in exactly the same spot as yours at the..." + (show)
@rosebud123

Thanks for the reply.
Yes mine started in exactly the same spot as yours at the back and now progressed to all over.
Good luck with your neuropathy exercises.

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My whole scalp is itchy.
Changed shampoo—nothing. It’s chronic now.
Will try dermatologist again. Will Listerine on scalp help?

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1 reply
artemis1886 | @artemis1886 | Feb 13 4:27pm

Yes I will look down and find I have itched my legs until they are bleeding.
Now when I start itching really bad my husband tells me to stop before it’s bleeding. My neurologist said it was the neuropathy. Also check you thyroid. TSH, T3reverse and T4 reverse. It causes itching also.

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TSB | @terrirussell | Feb 13 5:35pm

Absolutely check your thyroid…..but also it affected me like an onset of shingles…..so I am now on one gram a day preventatively for ‘shingles” but also all itching is gone…..the nerve endings remain calm……not provoked. I also stopped eating all gluten, white sugar and flour. Only rice. I mainly eat Carnivore diet…..all of the issues I was sick with are gone! i was quite deprived of meat proteins that I sorely needed.

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TSB | @terrirussell | Feb 13 5:35pm

The medicine is Valtrex…..!!!

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Feb 13 6:03pm
In reply to @dbz8 "My whole scalp is itchy. Changed shampoo—nothing. It’s chronic now. Will try dermatologist again. Will Listerine..." + (show)
@dbz8

My whole scalp is itchy.
Changed shampoo—nothing. It’s chronic now.
Will try dermatologist again. Will Listerine on scalp help?

Jump to this post

Good afternoon @dbz8 and welcome to Connect. My heart just missed a beat when I read your post about scalp itch. My dermatologist used to give me a 3 step program to try with different medications. That was before and until I was able to have Dupixent injections. Since that day a couple of years ago......I have not had any problems with my scalp or any other skin on my body.

During the search period, my doctor also found an emergency balm for my skin and that is called Dermeleve. It is available online at http://www.dermeleve.com. The product takes about 30 minutes to show up in your body and starts to work for at least 6-8 hours. I never leave home without it.

Just last night I noticed that Dermeleve has introduced a new product for the scalp. That is good news for all of us. So...I just thought I would mention it. Have a look. I am hoping that this new scalp product will also perform exceptionally well. Have to get my order in today.

May you be safe, free, and protected from inner and outer harm.

Chris

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julbpat | @julbpat | Feb 14 8:26am

This Dermeleve looks amazing! I’m going to order some. My itching calmed down so much when I started treatment for small fiber neuropathy with seizure medication. But it’s still lurking there! One funny side story - I almost always have “pop up” itching when I can’t scratch, like when the dental hygienist has both hands in my mouth (nose will itch) or I’m lying very still for an MRI (anything will start itching). So I play a little mind game. I try to not acknowledge the itch. I’ve wondered if an itch disappears if you ignore it (any research on that?)

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bcool123 | @bcool123 | Feb 18 7:23pm

Rosebud, I have peripheral neuropathy but so far (2 years) only my feet. The last couple weeks my scalp, forehead, temples and upper lip have started itching. I’m wondering if that’s how your itch started out? Saw dermatologist and he saw nothing and said he’s not heard of neuropathy causing itching. He gave me a cream, Ketoconazole, which seemed to calm the itching for that evening but not so much today. Is that how yours started? Appreciate any response and sure do appreciate Connect.
Bcool123

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