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Pruritus with no visible rash?
For 4.5 years I have had a severe “traveling” itch with no rash, that randomly comes and goes. I call it traveling because it will start in one area on my body, for instance on my abdomen and eventually moves upward towards my belly button and then on both sides of my belly button and upwards from there. I have had it in 5 other areas of my body; Back of my knee, chest, breast, inner elbows, and buttocks. It starts small but moves out away from the area it initially starts. My PCP diagnosed it as pruritus, but I want to know what is causing it. I think whatever it is, is internal because there is no visible rash. I’ve used Hydrocortisone 2.5%, Clotrimazole-Betamethasone Crm 45gm, Sarna,Cera V, Gotchu cream, Castor oil , Ice packs and Lidocaine, to no avail. Any “itchers” like me? I would add a photo but I got nothing. Lol Only swelling from scratching. 😩
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After dealing with your symptoms long term it may
be best to consult a dermatologist for their opinion and
treatment.
Sounds so familiar…have you noticed what triggers it to start? Mine is triggered by a change in temperature, even a slight change…I also have severe itch after showering, which is called Aquagenic Pruritus…but the itch is different. About 7 years ago, someone on a Facebook group for AP, discovered that when she took her workout supplements she didn’t itch…she isolated it to Beta Alanine…which is a otc amino acid supplement. I take 750 mg when the itch starts and it kills the itch…lasts for four hours…I take 1500 mg 30 mins before showering. For some strange reason, showering is far less itchy in the evening…
I believe it is some form of neuropathy. I had a full dermatology work up with no success.
I buy the NOW brand of beta alanine from Amazon in 750 capsules. The suggested dose for preworkout is much higher, 2000 mg and can cause a weird tingling on the skin. It is now recognized as a official treatment for Aquagenic Pruritus. I’ve never figured out a name for the change in temperature itch, but beta alanine works for it too…
Thank you for sharing that information. Are dermatologists aware of beta alanine as a possible treatment? No known triggers. Seems to be random. I thought maybe jojoba oil or maybe whenever I introduce something new in/on my body. Could be any number of things or one thing…I can tell that it’s not a topical itch like a bug bite, but under my skin. It starts very mild as though it is but gets increasingly unbearable. This last episode was the worse ever.
Do you experience bleeding if you lightly scratch the itchy area?
Here are some links to Medical based websites on the subject of Aquagenic Pruritus that site Beta Alanine as a treatment, so if your dermatologist or any other doctor has looked into it, they would find the information.
I have belonged to a FB Groups for Aquagenic Pruritus for 8+ years and based on members posts, I would estimate that 99% of dermatologist have no clue.
I have been taking this for 7 years, usually 2 to 3 times per day. I have not had any issues with Beta Alanine. It is a amino acid found in our bodies...maybe I have a deficiency and that is why it works?? Who Knows...I'm just glad it works.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375122684_Aquagenic_Pruritus_A_web-based_survey_study_exploring_itch_characteristics_therapeutic_options_and_patient_perspectives
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33170524/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22516-aquagenic-pruritus
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/aquagenic-pruritus
Thank you for the link. I have a referral to see a dermatologist in the future. While I’m pretty sure that water is not the cause of my itching, perhaps Beta Alanine would be beneficial. I’ll have to look into it.
No, I do not. But I have scratched off skin.
Thanks for your comments and info. I am going to ask my Neurologist about Beta Alanine. A person can go "bonkers" with this malady!
My itching varies on location and is intermittent, but it’s not due to contact with water. Mine bleed liberally with slightest scratch. I try to gently rub them and apply cortisone, but it doesn’t help as much as you would think.
@radinski I have suffered for years from itchiness like yours from scalp to toes, but mostly on my back which drives me mental because it is so hard to reach. Benadryl has always helped, but I have always wanted to find out the real cause. While Benadryl helps with the itching which is worse at night, Benadryl also makes me very groggy all morning.
Although I have a history of psoriasis (rash, scaling and itching from that, now controlled by regular Bimzelx injections) I also have fatty liver disease and I rather suspect the cause of my itching back (and scalp) is my liver.
I had an abdominal ultrasound done a week ago (pain in my upper right quadrant had gone worse). My doctor has informed me I now have scarring of the liver and she has sent out a referral for me to see a specialist. It would not surprise me if I am told the real cause of this itching is due to my liver. Hopefully the liver specialist will have a solution for me.