Itching

[Ocy1]

Whenever I have a shower or bath I itch like made after. It's not shower gel or anything Iam using it happened even if I use nothing but water. Is this lupus or just me?

[Plumstead15]

I'm exactly the same!

[Ocy1 in reply to Plumstead15]

What do you do about it I've tryed all body lotions. Antihistamine everything I can think of but its still happening

[Plumstead15 in reply to Ocy1]

I've tried not having cooler showers and reducing friction when drying myself.

Sometimes I just scratch and scratch for a good 10 minutes or so.

I use my body shop shea butter which sometimes helps.

Other times nothing helps.

[Ocy1]

I've tryed having hotter and colder showers. Everything I can think of but nothing makes any difference

[Plumstead15 in reply to Ocy1]

Next stop antihistamines?

[quirkytizzy]

Could it be related to food? Milk makes me itch like insane. It's only happened after lupus, too, so possibly a food trigger that Lupus is causing?

[Cann in reply to quirkytizzy]

Yes, I was going to say food possibly - I was told itching is a sign of toxicity and the liver struggling, so may be good to see if one type of food is the cause or drink even. I itch when I have pineapple juice even though I enjoy it - my liver can't cope obviously.

[Hidden]

I also itch horribly after a shower. I feel as if the water strips all the moisture from my skin. It's especially bad on my back. Have to use plenty of moisturising cream for a couple of days to settle it down then of course the next shower sets it off again. I think it's just another Lupus thing we have to cope with. x

[PMRpro]

I don't think it is just lupus - I don't have it, I have another autoimmune disorder, but after a shower I itch, not too badly though except for my feet which go mad! I was hoping one of you might have had an answer!

However - Dr Google obliged:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

It is called aquagenic purititis.

This next article provides a possible answer for some of you::

rarediseases.info.nih.gov/d...

because it is associated with the use of hydroxychloroquine. Plus it is an immune system hyperfunction - and our immune systems really don't work terribly well normally!

Some people find using antihistamines helps.

[Lucymay]

I also get really bad itching skin, and the more I scratch the worst it is. Until I used baby powder after washing showering or bathing, and for me it works, but imake sure I am well covered. I do not suffer at all now, tried moisturiser and creams but they do not work for me. So baby talc is a must , do hope it works for you . X

[madhead]

Try using HYDROMOL from the pharmacy. i use this and it works for me in the shower and you can also use it as a protective base layer direct.

[Bukky]

I also itch after every shower and mine started after I was diagnosed with lupus. When I was on prednisone I don't itch too much but once I'm off it I start to itch. I have tried antihistamine it sometimes work. Most times I just wait it out after each bath, I just simply itch until it goes down to what I can manage with. I know that before lupus if I use any medication that contains quinine I itch a lot and I use to use antihistamine to resolve it. So I believe it's the hydrochloroquine that causes it.

[Twinkle_12]

Hi Ocy1 - I had this exactly the same after the shower to the point that it was unbearable. I went to the Consultant who ruled out kidney problems (pins and needles can indicate this) and he said use all natural products and use Aveeno or E45 Itch relief cream. This has worked for me. I was walking 2 miles a day and he told me to cut this back. Also, I am not meant to drink wine but sometimes I do and alcohol causes the itching ..

I really hope this helps you because it is awful ...

[Loopydroopy]

I itch some however, I turn really red and splotchy even if the water temperature is very mild. I do the same thing if I sit in my car during lunch at work if the Dino's shining. Any ideas?

[Hidden]

Hi there,

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing these symptoms. You might find our leaflet on lupus and the skin useful and you can access or request it here lupusuk.org.uk/wp-content/u...

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Ocy1 ,

We published a blog about lupus and itchy rashes a bit earlier this year. It includes loads of tips from other patients about coping with itching and you may find it helpful. You can read it at lupusuk.org.uk/coping-with-...

[Elizabethjea]

It’s called Aquagenic Puritis, which just means itching caused by water! I have had it for years and one of my daughters also suffers from it. For me I cope with it by only having hot baths, no showers! A problem when no bath in hotel room or visiting friends. (For my daughter cold showers are the answer.) it’s a question of experimenting. When it first started about 20 years ago I went through cutting out shower gel/soaps/ biopowders etc etc. Doctors either know nothing about it or can’t offer any solution so don’t want to know. When I started on hydroxychloroquine after my lupus diagnosis 10 years ago it became unbearable and eventually I had to stop it and went onto Azathioprin. (My first lupus consultant told me it definitely could not be the Hydroxy, 2 dermatologists said it must be, I was at my wits end)

The degree of itching is indescribable it can be so intense, My blood pressure falls, feel sick, I have to lie down with my feet raised etc.

But now I manage it, always take baby wipes away with me in case and get on with the inconvenience.

I wish you the best. If you find anything more helpful online I would be interested to see if there is any new research which recognises the problem. X