Itch Relief…
Posted on January 21, 2004 by Christine | 1,333 Comments
I just posted this in my comments on the post below, but decided to make it a post too for anyone that might wonder or might have more information to share.
I had allergy testing done because every year I have sinus problems (to the point I’ve asked a doctor before if they could just cut them out) – and any time I end up congested from allergies, I then end up with a sinus infection – or this last time I ended up with tonsillitis. We know it is allergies because Claritin helps keep the congestion away. I’ve had swollen glands most of the fall & winter this year and my doctor suspected it is also due to allergies. Now that we have tested me and found out what my allergies are, they will mix up a special serum just for me and I will go in once a week for injections. (I think it is once a week – maybe once every two weeks?) This will help me build up immunities to my allergies – hopefully preventing the sinus infections and tonsillitis of my past.
My family doctor just gave me Claritin constantly to fight my allergies, without ever testing to see what they were. I went to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist for my tonsillitis though, and he is the one that recommended it (I’ve always wondered why no one did it in the past). Now that we know what we’re fighting, we can fight it better.
On a positive note, I called my doctor’s office this afternoon and she had me come in so they could check my itchy arms. They hooked me up with some special prescription ointment that made the itch go away. For now.
Related posts:
Comments
1,333 Responses to “Itch Relief…”
September 15th, 2004 @ 4:04 pm
What is the presc. ointment for itch? I started itching a few months ago. They say it is nerves, anxiety. No rash or hives, etc. Any help would be appreciated.
October 5th, 2004 @ 11:09 pm
I have had the worst itchy arms for the last 3 months. It is only my arms and because I have scratched so much, I have sores all over them now. Ice is the only thing that helps. I am not allergic to anything?? I have often wondered if it is stress related. I am under a lot of stress. Would love to hear more feedback.
April 12th, 2005 @ 1:41 pm
my arms itch all summer long, mostly at night and only my upper arms. Ice helps but the itch is maddening! The more I scratch, the more it itches!!!
July 26th, 2005 @ 12:03 am
My arms itch all summer long,this only happens in summer. The itchiness is intense to the point of distraction. Only happens on both arms,the constant itch causes redness dryness and eventual blistering. Been given antihistimine by doctor,this doesn’t seem to work,he said something you will have to live with (he should have it ) any possible cure or relieve would be welcome.
August 7th, 2005 @ 2:10 am
by now means am i doctor! but studying chinese medicine and remedial massage. am a qualified personal trainer and fitness instructor and also treat in myopractic (cross-fibre mobilsation and spinal alignment) (no bone cracking). i have been treating a client with same symptoms for two weeks now. my own theory..linked to spinal reflexes at c5 to t1. if impluses fail to trigger because of neuromuscular lesions or (blockages) the impluses will be slowed down.. is it difficult to hold your arms up front/side for long? do your fingers “tingle” “pins & needles”? I’m wondering if the scratching is a neurological reaction to “warm” the area and create a better energy flow..in much the same way as you wld hold your head wth your left hand when yr head hurts or you are stressed, or curl into the fetal position if you r injured or under mental stress. if you massage your arms..do you feel “gritty, bumpy” bits? just an idea..but seems to be aiding my client who has suffered for years (mother also).
August 8th, 2005 @ 9:25 am
during summer, my arms and upper back itch, mostly at night – only steroids help and i will not take those (i think i’d like to live a bit longer). doctors are of no help (yes, THEY should have this!). antihistamines do no good, topical treatments do no good – ice is the only thing. itching is around 7 p.m. til 4 a.m. – sleep? i wish. if anybody has had success – please share.
August 19th, 2005 @ 5:13 am
My arms ITCH ALL NIGHT LONG!!!!!! Sometimes during the day as well. Ice packs on both arms is the only thing that seems to help. For years my Mother has had CHRONIC, Acute, Arm ITCHING due to a condition called PORPHYRIA CUTANEA TARDE. I might have same condition. It is where your body has Too much Iron. Look up on the net, and check with your Docs to rule this out. I have to do the same. My Moms arms are All scared from all the years of itching and bleeding. People with this disorder should stay out of sun, do not drink wine, and there are a few other things also. Check with your health care Docs. Maybe this will help. Vicki
August 29th, 2005 @ 8:51 pm
I have had itchy arms for about 3 years now. It usually starts at my upper forearm and works it’s way down to my wrist. This takes about a month or so, then subsides for a couple of weeks, only to start all over again. I thought that I had bet it. I read somewhere to use sun-block, so I used “Water Babies” with a 45 SPF. I was in heaven for about four months, but now it is back and maybe a little more intense. So try it, it’s good for awhile. Anyone have any luck with anything else?
