Even without medical insurance, you need to see a dermatologist. I'd suggest that you seek our free medical clinics or sliding scale clinics, because the only way to diagnose skin conditions is via a visual exam of the affected areas.

More sympathitic, I could not be. I have suffered from this affliction now for more than 25 years. The purple spots are most likely bruising caused by the frenetic itching. The problem you will have when being seen by a doctor is that there will be no evidence of a skin disorder, just the damage you are doing by scratching.
There is nothing over the counter that will help with the itch, and most likely moisturizers will just make it worse. It isn't a dry skin problem,.
One thing that will help a little is to get some aloe, (in a gel form is best), and keep in in your freezer. The more you scratch, the more sensitive your skin will become, and the icy cold aloe will help with that aspect, though will do almost nothing for the itch.
This is one of the most frustrating things because dermatologists will tell you to use some colloidal oatmeal, or take some benadryl. It is impossible to make them understand how life altering this problem is. I have gone weeks without a decent nights sleep, or drugged myself sufficiently to get a little sleep, only to find myself dysfunctional the next day. I have gone so far as to use sandpaper on the itching, and then once it started to bleed, (my skin bleeds almost constatntly because of all the scratching), i poured gasoline on it. The sting and pain it caused was preferable to the itch.
I don't recommend this howvever.
Two things I have found give some relief. First, ice, or ice packs. If you cover the itchy areas with ice packs, (the flexible ones are best), it will generally settle the itch down long enough to get a couple of hours sleep at nightl. I have started to keep a cooler packed with these next to my bed, so that when the effectiveness of one wears off, i just grab another. Yes, it's cold, but it's better than itching. I also have a swimimng pool in my backyard, and when it's cold like it is now, I find that taking a swim before bed helps also. I use ace bandages to hold the ice packs in place while I sleep.
Second, I found a doctor that diagnosed the problem as neuropathic, which would explain why there is generally no real rash or visible defect on the skin itself. He prescirbed neurontin for it, which I take every day. At first its a bit of a knockout punch, but I have found over the years that with the medication, the bouts are less frequent, and a little more controlable.
sorry for the long answer, and I wish I had an easy answer for you. I hope for your sake it's temporary, and just goes away.
Good luck

For the past 5 years, I have suffered from this itchy skin after exposure to water--hot, cold, salt, pool--any water. But, it also itches other times as well. I do not have dry skin and there are no rashes associated with it. I have tried all kinds of lotions, changed soaps, detergents, taken several different medications to no avail. It is a miserable condition that usually goes away after an hour or so, but will leave me with terrible bruises from the scratching. No matter how hard I try to remain calm, it makes me very anxious. I ven took an anti-anxiety drug but that did not stop the itching. Any ideas? Oh, and I've had all the blood work to rule out kidney and liver issues.

I used to have the severe itching until I had all my hormones tested and was put on progesterone and estrogen (natural products made by a compounding chemist). I still have problems with showering in the morning, so I shower in the afternoon or at night with no hassles. I use sorbolene cream as soap and moisturiser. I never wash my hair in the shower with shampoo, I only ever shampoo my hair over a sink. This itch seemed to start after I stopped smoking over 5 years ago. I didn't change anything else so I WONDER?

I am now 51 and in menopause and take blood pressure medication and thyroid medication as my thyroid wasn't working. Some male doctors used to try to convince me that the itch was all in my head, it pays to get different opinions.

Hope this helps

I have this horrible itching on the topside of my forearms, its been 2 years, the itching comes and goes regularly everyday. Nothing helps, the only thing I have found to half way sooth is to cover the area with Absorbine Jr, let it soak and then apply an anagesic gel (Mineral Ice/Blue Ice). If I scratch it like h---, then apply, its burns then numbs-temporarily. I just tried shaving my arms (30 min's ago), I have even shaved the dogs....

I have all the same symtoms as mentioned here for 7 months now. I have no idea how or where it started. Went to 2 dermatologists who both did not have a clue what this was. Does anyone know term this condition is called?

I was just reading in another section of this website that it could be due to menopause! I am 53 and have had itching for the last 2 months. Different areas, different times, very intense, no real rash. Tried switching soaps and shampoo, but no help.