Hi all, please can you describe the itch many of you have. Does it come with a blistery rash at all? Have a lovely day

[LenaChandler54]

[Hidden]

Hello spainspain2.

The itch doesn't appear to come with any blistery rashes or spots, it comes from inside.

I would say for me it seems that I have either brushed against nettles or been bitten by wasps. You scratch the part but it doesn't seem to actually relieve it as a sudden itch would normally. I find that when I itch in one part it then starts elsewhere.

I tend to start feeling prickly around 8p.m. daily and then it gradually gets a bit more persistent and by 11p.m. normally in a full-blown itch mode. I have had this itch now since March 2010. (I was diagnosed with PBC Dec 2010.)

My theory with regards to the itch is that the bile salts that are apparently the cause, after going through the system they leech out of the blood enroute back to the liver and then irritate the nerve endings thus resulting in the feelings of itching.

[kittysue in reply to Hidden]

Try epsom salts for the itch

[Poppygayle]

Hi spainspain2

For me the itch feels like a sensation of insects crawling on my skin and can be anywhere on my body day and night heat usually makes it worse ,I don't take anything for it, also I mostly wear cotton clothing etc as anything with wool in it makes the itch worse .hope this helps x

[Hidden in reply to Poppygayle]

I too found after developing PBC and the itch that goes with it I can no longer wear certain clothing. I prefer cotton tops myself too. I have found that cardigans made from viscose or cotton are fine, it is the acrylics that I struggle with these days.

I was never able to wear wool prior to PBC, always felt overheated.

The biggest problem I have is finding a bra that doesn't irritate me. Any sewn seams in the cups irritate me as does the metal fastenings at the back (I do have metal allergy though, nickel. Don't know if there is nickel in certain fastenings). Underwires seem a complete no-go for me now. I recently went out for the day, felt that irritated with it ended up going into the toilets to take it off. OK when it is colder and I had a coat on but summer looks like it might just be fun...not.

[Tigger858]

Hi I have a rash similar to your description. It's not connected to my PBC. I've seen a dermatologist who, despite tests, cannot determine the cause. I usually get it on my elbows or between my fingers ( been tested for celiacs as well ) The PBC itch is as the others describe so it is different.

[GrittyReads]

Hi, I don't have any experience of the itch, but I have seen other posts on here where folk have talked of having itchy (red?) lumps like gnat bites, which can bleed when scratched. If no one else comes on here with more info, then check back through the questions, and contact some of those who have the different types of itch.

[LauraQ]

I had no rash. But terrible itching on the top of my feet and legs. Would itch and itch, would scratch until I bled but still didn't get rid of the itch. Even used a scouring pad and the edge of a knife. This was whilst pregnant & thankfully after giving birth & being on urso the itching stopped.It felt like something was crawling under the skin. Would itch whilst asleep with my legs in the air.