Unexplained Itching

I have itch but I also sometimes get hives and have eczema. It is a terrible thing to deal with, no matter the cause.

I get relief from general itch (not eczema, unfortunately) from Eucerin Roughness Relief lotion. The ingredient list reads like a pre-workout supplement - lysine, threonine, histidine - can stabilize mast cells. Arginine and citrulline are interesting as they could increase nitric oxide (NO) production. Increased NO may help you - or it could go the other way. Patch test, I guess. Red light (Photobiomodulation) will also increase NO production.

I like the epsom salt bath idea. Topical magnesium chloride ('magnesium oil') might be something else to try as it has helped me with pain - most likely neuropathic pain. Another thing that has helped me a lot with sciatica and plantar fasciitis is static stretching - holding positions at least 2 minutes several times a day. Not pleasant but much better than plantar fasciitis. If your itch is sort of like neuropathic pain - these things might help. I also take fish oil; static stretching promotes release of resolvins - substances that promote resolution of inflammation; DHA is needed for resolvin production.

You may want to look into how much of the various B vitamins you are getting from diet and supplements (and what forms). Cronometer is an app that can help with that.

Hope you find something that works.

Good morning @rashida, what's happening? The list of your diagnoses and health incidents is almost overwhelming. However, I don't immediately read neuropathy. Maybe forerunners to or causal of neuropathy.

And I am glad you found a dermatologist and can connect through telemedicine.

And now to how to find your four threads on Connect, What device are you using? Here are some tips for a laptop. When you return to the top of any page, you will see two things that can help.

Attempt number 1
Step 1: Across the top of your screen you will see the word HOME and then Groups. When you click on Groups, you will see every connect group in alphabetical order. Skin Health is one of those groups.

Step 2: When you click on Skin Health you will be taken to a welcome page and a list of all discussions in chronological order. You might recognize a familiar discussion or others you can explore later.

Step 3: If you click on a Discussion you will be taken to a page just like this one where you can choose "Oldest to newest" or Newest to Oldest on the right-hand side to view the posts.

Attempt number 2
Step 1: On the right-hand side at the top of the page you will see a blue bar with the word "APPOINTMENT". Next on the left is your frame (we are awaiting your beautiful photo) and a down arrow.

Step 2: Click on the down arrow to open your profile. Click on the word Profile. As you move down the page you will see all of your own posts chronologically. That might be a good resource for you.

Attempt number 3
Step 1: To the left of your frame....you will see an envelope (for private messages) a bell and a magnifying glass in an empty box. Enter a user that you are seeking, e.g. "@mollymcgee" or a few words about the discussion you are following e.g. "itching everywhere".

Step 2: A drop-down will open with prior searches from which you can choose. If none of the printed options fit just click again on the magnifying glass and see if it has enough information to find your post.

Good luck. This is the first time I have walked someone through these options. Let me know if it works for you.

May you have contentment and ease
Chris

I had horrible itching years ago that nothing helped. Tried prescription creams and Benedryl to no avail. It was awful. My dermatologist told me of a patient of his who was helped with an itching problem by bathing in water with baking soda. He repeatedly told me to totally avoid eating anything acidic. This included juices, potatoes, soda, tomatoes, acidic fruit, catsup, all processed foods that included anything with acid in the ingredient list. I didn’t want that many restrictions in my diet so avoided following it until the itching was so bad I was desperate for help. So I did as he said and totally avoided all foods with any hint of acidity. In 3 days the itching was gone. I knew that was the cause because I could bring back the eczema and extreme itching by drinking a glass of orange juice. After a few years of following this diet, the reaction to acidity lessened. I no longer have a problem with acidic food but clearly remember when I did. It’s worth a try.

Hi Chris, I think you asked me if I had neuropathy and I can’t remember on which thread you asked that or whether I answered that question so I’m doing so here - possibly again!
I haven’t been diagnosed with that, but I do have pain in various parts of my body (just like my itching, each part takes over from another!) but that could be because I also have fibromyalgia, and in 2006 I had a bad case of shingles, and a minor attack about eighteen months to two years ago.

I am new to this site and have joined about four threads I think, but keep forgetting which thread I have commented on and have to wade through several comments before I find responses to one of mine. I know I am not going about it the right way so could you please tell me how I can follow threads more seamlessly?

