HELP!! Can not stop scratching!!: Hello, I don't... - MY SKIN

MY SKIN

8,473 members1,881 posts

HELP!! Can not stop scratching!!

Cathy169 profile image
25 Replies

Hello, I don't have a clue as to what is going on with my skin. I am severely itchy from head to toe and can't stop scratching!! There is no rash of any kind on my body. I really don't understand what is going on. First Detmatologist did skin biopsy and it came back as eczema. The second Dermatologist did another biopsy and said I had Granuloma Annulure, what ever that is?? This itching don't stop. Seems to be worse after I shower. It gets so bad it feels like little pin picks all over my entire body. I can't stop scratching it's horrible. I've tried all kinds of over the counter stuff such as hydrocortisone creams, Sarna itch lotion and Calamine and Benadryl. Nothing works!! Anyone have any clue?? Please I'm desperate. I'm ready to rip my skin off!!!!

Written by
Cathy169 profile image
Cathy169
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
25 Replies
shirleyb313 profile image
shirleyb313

Hi Cathy 169

I have exactly the same thing ,just like pin pricks all over my body ,however it is acutely worse on my arms ...which i sometimes feel like chopping off !! No one seems to have a clue what it is or what is causing it ,yet I have had this condition since April 2016 !! Took me 6 months to get an appointment with a dermatologist, loads of creams later and still no relief ,havent been offered a biopsy yet ,but going to demand one on the 13th March when I go back for review ,what is even worse its started on the palm of my hands and in between my fingers which get so bad the skin starts to peel !! I too am at my wits end with this and just wish I could get some answers and some relief. Even antihistamines dont work!! ! wonder if we have any other health conditions in common ? I have bad psoriasis on my elbows,copd ,diverticulitis ,vitamin d deficiency,high cholesterol,sliding hiatus hernia,prolapsed disc at femoral nerve and depression....just trying to find a possible link.

Cathy169 profile image
Cathy169 in reply to shirleyb313

I have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and asthma. Depression and Anxiety as well. I have to fear for my life every day!!! But I have a meeting with an advocate for domestic violence so that should help with that issue. I've been rubbing my whole body with Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar, I know it smells nasty, I only do that at night and daytime I use Kenolog cream and also a pill hydroxyzine. It seemed to take the edge off but that's it. I can't take any more. I need a break. Going back to dermatology Tuesday, Valentines Day.

Millie5800 profile image
Millie5800 in reply to shirleyb313

I am almost certain it is scabies. I experienced the same symptoms, frantic itching especially between fingers and toes and flaking skin. I also found very small blisters appearing in itchy areas and the itching was worse after shaving. I also thought it was urticaria and found antihistamines to be useless. I was undiagnosed for 7 months before a nutritionalist (not a GP!) suspected scabies. Once diagnosed, I was prescribed a cream to be rubbed over the body once (or twice if nevcessary) and this cleared it up completely. Best of luck!

johnsmith profile image
johnsmith

Take some bleach and dilute it in water. Try this and see if this makes a difference. Another possibility is to take evening primrose oil capsules for a month and see if this makes a difference. This is a matter of investigation and experimentation.

Hope this helps.

Maria-33 profile image
Maria-33

When this happened to me my Doctor could not find what the problem was until she did a blood test and it came back I had Graves Disease.

Hope this will help x

Cathy169 profile image
Cathy169 in reply to Maria-33

What is graves disease?

Maria-33 profile image
Maria-33 in reply to Cathy169

Sorry for delay, having problems posting.

Hello... Graves Disease is an autoimmune condition which attacks the thyroid gland. I was itching all over (like prickly heat) for over a year before my GP called me one day and said I needed to do a thyroid blood test. I had had no other symptoms at that time just constant itching day and night. It would drive me crazy. I did all the usual the GP asked but it just got worse until my GP went to a seminar about the thyroid and they were saying an over active thyroid can cause itching. I had my bloods taken and it was confirmed I had Graves Disease... unfortunately they could not control it with medication and I had to have my thyroid removed.

I knew nothing about this condition at the time, but I do know now caught early and with medication and a healthy living plan Graves can go into remission and you can live a normal life.

Not saying your itching is Graves, but if all else fails, please ask for a thyroid blood test + thyroid antibodies ... I wish I had known about this, this condition completely changed my life and not for the better.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

elaine-moore.com/Articles/G...

Hope you find your answer soon x

lovesradio profile image
lovesradio

The National Eczema Society has a helpline. Google to get phone number. Also very well researched article on treatments for itching in recent Exchange quarterly magazine that you might be able to find. Good luck to all. I now have whole body eczema and treat with Doublebase Gel and also corticosteroid Eumovate in worst bits. I am going to try for another dermatology referral as it's driving me nuts!

Tothemax profile image
TothemaxVolunteer

I would suggest you get a third opinion. One that will reinforce one of the others hopefully. Then take it from there. If you are still struggling with finding something to stop the scratching I would recommend you contact mama nature. I have found them very helpful in the past and have heard this form others also.

Cathy169 profile image
Cathy169 in reply to Tothemax

I will do just about anything to stop this!! I'm ready to rip my skin off

Cathy169 profile image
Cathy169 in reply to Tothemax

Who is mama nature?

