posted
For about a year I've had incredible itchy skin. It's worst on my legs, but I itch EVERYWHERE. It's almost unbearable. Moisturizing body wash and lotions don't help. Arrr! *scratch scratch scratch*
I scratch until I bleed and it still itches. There's no rash, though, it just looks like normal skin (until I scratch the heck out of it).
Anyone else have these symptoms? Know anything else I can try to make it more tolerable?
Posts: 20 | From Frederick, MD | Registered: Oct 2005
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liz28
Unregistered
posted
Might be a potassium deficiency. Here's some harmless information from Google:
Potassium is a mineral necessary to good health. It maintains the water and acid balance in blood and tissue cells, assists in muscle building, and transmits electrical signals between cells and nerves. Early symptoms of hypokalemia, or potassium deficiency, include dry skin, muscle weakness, fatigue and slow reflexes. If the deficiency develops rapidly, heart problems may result. Left unchecked, a condition known as hypokalemic paralysis may develop, in which the entire body goes stiff. This is a very serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Potassium is available in large quantities in many foods. Beef, chicken and fish such as cod, salmon, and sardines all have significant amounts of potassium. Good vegetable sources include peas, tomatoes, leafy greens, lima beans and potato skins. Bananas, melons, apricots and citrus fruits are also rich in potassium. Dried fruits such as mangoes and apricots provide concentrated sources of potassium, as do nuts and chocolate. Accordingly, a diagnosis of potassium deficiency is not usually due to a dietary deficiency.
Known causes of potassium deficiency include excessive diarrhea and vomiting. The treatment in these cases should be for the diarrhea and vomiting, and ensuring there continues to be sufficient potassium in the diet. Mineral supplements may also be necessary. If the vomiting is self-induced, as in bulimia, psychiatric treatment may be indicated.
Hyperthyroidism, an illness of the thyroid, the main hormone producing gland, is also known to cause potassium deficiency. It, in turn, may be caused by an imbalance in other minerals similar to potassium such as magnesium, sodium and calcium. There are numerous treatments available for hyperthyroidism, all requiring some level of medical supervision.
Medications known to increase the likelihood of potassium deficiency include diuretics, cortisones and drugs for controlling high blood pressure. Alternate medications and/or treatments can be explored with a medical professional. If changing medications is not feasible, it may be necessary to supplement with potassium or mineral tablets.
It has been suggested that potassium deficiency may be a side effect of malfunctioning kidneys that contributes to rheumatoidal arthritis; currently there is little data to support this theory. However, hyperkalemia, or excessive potassium in the blood, has been linked to kidney problems.
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Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
What kind of meds are you on? I just recently found out that Diflucan can cause skin itch. Take a good look at your meds and see what their side effects are.
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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char
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8315
posted
Yikes,
Have you tried benadryl for some temporary relief?
posted
I'm not on any meds yet--I start IV Rocephin Dec. 15th. So, here's hoping it will clear up by then.
As for Benadryl--I don't know if it would help the itching or not, as it's been a while since I've taken some, but I have not-so-pleasant reactions to every medication I've been on. Benadryl makes me even more fatigued and detached than I feel under ordinary circumstances, so at least on a day-to-day basis I don't think it'd be worth it to take that.
I'll give it a try this weekend though, just to see if it gives some relief.
Interesting info about the potassium; I'll have to look into that a little more.
Thanks guys, I appreciate it!
Posts: 20 | From Frederick, MD | Registered: Oct 2005
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Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
Hubby has the same problem......especially on his shins.
Skin looks normal, but it itches him like crazy. He does the same thing, scratches till he bleeds........
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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livinlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3773
posted
check my post on ivermectin.. might find it interesting
-------------------- "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it." Posts: 1389 | From who knows, who cares, but somewhere over the rainbow | Registered: Mar 2003
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