Thank you, Colleen! Apparently there are long waiting lists for all specialists but it seemed there was some miscommunication about my referral between Dr. Shear, my former dermatologist and the new one. I finally got a virtual visit with the new dermatologist on Thursday! Long story short: he said to wait a few weeks to give the Stelara a chance and if the next dose (in May) doesn’t work I am to contact hm and he will recommend something else.

I have done that, too. Gives temporary couple hours’ relief than I’m back to square one. My body doesn’t itch all overat the same time - seems different areas if my body take turns in itch attack - except the psoriasis patch on the back and nape of my nect; that is a constant itch. Hopefully the Stelara injection I took on the 22nd will kick in soon - it doesn’t provide instant relief, unfortunately.

Hi @rashida, it's true that there are quite long waiting lists for dermatologists in Toronto, especially now during the pandemic. Good for you for being persistent and following up. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Another option you may consider is to contact your family physician for a referral to a different dermatologist.

@rashida Have you used oatmeal ? put some in water or take a bath with it oatmeal is soothing I use to give my pts this for the itch

I have terrible itch without visual signs of skin issues and I have Dry skin. I get itch from contact with water (mostly arms and legs) this is labeled Aquagenic Pruritus. I also get itch from change in temperature with some visual rash appearance, This is labeled Cold Ucateria. I get relief from both by taking an OTC supplement called Beta Alanine. I take 750 MG before getting up on a cold morning, wait 15 mins and then take every four hours as needed. I take 150 mg 30 prior to showering...There is a Facebook group for Aquagenic Pruritus where thousands have been using Beta Alanine for 3+ years, most call this a miracle after years of suffering. Here is a link to a Stanford Paper in the use of Beta Alanine: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pde.14440

Thank you, Chris!

My dermatologist, who I had been seeing for the past five or six years, has retired as of last November, and he has passed me on to another dermatologist, with whom I have yet to get an appointment because of his patient backlog. I have held out seeing this new dermatologist because he has been highly recommended by my retired dermatologist who has been the best I’ve seen in all my years of skin problems.I figure if HE (who was Head of Dermatology in the hospital) has recommended this one, he must be good. Even my family physician called his office and was told about the backlog of patients and that they “will call” (I get the feeling my dermatologist has transferred all his patients to this one guy)! That was six weeks ago. Still waiting! Will call his office again on Monday.

Here, you can’t see a specialist without a referral from your doctor. It took me several years to find my last good dermatologist (two or three before him were no help to me) and now the one who was of some help has retired and I seem back at square one! I have even lost my ophthalmologist because he has cut back on his patients during the pandemic and is seeing only the most urgent cases - of which I am not one!

My itching mostly has been due to dry skin for years, and it’s all over my body, especially my back. It definitely gets worse during the “winter months” which can be from start of October to end of April. I have no rashes in my body, just my psoriasis patches which, aside from the nasty patch on the lower back of my head and nape of neck (THAT, is another itch that is even worse than my regular dry skin itching!) have been pretty much under control now such as it is - presumably because of the two 2.5mg weekly and the Stelara - except for the scalp and elbow.

I use no fragrances, use only fragrance free, sensitive skin detergent, don’t use any cosmetics other than lipstick which I rarely wear anyway - especially since the past year of masking. My clothing is all cotton against my skin (flannel nightgowns during winter; yes, I have wondered if the flannel is causing the itching but I itch during the day, too)! I know I cannot wear wool or lace, even as trim that could touch my skin, e.g., neckline, sewn into seams, etc. I slather myself with moisturizers a plenty and even use pure, organic coconut oil on my body - on my scalp too, before I shampoo. I only shampoo whatever little hair I have once a week because my hair and scalp is so dry.

In my experience trying various products and remedies, I discover something that works like a charm a couple of applications or so, stops working before long! Everything “good for you” doesn’t seem to be, for me! Someone once suggested I rinse my hair with apple cider vinegar (my scalp was clear of psoriasis at the time, but I have dry, frizzy hair). which I did, cautiously diluting it with some water, and nearly went through the roof because it burned my scalp! I cannot even take apple cider vinegar in any form internally - gives me major heartburn! And it - as well as lemon juice - are supposed to be alkalizing! 🤷🏻‍♀️