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.

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

@ckahn1

I have had this condition for years, but it only occurs sporadically. My left forearm will have the maddening itch that has been described so well by others on this site, also with no rash. I have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and degenerative disc disorder, and have had lower back surgery for fusion of L3/L4. Creams do not help but ice seems to temporarily alleviate the symptoms. Scratching the itch makes it MUCH worse. I have not seen my doctor, as I though it was just a rash, but the pain and itching right now is almost too much to bear, so I started researching and found all this information on BRP. I spoke today with a chiropractor I have seen before, and have an appointment for next Wednesday. I will keep you posted on progress ...

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I have also had this condition for years, goes away in the fall. Last year it seemed to linger longer than usual. As with everyone else, no creams work, ice is the only relief, and it seems to be worse at night. I did see a chiropractor, more because of lower back issues, but he did an adjustment on my neck and upper back that seemed to be miraculous. Until this fall 🙁
It is back with a vengeance so I decided to look deeper into the neck issues with an orthopedic doctor. I do have degenerative C3 & C4, but have moderate or better stenosis in the c5. Additionally I have just started with severe numbness in my 1st 3 fingers on both hands. Related? turns out I also have carpel tunnel, but is that also related to the c5.
In all that I read I see related upper neck issues but read nothing about relief from surgery. Can anyone tell me that surgery has relieved the BRP.

Good luck to us all

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Everyone I know who has this has cervical/neck issues of some type.

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@jal333

Everyone I know who has this has cervical/neck issues of some type.

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Interesting! Looks like someone would figure out how to help us! My problem isn’t as severe as yours. It seems tied to overly dry skin & showering. I just started to meet with a naturopath to see if she can help. She has had success with eczema & skin conditions. I feel that it’s worth a try. I will let you know if I get help. The only thing that has made a difference is showering every other day(It was suggested years ago, but I didn’t want to try it until I got desperate). I wash the areas that need washing, but don’t immerse my body! It actually gave me a lot of relief! All lotions cause my skin to sting & burn.

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@ckahn1

I have had this condition for years, but it only occurs sporadically. My left forearm will have the maddening itch that has been described so well by others on this site, also with no rash. I have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and degenerative disc disorder, and have had lower back surgery for fusion of L3/L4. Creams do not help but ice seems to temporarily alleviate the symptoms. Scratching the itch makes it MUCH worse. I have not seen my doctor, as I though it was just a rash, but the pain and itching right now is almost too much to bear, so I started researching and found all this information on BRP. I spoke today with a chiropractor I have seen before, and have an appointment for next Wednesday. I will keep you posted on progress ...

Jump to this post

@ckahn1, I add my welcome. You mention Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, so I thought you might appreciate knowing about this related discussion:
- Help finding care for Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/help-finding-care-for-arterial-thoracic-outlet-syndrome/
I will also be interested to hear what you learn at your appointment with the chiropractor.

@enoughalready, did you discuss BRP in relation to the spinal issues with the orthopedic specialist? Any recommendations?

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@needahelp

Interesting! Looks like someone would figure out how to help us! My problem isn’t as severe as yours. It seems tied to overly dry skin & showering. I just started to meet with a naturopath to see if she can help. She has had success with eczema & skin conditions. I feel that it’s worth a try. I will let you know if I get help. The only thing that has made a difference is showering every other day(It was suggested years ago, but I didn’t want to try it until I got desperate). I wash the areas that need washing, but don’t immerse my body! It actually gave me a lot of relief! All lotions cause my skin to sting & burn.

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@needahelp, @jal333, Good Thanksgiving morning. Your alias.....just jumped right off the page to me this morning. I was really looking for some advice for myself. I too have pruritus. It is right up there with pain in its annoyance. So...I found this study on the Mayo Clinic site and it shows anecdotal research which validates your comment @jal333. I have also had surgery in that cervical area...all fused with titanium now. That was in 2014 and I don't remember the agonizing itch arriving until this year. Has either of you heard anything about Titanium and pruritus? Take a look at this study.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjd.12483
I know that as sufferers of pruritus we feel justified in saying we've tried everything and nothing works. Let's take another look....keep the door open. There are now new treatment products being tested by the FDA. And there is now a $300 Rx cream that I may ask Santa to bring me.

When you tell us in a post that you have tried everything.......it is hard for me, at least.....to knock on that door again. (Didn't seem to bother me today).

O.K. my itchy new friends......stay in touch.....take a moment to glance at the study. Do you have experience with anything that has helped a little? Do you wear anti-itch sleeves at night? I do...or I am a mess with scratches and blood back up in the morning. Does your anxiety also build along with the itching?
Chris

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@artscaping

@needahelp, @jal333, Good Thanksgiving morning. Your alias.....just jumped right off the page to me this morning. I was really looking for some advice for myself. I too have pruritus. It is right up there with pain in its annoyance. So...I found this study on the Mayo Clinic site and it shows anecdotal research which validates your comment @jal333. I have also had surgery in that cervical area...all fused with titanium now. That was in 2014 and I don't remember the agonizing itch arriving until this year. Has either of you heard anything about Titanium and pruritus? Take a look at this study.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjd.12483
I know that as sufferers of pruritus we feel justified in saying we've tried everything and nothing works. Let's take another look....keep the door open. There are now new treatment products being tested by the FDA. And there is now a $300 Rx cream that I may ask Santa to bring me.

