Itching skin and fed up with it

[beauty96]

It is draining me. Started on thighs just after my husband passed away. From September 2016 it has spread upwards. Now affecting my back, tummy area, shoulders and arms. I am fed up with itching. It is not there all the time, and seems to calm down and then restart again during the way. Water as in shower seems to alleviate it for a while. Put on powder and calms for 6 to 8 hours. Heat makes it worse. Found patches of dried skin. GP gave me cream but it is of little use though again does alleviate it a little. I do scratch and of course makes things worse. Totally fed up and getting depressed over it. Still in a state of grief though I don't show it. I keep all emotions in and just cannot show them. Wondering if this can also be a cause. I am 76 in April have RA OA Osteoporosis and millions swell seems like it food and chemical allergies. GP and I cannot even find an antihistamine that is lactose free. There is nothing to be seen on the skin and blood tests have proved nothing. any help welcome. I did think of Dermatology but there is nothing to be seen.

[johnsmith]

Try mild bleach. Dilute mild bleach in water and wash skin with it. This does help stop itching in some people. Also try taking evening primrose oil. This takes a month before fully effective. Problem could be due to lack of skin oil production. This allows bacteria to come in contact with skin just below surface.

Hope this helps

[beauty96 in reply to johnsmith]

I will try it. I have been on a low fat diet for almost all of my life as my body will not digest fat. Do take enzymes to try and help. [prescribed]

[morphalot in reply to beauty96]

Itching can be caused by stress. I think it's possibly related to your husband's passing. Dermatology would not necessarily need to see anything to be a to make a diagnosis. Worth asking your doctor for some temporary anti depressants and a referral to a dermatologist. Hope things settle down for you x

[Madlegs1]

Eurax is good for itching.

Hydration may be a factor- Avena oat cream may help.

Excema can be from all sorts of allergies/ sensitivities.

A good Dermatologist seems the way to go.

All the very best.

[beauty96 in reply to Madlegs1]

thanks will look at this.

[Kate23]

Hi do you think (maybe way of with this) that it is connected to your grieving for your husband? You say you hide it from people, so maybe the itching is your subconscious telling you to open up about it, let it out...back to the itching! Have you tried an anti-fungal cream? I had a similar itchy forearm and Dr prescribed an anti fungal cream and it cleared it up....

Ps I’m 69 and a widow and things do get better with time.xx

[beauty96 in reply to Kate23]

This is the view of friends, one who is trying to help me but is ill at present. thks for writing back.

[Kate23 in reply to beauty96]

Maybe Cruse bereavement group or similar may help, talking it 5hrough with non friends can let you be totally honest with how you feel,...if you are itching through the night maybe get some thin cotton gloves..take care.xx

[saj01]

it's not very nice too have incessant itching. I would ask for a referral to see a dermatologist. If your skin is dry, that can cause itching. I find certain bath and shower products can also aggravate it, so look for something which is an emolient. There are special bath and shower lotions, the best ones are available on prescription. I had one prescribed which is double base emolient shower cream, but it made the shower very slippery, so maybe just the double base cream could help. You might find those exfoliating mits will help remove your dry skin. In between time, how are you eating. A lack of certain vitamins can certainly cause the problem you are describing and as you have been feeling low for quite some time perhaps looking after yourself has taken a back seat.. that's very understandable after the loss of your loved one. Is there a Gp who you feel you are able to talk to regarding your low mood?

[beauty96]

Thanks, I have numerous allergies so cannot change my diet and also low fat because my body for over 70 years will not digest fats. Low mood I feel is just grief and I have friends who would know. I am trying to get an appointment with a GP now but not having mush luck. Yes I feel a dermatologists is right now. Up to now I have just been given creams that do little. thks for writing back.

[beauty96]

did have 12 weeks help but have qualifications in Counselling etc etc and they do not like it. Said I was depressed as a result of a questionnaire. I can't sleep [much better now but this was 12 months ago] and so ticked the box and I was de[pressed no I wasn't. I was afraid and nervous of someone getting into the house. They never asked why. Q do you eat well? No so again gained more points....but my diet is hard and I was learning to cope. I have RA OA etc and Malcolm did most of the cooking.

[redeyes2]

Beauty96, I understand if you had a spouse that did most of the cooking and you have a special diet and are not getting that as well in adition to losing your spouse. I had the itchy problem myself. Mine started during chemotherapy and you know what I was told it was caused by neuropathy! Like you, there was no "rash" or anything to see. They did send me to dermatology which was a total waste of my time. She was totally NOT a diagnostic type of dr. In fact, over the years I have been to 4 diff derma... and none have ever done any diagnosing. On occassion benedryl and atarax have helped but only for a short time.

At one point during chemo I not only had the itch I also had burning pain all on legs and feet and I actually was icing my legs to numb them up so they wouldn't burn and that stopped the itch. I found when the itch would come, if I put cold yogurt on them and had my feet in a rubbermaid pan; and towel over that, really helped, but couldn't go out like that. I think dry skin was the actual problem, that caused the itch. Dr. said I had to avoid scratching as much as possible, by stopping the scratch that eventually stopped the itch.

Just wondering did you ever get any relief? Did you ever find a diagnosis or derma...? After years of research and trying all kinds of things, I finally no longer itch. Now, I take no chances! I put lotion on immedietely after washing my hands; taking a shower or bath and every night before I go to bed, I lotion up all over. Hope you have had some relief. Blessings Red