I have been suffering from an itchy back,forearms waist and parts of my legs for over 12 months Drs say it is dry skin and offer Paraffin

[Beechholme]

also offer steroids which help temporary . I thought it was due to statin tablets ,but after not taking them for 6 mths itchiness still with me and seems to be spredding Any ideas on what it could be and how to control it

[hajoed]

The skin is our largest organ and can present so many problems with similar symptoms that you realy do need an expert to sort it out. Please ask your Doctor to refer you to a Dermatology department at the local hospital. Once in thier care they will probably work on many levels to determine a solution. Be patient, it's worth it!!!! For now, ask for a prescription of Doublebase Gel. In five years of many, many lotions this one has provided the best comfort for me. That may not be the case for you but I do have a few 'itchy' friends who have found relief with it.

Hope this helps

Jane

[Shell567]

Hi Beechholme, you might find the following info useful.

Dry Skin: dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/dr...

[lovesradio]

Hi Beecholme, i echo the above. After years of being prescribed corticosteroids like Betnovate, Eumovate and Euclid for so called atopic eczema I was referred to a dermatologist who reviewed my emollient use as well. Got organised with Doublebase gel and Dermol lotion for washing and Doublebase bath additive. Still have patches and flare ups so use eumovate to manage short term. You don't mention your age and i feel rude to ask but my skin has been worst at times of oestrogen depletion such as after birth of daughter and at menopause. Increased dryness means itchier skin, more likely to scratch etc.

Good luck in finding better care

[Hidden]

Hi Beechholme, I wonder how you are getting on. I had something similar to this a long time ago, well over 10 years ago. My GPs wouldn't refer me to a Dermatologist, they kept dishing out cortisone creams. I went privately but still didn't achieve anything, eventually, a GP who had been on a sabbatical, suggested I stop using fabric conditioner. It wasn't that but I started to look at washing products. A manufacturer sent me to see a Dermatologist, who did patch testing and discovered that I was allergic to formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers. It was my legs that itched the most, and the backs of my arms.

I also discovered that Swedish cars and Japanese cars don't have any formaldehyde in them because it is banned in Sweden and Japan.

I gather now, that doctors are reluctant to do patch testing because it is so expensive.

The Consultant I saw all those years ago, gave me Diprobase. I buy Nivea myself. Sadly, some of the products that one might go for, have formaldehyde releasers in them, like Simple and Johnsons baby products