PV Itching Not After Bathing

I never put the tea tree oil on my face. I hope this information helps you.

I too experience chronic itching, primarily on my back and in the evening. I understand that in my case this is related to the bile duct dilation. I question the use of full strength tea tree oil, but also know that the warning on the bottle I have says not to use full strength on one's face. I was prescribed a medication for my itching that came in powder form, but my pharmacist told me she did not think I would like it because it takes a long time to start working, and it also causes constipation, so I never tried it. Instead I use the prescribed cortisone ointment on occasion.
I scratch so much that I bleed often. However, the attacks are rather short and then I have to will myself not to scratch. It can be just awful. I may look into the tea tree oil, but perhaps dilute it and make a spray so I can spray my back.

I use two q tips that I saturate with the oil and apply. I dip the q tips into the bottle of tea tree oil then apply to itchy areas. My legs are especially itchy for me. I hope this helps you

Do you apply the tea tree oil directly to your skin?

I found wonderful relief using full strength tea tree oil. I’ve had polycythemia vera for 20 years and this works best for me. I hope it works for you too.

What is polycythemia Vera and what are the other symptoms? Mine is more of a tickling was yours a bad itch? Some people in this thread said the scratched until they bleed!

I have polycythemia Vera and was diagnosed in May of 2023. I had the itching 3 years before my blood counts showed a problem, therefore they didn’t test me but kept sending me to dermatologist which diagnosed it as puritis. I now find antihistamines help the most.

Thank You for your reply, I do not have Hashimotos, I go from hypo to hper thyroid. I've been on meds since 1988 and now thyroid is pretty shut done so rely on meds to keep it balanced. Never considered it a cause for itching will ask my doctor next appointment.

Hi @saucy, In this case PV is Polycythemia Vera. It’s
A type of blood cancer where you marrow produces too many red blood cells. This would show up in your blood work. Yours are normal so this most likely wouldn’t be the cause of your itching. But here is a little information on PV.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polycythemia-vera/symptoms-causes/syc-20355850
You mentioned that you’re taking ND Thyroid for an under active thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can cause itching and hives. There is an autoimmune disease that can be a contributing factor for Hypothyroidism called Hashimoto’s Disease. This is an auto immune disease which causes an under active thyroid.
Here are a couple of articles you might find helpful.
One from the Mayo web page and another from Very Well Health
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351855
https://www.verywellhealth.com/thyroid-disease-and-chronic-hives-urticaria-3232750
Have you been checked for Hashimoto’s Disease?

I have constant tickling all over face, ears and back. Also bad itching on scalp and dermatologists had me use Vani cream shampoo and conditioner. Also Fluocinonide solution, neither has helped. I don't know what PV is but all blood work comes back normal. This has been going on for several years and often feels like little nats crawling on me. I only have to scratch for a second but it will pop up somewhere else. Dives me nuts especially when trying to go to sleep and have to constantly scratch! I'm not on any meds but do take ND Thyroid for Thyroid. I've gone through many Thyroid meds over the years so don't think it's the meds. These cases in this thread sound a lot more severe but would like to know what PV is, Thanks