September 8th, 2005 @ 3:43 am
I have itchy arms also. I have a couple of months a year that I don’t itch, but it seems I am always itching my arms. I create sores from all the itching, especially during the night. I think the sun triggers the itching. Dermatologist said to coat my arms with Zonlon cream eery night to stop the itch cycle. Right now the itchng is so bad that nothing is helping. This has been going on for 7 years now. I have little white scars all over my arms–upper and lower. Sometimes I get a cortisone shot and a predisone pack to help. This this time and didn’t help. I was thinking I should see a allergist? Any suggestions would be helpful.
September 8th, 2005 @ 9:24 pm
i too, have been suffering from this itchy arm syndrome for about seven years now. every year, starting somewhere in late august until the weather gets cooler in the fall, my arms will itch like crazy. it seems certain foods like alcohol, coffee, and sugar will aggrevate the condition, but not always. also, spending time in the sun seems to irritate it. i also noticed that when i get stressed it will get worse. it comes and goes, but is especially worse in the evening. what i do is wash the area really well with soap and water, which seems to sooth it, and then apply jock itch to the itchy areas. yes, jock itch. it works for me! the only other thing i found that works is to apply ice directly to the arms. i heard this condition is called Brachioradial Pruritus and is caused by sun damage.
September 16th, 2005 @ 11:26 am
I have had itchy arms for 17 years. It started when I was expecting my second child. I have tried every cream on the market and was even a patient at the dermatology clinic for 2 years. They gave up with me after they prescribed me with a cream called Capsaicin. This cream is made from chillies and it is supposed to desensitise nerve endings. I was supposed to try this for 8 weeks, but after 5 weeks I could stand it no more. The cream began to irritate other areas, such as my face and eyes, as it was so engrained in my hands. It did not relieve the itching during that time at all. This apparently was the best and last thing they could offer me. There seems to be no pattern as to when this itching occurs, but it is getting worse every year. There is no rash to see and my arms are scarred from scratching. I have finally relented to trying sleeping tablets called Amitriptyline. They are supposed to be for depression (not that I am depressed) and they doctor says they are very good at desensitising nerve endings for people who have got pain after having shingles, but they need to be taken for some time before they have any effect. I hope to start these tablets next week. Wish me luck!
September 16th, 2005 @ 9:41 pm
For the past month my arms have become so itchy I don’t sleep anymore, Its very bad at night. I though it was my soap, but only my arms itch, I thought it was spider bits but I don’t find marks, I thought maybe bedbugs but my husband don’t have this problem. I thought it was mold but we tested the house, I thought it was an alergy but alergy pills son’t help, no creams, no lotions, I even tried olive oil, nothing works. I don’t have a rash, but my skin does feel I bit dry. Where does this come from? I thought maybe its diabeties but I don’t have that either. It does get worse during stress. I have been reading on the internet and alot of people have this. Surely someone can help.
GC
September 17th, 2005 @ 2:51 pm
I’m amazed at the amount of people that have exactly what I get and have found only ice gives any relief. Yesterday I found relief, but not sure if this is it. I do yard work all summer, (in florida) and yesterday, I wore a long sleeve shirt. I showered, and this time put on a heavy dose of some stuff for Chiggers. Last night I was hardly troubled at all. Long sleeve shirt again today. Getting some chigger stuff, just in case. We shall see.
September 17th, 2005 @ 9:30 pm
Thank you all for possibly saving my sanity. I did a google search Sept 3rd in the middle of the night for “itchy upper arms”. I was desperate! I have suffered for possibly 10 years with the problem of itchy arms. Always starting in late summer and continuing into early winter. I have asked every doctor I have seen if they have heard of it and they are all puzzlled. It was bearable until this year. The problem has been so intense I did not sleep a full night for weeks with Sept. 3rd being the worst. Just knowing there are other sufferers was a huge relief. After reading the posts here and the many posts on the mens health website (found in my google search) I have gotten lots of helpful hints. The biggest one is the one just posted here by Caryn – ice. In the evening when the itching first starts to become intense I rub an ice cube on both arms. This is very soothing. Then before bed I slather Lanocain on both arms and take two Extra Stength Tylenol. I was also taking an herbal sleeping aid called Comfort Forte. With all of these procedures I was able to sleep a lot better.
