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Mentor

What do you do for Neuropathy itch?

Posted by Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor @artscaping, Apr 27, 2020

Good morning everyone. I am desperately in need of help with what is called Neuropathy itch. I have SFN (small fiber neuropathy) and am a medical cannabis user for pain. I don't know what to use for this itching. It appears that it reaches through several skin layers. No matter how much you scratch you make it worse, not better. Once you start itching, it's over....your are stuck scratching.

Have you tried certain baths? Oatmeal? I have a steroid cream called Triamcinolone Acetonide. Not exactly a wonder drug. Is there a better one?

The itching results in a terrible level of anxiety. I try to run away from it and cannot. It reminds me of summer in Minnesota when the mosquitoes launch their attacks. I am female with "O" negative blood which they just devour.

Even if you have a solution for other than neuropathy, please share and I will happily do the research. The stress of isolated living and a form of depression that is about our global community also creeps in.

The only thing that works right now for food is gelato.......Salted caramel, if you please. I hope you are all well and blessed with good health today.
Chris

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Skin Health Support Group.

sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Nov 2, 2020
In reply to @artscaping "@helennicola.......wow....it took us this long a time to blame it all on stress. Aren't we brilliant??????..." + (show)
@artscaping

@helennicola.......wow....it took us this long a time to blame it all on stress. Aren't we brilliant?????? I did want to get back to you and others about the names of the two topicals. The Sarna Sensitive has "pramoxine hydrochloride" which is an older topical anesthetic discovered at Abbott Laboratories in 1953 and used as an antipruritic. During research and development, pramocaine hydrochloride stood out among a series of alkoxy aryl alkamine ethers as an especially good topical local anesthetic agent.

@kyc117, Good morning to you also. I am including you in this response to another member with itches. You may have some interest in the discussion about Rx medications. By the way.....meet my friend, @helennicola.....we have been helping each other for some time.

The Rx topical that I was given to try is Triamcinolone Acetonide cream, a corticosteroid used as an anti-inflammatory and antipruritic agent. I slather that one on when it gets so bad that I can't stand it. Let me know of any results or new discoveries that you make.

I am trying to practice my mindfulness that teaches me to ignore the itching and not respond. So far, if the itching is on the outside, I can sometimes practice mindfulness to control myself and keep from itching. When it is inside my body......just no way. I am a basket case. For some reason, screaming doesn't fit with meditation.

May you both have a super Monday.
Chris

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Dearest Chris, @helennicola, @lorirenee1 and @kyc117, just a bit of caution regarding steroid topicals that I have learned over many years using them myself as prescribed creams and ointments..

They thin the skin over time and should be used sparingly. Some should not be used on/in certain places such as face or groin.

I cannot imagine itching on the inside of the body but can believe it for certain! For those of you who suffer from that, you have my deepest sympathy!

I wish all of you the absolute very best! Please know I care very deeply about you and will be upholding you in prayer asking the good Lord to give you relief and direct you to a safe and affordable treatment that really works for you. Everybody is different so some may work for others while they might not work for ourselves.

FYI and a little bit off subject and I have said it before, my doctor prescribed a 4% lidocaine solution which is but consistency of water, for me to put on my knees which scream in neuropathy sting and burn type of pain. I dip a Q-tip in and spread the liquid over my knees using a different end for different nice so as not to contaminate the solution. It is the strangest thing in the world! It works but feels very odd and I just can't describe it. Just wanted to let you know that's an option and wonder if that may work for an itchy spot or itchy area?

Be well. In Christ's unfathomable love, Sunny flower.😊🤗

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Nov 2, 2020

@sunnyflower, good evening. Thanks for the reminder about the possible side effect of thinning skin. My dermatologist did make the note to me and that means I should be able to pass it on. Guess I need you to be my watch dog @sunnyflower
My best,
Chris

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1 reply
sunnyflower | @sunnyflower | Nov 2, 2020
In reply to @artscaping "@sunnyflower, good evening. Thanks for the reminder about the possible side effect of thinning skin. My..." + (show)
@artscaping

@sunnyflower, good evening. Thanks for the reminder about the possible side effect of thinning skin. My dermatologist did make the note to me and that means I should be able to pass it on. Guess I need you to be my watch dog @sunnyflower
My best,
Chris

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Hi Chris, I hope I don't let you down! I'm always so far behind posts now that I 'm in more groups.

Feel free to ask me any questions and I will do my best to answer. I'm quite aware of my limitations and will let you know if I don't have answers but could help direct you and/or try to find answers. I love to learn!

