Itchy skin with no rash

[redbobbie5]

Wondering if anyone else has itchy skin? I've been SI B12 for a year and been feeling much better for the last 3 months, so reducing injections to 1 per week (sometimes less). However, in the last few weeks I have had terribly itchy skin, particularly around my front trunk but also in my scalp, hands, wrists, face and breasts but not on legs. There is no rash at all (thought it might be shingles). It's not bad at all during the day but from late afternoon through to the next morning, it's affecting my sleep. Tried a anti histamine but it's not helping.

I had an endoscopy in mid November and was found to have grade 4 easofagitis, severe gastritis and duodenitis, with several lesions in the latter two areas. My hh had grown to 5cm. I was also diagnosed with Celiac disease via biopsy, which came as a shock, as never had allergies in my life. I was told it been there for a quite a while.

Strangely, I had no acid reflux symptoms for a year before the endoscopy, apart from a sore throat, irritating cough and a croaky voice at times.

I supplement with Vit D (it was low), K2, magnesium and Cq10, in addition to B12 and folate (when I si as my folate is always optimum/high) Have had no issues at all with these. Iron and ferritin were good levels when tested in October 22 (I had supplemented in the past few months)

I've been prescribed PPI's again (had been on them for years due to HH and gastritis, then weaned off) Following a low acid diet and gluten free since then. Repeat endoscopy is in 4 months. Still no acid reflux symptoms at all, which is worrying, as I don't know if I'm improving.

I'm beginning to wonder if the problem has been no or low acid, rather than high but my gp and consultant all insist it's acid reflux causing the problems.

Sorry for the long post. Any thoughts or personal experiences would be gratefully accepted, Thank you.

[Nackapan]

I've had an extremely itchy dry sore scalp 2 years into b12 treatment.

[redbobbie5 in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you, that's interesting. Wonder if it's connected to B12 then? I've been si for a year with no problems so far.

[Clare184]

I get itchy skin from time to time normally when my jab is due (I inject 4 weekly) for me it's worst on my legs back of hands and feet but goes away after injections. I didn't think anyone with b12 deficiency was supposed to take ppis?

[redbobbie5 in reply to Clare184]

Ah thats interesting. I did wonder if it may be B12, as have been extending the time between jabs recently. I have to take PPIs atm, as I had very bad inflammation and easofagitis on a recent endoscopy and was ordered to lol. It's not a problem short term, as long as I'm keeping my B12 level optimum. I will be phasing them out ASAP but want to see what the next endoscopy shows first.

[Wwwdot]

I sympathise as I get itchy skin too on my trunk and thighs. I find using fingernails to scratch makes it worse and creates swollen scratches - don’t know the official terminology! And I need help as I can’t reach all my back!

I have a natural bristle long handled shower brush 🪥 it is the only thing that satisfies the itch without causing bright red streaks. It’s more gentle too and I can sort my itches independently! Yay! I feel like Baloo the Bear 🐻 🪥

I wonder if it’s the nerve ending below the skin that are being fixed - I like to think it is!

[redbobbie5 in reply to Wwwdot]

The itching is horrendous and I have scratched with my nails, which does leave marks as you say. My hubs keeps telling me off! Ha ha, I like the Ballo the Bear comparison! Like the idea of the shower brush. I too wondered if it may be the nerves being fixed. I do hope so! Thanks for your comments 😊

[Nackapan in reply to redbobbie5]

Yes it ferks like irritated nerves on my Scalp.I do get itchy skin elsewhere but moisturisers and oil and Epsom salt baths relieved that.

Mh scalp more difficult and definitely from 'within'

I wax sent gk a dermatologist once as my inner ears so dry got infected.

I'd adkex for an antibiotic cream that was working bug attended the appointment.

After questioning if s biopsy was necessary the consultant appeared.

One loom and said no but to return if the antibiotic cream didn't continue yo work.

I asked about my Scalp.

Shd couldnt see anything.

Told to use a conditioner !

Well I've trued do many things thsg give about 7 hours relief and distraction to try snd stop scratching.

Coconut o

Almond oil

T gel shampoo

T tree

Peppermint

Ginger

Ect 3ct

[Budsa]

I've been taking oral 1000mg daily for a few years and this has kept all of my b12d symptoms in check. I recently developed a rashless, burning itch around my left shoulder blade and on the rear of my left upper arm. The practice nurse concluded that it must be nerve damage in the upper spine so has referred me to muscular skeletal. He may be right but its an expected 10 week wait for an appointment so I tried dropping my b12 to once a week without any effect on the itch after a month so now back to daily. Realised that another possibility was Statins that doctor had prescribed 3 months prior to the itch starting. I don't have high cholestrol, it was just precautionary based on age. Have now been statin free for 6 weeks and its better than it was. I have found that the best reliever is to liberally rub in E45 body lotion to the affected areas. This relief can last several hours and allow you to get off to sleep. I previously used deep heat muscle rub which also worked well but dried out my skin. Hope this helps.