Yesterday I visited the doctor and was put on Prednisone and if that does not work in two days I will be taking Nerontin. Nerontin was a drug I read about on the mens health site. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will be the solution. I was also given Ambien to help with the sleep issue and slept for over 9 hours last night. About 10 more nights like that and I may get caught up : )
Sun exposure may be a trigger but I think it is more than that. I have read postings by some that have the problem all year long and do not have sun exposure. So for all of us it will be trial and error. p.s. I have one hint I haven’t read from anyone else. When the itching is intense as others, I have broken the skin. Last year I got a barrel style hair brush with fine bristles. I use it to scratch my arms as it is soothing without damaging the skin.
September 18th, 2005 @ 7:24 am
Itch all over. Only thing that helps is a strong menthol ointment called Biofreeze that you can get at a chiropractor’s office. Four doctors so far, still no answers on the cause. 5 1/2 months so far.
September 19th, 2005 @ 3:34 am
I am from the Chicago area. I have had itchy arms for about 3 years. It seems to start late August and continue till about December. After reading the posts, it seems like it is only affecting women. I’m in my 40’s, so I’m wondering if it could be that I’m starting to go thru the change and have something to do with that? Hormone change or something? Sometimes I find heat on my arms helps. The sun doesn’t seem to affect me. I’m out all summer and this doesn’t start until August. The doctors ran tests and didn’t find anything either. This is really a mistery.
September 19th, 2005 @ 4:53 pm
I am so glad to hear I am not the only one, have never met anyone who has itchy arms. I really do think it is stress related. I am fine in the Summer but come Fall the itching starts, I don’t know if it is the change of seasons or my son being back in school is stressful. It is only on my lower arms, and I too have sores from scratching, it just makes me crazy. I will try the ice, as nothing I have tried has worked.
September 20th, 2005 @ 12:03 am
I THINK I FOUND THE CURE!!; for me anyway. I’ve been wearing long sleeve shirts for 3 days and with some moisturizer the nighttime itching has slowed to a trickle. No ice packs are needed tonight. Last night I needed only one for a short while.
I’m blonde, fair skinned, (female, mid fifties.) Come July, I no longer burn in the hot Florida sun. I can be out in it for hours. I get a copper sort of tan but it doesn’t get any darker. The one part of my body that is exposed the most, (my arms), begin to itch a little at first and then like crazy. It starts about mid to late summer. I have a book called “Listen to your body”. I think I should. I’m convinced that this kind of irritation over years will turn into melinomas.
I don’t remember how long the itching goes on into the winter. When it’s better, I forget all about it. This year, the back of my neck, which is also unprotected, began to itch. I was sleeping with ice packs there too. The last 3 days my arms were covered up but not the back of my neck. Tonight it itches, but the arms are blissfully content. Thank God!
I’ve read that some of you think it may be stress related. I think that may be another trigger. I had a bout of severe itch only once during the day. Now that I look back on it, it was a very stressful day, a very rare occasion for me.
Some of you say the itch is in the upper arms, others have it in the lower arms. I’ve had both. It began in the lower arms one year, and seems to have worked it’s way up. This year it has only been on one arm, (go figure). Some of you even have it year long. I only know that mine comes after long hours of exposure to the sun, only ice packs would ease it, but wearing long sleeves has stopped it. It’s worth a try.
September 20th, 2005 @ 8:27 am
I am also Blonde, Blue eye. Just wonder if we are all Blonde? But, I forgot to say in my last post. I do get relief from itching when I take a Sinutab Allergy pill or Clariton D. I take Benadryl at night to help me sleep. Maybe that will help some of you too.
September 20th, 2005 @ 10:53 am
I also have started having itchy arms and shoulders. My mom has had it for about 20 years she’s 50 now. I’m 34, and we both have blonde hair and blue eyes. I have been researching this for a while and some say fermeldehyde is a problem and it’s in everything from lotions to sprays, cleaners, air fresheners etc. I’m am a user of all of these things and I like my house to smell clean. My girlfiend is a natural kind and she will only use vinegar to clean with and she is very cautious of ingredents in other items.
I’m going to start eleminating some of these things and I use mary kay, calming influence which i used to sell but is now discontinued. I only have one bottle left and I’m going to research the ingredients, There has to be something like chamomile in it?
Will let all know!
September 21st, 2005 @ 12:09 pm
I was so releived to read about others with the itchy arms. It is so intense and the doctors, allergist and dermatologist all run numerous tests to no avail. I have tried ice, prednizone – shots and tablets, benedryl tablets and creams, Dr. Tichnor’s, Aveeno products, A lot of money on doctors and meds and so far nothing has helped. I am going to try a Chiropractor next.
