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What do you do for Neuropathy itch?
Good morning everyone. I am desperately in need of help with what is called Neuropathy itch. I have SFN (small fiber neuropathy) and am a medical cannabis user for pain. I don't know what to use for this itching. It appears that it reaches through several skin layers. No matter how much you scratch you make it worse, not better. Once you start itching, it's over....your are stuck scratching.
Have you tried certain baths? Oatmeal? I have a steroid cream called Triamcinolone Acetonide. Not exactly a wonder drug. Is there a better one?
The itching results in a terrible level of anxiety. I try to run away from it and cannot. It reminds me of summer in Minnesota when the mosquitoes launch their attacks. I am female with "O" negative blood which they just devour.
Even if you have a solution for other than neuropathy, please share and I will happily do the research. The stress of isolated living and a form of depression that is about our global community also creeps in.
The only thing that works right now for food is gelato.......Salted caramel, if you please. I hope you are all well and blessed with good health today.
Chris
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Even though neuropathic itch might not be a traditional histaminic reaction, I have found that OTC allergy meds such as Zyrtec and Claritin work well. (Benadryl makes me too tired.)
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1 ReactionHi, I am open to any help with neuropathic itch, it is driving me nuts!I can’t get any sleep at night, due to itching! Lidocaine bream , Tramclcinolone cream, oatmeal packs, Epsom salts, calamine lotion, skin moisturizer, tried numerous detergents, can’t stand to have socks on! Scratching my legs raw, wearing mittens on hands, now digging with feet. Raw sores on lower legs! Welcome to any suggestions! This is wrecking my life and making me a nervous wreck!
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1 ReactionHi @bill5, I think Chris @artscaping found that Dermeleve® Cream worked well for the neuropathic itch. Not sure where you can get it but here's the manufacturer's website - https://dermeleve.com/product/
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1 ReactionGood evening Bill, and thanks to @johnbishop for this introduction. He did give you the. correct information. Dermeleve is an OTC itch reliever. It was brought to me by my dermatologist from a conference she was attending. It takes effect in about 15 minutes and lasts for about 6 hours. So it is not the be-all-end-all. And yet it is great in a pinch. And John is correct, you can order it on the website, http://www.demeleve.com.
I just started Dupixent after waiting for a year or so. I will have my second injection on Thursday. Everything "itchy" has stopped completely during the last two weeks. I am very excited. Have you spoken to a dermatologist about Dupixent? My clinician has had nothing but good responses from her other patients.
Let me know if you run into roadblocks. I am happy to see what I can do from this end.
May you be safe, protected and free of inner and outer harm.
Chris
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2 ReactionsThank you. I am waiting to see a Dematologist. My itch is absolutely crazy for 6 weeks now. I have reason to believe that I might be allergic to antihistamines. They definitely don't do anything for the itch. Maybe making it worse.
I’ve had neuropathy for about 2 years now. Just recently though, the itching started. It’s all over my body except in my face. My neuropathy is caused by a lesion on my spinal cord from compression. I had decompression and fusion surgery at C4 and C5 but was left with the SCI.
So far I’ve had some help from Benadryl. But that makes me very tired. I have a scheduled visit to the pain clinic this week and am going to ask about that Dupixent.
I’ll also be looking into a spinal cord stimulator this time which my neurosurgeon recommended. I’m about at the end of my rope looking for ways to deal with my chronic neuropathic pain. SCS is about the only thing I haven’t tried. The only thing that really helps are warm gloves with finger holes I wear all the time, which help mute the pain in my hands and wrists to some degree, good for reducing pain about 2 points on the pain scale.
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1 ReactionHello there @dave130. I am so very sad that you have developed neuropathic itch. That symptom just about did me in. Because it is created inside your body as opposed to on the surface from an allergen, resolution is challenging. As you may have already read, I went through all of the steroid topical creams and ointments. It took another year to get through the process for Dupixent.
What a relief. I have not had a flare since my first injection. If yours is nerve related please give it a try.
May you be safe, free and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris
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2 ReactionsAre you taking benfotiamine? I’ve been taking 600mg of R-ALA and started 300 mg of niacin as my neurologist recommended taking it with R-ALA. I started itching non-stop and didn’t know why. Stopped taking the niacin and itching stopped. You may be taking something that’s causing the itching. You would probably have to try “process of elimination” to see if you can find the culprit. Good luck.
I was diagnose with neuropathy. I went on alpha lipowic acid and Vitamin B12(taken under my tongue) I also found I was allergic to chocolate. I am pretty well free of itching and burning now. Years ago, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. When I cut out citric acid (citrus fruits, Coke, etc.) the arthritis disappeared.
I had a spot on my back around the right shoulder blade that itched like crazy and was diagnosed as coming from a nerve there. What helped was using an ointment with Camphor (4%), Menthol (10%), and Wintergreen Oil (15%). I think the menthol was the key as the menthol cold feeling basically short-circuited the nerve itch. Sadly, that nerve is now pins and needles and the ointment doesn’t help.