Brachioradial Pruritus

I am miserable with the itching in my left arm. My dr has taken me off much of my medications but I’m still itching, so its not a medicine reaction. I itch during the day but mostly at night. My doctor recommended seeing an allergist but I really don’t think its that. She also prescribed prescription strength Benadryl but won’t refill, so I’m on over the counter Benadryl, cortisone 10 cooling cream, bio freeze and Benadryl spray. This reaction happens for months then it disappears but now it is all the time. I need answers, please help!

For itching try Allegra, an OTC pill, and the topical Tacrolimus applied directly on your arm twice a day. These are my go-toos that keep me from caving in from itching.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of itching.
Chris

Thank you. I do take Allegra but I’ll look for the cream.

Hello, I’ve suffered with this annoying condition for years. Constantly had scabbed arms. Ruined tattoos. I tried almost everything because it was miserable. I went down the rabbit hole and found a study about ketamine/amitriptyline lotion. I talked to my doctor and we gave it a shot. Didn’t have a lot of hope, but 10 minutes after application it WORKED. Completely vanished. It does not cure it, obviously. But it stops the itch. I still get it like I did before. Especially in the summer. But I just apply the lotion and move on. I’ve been doing this over a year now. Arms completely healed. Never have to deal with it more than ten minutes. Always have the lotion with me. Hoping everyone struggling can find the same relief. This gets so annoying it can destabilize life.

Oops it’s ketamine/amitriptyline/gapapentin. Forgot the last ingredient.

Hello @rbro744 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. After years of suffering, hearing that you were able to find and try something that works for you is wonderful. It might be of interest to others if you can find that study about the lotion and share it here for others to read.

I am thinking that members such as @artscaping and @michaud5366 may find this to be of interest as well.

Also, how great that you could experiment alongside the care of your doctor. Is this a Rx lotion?

Good afternoon @rbro744 and @amandajro.....thanks so much for including me on this issue. This is the interesting part for me. I used a similar, if not the same compounded topical for quite some time. It worked well for pain and the numbness that accompanies small fiber neuropathy. Although I transferred to medical cannabis for pain, I didn't even think about keeping the compound for the itching issues that just arouse last year.

I am a part of a solo testing program this year with tacrolimus as the lotion/ointment. Thanks for expanding my knowledge. I will share it with my dermatologist who is also leading the assault on the "itch".

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

I began with severe itching in my forearm about 3 weeks ago. I first thought it was poison ivy, but a rash never developed. The itchiness and now shooting pain have persisted (I’m now waking up through the night with these sensations). I fit the profile for this diagnosis except I have no neck or back pain. From your experiences, should I also have neck or back pain? Thanks!

@caswal have you consulted a neurologist? Itching is a mild form of pain, and yours has now progressed. Arm pain can be caused by a nerve entrapment anywhere along the path of the nerve from the spine to your hand. I have had nerve issues from thoracic outlet syndrome and from a spine problem that caused spinal cord compression in my neck. A neurologist can look for areas of nerve entrapment or a disease that could cause the symptoms. This is the first step to figure out what the problem is.

Good evening @caswal. Welcome to Connect with all its compassionate acceptance and willingness to help. First of all, I don't know if Brachioradial Pruritis is my diagnosis. My itch seems to be neuropathic in nature and quite a few allergens seem to vie for the cause. I have atopic dermatitis with proof from patch tests on my back revealing the antagonist. Right now, I am in "temporary" remission. I have changed all of my bedding and washed everything including all my clothes with laundry soap that is on the safe list based upon my test results.

My last bout was over a month ago and evidently related to the stress of my first airplane ride to visit grandchildren in Texas since COVID. I am also facing knee surgery in a few weeks so spent quite a bit of time in a wheelchair.

I have no pain n my neck or back. What helped me turn the corner was 8 weeks of the "sun lamp" twice a week and an OTC, Allegra, every morning in addition to tacrolimus ointment twice a day.

Have you seen a dermatologist yet or had any testing performed? It helps to at least find a direction in which to begin. There are a couple of anti-itch medications in the third round of testing at the national level. Maybe someday we will have a new and more successful treatment.

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