Unexplained Itching

I tried capsaicin, it just set my skin on fire. I have not tried the prescription medications. Thank you for the suggestions.

@bjbednarz
I too, had some unexplained itching of the skin back in 2019. Yes, I too went to the doctors, doctor had no explanation. I tried just about everything, creams, sulfur soap, clorox wipes, witch hazel rubbed into the skin, etc... I changed my clothes three times a day, I took 3 showers a day. I washed all my towels and sheets every night after use. Then, I took a bath with six cups of Epsom salts. I laid in the tub, my head was soaked in the tub so I could get all my hair too. I laid on the front of my body in the water so my whole body was in the epsom salt water. I put my face in the water, when I got out of the tub I did not rinse off the salts. I laid on towels I had put on my bed. I took a bath every 2 hours, with six cups sometimes 8 cups of epsom salts, no rinsing. I did this four times a day. About five days later the itching stopped. This worked for me. I never found out what had caused this. If you try it let me know your results.

@bjbednarz Since you suspect neuropathic itching have you tried Low-dose (0.025 – 0.1%) topical capsaicin or taking systemic sodium channel blockers, such as carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine? Maybe they will offer some relief.

@bjbednarz I once started itching the same time I had changed my laundry detergent. As a result I switched back to my previous brand but it wasn’t the culprit. I had no medications so I new it was not that. I finally got relief after applying the cream for scabies and washed it off my skin. Apparently I was in contact with someone who had scabies. I never would have thought at first it was the culprit. Good thing I tried it. I had no rash. The itch was driving me crazy. I hope you find answers soon. Something will ring a bell for you through all the different experiences here on Mayo Connect. I wish you well. Toni

All various pruritus that I've studied, google, you know, has specific places of itch. I itch from the top of my scalp to my knees. And what I find odd, is that if one arm itches, the other arm itches identically. Both halves of my body itch equally. Neuropathic itching sounds the most likely cause, but a Neurologist did an MRI from the top of my neck to the bottom of my tail bone, and could not identify anything she thought might be causing the itch. I still believe Neuropathic itching is the culprit, but how to pinpoint the exact reason and fix it seems to be the problem. I haven't taken any of that medicine since January 2019. I guess I probably have as much stress as the next person. Nothing in particular especially stressful. I will definitely check out @artscaping.

Under the doctor's care, I've stopped different medications definitely long enough to stop the itching if that were it. I have no rash. I did start a new medicine when I started itching. But I stopped it immediately. That was in January 2019, and I've never had a single day without itching since. I've taken medicine for scabies, to no effect. Thank you for your response. I'm praying that someone, somewhere will say, oh yes, I was itching and I did this and now I'm cured. If not cured, then itch relief.

Hi @bjbednarz, I added your discussion to the Skin Health group.

You may also wish to review this related discussion:
- Brachioradial pruritus. (severe itching on forearms and neck, no rash). https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/brachioradial-pruritus-severe-itching-on-forearms-and-neck-no-rash/

You say the itching is all over your body. I think @artscaping can also relate. She has been experiencing neuropathic itching. Like @mannix, I believe her situation was worsened with stress.
@bjbednarz How long has it been since you stopped the medication that you suspect may be the culprit? Does stress seem to aggravate the itching?

I still take gabapentin, 400 mgs three times a day. Benedryl can help, but I took so much that it stopped helping as much. Ice packs provided temporary, but very helpful relief. Try Cryomax brand, they stay cold for a number of hours.
As I mentioned in a previous post, stress is a big cause as well.

Thank you, no one can understand how bad it is if they haven't been there. I'm told to just stop scratching, and the itch will go away. It doesn't work like that. If your brain tells you it itches, your innate response is to scratch.

I'm under the care of a dermatologist, who is running out of ideas to help. I've changed deodorant, laundry detergent, shampoo and multiple types of both OTC and prescription allergy products. I basically only wear cotton. I've also tried multiple prescriptions for pain block medications. None of them worked. I don't need to block pain, I need to block itch. They travel different paths. And apparently no one has invented an itch block medicine yet.