[redbobbie5 in reply to Budsa]

Thank you for your response and it's very interesting what you said. I also wonder if it could be nerve damage, as I did have many neuro symptoms but most have subsided after a year of B12 injections. I do have high cholesterol and was prescribed statins about 4 months ago (I've had the itching for about 2 months), so interesting that you also have had the itching, following statin use. I tried E45 but it hasn't helped. It's really odd but itching starts like clockwork late afternoon, then itches until the next morning when it stops. Very odd!

[Sea-blue]

PA / autoimmune gastritis is known for low acid. B12 supplementation is known to help with this. Like you I have itchy skin no rash. Could be neurological symptoms to do with us having PA . There are so many symptoms related to PA. I have colitis and wonder about Coeliac. It’s early days yet with you SI . I only started in May last year. It can take a while to improve things . I have other health issues too. Hang on in there. I itch in my scalp and back.

[redbobbie5 in reply to Sea-blue]

Thanks so much for your reply. I know its only been a year jnjecting and I did have a lot of neuro symptoms but many are resolved now. I've never been diagnosed with PA but pretty sure I have it. I've had to do a lot of investigations privately, as I get nowhere with my doctor. She just says "I have a lot going on" but doesn't do much about it. It seems one has to be at deaths door to get anything done these days! I wish you good luck on your journey.

[Hectorsmum2]

There is a valve in the stomach that doesnt close properly if you have too little acid, if it doesnt close then the little acid in the stomach escapes upwards and causes acid reflux. Have you posted on thyroid uk as these kind of problems can be thyroid related and it is very difficault to get a diagnoses of thyroid problems in UK.

[redbobbie5 in reply to Hectorsmum2]

Thanks you for your reply. It's interesting about the valve. I didn't know that. I have some thyroid symptoms but my GP said the levels are normal and won't test further. I had a private online consult with a specialist in thyroid and she said the same! I'll do as you suggest and post on Thyroid UK.

[Laura5]

Have you had your ferritin tested recently? Itchy skin is a known symptom of low iron and low iron is very likely if you have low stomach acid.researchgate.net/publicatio...

[redbobbie5 in reply to Laura5]

Thanks for your reply. I had it tested in October and level seemed fine, as was iron. I'm visiting the gp next week and will ask about iron and the itching.

[Laura5 in reply to redbobbie5]

Sorry - don't know how I didn't see that in your original post!

[redbobbie5 in reply to Laura5]

No worries. It was a long post!

[Budsa]

Coincidentally, I was doing a bit of web research on Chia seeds today. I have been adding these to my breakfast for the last 6 months. Several people said that they had stopped taking Chia because it caused them to have rashless itch over various parts of their body. These people blamed the high phospherous in the seeds. Maybe worth looking into.

[redbobbie5]

Now that is interesting! I have been putting chia seeds into lots of things lately, as there's lots of benefits, as you know. I'll give them a miss for a week and see if that helps. Many thanks for your input and help.

[carr_trip]

I have had itchy arms/hands (in absence of rash) most of my adult life, but now that I self-inject B12 and keep my levels high enough, I have pretty much gotten rid of the itch -- I feel it is most certainly a neurological/nerve issue -- I also went in for an upper GI last year and felt taken by surprise by the results -- I don't have any reflux but did have multiple signs of gastritis lower in the stomach. I am also wondering if "high acid" isn't just their go-to response, and if it is actually low-acid causing the damage to the lining. Not sure how to get them to test acid levels.... wish I had more insight into that. (by the way, annoying, irritating cough especially in the evening is a classic sign of reflux --- I don't have it but my spouse does)

[redbobbie5 in reply to carr_trip]

Thanks for your reply and it does seem to me that it's a nerve thing too. I think I need to up my injections back to every other day. I had my gp on my back recently saying B12 levels are too high, so that was on my mind. She keeps insisting on testing it.

It's very odd about the acid and I do think it may be low acid, rather than high. I won't be able to have it tested until after my next endoscopy in May and when I've weaned off the PPI's again. I'm going to switch to H2 blockers soon, as I really think that the long term use of PPI's (under instructions) have affected my stomach and that the acid production is low or none. No one listens to me and all say acid reflux, then prescribe acid blockers again, aagghhh!

Sorry to hear that you have had problems too. They can test the PH of your stomach fairly easily I think but you would need to be off all acid blocking meds, if you take any.

Re your spouse, might be worth taking a look at the Acid Watcher Diet on FB. My cough and sore throat has gone since following it and I feel tons better.

[LittleA]

I have had itchy skin and scalp right before my b12 or if I'm low before I do my own b12. Have you tried to see if taking an allergy tablet calms it down?

[redbobbie5 in reply to LittleA]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I tried a antihistamine but no joy. It doesn't seem to be clearing after my B12 injection either. Maybe it will take a while, with closer together injections...