This is topic Desperate for itch relief! in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by FamilyFive (Member # 37206) on :
 
Full-body rash, literally head to toe, from sulfa allergy (due to Bacrim). Was checked at ER to make sure it wasn't Stevens-Johnson syndrome already.

Taking benadryl and zantac, which is not helping. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. This is unbearable and the itch gets worse each day!
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
UGH!! I hate itching!

Have you tried Google for help?? I know they recommend oatmeal baths and such.

Aveeno is supposed to be good for itching.

Hope you get some relief!!

Maybe ask your Dr for Vistaril?? (instead of benadryl)
 
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
 
Homeopathic Urtica Urens or Homeopathic Rhus Tox. may help. Can take as often as once every 5 minutes if needed, otherwise the usual dose is 3-4x/day.

An alternative is a few drops of peppermint essential oil dripped into a bathtub of warm water (not too hot), then soak in the bath for 15 minutes...

Or can dilute the peppermint oil 50:50 in vegetable oil and rub on the places that itch.

If you don't have peppermint oil, can make peppermint tea, steep for 15-20 minutes, then pour it into the bathwater & soak...
 
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
 
Ask for an RX of atarax. Helps with itching but a bit sedating.

Also as Lymetoo said, aveno and oatmeal baths help.
 
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
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Not numbing, yet very soothing for other skin issues.

http://www.lilyofthedesert.com/shop/aloe-gelly/

Lily Of The Desert

Aloe Vera Gelly (notice how clear it is, free of oils and lotions) - it calms heat burns so maybe will help calm chemical burns (from an insect bite, that is?)


CALENDULA gel:

http://www.vitacost.com/boericke-tafel-califlora-calendula-gel

Boericke & Tafel Califlora® Calendula Gel

Many health markets carry this, as well as many web vendors.

==========================

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/calendula.htm

Benefits of Calendula

==========================

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=calendula%20officinalis

PubMed Search:

Calendula officinalis - 240 abstracts

One of those:
--------------------

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22315631

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:375671.

Epub 2012 Jan 24.

Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil.

Excerpt:

. . . This experimental study revealed that C. officinalis presented

anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities as well as angiogenic and fibroplastic properties acting in a positive way on the inflammatory and proliferative phases of the healing process.
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Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
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http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=031228;p=0

STINGING NETTLE LEAF (not root) - Links set


The herb, STINGING NETTLE may serve to compensate for the reaction by calming the the cytokine storm that is often part of a herx reaction.
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Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
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SKULLCAP herbal tincture is calming to nerve fibers. In powder, it won't work. Must be tincture. Herb Pharm (in most health markets) has a glycerine non-alcohol tincture, too.

There is a chapter here about it: also looks up OATS / OATSTRAW

Though not at all about lyme, this is one of the best reference resources on my bookshelf that has wonderful chapters, many graciously available through their website.

Home: http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com/

The ONE EARTH HERBAL SOURCEBOOK (Tilltoson, et.al.)

He is a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine; She a doctor of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncturist. The third co-author is a doctor of optometry.
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Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
Yes, Atarax is the same as Vistaril. (kissing cousins)
 
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
 
Atarax gave me rashes (just saying, it can help some but it can make it worse if you have medication allergies).

I've had several drug-related rashes. I got permanent eye damage from steroids. I'll send you what I did last time I had an amoxicillin rash
 
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
 
I agree with Razzle. Urtica , Rhus tox, and or Apis. It's really helped me keep my rashes at bay. (I was not a believer but was desperate over a long weekend. My rash was gone by time my dr was open)

Also, there is an antihistimine called periactin that helps me with the itching.

Other than that... Warm bath, followed by goldbond powder.

Drink as much water as you can to flush the toxins... Eat clean and avoid anything you know your allergic to.

Btw. I realized I was allergic to benedryl during a full body rash... Kept getting worse with each dose... Just saying dont rule out possible reactions to things that are supposed to help.

Oh, also... Doxycycline has always worked really well for clearing my rashes... Just another thought.
 
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
 
"Just saying dont rule out possible reactions to things that are supposed to help."

Agreed. I'm allergic to benadryl and zyrtec. The doc seems to always want to reach for those.

I seem to be doing well of ketotifen so far. The doc gave me that to calm down my allergies to meds. I guess they use it in Germany as pills, but not as much in the states.
 
Posted by ms dixie (Member # 40818) on :
 
Antihistamines like Claritin or zyrtec work well for me without horrible drowsiness... Also, Benadryl LOTION applied to skin is a lifesaver.

These saved me when I had hives and itching with an allergy that proved to be from fabric softener .Itching was torture!
 
Posted by daphnesmom1 (Member # 39433) on :
 
My derm recommended Gold Bond Mentholated Lotion, Zyrtec and Benadryl.
 


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