Itching

[Pixielula]

Hail to the all knowing

Can anyone tell me if a b12 deficiency can cause severe itching. My mum has suffered from itchy skin that sometimes drives her insane. Since using the high dose patches he itching has gone!!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

B12 deficiency can cause skin problems.

There are probably a dozen ways in which it could cause itching - one would be the effect on nerves meaning that signals from nerves in the skin were getting slightly scrambled so the brain interpreted it is irritation. I used to get spells where I would just itch for no reason at all though haven't actually had one for a while now that I seem to have my B12 where it needs to be for me. There were a few occasions on which I had to resort to an antihistamine in order to get some sleep.

Glad that the patches are working

[Mavis15]

I had terrible itching on the back of my hands which is one of the symptoms to disappear since having B12 injections.

[Pixielula]

It started at the back of her head just above her hairline and stayed there for a few years then spread to her body. But she is happy it is gone.......

[ndodge]

I had itching mostly on my back which resolved when I stopped eating gluten. That was before I started B12 injections.

[Pixielula]

She said to me a few weeks ago

"the itching was so bad last night if I had a gun I would have shot myself"

My poor mum, I feel so relieved that the patches are working,

An so angry at her useless Doctor...... I would have never known about any of this if it weren't for the amazingly knowledgeable people on this site...

[debbieboo]

I have the itching all over both arms, sends me loopy!!! Has subsided a little with an antibiotic (low dose) but long term has they thought it was follicleitis ( an inflammation of the hair follicle) but I'm sure its related to my previous anemia

[pitney]

I itch quite a lot, my head is the worst but also my arms and back, gets a little better just after my injection . Itchy head shampoo helps a little as does a cool shower if arms and back are really driving me up the wall.

[Leilanilea in reply to pitney]

Pitney,

Although seems old fashioned, a lukewarm baking-soda bath can help relieve itching. Some people get relief with Aveeno products

aveeno.com/product/aveeno-+...

Best,

Leilani

[pitney in reply to Leilanilea]

Leilani , Thanks for the tip, I have tried Aveeno but it had no effect on me but I will give the baking soda a try. Many thanks.

[hendry]

I also had intense itching around my middle. Stopped when I commenced b12 therapy.

[Pixielula in reply to hendry]

Mum got it in hairline and around her trunk.

[hendry]

If I remember correctly I think my scalp was very itchy too. Just goes to show the variety of symptoms b12 deficiency can cause. I have to add that my skin has never been better now.

[plug]

hiya,

yes i get very bad itching on both arms when injection is due, often bleed as result, have anti-histamines and creams with menthol in which work well as the heat seems to over power the itch. i keep arms covered in sun and wearing loose cotton sleeves helps. dead sea salts worked quite well added to bath.

a few times iv'e resorted to the dogs itchy skin calm shampoo and it worked a treat, just had a good shake afterwards he he.

hope this helps.

[Pixielula]

I am seeing her this afternoon so will be glad to report all this info .... Thanks guys

[Jacqueline_J]

Omg YES the itching drives me insane I'm suffering badly just now because my next injection isn't till the 29th, I know its going to worse, I try antihistamine and it doesn't work now I'm just waiting on turning yellow & all the other symptoms that are kicking in, sorry I couldn't be more help but at least your mum knows she's not alone x

[Leilanilea in reply to Jacqueline_J]

Jacquie,

I'm not sure whether you're kidding about turning yellow? Itching skin which has become yellow is often a sign of liver disease. Others might include yellowing of whites of eyes (jaundiced sclera).

Leilani

[Jacqueline_J in reply to Leilanilea]

Unfortunately its true after my last flare 2- 3 days after I took the malar rash on my face I went yellow & the itching always gets worse about a month before my next injection, sometimes it's like having bugs crawling through my hair & under my skin, I had hepatitis A when I was 16 & had obstetric cholastassiss when I pregnant with my 2 nd daughter. I'm.still waiting on more xrays after my nuclear bone scan showed abnormalities around my hips &shoulders, until I get that done I've still refused all medication except my B12, Vit D & Iron tablets.

[Leilanilea in reply to Jacqueline_J]

Are blood tests normal? Liver function? Do you keep copies of results, or are they available to you online via doctor's office?

[Pixielula in reply to Leilanilea]

It's my mum, I know she has liver problems, cirrhosis caused by her diabetes. Mum has never drank alcohol.

[Jacqueline_J in reply to Leilanilea]

Blood test don't show liver damage, going yellow is a symptom of B12, I don't have copies of any my results, I had to phone my rheumatology doctor yesterday as I had a nuclear bone scan I think over 2 moths ago & it showed abnormal results in my shoulders and hips, 4 weeks ago I received this letter telling me I'd receive a appointment for further xrays after 4 to 5 calls I was told you just walk in to xray ?,for 4 weeks I've been sitting in bloody agony 👎 hoping to make it today

[Leilanilea in reply to Jacqueline_J]

Sorry so late in responding. How are you doing?

Leilani

[McRose in reply to Jacqueline_J]

Hi i have a similar story had extreme itching during pregnancy but liver panels while elevated were never enough to diagnose w cholestassiss. Two years after birth got B12 deficiency diagnosis but looking back st my records I have been borderline deficient for 3-4 years, and while I have started sublingual tablets now I currently feel worsening of symptoms after about a month and a half of treatment. Have severe itching on scalp and muscle spasms.

[dvanian in reply to Leilanilea]

The skin can yellow with PA.I myself look like I've got a permanent suntan but if you look closely there is some yellowing perhaps noticeable more to me than to others.

[bjhealing51]

Sometimes low iron can cause itching

[Pixielula]

That's interesting thanks

[pvanderaa]

For me the injection caused a allergy to sunlight. I itch about 6 hours after exposure. This site turns into eczema which flares up with exposure to sunlight.

Sunscreen SPF 70 or greater is the only way I go out in the sun now.

[dvanian]

Had it on both legs for months now.They look like a bomb site.Seems to be at certain times too.Don't know whether this is the same for you but it is really annoying.I've been on three monthly injections for 9 years now and this a new symptom to me.I take an antihistamine as well so this should solves the problem.Always wondered if it could be an autoimmune problem.