September 22nd, 2005 @ 10:56 am
I’m in my early 40’s, light skin, blue eyes, dark blond hair & have had itchy arms – just my left arm for a few years now, during the night & day. The itching wakes me up at night (so I know it’s not all in my head, which I was starting to think that it was since there is no rash). I also used to have itching on the back of my neck, but that’s gone now. I use Lotrimin Anti Fungal cream & that seems to work, but I’m looking for a more natural approach.
September 22nd, 2005 @ 3:44 pm
I posted my message on the 16th, I’m the one who’s had itchy arms for 17 years. I’ve not tried the prescribed sleeping tablets as they have an awful lot of side effects. I was just wondering if any one else has a thyroid problem? Although my itching started before I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid gland, it has been suggested that getting the right balance of this hormone maybe a contributing factor. I’d be interested in seeing anyones comments on this. I do think, like so many others on this message board, that sun damage maybe a factor. Is there any one else here from England? Hope you all get some sleep tonight.
September 22nd, 2005 @ 7:21 pm
Thank heaven I found this site! I now know that I am NOT crazy or abnormal, and that all the doctors who told me that this was an unusual condition were WRONG. I have had severe upper arm itch (both arms) and around on my upper back and neck for at least a decade, and have so far not found a thing (save for ice) that provides relief.
I have started to believe that the cause may be linked to neurology. The itching seems to follow a path or pattern (I can trace the scars from my itching). Although in my mid-forties, I have had shingles twice. I, too, have heard the suggestion that the cause may be linked to nerve damage.
BTW, I am not a blonde. While I am a female with blue eyes, I have dark brown hair.
Thanks everyone, and please keep the suggestions for relief flowing.
September 23rd, 2005 @ 4:30 am
Well, it’s another sleepless night for me. I also have an underactive thyroid. I take Synthroid 50 MCG a day. I to thought once I went on this the itching would go away. But, it didn’t. Other family member have underactive thyroid and they don’t itch. I can’t figure out why it’s mostly my left arm. It seems like most of us, it’s our left arms that itch the most. And if it is sun damage, why don’t other parts of our bodies itch? Or our right arm? And why do a lot of us only itch at night. It wakes me out of a sound sleep. I really think it has to be an allergy to something. But, What? Hope you all got some rest tonight.
September 23rd, 2005 @ 1:26 pm
Wow. I didn’t realize that arm itching was so prevalent! My upper arms also itch–first time this has happened to me. It started in early September and wakes me out of a sound sleep! I also experience itching at times during the day. I finally went to the dermatologist and am trying prednesone, Eucerin itch relieving spray, etc. When the itch attacks come, these don’t seem to cut it. BTW, it is more my left arm than right, and I have brown hair and eyes. I also spent alot of time in the sun, but haven’t burned this summer.
I wonder if it is nerve damage or hormonally driven, since I am 41. I hope this doesn’t persist!
September 23rd, 2005 @ 5:42 pm
Has anyone tried acupuncture? just wonder if that might help???
September 23rd, 2005 @ 8:57 pm
Drink lots of water!! I also have itchy arm, mainly my left arm that gets a lot of sun while driving. When I feel the itch coming on I start drinking a lot of water and it seems to go away.
September 23rd, 2005 @ 9:06 pm
I, too, thought I was going crazy! I have a doctor’s appt. scheduled and was going to have her check my thyroid and hormone levels. I even used a pumice stone to scratch my right arm at the elbow to the shoulder and rubbed it raw! By the way, I am not blonde…I am brunette with green eyes. I don’t know if I can tolerate this for 10 years like so many of you have! Help!
September 25th, 2005 @ 9:22 am
Oh my God I can’t take it anymore. I was up all night for the last week so you can all imagine how tired I am. The itching on my upper arms won’t stop. I am definitely sure it is caused by the sun though. I moved from NY to Florida and it just seems to have gotten worse. I’ve been to dermatologists and doctors and no one seems to have any idea what this is. I am grateful to this web site and for all I have learned on mens health. It is so astonishing to me though how some of us have had this for 20 years, 17 years, 10 years. And that there isn’t more known about curing it. The sun as I mentioned I think is the main culprit and yes I am fair skinned too with hazel eyes. At night and early morning is the worsed. But even now at 10am I am itching. My arms may also tend to become really red heat red. Like a face will get after working out. I am really concerned. The itching is maddening. I am going to have to wear half sleaves and long sleeves when I go out. Even when I put 45SFP I still get the ithching and really bad also. I have tried Tylenol PM because it helps me to sleep. The PM portion of Tylenol is just benedryl. At one point I was putting on a cream and thought I was actually allergic to it at the same time. What a doozy. I do believe that when I started drinking Aloe Juice and taking daily doses of wheat grass it was in fact helping. Because as soon as I ran out and was careless not to restock here I am itchy arm girl once again. HELP!
