Pruritus with no visible rash?

Posted by radinski @radinski, 3 days ago

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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@aghost

Thanks for your comments and info. I am going to ask my Neurologist about Beta Alanine. A person can go "bonkers" with this malady!

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You’re welcome @aghost. That’s a fact.

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@celia16

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.

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No @celia16, hydrocortisone does not work.
Experts recommend not to scratch but how about they try not to, with an intense itch. It is impossible.

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@rashida

@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.

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No, Benadryl is awful. I’m with you; What is the cause? because the treatments are ineffective.
I wish you success with your Hepatologist. It would be great to hear that itching is the cause and you can be treated accordingly. I had an appointment this afternoon with my dr. but the weather resulted in a cancellation. I will certainly mention seeing a Hepatologist and perhaps avoid a trip to the dermatologist.
Thank you

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@radinski

No @celia16, hydrocortisone does not work.
Experts recommend not to scratch but how about they try not to, with an intense itch. It is impossible.

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I resist pretty well, but even with a light scratch, it appears I was attacked by a large cat! I’ve had multiple doctors see these scratches and ask what happened? I explain, but they don’t seem interested. My dermatologist says it’s psoriasis or dermatitis. Idk. I never had this condition until about 15 years ago. For a long time, I thought it was flea bites, even though I didn’t have an indoor pet. No….not insect bites. It’s a mystery.

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