Gritty or sandy sensations all over the body

Hello @catalina9, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear your mother is suffering from the itching and other symptoms without any help. I know it must be difficult for you as well as your mother. Here is some research I thought you might find helpful if you haven't already seen it:
-- Management of Itch in the Elderly: A Review
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6828892/
There are quite a few members who have started discussions and commented on itching all over the body if you want to scan through them while you wait for other members to respond - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/

You mentioned your mother can't use towels and the sheets feel like sand. It sounds similar to what members have described in the following discussion:
-- Clothing & Allodynia Help: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/clothing-allodynia-help/

Have your mother's doctors mentioned any possible causes or treatments for the skin sensitivity?

No, the doctors haven’t been much help. I’m hoping to get her referred to a neurologist. Her main doctor has done all he can do and the dermatologist is trying her on some new medication to see if it will help. Thank you for the articles, I will read them and see if they can help in anyway.

@catalina9
I also have a grinny feeling in my hands so glad you asked this question. I'm going to research too.

Hello, I have a 97 y/o parent that is experiencing this same issue. She constantly feels there is 'grit' or 'ash' covering her body, clothing, and bedding. Showering, washing clothes, etc, does not provide relief. When I examine her, I do not see anything on the surface of her skin. She's experimented with a few of her medications to see if each may be the culprit with zero success. She has also tried applying moisturizer throughout the day, as well as eliminating potential allergens, also without success. Has anyone found any explanation or solution for this condition?

Welcome @kp2011, Sorry to hear that your mom hasn't found anything to help with the feeling that grit or ash is covering her body. You mentioned you don't see anything on the skin and she has tried to see if one of her medications may be the culprit with no success. I had a relative recently visit that had similar symptoms due to an allergy from laundry soap and we had to purchase a laundry soap without some of the harsh chemicals, can't remember the name of the product though. Has she been able to discuss her symptoms with a skin specialist or doctor?