Is anyone dealing with itching at night? The past two weeks, at night only, my inner elbows and back of my knees intermittently are incredibly itchy. My last dose of C/L is 6 PM. I sleep for 3 to 5 hours most nights and as I lie awake I’m possessed by this incredible urge to scratch viciously. Any remedy to prevent or counter it?
Does anyone have a theory as to why those specific areas are involved?
Showers too hot (usually in cold weather) can do this, but usually on one's back the most. Your areas sounds like eczema or allergenic reaction.
I agree... I usually start with a warm shower and rinse in almost cold water. Really helps!
Thank you for your response. I never noticed that about a hot shower.
If it’s eczema or allergic reaction, I wonder why it doesn’t itch during the day.
My doctor said too hot of a shower makes one itch because it removes too much oil from one's skin.
It happens with me.. Apart from hot shower, it can be due to clothes you wear. Clothes with some synthetic element create this allergy. However, I spray prickly heat Powder on the itching places and it stops. Pl try this with a good brand of prickly heat Powder.
Thanks for the suggestion, MerckK. I will try to limit the clothes I wear for the next little while to cotton to see if that helps. I’ve never heard of prickly heat powder And will do some research.
Nycil , Shower to shower, Dermicool are the few brand name of prickly heat Powder
Thanks, MerckK. I will check it out.
Do you use a sensitive skin washing powder, shampoo, soap etc? It may help? My young son was better after changing to non perfumed ones but it does flare up when he is anxious.
Yes, i’m careful about shampoos and soaps.
I have had something similar for almost 2 years, and it spread and got worse despite experimenting with external irritants (removing washing powder and different clothing materials).
Had a test for intestinal worms which can cause especially night time itching (confirmed and treated) but itching continued.
I saw many specialists, followed courses of steroids and antihistamines, various supplements and diets. Eventually I've found that by following the Pagano diet (in particulier no dairy, no gluten, no tomatoes) it got better.
Surprisingly, my Parkinson's symptoms and need for medication have been reduced over the last 6 months since (in particular) cutting out dairy.
There are some leads to follow. Good luck, I know how horrible itching and eczema can be.
Thanks freefallmode. I’ve already cut dairy and gluten out of my diet for the last several months except for the occasional indulgence. That’s so wonderful that your symptoms and need for medication was decreased after cutting out dairy.
I have itching at night in arm pits only. Fungal infection doc said. Skin red. Lotrimin (OTC in US) helps a lot.
I’ve heard of fungal infections in the armpits. Glad the Lotrimin helped you. Itchy armpits would be most annoying.
My skin looks perfectly normal in the affected areas so I don’t think its fungal.
I get these symptoms -back of the knees and calves for me, when I am low in magnesium , and only when I am in bed.. It drove me mad until I realised what could stop it. Now, I supplement magnesium every day, and when I feel the hint of itchiness I up the dose just for that day. I usually take 1,500 magnesium citrate. That is c 190 mg "elemental" magnesium each day. Our daily requirement is around 280 mg (women) and 320 (men). Be careful when looking at magnesium strengths - there is a lot of confusion, with manufacturers often not being clear. We have to consider how much magnesium is in the compound, as well as its absorption. I am find with magnesium citrate but sometimes it can cause diarrhoea - experiment with gradual increases. For some, magnesium malate, glycinate or threonate are better. NOT THE OXIDE - it is very poorly absorbed, late in the digestive process.
My theory as to why this happens at night? At night our brain slows down and electrical energy produced by the neurons becomes stronger - more powerful, and more energy. demanding. I think that is the reason that deficiencies in nutrients that affect the brain show up more at night, especially water soluble minerals like magnesium, that are transitory and pass through the cells quickly. It is I think one of the reasons that our sleep is so fragile.
I would love to hear if this makes a difference to both the itching and you sleep.
Thank you for sharing your experience and information, asmckay. At dinner time, I take magnesium bisglycinate of what is listed on the bottle as 200 mg pure elemental magnesium. At lunch I take 150 mg magnesium citrate and I have just emailed the company to ask about the elemental content of each capsule.
Perhaps I’ll have to increase it.