September 25th, 2005 @ 9:40 pm
I responded to this site #14. Since that time I took Prednisone which did not help. I then started the Neurontin. I do think this is a huge help. I still have a little itching but not the intensity it was. From the Mens Health site it was suggested I take the Neurontin not only at night as prescribed by my doctor, but during the day as well. I have started taking a lower dose in the morning and afternoon and that is providing additional relief. I have not had any drowsiness from it during the day and even at night it does not make me sleepy but I do sleep ALL night.
I still put Lanocain on my arms.
My left arm is definitely the worst and I am curious if this has to do with driving and the sun on my left arm. Do the right side drivers have this problem on their right arm? This would be nice to know. If so that would tie into the sun’s influence.
Someone asked if this is a “woman” thing. On the Mens Health site there are men as well.
I am brown eyed with brown hair. In my 50’s and was just diagnosed with low thyroid. That may just be more of an age thing than related to this problem. On the Mens site I found references to a possible connection to arthritis in the neck. Also a mention of it relating to a lung infection. All interesting possibilities. Maybe we can all put together the puzzle pieces and figure it out.
For those just starting to find solutions keep remembering ice, lanoaine, calomine and a sleeping aid until you can get the itching under control. I am much better with the Neurontin but still not perfect. At least I am sleeping through the night and that alone is a miracle!
September 25th, 2005 @ 10:35 pm
Has anybody tried to eliminate wheat products? I have had itchy arms for 2 years now. I am 2 weeks free of wheat and feeling better, but not cured. I have dark hair, hazel eyes and have a thyroid disorder. Take synthroid daily for the last 10 years. I am 35 yrs. old.Live in FL.
September 26th, 2005 @ 1:42 pm
I have an intensely itchy arm. Mine is only my right forearm. It does affect my shoulder area as well, though not as much. I found that ice intensifies it profoundly and have taken to using a hairdryer for the only relief so far. I have Hashimoto’s Disease (no thyroid activity) and also am 45, female, medium hair and eyes. I first experienced this type of itch when pregnant seven years ago. I also found that not scratching, but “petting” (lack of no better word — sorry) helps to “calm” the itch. I do not wake in the might, but am kept awake with my hairdryer. For me, this began again a few weeks ago. Our family is under considerable stress with a job change/cut/huge pay cut, teenagers (that alone can send anyone into a whirlwind of experiences). I believe this is a nerve reaction (stress). I also wonder about the amount of salt and wheat products (hooked on pretzels). I live in Nebraska and also did tanning beds this summer, though not a lot. I use the hair dryer and then Band-Aid anti itch spray. I also pray to the good Lord to take this affliction away. I cannot do anything when in my “itch mode.”
September 26th, 2005 @ 4:18 pm
I too have the itchy arms and back neck area with no signs of a rash, but for 29 years now. I have seen all kinds of physicians, to no avail. I was tested several years ago for 40+ allergens and was not allergic to one. I actually was anemic (low iron) for several years, but that problem has been solved. I also have an enlarged thyroid ( for many yrs) , but the specialists can’t seem to find anything wrong. I was diagnosed with Discoid Lupus last year, the Endoncronologist said that the itching might be related to the Lupus. He wanted to put me on Plaquenil (sp?), But the biggest side effect – Itching when our skin is exposed to the sun. – NO THANK YOU! I live in Phoenix – how does he expect me to stay out of the sun!!! I have tried all the lotions (prescription and OTC, and nothing helps. LIke many of you ice has been my only relief for years. I am in my mid 40s female/brn hr, bl eyes and do not know anyone else here that has this problem. I do believe the sun is a big contributor. I begin itching in Apr/May,with the worst in Aug-Nov and stops in Dec. ( when it gets cooler here and I wear long sleeves.) I too do yard work all year round, it’s the worst when I come in from doing the yard in the summer. I also believe ithat if there were some DRS that had this problem, we might have some luck in finding some relief. But for now, I make sure I always have ice close by.
September 28th, 2005 @ 2:05 pm
I’m really interested in the amount of people with a thyroid disorder. I wonder if like me the itching started before it was diagnosed. Like so many of you I can’t live without ice blocks to bring some relief. This year, being probably the worst in the 17 years I’ve had this, I’ve found even that hasn’t brought it under control this year. I’m going to make an appointment with an acupuncturist for a consultation and see if that maybe a solution. I’m so gratful to be able to share my thoughts on this sight. Hope you all get some sleep tonight.
