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Generalised Pruritus for 9 months
Hello, for reference, I am a 23 year old female, in the UK.
In March 2025, my skin started itching everywhere, constantly, with no rash, bumps, or bites etc. I went to the doctors within a couple of weeks, and was given antihistamines & an anti-itch cream - neither of which helped.
I went back to the doctors a few times, and had several blood tests done - in the July, they found my liver bile acids were too high, which can cause generalised pruritus.
I was then put on two months of Cholestramine sachets (August&October) to help bind my liver bile acids, and overall help the itching.
We are now in December, and the two months of sachets have not helped the itching at all. Instead, it is now far worse. I cannot sleep at night, and the itching feeling, has now developed into an almost ‘static shock’ sensation under my skin, all over my body.
My doctor no longer thinks that my liver bile levels are abnormal, and so no longer thinks this is the cause.
I am no closer to resolving this constant extreme itch, that affects my entire body, all day every day - for the last 9 months.
Does anyone have any advice/any similar experiences? My doctors haven’t been able to help over the course of 9 months and I seem to still be at square 1.
For background: I have never had skin issues or itchiness until this started in March.
To add, I use hypoallergenic washing detergent, use dermol (doctor prescribed body wash), and have hypoallergenic bedding. I have no known allergies either.
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Hoping you have access to a dermatologist consulting with your GP. Testing should include thyroid levels and
and iron in addition to the usual metabolic profile and Blood counts. Serum protein tests can be checked as well.
Have they tested for celiac and gluten sensitivity?
IgE blood levels would be increased with some allergies
and infections.The dermatologist may order anti skin antibodies or even take a skin sample.
A chest X-ray can point to internal causes.
Collect all of your results and seek another opinion if
you can get to a University department.
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3 ReactionsI am having something similar. Mine started in May, Biopsy said heat rash. I was told to take some allergy med that didn’t work (And it had lactose in it, which I don’t tolerate). Now I’m on something else and a cream I go back to Derm Next month.
I understand about the pain and I hope you and I both can’t get to the bottom of this quickly.
Take care
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1 ReactionI developed a sudden skin condition starting on my inner arms in late Feb, 2025 . However unlike your condition there was a rash. Also had generally pimply itching over many other parts of my body. Suffered badly for about 6 months. I went to EMERG after 3 months and they said it was eczema. The corticosteroid they prescribed worked. But overall the condition never went completely away.
Then I learned about the Budwig Protocol consuming flax seed oil with a fermented dairy like kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese. I took 2 T with the kefir of yogurt making a smoothy with fruit , twice a day. Within a week I was seeing improvement and after 2 weeks more improvement. The situation is drastically improved but unfortunately not gone. I still continue with this daily to keep the rashes and itching under control.
You can find info on the Budwig Protocol on the internet.
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2 ReactionsI have prurigo nodularis and there’s no outward indication other than the scabs created by itching.
Sarna lotion has been very helpful (is there an equivalent in the UK?). It feels so freeing to be able to focus your mind on something else for once. My dermatology nurse also recommended the following: oatmeal baths with calamine powder, a humidifier, avoiding long, hot showers, applying a lotion after the shower without drying off and allowing it to dry as your skin dries, and wearing loose, cotton pajamas to bed.
Hope you get answers soon!
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1 ReactionDo you know the trigger?
It sounds more like a neuropathy itch not a dermatological itch.
If so, I’ve been taking beta alanine, an otc amino acid supplement. 750 mg kills the itch. I take every four hours as needed… I buy the NOW brand on Amazon. In higher doses, it can cause tingling on the skin, but 750mg is a pretty low dose.
If water contact is the trigger, this is called Aquagenic Pruritus, beta alanine also kills this itch…I take 1500 mg 30 mins before showering…works best in the late afternoon/evening.
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1 Reaction@seniormed Thank you for your reply.
I have had a Serum protein test, thyroid tests and my IgE levels checked, and the results were ‘normal’. I haven’t been tested for celiac and gluten sensitivity. I am just now being referred to hospital dermatology so I’m hoping for some resolution soon.
@moylandavis Thank you for your reply!
There is no known trigger as such, the itch is consistent at all times of day/activities, and has no clear food/product triggers either.
I have been thinking similarly though along the lines of a neuropathy itch.
I will look into Beta Alanine! Thank you.
Kaitlyn:
I sympathize with you completely. I have had itching for over five years coupled with chronic sinus congestion. I have seen multiple medical professionals: 3 internists, an allergist/immunologist, physical therapist, dermatologist, an ENT, and a neurologist. No one has an answer. The only thing that helps with the pruritus is triamcinolone cream. The congestion: antihistamines. Prednisone has helped relieve both symptoms but no doctor will prescribe it for long term treatment because of the adverse side effects. I also had no allergies before acquiring these symptoms. I have had all kinds of tests, scans, and ultrasounds, but everything shows normal. I am convinced my problem is related to the Covid Pfizer vaccine and booster I had shortly before going on vacation at the beach in the summer of 2020. Since then, I have had these irritations. No pain, thank goodness. Next stop: probably a rheumatologist. I am reluctant to try a major clinic, like Cleveland or Mayo, because of the expense, but that may be the only alternative. Let me know if you find a solution, and I will do the same. Best wishes, Jerry
I have had a nerve biopsy for neuropathy---normal. I went through a year of weekly allergy shots---no help at all. No thyroid or liver problems. Symptoms of pruritus and rhiniitis all the time, varying in severity, usually worse at night when I am trying to sleep.