When you tell us in a post that you have tried everything.......it is hard for me, at least.....to knock on that door again. (Didn't seem to bother me today).

O.K. my itchy new friends......stay in touch.....take a moment to glance at the study. Do you have experience with anything that has helped a little? Do you wear anti-itch sleeves at night? I do...or I am a mess with scratches and blood back up in the morning. Does your anxiety also build along with the itching?
Chris

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Greetings-
My contribution is that I was seriously looking to end my life when I hit this event horizon I told myself I would take extreme ownership of my body. I would stop putting off systematically doing everything I should too support my body reacting this way to my " Thoracic outlet syndrome, failed 2 xs rotator cuff surgery etc...
Look, I lowered my neck on thinnest pillow. Starting waking briskly 5 minutes out and back AFTER EVERY MEAL.
Ate better.
Symptoms FOR ME faded away.
NOW everyone's body nerve wiring and patterns are different.
I KNOW I'm lucky.
As winter is here I DO notice it seems to want to start back AS I'm wearing long sleeves.
God forbid. I SEND love healing and peace to those still struggling.
CHANGE your habits and do what you know you should.
BEST REGARDS--
Me

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@colleenyoung

@ckahn1, I add my welcome. You mention Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, so I thought you might appreciate knowing about this related discussion:
- Help finding care for Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/help-finding-care-for-arterial-thoracic-outlet-syndrome/
I will also be interested to hear what you learn at your appointment with the chiropractor.

@enoughalready, did you discuss BRP in relation to the spinal issues with the orthopedic specialist? Any recommendations?

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He didn’t really have any input

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@duathlon007

Greetings-
My contribution is that I was seriously looking to end my life when I hit this event horizon I told myself I would take extreme ownership of my body. I would stop putting off systematically doing everything I should too support my body reacting this way to my " Thoracic outlet syndrome, failed 2 xs rotator cuff surgery etc...
Look, I lowered my neck on thinnest pillow. Starting waking briskly 5 minutes out and back AFTER EVERY MEAL.
Ate better.
Symptoms FOR ME faded away.
NOW everyone's body nerve wiring and patterns are different.
I KNOW I'm lucky.
As winter is here I DO notice it seems to want to start back AS I'm wearing long sleeves.
God forbid. I SEND love healing and peace to those still struggling.
CHANGE your habits and do what you know you should.
BEST REGARDS--
Me

Jump to this post

You mention a skinny pillow? What do you mean or is there some type of pillow that works well for you? Just curious. I got a Sutera cervical pillow and that helps a bit.

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@artscaping

@needahelp, @jal333, Good Thanksgiving morning. Your alias.....just jumped right off the page to me this morning. I was really looking for some advice for myself. I too have pruritus. It is right up there with pain in its annoyance. So...I found this study on the Mayo Clinic site and it shows anecdotal research which validates your comment @jal333. I have also had surgery in that cervical area...all fused with titanium now. That was in 2014 and I don't remember the agonizing itch arriving until this year. Has either of you heard anything about Titanium and pruritus? Take a look at this study.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjd.12483
I know that as sufferers of pruritus we feel justified in saying we've tried everything and nothing works. Let's take another look....keep the door open. There are now new treatment products being tested by the FDA. And there is now a $300 Rx cream that I may ask Santa to bring me.

When you tell us in a post that you have tried everything.......it is hard for me, at least.....to knock on that door again. (Didn't seem to bother me today).

O.K. my itchy new friends......stay in touch.....take a moment to glance at the study. Do you have experience with anything that has helped a little? Do you wear anti-itch sleeves at night? I do...or I am a mess with scratches and blood back up in the morning. Does your anxiety also build along with the itching?
Chris

Jump to this post

I can really relate to waking in the night! I have found two things that help me a great deal. I use BioFreeze and keep it by my bedside. I have the roll on as well as the spray. Once I put that on, i must wait for it to dry a bit, but that usually stops the itching within a few minutes. I also have ice packs ready in the freezer and use those. Yesterday, I was walking down to the beach and I was in short sleeves and forgot my sun screen..before I knew it, my left arm was bleeding from the unconscious itching. So much self control was required for me to finish my walk, get home and ICE ICE ICE. Peace to you all my "itchy" pals. We understand.

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I have had horrible itching, stinging, burning on my arms for over 10 years now. I have been to every kind of doctor imaginable. I diagnosed myself with brachioradial puritis after searching the internet. Only one doctor that I have seen even knew what it was and that was a dermatologist. He knew what it was and also knew there was nothing he could offer to help me. I have tried every kind of cream on the market and nothing helps. As everyone with this condition knows the only thing that helps is ICE! It first started on my forearms and now it is all the way to my shoulders. I have had several injections in my neck to chiropractic care. Nothing helps. I just can't believe there is not someone out there that can't find a cure for this debilitating condition.

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