My mom is having a really hard time. I have posted about her before and awhile back had posted about her having very swollen, itchy lower legs.
She described it as an intense itching coming from inside under her skin that is now all over her body.
It seems to be at its worst at night and comes in flairs. There is no cycle to it.
She has tried benadryl, topical steroids, lotions, etc. The only thing that seems to provide minimal relief is raising her legs up and putting ice packs on them.
But, now it's all over her body.
She was (and it kills me to even type this) put on high dose steroids for about 2 months late summer/ early last Fall.
Ever since then, things have gotten really bad. We are currently waiting on a new round of tests to come back.
She has not been diagnosed with Lyme, although it's strongly suspected.
We are on a waiting list for an LLMD.
Has anyone ever experienced the itching like this and if so, what did you do for it and what causes it?!
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
There are many reasons why people itch, Isolated or whole body. I hope the test she is waiting for can explain why this is happening.
Read each page on this site below, it may help explain some of here itching.
Treatment of Body Itch To address the causes of body itch a Doctor may recommend one or more of the following approaches:
�Tranquilizers
�Oral Antihistamines can help to bring some relief. One side effect in a few products is tiredness, so check package labels if using the product during the day (Kirkland AllerClear or other products such as Claritin that contain Loratadine are a good choice for a low cost non-drowsy anti-itch antihistamine.
An alternative are products with Ceterizine, which is the active ingredient in Zyrtec.) Do not use Benadryl (diphenhydramine) as the active ingredient could cause an allergic reaction in some people.
�Corticosteroids Itch creams and lotions can help to reduce skin inflammation and itching from problems such as poison ivy. good for application to small or localized skin areas. (Make sure they contain camphor, menthol, phenol, pramoxine, diphenhydramine, and a �caine� derivative, which is an anesthetic) . When applied to the face do not buy products that are more than 1% hydrocortisone (a good choice is Aveeno).
A doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid for more severer or widespread skin conditions. Do not use on infants without the advice of a Doctor due to bloodstream absorption.
�Hydrocortisone creams/lotions (These only help �if� the itch is responsive to cortisone. Additionally, many are too weak to make much difference.)
�Ice packs - ice slows down the c-fibers, the pathway the body uses to signal an itch.
�Cold showers. Avoid using hot water and do not bathe for long periods of time. Use a small amount of soap and pat dry. Some relief may be available with the use of a moisturizing lotion after bath that is additive free (additives may result in skin reactions).
�Facecloths (Interrupts the itch cycle)
�Hot water (Kills the itch temporarily, but it will return even worse. Not highly recommended)
�Natural remedies such as Itch Dr. for general itching (contains ingredients such as Vitamin E, aloe and tea tree oil), Anal Itch Assist and Hive Away can all help to relieve itching using gentle herbal and natural ingredients.
� Motrin IB ibuprofen - an anti-inflammatory
�Oatmeal based topicals such as Aveeno
�Cortaid 10 (hydrocortisone 1%) � anti-inflammatory that handles itching and swelling/redness. Takes longer to work than topical anesthetics.
�Dermoplast Spray (benzocaine 20%, menthol .5%) � virtual instant relief for surface itching and pain.
�Mycitracin Ointment (polymyxin B 10,000 IU/g, bacitracin zinc 500 IU/g, neomycin sulfate 5 mg/g) � Good to prevent infection.
�Ignore the itch - try distracting yourself with a video game. There is some scientific basis for this approach.
�Itch a location that doesn't each - try itching the opposite area of the body (e.g; if the itch is on the left arm, itch the right arm). This approach confuses the brain and may help reduce the desire to itch.
Posted by Jane2904 (Member # 15917) on :
So sorry your Mom is having a hard time.
Maybe try an oatmeal bath. Aveno makes one.
Good luck and hope it stops.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Sounds horrible. I hope they can help her VERY SOON!!
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
Thank you all for your replies!
She explained it more as a feeling of her blood itches - rather than an external itch.
I'm wondering if candida could be causing it.....
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by momintexas:
I'm wondering if candida could be causing it.....
- Of course I was wondering the same thing! I had horrible itching from candida. Tell her to cut out anything that resembles a starch or sugar, including artificial sugars.
Posted by manybites (Member # 33750) on :
shishtosiomasis cause it , blood itching .
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Pyrithione soap is for yeast in the skin.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by manybites: shishtosiomasis cause it , blood itching .
- Please check the spelling of that. I'm unable to Google it.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
(Schistosomiasis)
This site below does not mention itching with (Schistosomiasis) � I did found this on another site-Initial invasion of the skin may cause itching and a rash (swimmer's itch). In this condition, the schistosome is destroyed within the skin.
http://www.medicinenet.com/schistosomiasis/article.htm Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Hi manybites, I'm so happy you were able pin-point your symptoms, and then cure them.
I had this itching problem some time ago � went away after about two months on its own. I�m sure it was related to Lyme.
It�s a terrible feeling, I hope momintexas�s mom finds what�s causing the itching.
PS. I love Disney World, been there about 40 times � I�ll have to remember to stay away from animal park (waters)!!!
My next trip is planned for August 2013�
Posted by Katy Lu (Member # 36459) on :
I have a similar itch. Like momintexas's mom, it's not the skin. It's occuring beneath the surface. I scatched until the skin was raw. Then it burned like crazy - both the skin and underneath. Trying my best to ignore it and hope it goes away. Thankfully, I don't have it all over. Hope your mom finds relief!
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Allergy to medication or yeast both come to mind. Could possibly be a food allergy.
Terry
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
I really think it's from yeast.
Her results just came back and she tested very high for yeast.
Have a follow up appt coming up.
Thanks for the replies.
Posted by ItsMyTurn (Member # 31469) on :
Could this also come from parasites? My husband has same itch. It comes and goes. Some days are worse than others.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
Is she gluten free and dairy free? I would definitely avoid those 2 food groupings immediately and completely. I have a friend who had constant sores and discomfort all over her legs. My LLMD suggested going gluten and dairy free, and all of her symptoms went away. Completely.
Also, just to cover all bases, go to a good allergist for a full work-up.
Not everything has to be disease related. Some things can sometimes be simple to fix. I hope this is the case with your Mom.