September 29th, 2005 @ 8:41 am
Amazing!! Suffering for 29 years!!! I began searching the web for the first time today re:intense itchy arm and there are so many of you afflicted by this same problem! I am 51, brwn hair, bl eyed, fair skin – have had this problem for about 6 months. My left upper arm only, sometimes during day, mostly as soon as I go to bed and in the middle of the night. I live in Vermont and do get sun while gardening in summer only. Do feel itching worse after being in sun but it occurs even with long sleeves. Have a history of being in sun every summer and got more tanned this summer than in past few years. Itching seems to be getting more frequent now and I haven’t been in sun for a month. Why my left arm like so many others? I do not drive with my arm out the window. HAIRBRUSH works for me – take one everywhere I go – keep it under my pillow at night. Scratching only seems to send the itch deeper into my arm & more intense. Brushing it seems to quiet everything down sooner. Have tried benadryl type creams also – not much luck. I too have little scabs starting from the “brushing”. I have been on the anti-depressant nortriptyline (for Migraines brought on by menopause) for 3 years – I imagine this has same sleep effect as amitriptyline. I still wake up in middle of night (3 am last night). I have searched the web today before starting my neurologists/dermatologists/doctors journey hoping to find clues. Seems no one has found an answer yet – ice is the common relief agent. I have been thinking about wheat – may try this next. I am not extremely stressed but do have a teenager so maybe this is a factor!! I am on a mission to solve this mystery so I’ll be back if I have further news….so many questions…got to get back to my research!
September 30th, 2005 @ 12:20 am
I have just recently aquired this itcy arm syndrom. It is as though the itch is coming from underneath the skin not on top of the skin. It keeps me awake at night. It’s probably the most aggrivating thing I’ve ever had! I went to a dermatologist and she said there are two theorys. 1) It’s not just being in the sun now it’s a stacking effect of being in the sun for many years. I grew up in Florida and still live there. 2) It could be nerve damage. That’s why you only itch in your arms or back. The nerve for arms is I think C3 and for your back is T1. She thinks the reason it comes on mostly at night is because you are settling in or resting for the evening and the nerves start firing. She gave me a cream called Zonalon but it hasn’t helped much. I also use Benedryl extra strength spray and that helps a little when combined with Zonalon. I don’t have thyroid or any other conditions to warrant these symptoms. There is a prescription she will be giving me tomorrow. I just pray that it helps. Some sleep would be nice. P.S. ICE is a lifesaver!
September 30th, 2005 @ 1:57 pm
I have been suffering for about 5 years and like the others it comes after the summer (I’ve spent the last 5 summers in Spain), there is no rash, creams don’t help, ice or a cold flannel does etc. I definetely think alcohol, especially white wine makes the problem worse! My arms, especially around the elbows are burning like hell, so I’m going to have to get some ice! PS I’m selling the place in Spain!
October 2nd, 2005 @ 9:49 pm
I can not believe how many of us are suffering with this condition. I have developed this intense itching of my upper arms this last month…and since I can not sleep, I started searching the internet and am amazed how many others are describing the same symptoms I am suffering with. I did go to a doctor the other day and am waiting to hear some results of some blood work he did. In the meantime he gave me a Cortizone shot, Beta-Val cream, and Zyrtec pills. That was Thursday when I had the doctor’s appointment and it is now Sunday. I must say, I feel a bit better….but it is the night time itching that is unbearable. I am taking notes on what everyone else on here is saying and going to go back and show my doctor. BTW, I am a 51 year old female that had dark brown hair (now a blonde because I am totally gray) and brown eyes. I am from Michigan…am in the sun a lot due to golf, watching baseball game (LOTS OF THEM) and drive a convertible. I have always tanned very easily and tend to not use sunscreens as I should. I have had one bout of a small area of skin cancer on my chest. I don’t know what the doctor is checking for, but he took three viles of blood. I will let you know if he discovers anything that may be of help. Thank you for all the helpful ideas on how to get some rest…I, too, am exhausted from the lack of sleep. Best of luck to you all.
October 3rd, 2005 @ 3:46 am
Let me join this site as one more who has suffered from itchy arms for about ten years. My arms start itching as soon as it gets warm in the Spring and it is unbearable until late fall, when it subsides to merely annoiying. I hae been to two dermatologists, an allergist, and a couple of internists, No one has a clue. One dermatologist diagnosed it as polymorphic light eruption, s it is much worse in the sun and heat, but later changed the diagnosis to brachial radial pruritus. I, too, have tried every cream both OTC and prescription. Only ice packs help. Has anyone tried progesterone cream?
