Brachioradial pruritus. (severe itching on forearms and neck, no rash).

Posted by Patrick Cotter @patrickcotter, Mar 19, 2012

Does anyone know of this. I think its rare but does exist. My neurologist does not know about this. I have compression between my c5 and c6 cervical disk and have had alot of sun damage to my skin.

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Hello, I have this exact diagnosis - same everything, no rash, severe SEVERE itching on forearm(left only) issues with my neck, and sun damage. I want to find out all I can regarding this - I am going INSANE with the itching. Only thing so far that TEMPORARILY takes the itch away is ICE.....

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I have had this condition for about a year. My Dr. has me on Gabapentin and it does work. I am trying to get off it. I am down to two pills a day instead of 3.
I would like to try Chiropractic. Has anyone else tried it with any success. It is hard to find a Chiropractor that knows anything about BRP.

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what can i take to stop the non stop itching it never goes away i feel like i want to rip the skin off my arm i have tried evereything over the counter but it does nt work i can not take much longer of this what can u suggest for me todo

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Welcome to Connect, @cropsey26
I moved your message to this existing discussion where you can read messages from @donnany @castlemac and @patrickcotter. While they haven't been on Connect for a long time, I'm hoping that someone will return to share their experiences with you. In the meantime, here is some information about the condition from Mayo Clinic, including treatment options.
- Itchy skin (pruritus) http://mayocl.in/2fFJrKD

Cropsey, have you had any prescribed treatment?

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Is this like notalgia paresthetica?

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@colleenyoung

Welcome to Connect, @cropsey26
I moved your message to this existing discussion where you can read messages from @donnany @castlemac and @patrickcotter. While they haven't been on Connect for a long time, I'm hoping that someone will return to share their experiences with you. In the meantime, here is some information about the condition from Mayo Clinic, including treatment options.
- Itchy skin (pruritus) http://mayocl.in/2fFJrKD

Cropsey, have you had any prescribed treatment?

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Hi I'm a sufferer who sympathizes completely with this maddening disorder. After pursuing treatment with dermatologists without success I did research on my own and found the cause (I think) for this horrible condition. I was already taking Neurontin for neuropathy. I have Sjrogrens and Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder. Noting it treated a weird skin itch also, I convinced my rheumatologist to order an x-ray which showed cervical spine problems.....long story short, this led to neurologist for MRI...he sent me for a cervical spine epidural. NO symptoms for 2 weeks....then a slow return.. This was in July and I'm due for a second on Oct 18
I'm as I said convinced this awful condition results from cervical spine inflammation. BUT saying that, the sun doesn't help. I live in FL and try never to be in the sun.
The only treatment beside the epidural that ever helped is a steroid cream mixed with lidocaine. Provided only some relief. Promoxine (sp?) also helped somewhat. Icepacks remain the most effective. Hard to sit in meetings, restaurants, etc with them. This condition is very limiting socially. It's made me cry, scream and have meltdowns not attractive in an adult!

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@colleenyoung

Welcome to Connect, @cropsey26
I moved your message to this existing discussion where you can read messages from @donnany @castlemac and @patrickcotter. While they haven't been on Connect for a long time, I'm hoping that someone will return to share their experiences with you. In the meantime, here is some information about the condition from Mayo Clinic, including treatment options.
- Itchy skin (pruritus) http://mayocl.in/2fFJrKD

Cropsey, have you had any prescribed treatment?

Jump to this post

Felt compelled to reply... I stumbled to this site looking for new info on BRP (=bracchioradial pruiritis)... as it is making me go mad, mad, mad! I can totally relate to "cry, scream, meltdowns" too. It is so maddening!! For those looking for temporary relief, my go tos, here in Canada, are: Xylocaine 5% (which I think may be Lidocaine in US)... this numbs your arms (but takes an hour to take effect, i find) and Stopain!, which is a strong menthol-type roll-on cream that feels super cold... so cold that it hurts a little (but at least you don't feel itchy). Hope this helps someone.
As for next steps, for me, I'm booking an appointment at chiropractor. Hopefully he'll take xrays and see something? Or perhaps an "alignment" of my spine will help? I'm desperate! Keep looking for answers people!!

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Benzocaine comes in topical forms (also called lidocaine). I buy Solarcaine but it can be in a generic form, too. I get the spray so touching the skin is not necessary. It also comes in a gel form, for dry skin that's oily.

US Brand Name
Anacaine
Chiggerex
Mandelay
Medicone
Outgro
Solarcaine

Canadian Brand Name
Baby Orajel Nighttime Formula
Dermoplast Maximum Strength
Topicaine

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@colleenyoung

Welcome to Connect, @cropsey26
I moved your message to this existing discussion where you can read messages from @donnany @castlemac and @patrickcotter. While they haven't been on Connect for a long time, I'm hoping that someone will return to share their experiences with you. In the meantime, here is some information about the condition from Mayo Clinic, including treatment options.
- Itchy skin (pruritus) http://mayocl.in/2fFJrKD

Cropsey, have you had any prescribed treatment?

Jump to this post

Welcome to Connect, @salemm72. Thanks for sharing tips for relief. I understand that physical therapy or even acupuncture may help some people who have cervical spine disease. (Reference: http://www.clinicaladvisor.com/dermatology/brachioradial-pruritus/article/593588/) Do you have issues with your cervical spine or neck?

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Hi @froglegs, welcome to Connect. Please meet @salemm72 who also recently joined Connect and posted about brachioradial pruritus (BRP). How long have you been dealing with BRP?

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