Unknown cause if itching palms and soles.

[itchy65]

Hi, I recently had a very severe case of itching palms and soles of feet.it started the 16 of June 2015.by the 19 it got so bad I had to go to the error fri.night. got admitted, treatment involved benadryl injections, I.v.steroids, atarax, itch cream, ice packs, calamine lotion. I've never had this in my life! Was discharged 6/23/15. Going to allergy clinic 6/29/15. I'd like to know if anyone had these symptoms could tell me what on earth this could possibly be?????

[FLY76]

Dear Itchy65, I too had this, and no idea why it happened. I went to A&E, has similar treatments to what you had and was even prescribed sleeping pills as I hadn't slept for days. The palm of my hands and the soles of my feet were itching non stop. I was scratching day and night for nearly up to 5 days without sleep as the itching prevented me from sleeping.

Nothing would stop the itching until I saw an acupuncturist. She saved my life. I had one session with her and she relieved all the itching. I continued to see her for another 6 months as I was concerned the severe itchiness would return. It hasn't.

The acupuncturist told me I had severe inflammation and she was releasing toxins from my body. I topped up the treatment by taking herbal medicines she prescribed for 1 month.

Thereafter, my medication of mycophenolate, hydroxychloroquine and prednisolone has kept the inflammation down and the itchy palms and soles of feet at bay.

I hope this helps.

[itchy65 in reply to FLY76]

Hi fly76. Read your reply and want to thank you for the info. I went to an allergist and it turns out that I'm very allergic to a penicillin. I've been put on a very high dose of prednisone along with anti itch medication. It seems to be reducing the symptoms allowing for some relief, however I must keep monitoring my blood sugar for the steroids. Once again thank you for your timely response to my inquiry! Good health and blessings to you fly76!

[renaruth]

Well, this is odd that your message should arrive in my inbox today. My husband has had this problem, along with itching all over his body, for a few months. Hypothyroid disease runs in his family, and I know that itching is a symptom of it. He is going to the doctor tomorrow. Anyway, maybe you should think about thyroid. Pursue an endocrinologist if you can, because others (regular MDs, PAs, NPs) are often not trained to look for or even believe in some thyroid ailments.

[itchy65 in reply to renaruth]

Hi renarth.Thank you for your reply. I had completely forgotten about the thyroid being the culprit! I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but after a couple of years of monitoring the Dr decided that it was not growing and decided to stop medication. Well that was about 5 years ago. Maybe I need to look into that possibility again! Thanks to your info I will do just that! I need to know for sure! Thanks again renarth for your insight! Good health to you and family!

[annbrien]

I have had a similar but less severe experience with itching on a few occasions. About three months before the onset of Raynaud's I had the most terrible itching of the palms. My hands were raw, but it went after a few weeks and has not come back. Later, I had terrible itching of my scalp and then my hair began to thin. I think itching is an auto-immune reaction.

Ann