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

I was just diagnosed with this today. My right upper arm is so itchy with sharp pains at night. I actually went out and bought large bandages so I wont scratch so much during the night. I did get a back massage today and that seems to help at the moment. Yes I live in florida and yes I am sure I have sun damage. I guess I need to start wearing long sleeves to play tennis.

I have had for at least 8 years. I am currently experiencing my worst flare up ever. ICE, burning with a hair dryer and bio freeze are my only relief.
I have never felt the correlation to sun exposure. I usually have one break out end of summer and another at the first of the year. I live in Omaha, NE. WE have pretty cold and dreary Januarys so doubtful I am getting much sun exposure.
I do have arthritis in my C1 and C2 likely from whiplash years ago or other injuries. I have had 4 other whiplash injuries and am easily injured.
I have tried laser therapy, chiropractic (worked for a chiro), Physical therapy, dermatologists and the most expensive ointments, compound treatments used to work (but my old compounder is no longer in business) my new compound created it's own sensitivity issues.

After several years, I finally found 100% relief from this condition and without taking medication. Here's what worked for me:

I've had this condition for about 5 years. My BRP typically flared up in July and didn't go away until well after I quit exposing my arm to the sun, typically in February and as it got worse, eventually stretching into March. As other people in this thread know, the itching was insane and got 10x worse with scratching. I tried various strategies, like putting wet tube gauze on my arm before going outside, with limited success, but I finally found 100% relief from the symptoms for the first time this year by applying Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch 100+ SPF Full Spectrum sunscreen to my arm prior to exposing my arm to ANY sunshine in summer time. Doing this has completely prevented the symptoms this year, to my great relief. The only place I got the horrible itching back was on the left side of my neck, where I didn't apply the sunscreen for the first few weeks of the summer. I pull my hair back most of the summer and wear a wide-brimmed hat, and I treated my arm but apparently got enough sun on this part of my neck to trigger the symptoms. Lesson learned. For this area, when the itching becomes unbearable, like at night when I'm trying to sleep, I apply a topical product called BioFreeze on the affected area. This over the counter skin medication or anything similar that contains a topical coolant, like menthol or camphor, should work. I the topical coolant breaks the itch-scratch cycle and reduces the itching to where it can finally subside for awhile so you can get to sleep.

Try this combination of prevention/treatment and you will hopefully get relief as well. Next year, I'll start right away also applying the sunscreen to my neck and with some luck will be able to keep the symptoms at bay permanently.

I have a burning sensation on my wrists and ankles at night,no real problems during the day. I have been to 3 dermatologists with no answers. I also went to a nerve specialist and no diagnosis.I have tried all kinds of over the counter meds Alovera etc.All the advice I have had was to use CeraVe lotion as often as is needed (2 or 3 times a night) There is no rash or any sign of trouble??
Blessings
Biff

First, my heart goes out to all BRP sufferers. Only those who have experiened it can understand the agonizing pain.

I have been living with BRP for 23 years. I typically have 1 - 2 episodes per year, and they can last from 1 - 4 months. Like many of you, I have tried dozens of treatments. The only immediate symptom relief has been ice packs. Well, there is one other method, but I don’t recommend it at all, and that is to knock yourself out with medication (antihistamines, opioids, anything really). I’ve only gone to this extreme a few times, and it isn’t practical or safe.

About 4 years ago I read a little known clinical research paper written by a medically trained acupuncturist in the UK named Dr. Stellon. You can google it or find the link to it in the BRP Wikipedia entry. I found a medically trained acupuncturist in SF and shared the paper with him. He followed the procedure outlined in the paper and after 12 sessions my symptoms were gone. That was 4 years ago.

At present I am about 1 month into a new episode. My first acupuncture appointment is tomorrow.

Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Emphatically Yours,
John

I have just recently experienced itching on my upper right arm, so it may not be as severe as some others are suffering, but I have found that Preparation H Rapid Relief with 5% Lidocaine makes the itching at the very least tolerable so that I can sleep. It is an OTC medication found in the hemorrhoid section at my local pharmacy.

I googled it this morning because I finally had to figure out why my arms had been burning and itching for so long. Glad I’m not crazy.

The one thing I have found to calm the severe itching is hemp mct oil. I was amazed how well it worked for this. I just apply it topically to the affected area.

I'm on my second round with this disorder. The first time within two weeks of chiropractic treatment I had complete relief. But on this episode I am getting basically no relief after almost two months of treatment. Ice packs are my best friends. And not only am I fighting the BRP I also have Restless leg syndrome and renners, which really stinks with needing ice on arms and hands go White and freezing! Is this all possibly linked together within the nervous system? I do have damage in my c5-6 cervical spine and moderate scoliosis.

I have suffered for 12 years with BRP until this past spring when I met a women who searched for help for years unending and finally discovered through Doterra essential oils a remedy. I tried it and within 3 days my arms were itch free.

Copaiba
DDR Prime
Deep Blue Rub

These 2 oils together internally then topically use the deep blue rub