October 3rd, 2005 @ 1:56 pm
I have finally found a message center on itchy arm synrome. I TOO HAVE A LOW THYROID. about 6 months after being on synthroid, I started with the itchy arms. It’s been 9 years and I still have itchy arms and have been to neutrologist, alergist, etc.. etc.. etc.. It’s definatel worse in summer months. Ice helps. Been put on various antidepresents and now for about 3 years use a cream called Prudoxin. It does work at least to take the real painful itch away. I too feel as though I could cut off my arms when I’m having an episode of itch. I have ALWAYS thought it has something to do with my low thyroid!!!!!
October 3rd, 2005 @ 3:32 pm
Oh, another thing I forgot to mention…..I have had SHINGLES four times, but never in this area.
October 3rd, 2005 @ 9:12 pm
I too have suffered from itchy upper arms for years. I’ve been on every prescripted cream & pill with no relief. Been to several doctors & Cleveland Clinic & they put me on neurotin. It seemed to help at first, but one of the side effects was increased appetite. I was hungary 24/7 and gained 50 lbs in 3 months.I took myself off the neurotin & just used ice. It went away for a few months now its back again. After many sleepless nights again, my hubby saw a show on TV about smoking pot for medicinal purposes ( for cancer & nerve pain). He suggested I try it (I’m 47 & not a pot smoker) so I did & it worked!! As soon as I feel my skin start to crawl I just take a couple tokes & it takes my itchies away!!! I’ve been in the desperate wanna cut my arms off stage & so far from all the drugs I have tried to help myself this is the only thing I’ve found to work.
October 4th, 2005 @ 2:35 pm
Hi All
I am just joining you poor people, my left lower forearm has just started itching about 2 months ago, i haven’t yet seen a quack, i’m in my mid 40’s fair hair, blue eyes, some times had itchy back of neck before this problem started, it lasted about 2 weeks then i went to Crete for 2 weeks in intence heat & the itching went away, now i am back in england it’s started again. just the left forearm, no rash, have itched until bleeding, have had thyroid problem for many years, which cause palputations. Does anybody else suffer from palputations ? also damaged nerves in right arm 3 years back. shame it wasn’t the left 1 hey!
October 5th, 2005 @ 10:31 pm
I’ve had this “condition” for the last three years. It started with just a few spots, now its both forearms (just the sun side). Ice definitely works. Use it. Lanacane also helps. I too believe that this is a “sun thing”. It could also be related to stress. I’m under lots, but their are plently of people who don’t itch, with more stress. I’m going to have my thyroid checked out. Good luck to all. Cover up and Ice!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 6th, 2005 @ 12:03 am
wow, can’t believe all the people that are suffereing from this…my arm itchs so badly tonight i had to find out if i was the only one. I am a 23 year old female with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. i noticed this itch about 2 months ago, and now it doesn’t seem to go away, it’s always on my left upper part of my arm. it is like short pangs of intense itchiness. thanks so much for everyone sharing there stories. thought i was going crazy. haven’t tried the ice yet…my doctor said it was just dry skin. obviously it’s not.
October 6th, 2005 @ 7:26 am
I too have suffered for 15 + yrs. My left upper arm is the main area, occassionally both arms. I am 43 yrs and also have suffered from shingles as a child. This year seems worse than before, it seems to flair up under stress;wine;chocolate;ice cream and possibly wheat. My grand mother had a Thyroid disorder. Piecing together all the comments from so many people, it appears to have some connection with the nervous system. Any thoughts ??
October 6th, 2005 @ 6:07 pm
I can’t believe everyone with itching arms and no one seems to know why???? I have been suffering with this condition for a few years. This problem starts in August and usually ends in about a month. This time it has not ended. It is driving me crazy at night. Both of my arms are affected, but usually not on the same night. I scratch till I bleed. My arms look terrible. I’ve tried many anti-itch cremes, but none work. I have gotton some relief from tea tree oil. Recently, I’ve tried Lamisil. Lamisil gives relief some nights, but sometimes it doesn’t. Benadryl and Tylenol help me to sleep those nights that I itch really bad. I’ve never tried ice, so believe me I will try it. I’m wondering now if it is hormonal. I am a 45 year old woman with brown hair and hazel eyes. I have been to the Dr. for this problem, but it has never helped.
October 7th, 2005 @ 12:31 pm
Just getting caught up on the comments here. I also am still amazed at the number of us suffering with this disorder.
