Irritated and itchy skin with no rash

Histamine Food Intolerance
This is a repost from a few days ago with some added information related to mayo and the body wash I use to reduce the itching.
I am a 70-year-old male. After my bout with COVID in March 2020, I began to notice random itching, primarily on my scalp and upper back (shoulder blades), arm pits along with an itchy nose. I would also get sporadic small skin eruptions which resemble hives on my upper back and scalp. I could go for weeks without itching and then all of a sudden, it was back. I had already given up gluten in March 2021 so I knew that gluten was not the cause. From trial and error, I found it was related to foods which cause histamine release. Histamine release causes itching! I had never had this response before COVID or been “allergic” to any foods. The itching begins within two hours of eating any of the following foods and usually continues for about 24 hours. I have seen a dermatologist and they did not find anything which seems reasonable, given that my skin appears “normal”.
Although l tried to reintroduce the following foods, one at a time, each time that I did, the itching returned. I therefore don’t eat: Tomatoes or salsa, peanuts, pistachio nuts, spring mix, or yogurt. Mayo also causes itching because of the vinegar in it which causes the histamine release. I also avoid chickpeas. I continue to use pea protein as my gluten free protein source.

Opinion: To reduce any of my itching, I use Botanic Hearth Tea Tree body wash which has a high percentage of Tea Tree oil. I use it as a hand wash, body wash and shampoo. This works for me. It may not be appropriate for everyone.

Has anyone had terrible itching in different areas of the body-not the same everyday?

I had a punch biopsy of affected skin as mine went from just itchy to a small rash and it was not shingles. Was using a topical prescription cortisone cream and it would stop the itching but not clear up the rash. Started on one 500 mg Lysine a day and all of the itchy skin and rashes are clearing up dramatically.

Lysine is believed to inhibit viral replication and I have no side effects from it.

@mollymm Had covid 9/15/25. Rx paxlovid, within a day had intense itching and chickenpox like small fluid filled blisters on legs and back and chest. Itchy red rash. Could not even bear wearing socks or shoes. Could not sleep, waking 3/4 x a night from itch.
Primary md and dermatologist had no clue said o that is interesting. I rx d various sprays like solarcaine and benzocaine and was going through thru a can every 2 days. Now 6 months later post covid and paxlovid I still
have intense night time itching of lower legs and feet , keeping me awake or waking me up at night. Cera ve anti itch cream and solarcaine sprays are daily topicals . ( Order from amazon, it is cheaper. ) ( I also have some pre-existing autoimmune TrAb etc. I g abnormalities which may be a factor.) severe post covid cough, wakes me at night , so bad the md rx d an Al uteri’s inhaler. There seem to be no explanations and no md solutions available to date.

@vostie thanks for the lysine suggestion. See my pot a few minutes ago, itch waking me at night etc. I hope lysine is over the counter. . .

@mollymm Had covid 9/15/25. Rx paxlovid, within a day had intense itching and chickenpox like small fluid filled blisters on legs and back and chest. Itchy red rash. Could not even bear wearing socks or shoes. Could not sleep, waking 3/4 x a night from itch.
Primary md and dermatologist had no clue said o that is interesting. I rx d various sprays like solarcaine and benzocaine and was going through thru a can every 2 days. Now 6 months later post covid and paxlovid I still
have intense night time itching of lower legs and feet , keeping me awake or waking me up at night. Cera ve anti itch cream and solarcaine sprays are daily topicals . ( Order from amazon, it is cheaper. ) ( I also have some pre-existing autoimmune TrAb etc. I g abnormalities which may be a factor.) severe post covid cough, wakes me at night , so bad the md rx d an Al uteri’s inhaler. There seem to be no explanations and no md solutions available to date.

@mitchinpa
have you seen a neurologist for this?
it is not a skin problem

@elliep

Thanks for this. I am covered in itchy sores that don’t heal. It would be great to know how a neurologist treated this - I just keep getting shuttled between dermatology and rheumatology with no solution.

my dermatologist suggested it.
i haven’t followed thru yet.