Diabetic with very itchy skin and hives

I also am diabetic and havde many other health problems, however severe itching has
been a real problem. My skin is dry,y scalp itches, and I could go through so much benedryl that I felt drained of all energyI My advice is to eliminate gluten, egg, corn, and sugar from your diet. It is hard but well worth how good you will feel, energy returns and itching stops. good luck. I hope this works for you

I,too, have severe itching. Especially at night. I am a type 2 diabetic for over 20 years. I'm also a pharmacist's dream customer due to (but not limited to): diabetes with neuropathy in my feet that affects my walking, Parkinsons, restless leg syndrome, Barretts syndrome, high blood pressure (had a triple bypass 7 years ago and have a pacemaker for 11 years), retain water but also have nominal kidney problems that keep my lasix down to 40mgdaily dosage, mild anxiety/depression and other non-fatal ailments. I am 79 years old. I itch mainly at night and it keeps me from sleeping well. I do not have hives or psoriasis but my scratching raises bumps and, sometimes, rough skin patches. In addition to some vitamins, I have daily doses of amaryl, lasix, nexium, sinamet, baby aspirin, toprol xl, lipitor, cozaar, requip, actos, zoloft and lovaza, My scratching causes sores and light bleeding. If anyone has a way to help me relieve this problem, I would appreciate your advice. Hydrocortisone cream 1.0% offers very temporary relief; up to 1 or 2 hours.

I have a similar background, and was taking a drug called furosemide . Terrible itching and sking rash for months on end. They tried everything until they finally switched me off this medication...and the skin itching was gone. Perhaps its one of your medications?

Yes...I also get hives and itchy skin....I am a type 1 diabetic. I've been going to a Allergy Dr. to find out what may be causing it. If anyone can help me with this...I would greatly appreciate it. We are starting with my medicines.

I had light treatments from a Dermatologist for my body itching. They did help!

This doesn't concern your problems directly but notice you take baby aspirin along with Lipitor. I would only suggest you make sure your dr. is aware since they can both be blood thinners. I'm sorry for your many medical problems so hope there is relief for you.

I also have issues with dry skin. I tried the eczema relief creams which helped for a while.

I had a flare of this all over with a rash on the back of my hands when I was last at my dermatologist. She recommended using the prescription triamcinolone acetonide cream (0.1%) over the affected area. I did that for seven days.

After this cleared, I went back to something that used to help when I was in a cold climate. Ultra Relief Cream by First Aid Beauty. Since then, I have had no real flares of consequence.

I have Type 2 diabetes with inflammatory arthritis, MGUS, rosacea, etc.

@gatorette, I'm tagging @cehunt57 and @2011panc on this discussion too. They may have some ideas.

Have you learned anything about possible medication interactions?

This itchy discussion originated 12 years ago (August 2011) and seems to have resurfaced last month (August 2023). I’m not sure why it is in the Diabetes & Endocrine System Group. It seems like a problem better suited to Dermatology or Allergy. BUT for those of us that have numerous ailments, medications and treatments that cover a range of groups and systems it is good idea to consider medication interactions as others have suggested. I have had several periods of time when I experienced severe itching. It got to be so common I no longer remember the causes or the solutions. One thing I do remember being helpful was due to my husband. He has allergies and very sensitive skin. He easily gets rashes from a bazillion things. I made a point to find hypoallergenic (sp?) products for him for grooming supplies (soap, deodorant etc) and cleaning supplies (laundry detergent etc). I avoid dyes and fragrances.

Over a year ago I suddenly began experiencing an unusual itching. Then I learned that too much niacin can cause itching. "But I'm not taking that much," I thought regarding the small niacin supplement I'd been taking for a couple of months. However upon more research, I discovered that niacin is also an ingredient in my supplements for blood pressure and cholesterol. I stopped taking the extra niacin and the itching went away. Like many things, some is beneficial or even necessary, but too much equals a problem. So I'd advise your checking anything you're ingesting or using.