I will let you know whether I increase the dose and whether it helps.
I think I would try increasing the magnesium - ind maybe try other minerals as well. 150 mg magnesium citrate provides around 20mg elemental magnesium - but you are already getting quite a lot from the bisglycinate, so maybe it isn't that. Is it any better if you have a long bath (30, 40 mins, with a couple of cups of epsom salts in it? That might giva a clue as to whether more magnesium could help. Good Luck
I contacted the company that makes the magnesium citrate and I was told that the amount they list on the bottle is the elemental magnesium content.
So the 150 mg of magnesium citrate is 150 mg of elemental magnesium citrate in this particular product.
Therefore in total, I’m taking 150 mg magnesium citrate and 200 mg of magnesium bisglycinate. That seems like a proper dose.
Hi. You may be taking enough magnesium, but I'd still be questioning. The answer on magnesium citrate doesn't make sense. Magnesium citrate contains both citrate and magnesium molecules. 500mg magnesium citrate gives us 65mg absorbable magnesium. A tablet /. capsule with 150 mg elemental magnesium would be huge.. I haven't seen any that are so big.. I wish this were easy.. I have often come across confusion in relation to magnesium. It isn't easy to evaluate because , how much is in the preparation, where and how adequately it is absorbed.. This might help youtube.com/watch?v=oZYXBYA... Good luck
Thanks for the info. I will write the company again and try to clarify this.
or maybe when you run out, use one that is clearer. This the one I use amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07... It is very clear that the amount of magnesium in a daily does (3 capsules) is 301 mg. Each single capsule contains 670mg magnesium citrate, reflecting a 14% magnesium content by weight. I take 2 capsules daily, reckoning that I get the rest from food. Except when I am feeling stressed, then I do take 3. Good Luckj and Happy Christmas.
Thanks asmckay. And a very happy Christmas to you too!
You might try simple benadryl (diphenhydramine) oral, usual doses start at around 50 mg. Best to start at night because it can make you drowsy. Relatively harmless and has been around for 70 years. ALSO: AVOID TOO MUCH SUGAR (ESPECIALLY ON AN EMPTY STOMACH) AND ANYTHING THAT HAS ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER ASPARTAME AND ALSO WATCH OUT FOR MSG (SOMETIMES IN INGREDIENTS LISTED AS "HYDROLIZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN"). VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THAT . IF YOU DO INGEST THINGS WITH ASPARTAME, THEN HAVE SOMETHING HEAVY IN PROTEIN FIRST, LIKE MILK, WILL LESSEN THE ACCUMULATION ITCHING JUST A TICK.
Rub, don't scratch. If you must, get a back scratcher, but use it gently, not aggresively. And use an antihistame such as benadryl (dyphenehidramine, very commonly used H1 interruptor tablets, available everywhere cheaply, give it about 40 minutes to take effect but you will feel quite a bit of help there. See
my other comments below about that too).
Maybe just a word of caution regarding Benadryl mentioned in the replies:
"Researchers offer compelling evidence of a link between long-term use of anticholinergic medications like Benadryl and dementia"
health.harvard.edu/blog/com...
Thanks for letting me know, Parkie.
Spottedtowhee,
Benadryl makes a cream that can be applied only to the affected areas rather than full systemic application if you are concerned about the long term use of oral Benadryl and the possibility that it might add to the chances of getting dementia. Walmart has a house brand version of the Benadryl cream that costs less. The active component is Diphenhydramine in both brands.
Here is a link to Benadryl Cream :
walmart.com/ip/Benadryl-Ext...
Here is a link to Walmart house brand diphenhydramine cream:
walmart.com/ip/Equate-Extra...
If you want to avoid diphenhydramine altogether you can try a homeopathic product like this that is super diluted and is much less likely to cause side effects. These are tiny pellets that you dissolve under the tongue. There is an initial loading dose followed by a maintenance dose:
amazon.com/Boiron-Histaminu...
Art
Thanks, Art, for the suggestions. I do like the idea of topical Benadryl better than oral. I’ve used homeopathic remedies for various concerns so am open to trying the one you recommend.
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