Help! Can't stop itching

[Bendaisy2]

I have never suffered from itching before but it's driving me mad! I'm hypo on 50,75 levo alternative days. Itching can be anywhere, worst places are my feet. It's 1.40pm if I don't itch them my legs kick out like a massive twitch. Is this down to hypo, medication or something unrelated? Anyone else suffer from it?

[Nanaedake]

could be restless legs syndrome. Also explain symptoms to your GP as they could run a series of blood tests and include a check for kidney and liver function. You need B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D testing if not already done.

[Geniler]

I had terrible itchiness until I gave up all grains. So no wheat, rice etc. It made a huge difference to my Hashimoto symptoms

[Tiredmum75]

Yes I suffer from it also have coeliacs disease I’ve been moisturing my legs and arms and face twice a day changed washing powder, Dishwashing liquid, moisturiser and soap. Can’t stand baths there just to itchy so I just stick to the shower also have allergies to werid stuff like perfume which causes more itching. I looked up home made cleaning stuff on the Internet if this helps

[Hidden]

I discovered a nasty chemical preservative called methylisothiazolinone (MI for short) that is present in many of our laundry detergents, household products and even skin creams. It is known to cause allergic reactions in 10% of the population, yet in the UK it is still allowed in products (although the EU are 'in the process' of looking into it, a process that has been ongoing for over 4 years).

I spent the last couple of days (and a few more to come!) washing everything. Bed linen, clothes, blankets, you name it, everything. I have developed itching in various random places and it's been getting worse. Also the side of my face that is the one I sleep on, is slightly puffy, and my eye bloodshot. Yesterday I began to feel some relief, only after changing my pillow. Persil non-bio unfortunately contains MI. I've been going through my cleaning products and will no longer use anything with MI in it. I did an empty boil wash of my washing machine to attempt to clean it out.

Info: occderm.asn.au/wp-content/u...

occderm.asn.au/health-pr......

Info here on replacement products: mi-free.com/

[Sallybones in reply to Hidden]

my reply disappeared so here's a cut down version. Methylisothiazolinone was in my hair shampoo and caused dermatitis. Severe itching and horrible postules. Ended up with very tender sore scalp. After ditching it and using bi-carb rinses for last two weeks my scalp is slowly returning to being ok.

It took a while for the penny to drop though and ingredients are very hard to read on packaging. Resorted to internet detecting - as usual.

[Hidden in reply to Sallybones]

How nasty for you. :/ Yes, a lot of detective work. I already have bad bio-enzyme allergy so when I was alerted to MI that set alarm bells ringing. Plus I think with an auto-immune disease one's system is primed to go into overdrive. No point playing Russian Roulette with it, is my feeling.

[Bendaisy2]

Thank you Jadzia, Tiredmum75, Genial and Nanaedake. I've been keeping an eye on the things that I do and the foods that I drink to see if there is a pattern, I've even considered my stress levels. I do suffer from restless legs sometimes but when my legs react to the itching it's like a reflex which makes me kick out, I've even taken to avoiding sleeping by the wall.

My TSH has finally stabalised and I have felt better in so many ways and haven't been to see my GP for about 4 months, I've been putting off going because if he says it's psychologica I'll probably walk out. I know it's not because I have made lots of positive changes to improve my well-being and other than the itching and lack of sleep I feel great. Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. I will get to the bottom of it 😊

[Treepie]

I was kicking out in my sleep .Rather painful for wife.Stopped ,as have cramps ,since on levo. Cramps started again an increase in levo after blood test have stopped them.

You are on a low dose of levo .Perhaps you should post most recent blood results for comment.

[malancy]

I used to itch all over especially my scalp. On the advice from a friend and member of this group I changed my shampoo, body wash and moisturisers . I don't use anything that has parabans or sulphates in it and have been so much better.

[silverfox7]

It could also be fillers in your thyroid meds. Have you changed brand recently? You may have to write do t everything you use that has. Hemicals in it and try elimination or take an allergy or intolerance test.

[jgelliss]

It's possible that anything with Dye #5 or any yellow dyes . And or the fillers in your meds .

[Lily288]

Just a thought as I discovered that I may be allergic to the strong scent of Tide detergent ... affects my throat n lungs... cough n sneezing etc....and I have mentioned it to other people of which in turn, have added that it makes them itchy and some people have mentioned that also other detergents such as Sunlight... same problem...