Itchy Skin: My skin is always itchy and dry... - Thyroid UK

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Itchy Skin

Capan24 profile image
6 Replies

My skin is always itchy and dry, though I do sweat a lot when I exercise. I break out in rashes and hives easily. It seems to be worse in the summer. Right now I have a type of atopic dermatitis or heat rash on my forearms. This seems to happen when the weather gets nice and I am outside more. I try to ride my bike early in the morning when it is cooler out and stay out of the Sun. It almost seems like I'm allergic to the Sun. I moisturize my skin frequently and wear sunscreen whenever I'm outside. I was diagnosed with type 2 rosacea last year, which seems to be under control now. But this itching drives me crazy sometimes. I even wake up in the middle of the night feeling itchy and have to apply some lotion. What do you do for your dry itchy skin? Is there something I can add to my diet that might help this? I don't eat meat, dairy, or gluten.

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Capan24 profile image
Capan24
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Looking at previous posts

You’re vegan and have Hashimoto’s

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Essential to do full iron panel test including ferritin

Also B12, folate and vitamin D

Capan24 profile image
Capan24 in reply toSlowDragon

I do eat eggs and use nutritional yeast. Just had vitamin D done and is within normal range. B12 was elevated well above normal. I was supplementing so I stopped taking that. Going to have recheck of labs in 3 months. Right now they're really supplement I take is vitamin K2 100 micrograms and calcium citrate. My hemoglobin and other labs are always normal. Don't think I have a problem with my iron. I've always had a hyperactive immune system and break out in hives easily, usually when I have a cold or I'm sick. I have always had itchy skin but it has seems like it is more so in the summer.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toCapan24

As a vegan you will need some B12 everyday

Possibly just a daily vitamin B complex

academic.oup.com/nutritionr...

The present review of the literature regarding B12 status among vegetarians shows that the rates of B12 depletion and deficiency are high. It is, therefore, recommended that health professionals alert vegetarians about the risk of developing subnormal B12 status. Vegetarians should also take preventive measures to ensure adequate intake of this vitamin, including the regular intake of B12 supplements to prevent deficiency.

Considering the low absorption rate of B12 from supplements, a dose of at least 250 μg should be ingested for the best results.3

If serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement

A week later add a separate vitamin B Complex 

Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week

Highly effective B12 drops

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges

uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Low folate

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid supplements

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

Obsdian profile image
Obsdian

I don't know if this will help you. My friend has neen harping on at me about trying sudocrem. Finally gave in as nothing was helping itching. Been an absolute miracle to me. If you put on a fine amount it can dissappear.

Capan24 profile image
Capan24 in reply toObsdian

Thanks. That's interesting, because whenever I apply sunscreen to my arms it actually feels better. Must be the zinc oxide having a healing effect in providing a good moisture barrier. I moisturizer with sunscreen and on my face daily because of the rosacea. Zinc oxide definitely does help with that too

Capan24 profile image
Capan24

My B12 lab was greater than 1500. I am waiting to repeat my labs before I restart B12 so I can determine the dosage needed. I do get some B12 through nutritional yeast and eggs.

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