ITCHY

[Debs1960]

Hi just wondered as I'm new to all this is itchy skin a symptom of underactive Thyroid? It's driving me crazy (doesn't take a lot) worse at night and since starting on the levothyroxine though I had it when I was diagnosed with Labyrinthitis!! xx

[puncturedbicycle]

I had that. Brought a hairbrush to bed. Legs were the worst but it could happen on feet or torso as well and scratching made it sort of radiate outward. It could be that you are not adequately medicated yet. I think that was when I had the terrible itching.

[Hillwoman]

Yes, it's a symptom. And it's horrible. It's not as bad for me as it used to be, but still I quite often draw blood with scratching.

[Debs1960]

Thanks for the replies at least I know why It's awful my back seems to be worse but it's everywhere I've brought stuff for the bath oliatum to wash with magicool plus for itchy skin nothing works!! Hairbrush it is!! xx

[spongecat]

I used to scratch my shins every night until they bled. Bedside table had various concoctions lined up such as E45, Lanacaine cream and calamine lotion (memories of childhood chickenpox!) and changed washing powder to non-biological. It seems to clean just as well as the bio stuff.

[Monima]

Debs 1960, do you have a rash or hives, or just itch? I suffer with itchy skin but mainly because of hives. I've noticed that levothyroxine made it much worse. The number of hives decreased dramatically after I've changed the brand of levothyroxine. Though I still have them. May be worth trying...?

[Debs1960 in reply to Monima]

It was just itchy now I have a rash aggggg is how I can describe it I was going to leave it a few days but I'm not sure I can it's like nettles stinging as well as itching now!! Affecting me at work as well!! Fedup.com 😒😒

[Monima]

Yes, I have a hives that look like nettles stinging just bigger. It's autoimmune from what I know and is common in people with Hashimotos. But when I was on levothyroxine by Actavis I had up to 30 a day, which was a nigtmare as I get them mainly on my face, neck and arms. As you say, it does affect you, especially if it lasts for months... What helps me with the itch immidaltely is aloe Vera gel, I wouldn't cope without it, it helps to bring the swelling down a bit too. They also say that holy basil helps (I drink 3 tulsi (holy basil) tea by pukka). I hope you'll find something that works for you

[Debs1960 in reply to Monima]

Thanks for your help I've checked my brand is wockhardt uk I'll def be trying the aloe Vera I have the popolous cream never thought of using that I also have a plant so the bad ones I'll put pure aloe on it!! I'll look for the tea anything that may help!! xx

[Monima]

Debs1960,Just wanted to check how you doing and how's your skin? I thought I'll share with you that I have not had an itch since going gluten and rice free 2 weeks ago. Maybe you'll want to give it a go too. I will add that I've been on autoimmune paleo diet (veg, fruit and meat only) in the past and still had hives so thought that it's not caused by food. However I was still taking levothyroxine by then. Now I'm on ndt so I think levothyroxine was contributing to the itchy skin and hives. And I see you said that your skin has gotten worse sine you started levothyroxine ...

[Debs1960 in reply to Monima]

Hi the itching is still a problem I'm using anti histamine which helps and bathing in Dead Sea salt thanks for telling me about gluten free I'll give it a go though I've looked at this I've no idea where to start I'm not a big eater but crave anything sweet? Just wondered did you have or have got any mouth problems I've had two abscesses in a couple of months (got one now) and my tongue is so sore? x

[Monima]

Mouth problems? Hmm, I sometimes get a little spots at the end of my tongue which hurt and make the tongue sore. My teeth are fine, apart form one at the back, I think I have some kind of infection there because of the smell (sorry if tmi). The tooth doesn't hurt because I had a root canal done years ago but despite me flossing every day there is this smell that I don't have anywhere else. I had a scan done last year and they said all my teeth are good. I'll be going again though, I think I'll have to have this tooth removed. A new problem I've been having the past 4 weeks or so is red skin in one of my nostrils. Looks a bit like a cold sore but it's not it. Will be looking into it. In terms of gluten free diet, I eat porridge for breakfast now (can't eat bread or cereal) though there are gluten free breads and cereals. My problem is that most of them include rice flower and I have hives from rice so they're not an option for me. Then I make soups and eat mainly veg and meat, snack on fruits. My skins appearance have improved dramatically, I had terribly dry, red and swollen hands and feet. Now they look so much better. I hope it works for you too

[Monima]

also, I'd ask your Gp for a gluten free levothyroxine