Body itching
I’ve had almost unbearable itching for over 3 months. Was prescribed hydroxyzine, but it doesn’t seem to help. It started when I was in the ER having a very frightening allergic reaction. I was given an epinephrine iv, and a breathing treatment. My legs started to shake uncontrollably. Then I couldn’t breathe, was given an injection of something at that point. I’m taking benadryl and paxil but don’t know how much longer I can deal with this.
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I do not live in a bubble only because I now know what to avoid and how to do it. Overseas travel is not an option for me. Yet, we are always on the go, but must consider temperatures and limit hours in the heat. Yes, I must always wear shoes inside my own home because even on safe surfaces others wear shoes with rubber and this will contact my bare feet. I have found clothing I love to wear free of my allergens (dressy clothes are another issue). Shoes are the biggest problem, but if needed to wear athletic shoes or boots which are made with adhesives, which I do almost every day I go through this drill: 100% cotton sock, plastic bag, elastic sock to hole up this layering folder over so an not to touch my skin. A hassle, but it works.No more burning foot pads keeping me awake at night. I do this process almost daily for my gardening. I have replaced most of the furniture in my home. I just got a wonderful all leather recliner set up with a bright reading light in my bedroom away from my husbands blasting football games. Even all the other furniture in my home is replaced with leather now. Leather is safe for me, but not all. I always pack a large plastic bag in my purse to protect from other furniture- friends know and don't care, club ladies don't pay any attention, heck all of us have our own health issues. Has this altered my life, but most people don't even know or notice. I have taken up my inside activities like my bookclub and other ladies clubs.
You have many symptoms and issues I can't offer any help or adive over and it seems like you have multiple autoimmune or health issues happening all at once. Most of us with autoimmune diseases have multiples, like me.
Yet, I can blog about certain of your symptoms.
1. Like you I react severly to Cipro and like you learned the hard way. Cipro contains sulfonamides, and sulfa is a common allergy and be sure to note this on hospital charts as doctors seem to love to prescribe it. Cipro is one of several sulfonamide antibiotics, so make sure your and your doctors research the ingredients in the antibiotic prescribed.
2. Keep all records. I started dealing with health issues since age 50, but after 65 I fell apart. I learned to get a hard copy of all my tests and records. If I can't get a copy after the visit at the office, I ask that I am sent a hard copy either by email or mail. They are required to do this for you. Don't be embarrassed. I have searched using multiple doctors in my quest for answers and each time they ask about my history and want copies sent. Complete neurological workups, allergy testing, cardio issues and so on. No problem I carry in a briefcase like file folder with a handle and present them with my records and always a current list of meds and they can copy anything they want, but they cannot keep my records. I'll wait for them to copy them. This will speed things up by a month waiting for records and getting another appt.
3. My internal skin misery issues were scientifically identified. You still haven't made clear what type of allergy testing you have had. Yes you mentioned the environmentals test like dust mites, but the other test which was on your back, was it for 5 days? Was it with a registered test kit company? Was it the True Test company or another, each kit has variations i allergens tested. You need to contact this doctor if you don't have the records and get copies. They should have given you a hard copy of your test results, even if you were negative on all of the sites, you need to keep a record of this in order to eliminate future question. If you didn't have the 5 Day Extended Patch Test you need to pursue this test as you mentioned. You are Medicare age and Medicare pays for this test. Have you Googled information about this test kit. Mine was the True Test. What is wonderful is that once tested you will be registered with a site that gives current yearly information on what grooming and cleaning products you can use. Products change for the better normally, as many chemicals have been substitutes, but some products change for the worse. You are wondering about your chair. Yes you can be allergic to fibers in your chair. I am severely allergic to memory foam which is in mattresses, pillows, chairs and so on. i am allergic to treated fibers for fire retardant, wrinkle free stain repellent and so on. So yes these can be in any furniture. I have to bring a large plastic bag to theater to spread over the chairs which are normally covered in blended fibers,treated with fire retarded and stain blockers. Do I look absurd? Yes no matter how I try to tell myself just do it and don't feel peculiar, initially I feel self conscience, but this way I am not a prisoner in my own safe household.
3. Like you I understand the strain it puts on a spouse. My husband has been bugging me to go on a first class cruise for our 50th anniversary. For me the fear of exposure to my allergens is a joy killer. Living with 24/7 pain is a misery few can understand. I would have to pack all my own bedding and my wardrobe is very limited now. All my beautiful formal gowns just gather dust in a closet. My shoes are a joke! Car travel is fine as I can pack what I need or air travel is fine when going to homes that are set up for me, as many our and we have a vacation home set up just like my main residence. Even first class hotels use blended sheets and chemicals in cleaning and laundry products, so I must bring my own. My outdoor sports activities have be restricted because of one of my forms of eczema is triggered by heat, sweat and friction. This is depressing for my husband as he wants me with him. Yet when I try to do these things I end up in pain and itching and useless from lack of sleep. Am I selfish? No, I just have a handicap and need to adjust my lifestyle.
