Itching? : Wrists, ankles and occasionally palms... - NRAS

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Itching?

Brychni profile image
23 Replies

Wrists, ankles and occasionally palms including undersides of fingers and elbows. It's happened before but went away so thought it's probably not connected but now it's on and off all day. Also my scalp (no dandruff or patches) No rash just itching .

As I was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Inflammatory Arthritis, PsA I was told is a possibility even without psoriasis- could this be the start of it?

I used E45 shampoo yesterday but it hasn't helped. Always use coconut oil after a shower.

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Brychni profile image
Brychni
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23 Replies
Pinkypie2018 profile image
Pinkypie2018

This is happening to me also getting really itchy. I was diagnosed with PSA but I don't have psoriasis. So I was also wondering is this the start of it? I had a bit of a rash on my chest that was incredibly itchy but only at night. It looked a bit like acne. That rash has mostly cleared up now after 2 months but now I'm itchy in other places. My dad suffered with bad psoriasis so I'm really hoping I don't get it.

Brychni profile image
Brychni in reply toPinkypie2018

Interesting! We shall have to stay in touch! What medication are you taking?

Pinkypie2018 profile image
Pinkypie2018 in reply toBrychni

Methotrexate and sulfasalazine and I'm currently on waiting list for biologics.

oldtimer profile image
oldtimer

I have often had itching especially hands and wrists just before a flare-up. But sometimes I also get itching and nothing follows, so it may not actually be related. Who knows.

The Rheumy team seem to think that I'm following a path that people with PSA have, but still call it RA as that's what it was called 40 years ago when first diagnosed. I don't have any psoriasis and never have had...but my sister who also more recently developed inflammatory arthritis had it in the past.

You learn to live with uncertainty as it makes little difference to how it's managed.

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex

Not sure it helps but I suffered form urticaria (hives) on and off many years ago... the only place that didn’t itch was my face. Not sure I would be ok with coconut oil. I certainly can’t use essential oils or anything perfumed. Any residues anywhere sets it off and I can only wear or be in contact with cotton clothes etc.

I have eczema too I should say so I’ve always been super skin sensitive (from the age of 15). I would be tempted to ditch the oil (I use aveeno skin cream) for a few weeks and e45 contains lanolin ... an absolute trigger for the eczema for me. It’s a wool derivative. A lot of creams and potions have it in. Anything greasy was also not great for my skin because it blocked the pores.

Brychni profile image
Brychni in reply tobubblyalex

Hi bubblyalex - I find lanolin really soothing as it's so bland, also petrolatum but they are both really sticky. I used to work raw fleece and it made my fingers really soft! Like you I can't take essential oils and I think that perfumes in shampoo probably don't help either.

But my knees are slightly itchy too and they have started to throb a lot more lately: it seems to be in places where I have pain so I am wondering if I am barking up the wrong tree about shampoos and creams etc - maybe it's the arthritis?

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply toBrychni

Oh I don’t know. I hope it isn’t in many respects yet more symptoms of ra. You couldn’t be having an allergic reaction could you?

Wool always breaks me out 😔 although... alpaca is bizarrely ok. My feet go stone cold and these alpaca socks are great.

Gnarli profile image
Gnarli in reply tobubblyalex

Could it be that alpaca yarn is naturally lanolin free?

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply toGnarli

I think it must be. I went to a Christmas fair years ago I saw all these gorgeous coloured socks that I thought would be great fun as a bed sock ... they said wool I said I can’t wear wool they said I could wear these or get my money back.

Sadly not at all cheap and you have to hand wash them. But I haven’t had to buy a new pair for 3 years.

This is where I got them from

charltonalpacas.com/everyda...

Gnarli profile image
Gnarli in reply tobubblyalex

Thanks for the link, I'll investigate as the thought of wool next to my skin gives me the shudders. I love knitting with alpaca but it's so expensive. I tend to stick with bamboo socks.

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply toGnarli

I am totally the same with the shuddering. I was hunting out cotton bed socks and from afar assumed these were cotton. I wear them day in and day out... I’m wearing one on my left foot now 😊 it’s my left leg that’s the absolute worst (because of the fall on that knee) It’s made such a difference and just keep my feet at an even temperature... and strangely clean. No itching rashes skin reactions smelly feet or anything.

They are thick soft and I went for the rose coloured ones which are more of a raspberry berry pink. 😁

Gnarli profile image
Gnarli in reply tobubblyalex

I am now suffering severe sock envy. I do have two pairs of cashmere bedsocks which are wonderfully thick and soft but not very hard wearing so alpaca looks to be the way to go. Who knew socks could be so fascinating?

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply toGnarli

😂😂😂🥰 they are pretty special... and very hard wearing. Don’t tell anyone but I only wash them once every week or so (they just don’t seem to get dirty... honestly) Just have to make sure you don’t shrink them 😊😁

Ps I reckon sylvi could get a pair to match each of her handbags 💖 Just saying 🤗

Gnarli profile image
Gnarli in reply tobubblyalex

I won't tell if you don't 😉

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply toGnarli

😁

Brychni profile image
Brychni in reply tobubblyalex

My only allergy is to cats and that started when I was in my early 30s. Literally one day I was fine the next day streaming eyes and felt like my head was going to explode! Odd

bubblyalex profile image
bubblyalex in reply toBrychni

It is extraordinary how these allergies can just appear. I’ve understood that because asthma eczema and hay fever is rife in my family it makes allergies likely. I’m now reading that it’s linked to RA too.

in reply tobubblyalex

I never had an allergic reaction to anything until 2 1/2 years after diagnosis then I had anaphylactic shock blamed on pushing through a major flare , chest infection and working longer hours. Told it was cytokine storm. Then became allergic to a few drugs 🥺 RA has a lot answer for

Just before flaring oh boy do I itch. Wrists, fingers ( in between underneath) also get it on the ankles and feet ( on top and the arch) no matter how much I itch it I get no relief

in reply to

I had not put the 2 together itching and flaring as my skin always itches and been putting it down to drugs.

in reply to

Could be both . You just don’t know with this disease so many variables

Brychni profile image
Brychni

How true

in reply toBrychni

My GP put me on anti histamine as I have also had an anaphylactic shock abut a month ago. He said try it for a few weeks I have now reduced to 1 pill a day but a lot better.

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