What do you do for Neuropathy itch?

Good morning everyone. I am desperately in need of help with what is called Neuropathy itch. I have SFN (small fiber neuropathy) and am a medical cannabis user for pain. I don't know what to use for this itching. It appears that it reaches through several skin layers. No matter how much you scratch you make it worse, not better. Once you start itching, it's over....your are stuck scratching.

Have you tried certain baths? Oatmeal? I have a steroid cream called Triamcinolone Acetonide. Not exactly a wonder drug. Is there a better one?

The itching results in a terrible level of anxiety. I try to run away from it and cannot. It reminds me of summer in Minnesota when the mosquitoes launch their attacks. I am female with "O" negative blood which they just devour.

Even if you have a solution for other than neuropathy, please share and I will happily do the research. The stress of isolated living and a form of depression that is about our global community also creeps in.

The only thing that works right now for food is gelato.......Salted caramel, if you please. I hope you are all well and blessed with good health today.
Chris

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Skin Health Support Group.

Did I tell you the best anti itch cream for me is the sarna,it lasts for me for a few hours then I reapply it allover

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@caery170

Did I tell you the best anti itch cream for me is the sarna,it lasts for me for a few hours then I reapply it allover

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Good afternoon @caery170, I also use Sarna every day on my arms, hands and shoulders. It was recommended by my dermatologist. When I feel a flare coming on, I lay on the Tacrolimus and make sure I moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Sharna has a new product called Sensitive Sarna. I can't use it yet because it has not made the Fragrance I and II lists for allergens.

Have you used any medical cannabis topicals for itching?

May you be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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@artscaping

Good afternoon @caery170, I also use Sarna every day on my arms, hands and shoulders. It was recommended by my dermatologist. When I feel a flare coming on, I lay on the Tacrolimus and make sure I moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Sharna has a new product called Sensitive Sarna. I can't use it yet because it has not made the Fragrance I and II lists for allergens.

Have you used any medical cannabis topicals for itching?

May you be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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Does the medical topical cannabis work for you and control the itching and burning? When I was diagnosed w/ acid reflux,I was given alott of medication which helped the acid reflux but left me w/ the itching and burning skin for months.thank god for Sarna!

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I have been taking Beta Alanine for the last several years for itch...has anyone one here tried it?

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Have you tried RX of Hydroxyzine 25 mg. for itching? I was warned it will make me sleepy so take it at night. Hope this helps someone. @joybringer1

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@joybringer1

Have you tried RX of Hydroxyzine 25 mg. for itching? I was warned it will make me sleepy so take it at night. Hope this helps someone. @joybringer1

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@joybringer, Yes, I have tried Hydroxyzine 25 mg recently for neuropathic itch. It is an antihistamine and helps to straighten things out. I always took it only at the most painful moments because it does help you drift off into a healing sleep.

We, my PCP and I, are searching for the right medication to use with medical cannabis for small fiber neuropathy SFN. Where on your body do you have the greatest need for pain medication?

May you be safe and protected.

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@joybringer I dealt with neuropathy from my various diseases for about 50 years, never with any luck. I tried everything, but nothing really gave any relief. I knew that rubbing anything on it was not going to help, because it is a nerve and blood vessel issue, not a skin issue. But about 5 years ago I heard someone mention turmeric, so I tried it. Since then I have used nothing else. About a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder in a half cup or more of warm water. Just drink it down. Don't rub it on, that would be silly. Turmeric is a blood thinner, and apparently helps the body get things in order. I don't really know. But at the first sign of neuropathy I have a drink of turmeric water, and in a few minutes the itching is gone. And turmeric, whether sold in a grocery store or wherever, should be really cheap. Much cheaper and more effective than marijuana. I even keep a small jar of Schilling's in my med drawer. I use it about 2-3 times per month. I had some luck with warfarin, but not as much as with turmeric.

