Dry itching skin

[Cathy777]

I seem to have developed dry and sometimes itching skin but over last two weeks find I am scratching myself to bits! I do it at night without realising and now have scratch marks all around my shoulders and back of neck. I am convinced its related to meds but would like to hear if any of you have experienced this?

[oldtimer]

It might be - but it's also remarkable common in the Autumn with all sorts of people on no medication at all. It seems to be linked to the exposure of the skin to the elements in the summer and the little bits of skin that will flake off as a result in the autumn. Very, very, frequent applications of an emollient (without any possible allergens) will help if that's the cause. Even the slightest breeze passing over the skin seems to set off the itching! The emollient makes the minute flakes of skin lie flat so that they don't start off the itch scratch cycle.

If it's one of your medications you will have to do some exclusion work to find out which one.

[Cathy777 in reply to oldtimer]

Thanks. You may be right. Just never experienced it before. Oddly I read somewhere after I left message that people with fybromyalgia can experience dry skin. I don't think its drugs I have been on for years..it would more likely be the bio and alendronic acid infusions I have had in recent months and you can't exclude them since they are infused. But thanks I will ask my doc. I seem to have a flare of spots in my hair line too.

[Rafrancie in reply to Cathy777]

I experienced very, very itchy skin on mostly my armson and legs not long ago. This was right before my Sjogren diagnosis. At that time I was only on hydroxycloroquine. This itch was like no other, so unrelenting, and would feel almost like getting a bite or it came from inside, so weird. My skin was very dry as well, but couldn't find any cream that really helped. It seemed like it would never absorb enough.. the severe itching went away, don't really know why. It left ugly discolored thick textured skin and scars. Every so often now I get the same intense itch, but on a smaller area. It is such a sudden thing, and you have to address it right then as it is so intense and strong! Now I found a non-allergenic non-sensitive, very good, we'll absorbing cream that actually works so well. I have to apply it once or twice every day, or as soon as I feel the occasional itch comes on.

I am now on methotrexate injections, but this all happened and resolved before this. Oh, and my diagnosis now includes fibromyalgia... hope this super long reply helps

[Cathy777 in reply to Rafrancie]

Yes it helps a lot. I am hydroxide and injected MTH and not noticed itching from that as been on them for years. But now I have been given bio I think it could have affected my thyroid. So upping that and see if it helps. What cream is it you take?

[Rafrancie in reply to Cathy777]

It is Medline's Remedy with Olivamine Nutrashield. I can only find it online. It absorbs really well and is not greasy or sticky.

[Cathy777 in reply to Rafrancie]

Never heard of it. You in UK? I will look online. Thank you! Xx

[Cathy777 in reply to Rafrancie]

No it doesn't seem to be available here. But thanks anyway! My sister suggested calamine lotion cream so may try that.

[benjijen]

Are you on sulfasalazine? I have been on it for a while and taken off it a couple of months ago. Since then I've noticed my itching has just about disappeared.

[Cathy777 in reply to benjijen]

No I am not on that. I heard from my GP today that my thyroid readings were showing I needed more thyroxine so I think it could be that as it causes dry skin. See how it goes on higher dose. Thank you tho. All these drugs! I was put on bio drug recently and am sure it reacts with all the others.

[Whiskers64]

Hi Cathy777,

I also over the last couple of weeks have started to have itchy dry skin manly on my forearms drives you mad. I don't know what Medication you are on but I am on Sulfasalazine 4 tablets daily which I have been taking since April. I was diagnosed with RA approx 3 years ago & was on Methotrexate but was taken off it in March this year due to a lung condition,I am seeing my Rheumy Doc on Monday & will certainly mention this to see what he says. If I get any reasons for this I will post so watch this space.

[Cathy777 in reply to Whiskers64]

Thanks but I am not on sulfafaz. I have been on hydrochloricine and metho for years and been OK. I have recently been given a bio drug infusion so who knows if that is it. I also just learnt my thyroid activity had changed so changing dose. Could be that. But thanks I will keep watching all posts here. So helpful.