itch left upper back

[Twopies]

a while back someone posted the name of a condition relating to autoimmune illnesses where you have itching on your upper back, left hand side, no rash. It sometimes accompanies autoimmune illnesses. I use Sarna lotion which is what I seem to recall the poster using as well. Anyone remember the name of this syndrome? Thanks!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Do you mean urticaria?

[Twopies in reply to PMRpro]

Nope. A name I’d never heard of. And there are no marks on the skin at all, just itching. I’m seeing my dermi today, ill ask her but doubt she knows…

[Nightingales in reply to Twopies]

Please let us know if you find out. I get exactly those symptoms and it often portends a flare. Thank goodness for back scratchers!

[posthinking01]

Here you go !

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[Twopies in reply to posthinking01]

That might be it—it’s a name I never heard of so yes, a possibility. Got a good laugh at the suggested exercises! 😂😳

[posthinking01]

I have it drives me mad - have 4 auto immune conditions- yes just wanted the name really but not convinced - probably a liver kidney tweak or similar or vitamin deficiency that causes that nerve to be hyper - I used to do reflexology years ago all parts of body are linked to an internal organ along the line so is the spine !

[pegpowell in reply to posthinking01]

Thanks for the information. I have had the itch for years. A dermatologist had no answer, My back scratcher has been a great reliever. Ointment would help if I could only reach there with my hand.

[posthinking01 in reply to pegpowell]

I know its so difficult to get to I suppose could use a bath/shower brush to thoroughly soap up ensuring you rinse well - but always worried about those brushes harbouring bugs or fungus due to being left damp and making the matter worse - looks like we can now identify with those animals who sidle up to a tree and have a good scratch !

[posthinking01 in reply to pegpowell]

What about coating the scratcher with some ointment or lotion - not sure it would work but worth a try !

[pegpowell in reply to posthinking01]

The bath brush was useless, couldn't even reach the spot and it was too soft. The Chinese back scratcher is conveniently next to my computer, ready for use anytime. I don't think my Sarna lotion would stick very well to it.

[9lives]

hi I have an itch between my shoulder blades. In the area Where the bra clips are . It’s not always there , it comes and goes. no marks or rash on skin. I saw my GP and she said it was called notalgia. She didn’t give me anything for it.

I find if I’m a bit stressed or over done it, it sometimes flares up.

Don’t know if this helps you.

It’s a bit annoying at times but otherwise I can manage ok.

I’ve had it a couple of years now

Carole

[Twopies in reply to 9lives]

Mine is my left upper quadrant, above my waist, below my bra. Almost always there, I have learned to tune it out most of the time. I guess, I’ve always been uber limber so I can rub Sarna on it on the days it’s particularly noticeable. I tell myself that as the pmr burns itself out, so will the itch? Because it’s a bellwether of my unfortunately alive and well pmr?

[posthinking01 in reply to Twopies]

Yes that's where mine is and I have drawn blood scratching it !

[Janstr]

have you considered that it may be an related to the soap or shampoo that you’re using? My husband had a similar problem after one of the Covid jabs, & a specialist gave him something to use in place of soap. He’s was also told not to shower every day

[Twopies in reply to Janstr]

Thanks; I don’t use any soap or lotion whatsoever. My shampoo is salicylate, sulfite and odor free. And I haven’t had any of the vaccines (allergic to contents of them).

[Aqua47]

I’m glad you brought up this condition. I’ve had this for probably 4-5 years. I went to the dermatologist and he said it was caused by a nerve in my neck. He had no solution except creams. I’ve tried about 3 different kinds with no effect. I just tried the capsaicin cream a few weeks ago. Also didn’t help, but maybe I wasn’t persistent enough. I read the article someone on the forum suggested. NP is definitely what I have, with the skin pigmentation in a large area. Thankfully I can reach to scratch! I’m wondering if the nerve block someone suggested would help me? Does anyone know if this is the same as an ablation?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Aqua47]

Not sure about this particular case but usually a nerve block is using local anaesthesia which then lasts an indefinite time, usually 8 hours or so but sometimes is enough to retrain the pain sensation and it doesn't return as strongly or even at all.

Ablation is a more permanent solution, it is done by damaging the nerve so it can't transmit the pain sensation. It usually lasts months and may be permanent.

excelpainandspine.com/treat....

[posthinking01 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi its not a pain but an itch

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to posthinking01]

Pain and itch are just different types of signals through nerves - and you would do a similar procedure to stop transmission of the sensation.

[Aqua47 in reply to PMRpro]

I’m not sure who posted about the nerve block. I couldn’t find it when I was sending this reply. I had an ablation for lower back and hip pain in December, and it helped that problem. I’m sure I would have to have another MRI before a doctor would treat the itching problem that way.

[Twopies in reply to Aqua47]

We might have something different. I don’t have any change in skin pigmentation and Sarna cream works just fine.

[Aqua47 in reply to Twopies]

I will have to try the Sara cream.

[posthinking01 in reply to Aqua47]

I am not posting this article because of what they sell etc. but I thought the diagnosis was pretty interesting.

drbaileyskincare.com/blogs/...