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I so hope you get some answers as now I am back to being useful and my pain and itching issues are reduced at present by 99%. Yet I must be vigilant because eczema is chronic and with each exposure to my allergens the symptoms develop faster. I know within 15 minutes now if I am sitting on the wrong furniture or wearing the wrong clothes as the itching begins inside my skin. Yet if I remove myself from these contact immediately the symptoms abate. Life is very very good again!!! Turning 70 this year and grateful that I can feel joyful again.
I've been itching for 3 year's I take the hydroxyzine and I just deal with it
@liz7229 Welcome to connect what started you to itch? Have you gone to a allergist to find out if its food allergy or been tested for anything else.
@gingerw
I just found this group and am hoping to get some ideas. I have a rash on my scalp and now on my back. Been to my PCP and dermatologist 2 times each. Been on more drugs ointments etc. So yesterday my Dr. Said to try the treatment for Scabies....EeeeKkkkk!
I have done the lotion and cleaned my already clean house and I am itching worse than ever. After reading this groups ideas...I am thinking that it is exema. Did not know that is connected to auto immune. I am Stage 4 Cirrhosis. Nothing is showing up in my routine bloodwork. ANYONE have ideas?
@gardenjunkie You must live in a cool climate Im such a hot person I,d die putting all that on my feet Bravo for you.
@jeanne5009 Itchy skin is horrible does calamine lotion help?
You have seen a dermatologist and that is good. Yet, if scabies treatment doesn't give relief go see a different derm to get another opinion. I made a mistake initially not understanding how complicated skin diseases were and how difficult diagnosis is to diagnose. I have seen over a half dozen derms in the 15 years I have had eczema and often learn something new from each one .Always get a second opinion and trust me your pcp is not specialized enough to help you figure this out. Even derms have had a hard time because of all the skin diseases. Initially I didn't know enough to even ask my derm what type of eczema I had and she never offered to explain the differences. The differences are important as each form has many unique triggers and special treatments. Also it is not clear to me what they called your rash initially. Have your docs ever called it eczema? What drugs have they prescribed, steroids? Yet steroids don't work on certain forms of eczema and have long term side effects.
The internet is an indispensable tool. A New Zealand dermatology site, dermnetnz.org is the best I have found to help you diagnosis what form of eczema you have. Simple easy to understand definitions of each type of eczema symptoms and triggers. You may learn your symptoms are not similar to any form of eczema, but they also cover other skin diseases. The photos are most helpful, showing the visible symptoms of the rash. Many eczema rashes are specific in shape and appearance and locations. I have used this to self diagnosis a new and rarer form of eczema I developed and my doctor kept treating like my other 2 forms and treatments weren't helping. Also check out other skin diseases for photos, most rashes for a specific disease have a unique look.
I am sure you have checked about skin diseases caused by your liver meds or treatments.
I now have 3 forms of eczema and yes I also have an auto immune disease which is common for eczema suffers. My most severe form is called Allergic Contact Dermatitis, ACD. Eczema and dermatitis are use interchangeably. I developed this at age 55 just after I developed an auto immune disease. Your rash location makes me think of what you may be contacting. With ACD my worst allergies are to an element in rubber used to make memory foam, MBT. My pillow and mattress of 6 months was made of memory foam. Also my scalp was fiercely itching. I was allergic to the preservatives MI/MCI used in most all my grooming products. I now use Grandma's Bar Soap for face and body as a shampoo and for all hand and body washing. I have been using it exclusively for 2 years because of the simple ingredients. Only 2, lye and lard. The lye is converted into glycerin in the soap making process so only lye and glycerin contact you. Just recently it got approved by Mayo as a SkinSafe product. Works best with soft water as a shampoo, but if you don't have it just wash an additional time. It will lather nicely and leaves hair shinny an skin is not dried out. Amazon.
Because of my research and being proactive I have helped my doctors and the doctors have helped me and all 3 forms of my eczema are in remission.
@gardeningjunkie
Thank you so much for this info. The derm biopsied 2 spots one was eczema the other foliculitis. I think it would have indicated scabies so I'm not too concerned. I was on prednisone before this started and I dont want anymore of that.
I will research some other derms and see what they say.
@basslakereview. I have Morgellons Disease too. I have rashes and lesions (deep holes in skin and very large, deep sores that are painful, but have an underlying itch that is worse than any other type.I have had. It itches even worse when the sores spontaneously spread and I find a huge amount of white, glittery specks and fibers surfacing from the skin. I have very active 'hair' aka fibers that tie themselves in knots and loops. I normally have very fine, straight hair, but not anymore. Horrible looking things come out of the lesions. This bizzare disease defies all logic and is not a delusion and leaves me with a very high anxiety level. I also end up with holes in my clothing that I must throw away; leaves me wondering if I might have a parasite, such as Nematodes or Horsehair Nematode. My doctor does not believe me even though she has seen My videos and pictures. I have no support system and think I would probably be better off dead. I can't deal with this anymore. Would like to connect With anyone else who has this.
Do you have a rash. My body gets very itchy and I have to scratch BUT there’s no rash it hard finding out what the cause is.