Help!! Severe itching with no relief -- not sure why!

@mmiles24 Welcome to connect we try to help with what we can from our problems. That itchy must be driving you crazy . Sorry you have to put up with this . Here is some things I can think of have you checked your meds out maybe a med or part of that med you are allergic to, any new detergents used or fabric softner , food allergies, any new dish detergent ? clothing ? Here is a suggestion that may help take a oatmeal bath this relieves itchyness for awhile . But look into if you have changed anything as I stated . Let us know

@lioness
Thanks so much for your input. Much appreciated!! It's my sister-in-law Grace that I care for having the issues. No food allergies -- we just had testing done by an allergist last Thurs. We've also ruled out other skin / topical allergens from detergents, fabrics, etc.
I've heard of the oatmeal bath. Tell me more on how to do that. Use regular rolled oats, like Quaker Quick Oats, or something "specific"?

Hi @mmiles24, I add my welcome to @lioness'. I also might suspect new or changes to her medication.

Let me bring in the "itch squad" (fellow members) to offer suggestions to soothe the itching until you get help from the medical professionals to find out what the underlying cause might be. @rosemarya @artscaping @gaybinator @2011panc @jeanne5009 @jenniferhunter and @laisseraler have all experienced itching for a variety of reasons from liver issues, neuropathic itch to brachioradial pruritus. They can tell you more about the oatmeal bath and other tips to help get relief for your sister-in-law.

Mmiles, when did the itching start? Is it a recurring symptom or is this new?

@colleenyoung. Thanks for the welcome and your response. The itching started about 8 wks ago, and has been severe as of the past 2 wks. We are suspicious of the meds as well. Just two hours ago her rheumatologist has stopped her Kineret med and upped her prednisone from 7.5mg to 20mg/day. We were on a gradual decline, but because she's stopping the Kineret she is increasing the prednisone to keep the inflammation at bay.
Can't wait to hear from @rosemarya @artscaping @gaybinator @2011panc @jeanne5009 @jenniferhunter and @laisseraler .

@mmiles24 I assume you have done the Calamine lotion and other meds for it . I had to give a patient this bath . You fill your tub add just regular Quaker oats not the minute or micro kind the old fashioned oats. Stir it in the water then tell you sister in law to get in and soak for awhile . It is soothing . Then just dry as usual . Maybe some others can join in here to tell you a different way but thats how I did it . Hope this will help her .

@mmiles24 When I was going through chemo I broke out in a rash all over my body which itched really bad. I took Benadryl and received a little relief until I called my oncologist. He called me in dexamethasone which gave me much relief along with the oatmeal bath. My husband has been having stress hives and was told to take Claritin (Loratadine) and Pepcid (Famotidine) which is a histamine-2 blocker)) and it has helped to a degree. It does sound like a possible allergy to a medication or it could be possibly from the Lupus. Lupus does have a tendency to cause a rash. I sure hope your S.I.L. finds some relief soon. God bless.

Good evening, @mmiles24. I am a recent recipient of a heavy-duty course of neuropathic itch. If she feels as bad as I did, then it is urgent that your SIL be given relief from this horrible sensation. Here is the link to the oatmeal bath:
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/colloidal-oatmeal-baths
And you probably already know that warm water is better than hot? I have used an Rx topical like Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream for mild cases of "the itch". My recent "itch" attack was so severe that my PCP and Dermatologist are now collaborating to find out what was different. I can tell them....."agony".

Another tip.....:
As I literally crumbled to the floor, my life partner just began rubbing me all over.......with a medium pressure. That was a big help.

The most effective treatment was a small jar of what is called Releaf Balm. It is one of the products that I also use to manage my neuropathy pain. At this point, I truly feel that the two sensations, pain, and itch.....are equally torturous.

If your SIL lives in a legal cannabis state you may elect to try the topical. I have always managed my neuropathy pain with medical cannabis so I won't know of opioid pain products.

May you and your SIL be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

@mmiles24, I am so sorry to hear about your sister-in-laws itching. I experienced some awful itching that accompanied my liver failure. I have paced the floor, cried, and scratched. I found some comfort from an itch relief lotion named Sarna. It is an over the counter lotion. I tried others but that one worked best for me. My husband helped my to reapply it often. That was 11 years ago, and I still see it in the lotion aisle. A warm soaking bath in Aveeno Oatmeal Bath Soak felt good to me, too, If I took the bath before bed, and then applied the lotion, I sometimes could fall asleep for part of the night.
I hope that she gets some relief with the increased prednisone.

mmiles24@rosemarya@
Oh yes...itch! Went to every Dr. to find an answer and cure. Pretty much Sarna...I remember the smell. And Aveeno gave some relief. Dermatologist gave me many different creams. I think it was exzema but it had to run its course. Lately I have started to itch so I take hydroxine..atarax which also helps me sleep.
Hang in there....

@lieutenantasmith Thanks for your suggestions. This is good! God bless you too!!