Aquagenic Pruritus

Posted by GeeZeeCakes @geezeecakes, Oct 20, 2012

For years, after showering, I have suffered with a horrible, unbearable itch usually all over my arms, legs and thighs. In the past I assumed it was dry skin, and would maybe last about 15 minutes. Recently these attacks on my skin are longer, usually 30 to 90 minutes long. I use heat (a blow dryer) on the skin hoping that will help, or sometimes I stand in front of a fan blowing cold air. I usually find some relief in that, but not recently. I googled the symptoms and it sounds like a rare skin disorder called Aquagenic Pruritus. If anyone has this condition, Id like some information on symptoms and on treatment. Thank you!

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I have Aquagenic Pruritus and find air condition the only thing that helps plus natural fabrics like cotton and linen. I have it for 25 or 30 years. Tried changing everything in my life including soaps, fabric cleaners, diet, household furnishings like wooden floors and curtains. It nearly drove me mad especially at night when you wake in the middle of the night itching - and you can't scratch as it does not help. Cold air is the only thing that helps me.

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@frank2521

I have Aquagenic Pruritus and find air condition the only thing that helps plus natural fabrics like cotton and linen. I have it for 25 or 30 years. Tried changing everything in my life including soaps, fabric cleaners, diet, household furnishings like wooden floors and curtains. It nearly drove me mad especially at night when you wake in the middle of the night itching - and you can't scratch as it does not help. Cold air is the only thing that helps me.

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AQUAGENIC PRURITUS, Hello Frank, i cut out sugars and sweets totally and increased my salt intake, within the first week i felt a good change, and it continued to slowly improve, and about 3 months later that stinging prickling itch became a thing of the past but if i eat incorrectly it will start to come back, check with your doctor and get started on this plan today !

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@frank2521

I have Aquagenic Pruritus and find air condition the only thing that helps plus natural fabrics like cotton and linen. I have it for 25 or 30 years. Tried changing everything in my life including soaps, fabric cleaners, diet, household furnishings like wooden floors and curtains. It nearly drove me mad especially at night when you wake in the middle of the night itching - and you can't scratch as it does not help. Cold air is the only thing that helps me.

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Thank You -- I will try it. <br />
<br />

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@frank2521

I have Aquagenic Pruritus and find air condition the only thing that helps plus natural fabrics like cotton and linen. I have it for 25 or 30 years. Tried changing everything in my life including soaps, fabric cleaners, diet, household furnishings like wooden floors and curtains. It nearly drove me mad especially at night when you wake in the middle of the night itching - and you can't scratch as it does not help. Cold air is the only thing that helps me.

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Let me make sure I'm reading this right: you're eating MORE salt? That's counter to any advice we're given about salt intake, at least if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.

When you say "sweets", do you mean just sweetened drinks, candies, cookies, cakes and the like? Surely you haven't cut out fruits, have you?

I wonder why that helps. I suppose it's worth a try. I already avoid sugars and sweets.

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I have a problem with my body that is causing me pain and agony ,is a disease call an Aquagenic pruritus I have search for solution I couldn't find to be out of my pain ,pls can l have any solution here

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@destiny

I have a problem with my body that is causing me pain and agony ,is a disease call an Aquagenic pruritus I have search for solution I couldn't find to be out of my pain ,pls can l have any solution here

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Air Conditioner. Portable air con is the answer for me. Avoid humidity and after bathing(no shower) use air con to cool down. If you wake in the middle of the night with the itch use air con for a while until it eases. <br />
I hope this helps. <br />
<br />

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@destiny

I have a problem with my body that is causing me pain and agony ,is a disease call an Aquagenic pruritus I have search for solution I couldn't find to be out of my pain ,pls can l have any solution here

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Sir, thanks for your respond and I heard all what you said I 'll make sure I do it,  but if there is anyway else to solve this problem me and my family we don't  care whatever it will take and we have spend a lot to sure it out of my life

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My mother had this condition. I remember as a child watching her after she got out of the shower, it was awful. Her doctor told her she was allergic to water. Then when I got pregnant with my first son (23 years old) it happened to me. It was terrible. My husband thought I was crazy and that it was in my head. Now I'm almost 50 and two of my boys have this condition. So I can definitely tell you it is hereditary. It has gotten better with age. Although now that I'm in menopause my hot flashes are triggering the stinging attacks. There is a medicine that helps and I'm living proof, it's Gabapentin and/or Neurontin. As long as I take one before I shower I will not sting. This medicine works better and faster than Benadryl. I found out about Gabapentin by accident. I had injured my right hip very badly and was having severe sciatic nerve pain and was put on Gabapentin and my itching/stinging was gone. There is hope. Talk to your doctor. Never take a hot shower, it will make it worse. Yes cool air does help but for me it does not stop it fast enough. From someone who lives in middle Georgia and the humidity is a killer, I have opted for the meds.

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@destiny

I have a problem with my body that is causing me pain and agony ,is a disease call an Aquagenic pruritus I have search for solution I couldn't find to be out of my pain ,pls can l have any solution here

Jump to this post

There is a medicine that helps and I'm living proof, it's Gabapentin and/or Neurontin. As long as I take one before I shower I will not sting. This medicine works better and faster than Benadryl. I found out about Gabapentin by accident. I had injured my right hip very badly and was having severe sciatic nerve pain and was put on Gabapentin and my itching/stinging was gone. There is hope. Talk to your doctor. Never take a hot shower, it will make it worse. Yes cool air does help but for me it does not stop it fast enough. From someone who lives in middle Georgia and the humidity is a killer, I have opted for the meds.

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For anyone following this thread: Come to the Facebook Aquagenic Pruritis Support Group! Also do some research on an amino acid called beta Alanine. It's used by body builders and others pre workout to improve endurance. Well it just so happens that one of our members was taking it before exercising and accidentally discovered that it stops her itch! Many of us have had success with it since. Of course, talk to your doctor before trying anything. And a heads-up - Beta Alanine can cause your skin to tingle (ironic, I know). You should start with a very small amount (like a pinch) or you may end up as itchy as you would from an Aquagenic Pruritis attack, but for a shorter time. Then you work your way up to an effective dose without too much tingle.

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