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Q: Severe itching on body
asked by: zrstoddart on September 27th, 2008
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I have had the strangest symptoms for about 6 months now, they haven't gotten worse or better and I have no health insurance so I cant go see a doctor. The first symptom is the worst, I don't know what causes it, but I randomly start itching, it can last anywhere from an hour to an entire day. It is the most intense itch I have ever felt and scratching doesn't make it go away. The itching also seems to migrate across my body slowly, it may start on my chest, work down to the thighs, back up to my shoulder, then further up to my scalp. Its maddening.

Sometimes the area that itches has lots of very small bumps on my skin, almost like goosebumps, other times the area is just a bit red, and even other times the area looks perfectly normal.

After the itching goes away, the other symptom is that my thighs get random bb sized purple spots, almost like bruises. Some are larger than others, some are grouped very tightly together, and the bruising has been getting more severe as time progresses.

I have quit smoking, I bathe thoroughly twice a day, I have tried shaving all of my the hair from my pelvic area, nothing helps.
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rooted replied on September 29th, 2008
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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.
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itchynscratchy replied on October 1st, 2008
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severe itching
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
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ylansing replied on October 12th, 2008
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Itchy skin
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.
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