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I got shingles 6 weeks after my 2nd Moderna shot. **This is info only, have not been told it had any connection
My itching was unbearable, like a bees nest under my skin. (I questioned the diagnose because it was everywhere my Brachial-Plexus Peripheral Neuropathy is affecting)
I found that Salonpas W/Lidocaine and 2 ibuprofen worked (I usually use Tylenol for Neuropothy flair ups)
I pray you find relief soon. At 10 yrs, I feel new to this medical issue.

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I’m new to this group so if I do anything incorrectly I apologize in advance. About 4 years ago I woke up one morning and my feet were itching horribly and that day at the gym I noticed when I broke into a sweat my scalp started to itch really bad. As a few weeks went by my condition got worse. I couldn’t lift anything heavy or get too hot without my scalp, torso or feet itching me profusely. I went to my primary care doctor who referred me to an allergist. A year and a half later and 21 medication attempts later we finally found a medicine that helped. I had been diagnosed with cholinergic urticaria. The medication that helped me was gabapentin. I was taking 4-3x’s a day. Within 48 hrs I was symptom free and was so happy because it had put me into a depression due to the fact it took so long and so many attempts for them to help find a medicine. About 6 months later I went on a vacation and forgot my medicine but didn’t itch all weekend so when I returned home I didn’t take anymore medicine and was symptom free and medicine free for 13 months. This past September I was blow drying my hair one morning and I felt it...the pain was back. I couldn’t believe it. I was absolutely devastated. I thought I would never have to deal with that ever again. I attempted the gabapentin again and it did nothing. This time instead of itching I have a pins and needles type feeling, almost like I’m being shocked or electrocuted. I have been to 2 allergist, a dermatologist, a rheumatologist and 2 neurologist. One neurologist tried to tell me bc my nerve test showed I had carpal tunnel that I could be having deferred pain. I feel like I keep being pushed from one doctor to another. I do have a skin biopsy next week. I just need advice and want to be fixed so I can have a normal life with my family. Thank you in advance.

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@shannonbowers1

I’m new to this group so if I do anything incorrectly I apologize in advance. About 4 years ago I woke up one morning and my feet were itching horribly and that day at the gym I noticed when I broke into a sweat my scalp started to itch really bad. As a few weeks went by my condition got worse. I couldn’t lift anything heavy or get too hot without my scalp, torso or feet itching me profusely. I went to my primary care doctor who referred me to an allergist. A year and a half later and 21 medication attempts later we finally found a medicine that helped. I had been diagnosed with cholinergic urticaria. The medication that helped me was gabapentin. I was taking 4-3x’s a day. Within 48 hrs I was symptom free and was so happy because it had put me into a depression due to the fact it took so long and so many attempts for them to help find a medicine. About 6 months later I went on a vacation and forgot my medicine but didn’t itch all weekend so when I returned home I didn’t take anymore medicine and was symptom free and medicine free for 13 months. This past September I was blow drying my hair one morning and I felt it...the pain was back. I couldn’t believe it. I was absolutely devastated. I thought I would never have to deal with that ever again. I attempted the gabapentin again and it did nothing. This time instead of itching I have a pins and needles type feeling, almost like I’m being shocked or electrocuted. I have been to 2 allergist, a dermatologist, a rheumatologist and 2 neurologist. One neurologist tried to tell me bc my nerve test showed I had carpal tunnel that I could be having deferred pain. I feel like I keep being pushed from one doctor to another. I do have a skin biopsy next week. I just need advice and want to be fixed so I can have a normal life with my family. Thank you in advance.

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Hi @shannonbowers1 ~ welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You did everything correctly by searching for answers and coming to the Connect forum. We’re a community of people just like you, who share our stories and use our experiences to help other members.

I can’t even imagine what you’re going through with that degree of itching and now the neuropathy pain. However, you’re not alone. There are a number of discussions on Connect in the Skin Health Group with members experiencing your very symptoms, including one of my fellow mentors, @artscaping (Chris).

Below are two of the links... I hope you’ll find some answers and encouragement with our fellow Connect members. Wishing you all the best, Lori

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-do-you-do-for-neuropathy-itch/https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/the-itch-an-update-about-testing-and-treating/
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