Pain_Relief69 profile image
Pain_Relief69 in reply to Tothemax

I have seen a 3rd dermatologist. He didn't even come near me. Ho stayed near the sink and I was sitting on exam table. I was trying so hard not to scratch and just rub and he says ur making welts on ur body. Really?? Now I have many more spots on me. They open and they are a good size hole. Ooze and eventually close and leave nasty scars. They keep repeating the same exact tests. These Drs are clueless. I wish I could find a normal Dr. I'm now going on year four and have used over the counter, prescription and alternative treatments. I can't take it. I'm ready for a cheese grater or slicer.

tobytronic profile image
tobytronic

Hello, the only thing that helped me was Prednisolone tablets. Please Google it and ask your health worker to consider prescribing it for you. I know there are some side-effects, but it's a serious drug for a serious (there is no quality of life to be had when your skin itches so much!) problem. I really hope that you find relief soon to this and your other problems.

Pain_Relief69 profile image
Pain_Relief69 in reply to tobytronic

We have tried and it didn't help at all

Millie5800 profile image
Millie5800

I am almost certain it is scabies. I experienced the same symptoms, frantic itching especially between fingers and toes and flaking skin. I also found very small blisters appearing in itchy areas and the itching was worse after shaving. I also thought it was urticaria and found antihistamines to be useless. I was undiagnosed for 7 months before a nutritionalist (not a GP!) suspected scabies. Once diagnosed, I was prescribed a cream to be rubbed over the body once (or twice if nevcessary) and this cleared it up completely. Best of luck!

Cathy169 profile image
Cathy169 in reply to Millie5800

Do u remember the name of the cream. I only ask because I've been using several different creams, at different times, of course, I don't have any flaking skin and I don't have any rash of any kind.

Millie5800 profile image
Millie5800 in reply to Cathy169

Permethrin 5% I think. I got t prescribed by the doctor. Didn't so much have a typical rash so don't let that be an indication and the flaking skin was just from itching so damn much! Maybe suggest it to your doctor and see what they say?

Tothemax profile image
TothemaxVolunteer

Hi Cathy, mama nature are a skin care company who have various eczema creams etc.

Cathy169 profile image
Cathy169

Tyvm. I will look into that

Loriee-B profile image
Loriee-B

Itching can be caused by liver disease, also some pain meds cause itching, especially the Codiene group, though if no other symptoms are present, like yellowish skin and whites of eyes, and endless fatigue, I would think it could be an allergy, brought on by different soaps, detergents, new foods, ect, the redness and itching in your head is a form of dermatitis, there is a topical clear lotion you can get on prescription which coats the "rash" stops it itching, and allows it to heal, I had it years ago through anxiety in a relationship, but can't remember it's name, I ended the stale relationship and have only had a couple of mild outbreaks in the last 15 years lol, all I can suggest is keeping a food diary, and a list of hygiene and cleaning products you use, also wool and other materials can cause itching. and eliminate one thing each day to find your trigger, otherwise ask your GP for an Allergy test, I hope this helps, I speak through personal experience, and I rarely react now as I know my triggers x

Cathy169 profile image
Cathy169 in reply to Loriee-B

I have made a checklist of everything for quite some time and I have not used anything different or eaten anything different. No jaundice, no rash, nothing. I am going to be making an appointment with the allergist Tuesday, tomorrow, they are not open on Monday. I can F'ing deal anymore.

Jojo2709 profile image
Jojo2709

Hi Cathy I too have constant itching especially my arms and tops of my legs..it came out of the blue and no Dr can tell me why..its been 3 weeks now since the first flare up.. I have to take steroids and strong antihistamines chlorphenamine are the only ones that have worked to keep it from flaring too much... I had a warm shower the other night and it made the rash more inflamed and more aggressive with the itching so I just have cold showers now which helps a lot I spend up to half hour in the cold water then cover myself in calamine lotion wen my skin is at its coldest and thank God cause this is horrendous... my doctor said it's called urticaria.. I feel as tho this is a never ending thing but there must be a reason for this condition...im hoping it's connected to having low iron.. I'm off to the doctors to address this issue wish me luck

U ARE NOT ALONE

Hope you get things sorted soon

Many thanks itchy scratchy lol

LadyPenelope profile image
LadyPenelope

I know what you have. It’s called Aquagenic Pruritus. I have the exact same thing. Have a look online and get back to it. I’m sure between the two of us we can do something

imananomaly profile image
imananomaly

Hey, I couldn't stop scratching but I had a rash but still noone knew what it was, finally after 4 months I had a biopsy yesterday and ive got to wait 4-6 weeks 4 results so I hope it comes back with something cos its driving me insane

Guitarist235 profile image
Guitarist235

Hi Cathy I had the same symptoms years ago while being a student. It got so bad I had to study semi-naked into the wee hours of the morning(told my friends about it and they called me the 'naked student')OK so went to a GP and he prescribed a simple camomile lotion to rub on after each hot shower. But he also advised me to wash all my clothes and bed linen in very hot water and that solved the problem. But I see you also suffering from anxiety which brings with it all kinds of physical problems. In my case it created red patches over my face, went to a dermatologist but couldn't really help cause he said it was internally generated. When my anxiety subsided the red spots also disappeared.

Hope this helps. Good luck but do try to incorporate some relaxation Excercises in your daily routine like mindfullness etc. 👍

You may also like...

How to stop itching on a night

anyone have any ideas of what might help or anything i could use to stop itching in my sleep....

I just want it to stop

I've had a itchy anus for 6 years now.has not stopped. Worse at night ,i feel . In 2018 did...

CHRONIC ITCHING WITH RASH HELP!!!

months now I have been having an intense itch ALL over my body from head to toe. Comes and goes all...

Itchy red patches on face, help!

Hi, so I get itchy red rashes on my face occasionally - usually forehead and cheeks - cheek bone...

Wound on my back- Can anyone help/advise?

So now I'm left with this wound/lump and I don't know what to do. It currently doesn't hurt but i...