Itching

Hi karem. Did you think it might be a med you take?

Interesting and timely. I have not changed anything and about 1 week ago I started itching all over my body, most pronounced on my face and back. I have been nebulizing albuterol and 7% saline for over a year, have not changed my diet or anything else. I did start a new pack for albuterol solution the day before the itching started (this was pack 2 of 2 no issues with the first pack). About a week later still itching. Today I tried to use my albuterol puffer instead on nebulizing the albuterol. Sill itching but a little less. I have NTM-MAC and Abscessus. Currently treating for the MAC.

The albuterol I am using is from Mylan Pharmaceuticals Lot 23S12 , expires 11/30/25

Going to my PCP on Wednesday to help find out what is happening and to get some relief and to see if I need to contact my NTM Specialist. It has been very hot and humid in Delaware and not sure if that could be contributing to the problem.

I would be interested to see if anyone else responds.

Hi Karen. Do you think it might be a contact allergy from something like sunscreen, soap, etc., or even a different brand of facial tissue? Maybe worth a call to your dermatologist. Good luck with it.

I don’t think so. I only use saline nebulizer, a heart pill and Xanax and have used them all for years. I am at a loss and can’t see my NTM doctor til the end of the month😥

Our situations sound very similar. I am quite uncomfortable and worried, but can’t see my NTM until the end of the month. I also thought it might be heat related, but who knows? Thanks for your response.

Hi Sherri. I was wondering if you saw your PCP today and what he had to say about the itching. One of my patches was right by my eye so I went to the eye doctor to make sure eye was okay. He said it had nothing to do with my eye. I saw my dermatologist today and he had several ideas of what it could be an allergy to but won’t know about that til I try a few things. My ID doctor says it would have nothing to do with the NTM but I wonder?
If you found out anything that could help I would be so grateful to hear what that might be. In the meantime the itching is about to drive me crazy😥

Karen
My PCP did not think the itching was created by any of my NTM treatments (albuterol, 7% saline, 3 antibiotics).
His approach is to try an antihistamine for 7 days and see if it helps, if not, 6 days of steroids, then go see an allergy specialist if things don't improve. This plan needs approval by my NTM specialist who was just updated a few hours ago.
The PCP also recommended topical lotion Sarna Lotion which has a cooling ingredient to help calm the itch.

If the antihistamine helps, I don't want to take it forever, I would ask the PC for a referral to an allergy expert and also my NTM specialist for a recommendation, as the specialist at Hopkin's has an asthma and allergy clinic in the same office where I go for NTM treatments (2 hrs away only drawback).

Not sure if this helps other than both agree nothing to do with NTM.

Sherri. Thank you so much for the information. It is very helpful. I have a feeling the antihistamine may work and probably the steroid, but like you I can’t take those forever. I have glaucoma and shouldn’t take steroids at all. I like the sound of that lotion. I guess some experimenting is in my future, but I sure didn’t need this on top of the NTM. But we get what we get and I will try to make the best of it. We were friends with Tony Shaloub at church and until he moved to New York and we were watching his final Monk movie last night. He said something in it that I am try to keep in mind. “It isn’t a perfect day, but it is good enough,” Best wishes to you.

Karen. Sending an update. Today I got a message from my NTM doctor. He has asked me to stop the Rifampin and to get 2 blood tests a Complete Blood Count with Differentials and a Complete Metabolic Panel. I guess once he sees the results he will decide if I can continue to take the Rifampin or if it will need replaced. Will keep you posted. Good luck with your journey.

Thank you for the update. I am not on any meds for my mycobacterium simiae so I can’t think of a medicine that would be a problem. The itching hasn’t gotten any better, but I do have an appointment with the allergist in case it’s a bizarre allergy. The itching is now localized to my lips and the area right below them. I am having a hard time dealing with it and my appointment isn’t until August 1. I am trying different creams like hydrocortisone and Benadryl. Also lots of Vaseline. I just hope the allergy doc can figure it out. At least it sounds like your doc is on top of things. I wish you the best. Lets keep each other posted in case one of us comes up with an answer!