Warmest wishes, Sunny

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candilynn | @candilynn | Nov 6, 2020

I am so sorry to hear about your suffering with the itching! I also have SFN and experienced the itching in a much lesser degree. I used coconut oil on the skin where i itched and it helped tremendously! Hope that helps!!

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Hank | @jesfactsmon | Nov 7, 2020
In reply to @jerid "Wow, Hank so sorry to still hear no results for your wife. How many treatments a..." + (show)
@jerid

Wow, Hank so sorry to still hear no results for your wife. How many treatments a day is she doing? You are sure she is doing it correctly, I am presuming you are sure of that. I want everyone to have good results.

I have a friend who had a stroke this spring and her left side of her body was effected. Saturday night I took my L trx over for her a treatment on her left hand which was extremely still puffy. No knuckles were showing at all. We did 2 5 min. treatments then rested and gave her a third one a little later. By the time we were done you could see her knuckles and actual wrinkles of loose skin on the back of her hand. The next evening when I went over for another treatment her hand looked good. Not perfect, but so much better. We could see all her knuckles and more loose skin wrinkles on the back of her hand. Tonight we are going to work on the palm of her hand, because her therapist suggested we do so. I just don't understand why your wife is not seeing results. My friends, husband, ordered one on the spot last night. Double check the instructions and make certain all is being done properly. I don't mean to insinuate that it is not, but I want this to work for your wife.

I suffered for 4 years with this horrible pain and I am so thrilled this is working. I tried all sorts of topical creams and some worked for an hour or so and then right back to misery. Now my sister is in the beginning stages of Shingles and I made her get to her doctor pronto. Jeri

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@jerid
Hi Jeri, just noticed this, sorry I missed it earlier. Well, I don't know that it isn't working, it's doing something and we are not giving up, but the jury is still out on it for us. Linda's pain has always been pretty intractable si I am not surprised that it does not miraculously improve right away. But I am very glad you are still getting such great results, that is incredible for you, and it make me happy that's the case, and I hope it keeps helping your friend. Will keep you informed as to progress. Thanks, Hank

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bjbednarz | @bjbednarz | Nov 28, 2020
In reply to @lorirenee1 "@artscaping Hi Chris, I am so sorry you itch. I do too, almost everyday, and some..." + (show)
@lorirenee1

@artscaping Hi Chris, I am so sorry you itch. I do too, almost everyday, and some days, it is unbearable. Thank God, I can use an anti histamine, and it goes away. Benadryl seems to work best. I think I have itch from 2 sources, though. I am sure the neuropathy gives me itchy feet, and sometimes, I itch, here and there, all over. I think this may be from Kratom or Medical Marijuana, or both. They are plants, so of course, I may be a bit allergic to them. However, I must take them, or cry a lot. I do not know if you have tried an anti histamine, but it does work for me. CVS also sells an anti itch crème. It actually calls it an anti itch crème, and it works. It is not the over the counter steroid cream. That does not work at all for me. Very best of luck. Itching can really drive you nuts. Terrible. Thanks for all of your help, all of the time. Stay safe. Lori Renee

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Is the anti-itch cream at CVS a prescription. Can you give me the name?

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2 replies
avmcbellar | @avmcbellar | Nov 28, 2020
In reply to @bjbednarz "Is the anti-itch cream at CVS a prescription. Can you give me the name?" + (show)
@bjbednarz

Is the anti-itch cream at CVS a prescription. Can you give me the name?

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@bjbednarz if you believe your itch is a neuropathic itch topical glucocorticosteroids are ineffective against primary causes of neuropathic itch but can soothe the associated inflammation that increases itch.

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bjbednarz | @bjbednarz | Nov 28, 2020

Can you please give me an example of the name of a glucocorticosteroid?

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1 reply
avmcbellar | @avmcbellar | Nov 28, 2020
In reply to @bjbednarz "Can you please give me an example of the name of a glucocorticosteroid?" + (show)
@bjbednarz

Can you please give me an example of the name of a glucocorticosteroid?

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Sure @bjbednarz Cortisone cream. You can always ask the pharmacist in a drug store to direct you to an OTC anti-itch cream or lotion that does not contain a steroid.

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bjbednarz | @bjbednarz | Nov 28, 2020

I've tried multiple anti-itch creams and lotions. I found online a nerve-itch cream. It didn't work either. Aspercreme with Lidocaine is the only thing that helps. It advertises that it calms inflamed nerve endings, and it does do just that. It just does not last very long.

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