Many use ice packs but my best results for immediate relief have been from rubbing an ice cube directly on my arms. This gives me relief for several hours. I am still using Lanocain cream – the strongest one – and that really helps at bedtime. I am also on Neurontin now for about 3 weeks – I take it mainly at night but I am sleeping through the night with minimal itching during the day. It still starts in the evening but the intensity is minimal by comparison. It seems to be getting better each day. Of course that brings the question – is it because the weather is cooling or is it because of the medication? I do still have an area on my left elbow that is extremely sensitive and painful.
As for the sun – I am exposed to California sun from April to October yet I don’t have the problem until August. Also, last March I was in Hawaii for a week and did not have any itching as a result.
As for stress – I have a stressful job. My stress is not at all greater in the late summer/early fall so I do not feel that is a factor. Since quite a few men also have this problem I doubt it is related to hormones. Also the age range is quite wide.
When I have some extra time : ) I would love to write all the comments down and try to find the common factor. As I read all of the new comments I know there is an answer. We just all need to work together to figure it out and get control of the problem.
October 7th, 2005 @ 8:46 pm
Wow- so we all feel like we’re going crazy- just cause other people have it doesn’t mean we’re not! Both upper arms itchy for about 7 years. Goes away for months at a time, comes back without my having changed diet, stress level, etc. Started with an intense nerve “zinging” in my left upper arm, almost exactly on my smallpox vaccination scar (from 40 years ago). Small group of small blisters formed, acute for about 10 days. Itched like mad. Blisters disappeared. Zinging continued and kept me awake every night for about 6 months. I believe it was a form of shingles. Itching moved to right arm as well. Since then, have been driven crazy by this for months at a time, although the zinging has pretty much gone away in the last couple of years, now it’s just scratch -your- skin- off itching, mainly at night. Then it disappears for no apparent reason and reappears for no apparent reason. Aggravated by moist heat, coffee, alcohol when the condition is active. When dormant, these things do not cause it to come back. Can find no link to sun, diet(tried eliminating wheat, dairy), stress, had a full blood test done measuring all my organ functions and all is normal. Am Jewish, dark hair and skin, 56 years old. Have tried Lanacane, other topical itch medications, they do not really help, as itching is subcutaneous. Antihistimines have no effect. Ice helps for a short while. Valium seems to help, one at bedtime, which verifies my feeling that it is some form of nerve damage. Am living in Mexico, found a soap at the health food stores here, rattlesnake oil soap, which helps topically more than anything I have tried. Asked a nurse-practitioner I know what he would try- he said MRI of my neck, which would go along with what some of you have said. Like all of you, I have gone to several doctors(”you have scabies”), dermatologists(”here’s a prescription for cortisone cream”), naturopath(spent a lot of $ on things that didn’t help) , homeopath( told me we might have to try a hundred remedies before we found the right one), etc. Where are all the bright young medical students who could research this, do their theses on it? Environmental pollution of some kind? Did aliens experiment on us? See, this lack of sleep and constant itching IS driving me mad. P.S. Glad pot worked for someone, definitely didn’t for me.
October 8th, 2005 @ 1:28 am
It’s 2:30 am and I can’t sleep because of this maddening itch I have going on my left upper arm. I’ve been dealing with it off and on for about 2 months or so. At first I chalked it up to maybe coming in contact with something out in the woods as I spend a fair amount of time out doors. But when I look at my arm I see nothing like a rash. I describe it to my husband as, “it feels like there’s something under my skin driving my crazy. I scratch to no avail. I have tried all types of sprays and creams one would usually have around the house for poison Ivy. Nothing works. I have noticed it seems worse in the evening or late afternoon. It does wake me from sleep and forces me to get up and attempt to treat it. I try not to scratch, ya right. I am fair skined, dark blonde hair, green eyes, freckles on the face. I’ll turn 40 in a couple months. I used to lay in the sun in my teens and burn then tan. I have not been to a Dr. yet as I do not carry health Ins. so I only go when I absolutely have to and have found in the past I usually do better at figuring out what is wrong with my body and treating it. I also suffer with Urinary Track infections and have for 20 years. Sugar seems to cause me problems. Not diabetic, Thyroid is fine although my mom has a under active Thyroid, so I don’t know but since were all on the hunt for answers and looking for a common thread I thought I’d add my thoughts to the collection. Now I’m going to fix a bag of ice and try to go back to sleep.
October 8th, 2005 @ 11:54 pm
I’m writing this in between ice packs and scratching! I too have had severe itching on one or both arms, mostly at night. Doctor’s have found nothing and prescribed cortizone cream (telling me to use it sparingly because it can cause thining of the skin) which didn’t work anyway. Ice is definately the best thing. I read about combining lanocaine and lotromin, and that worked for a while, but then stopped working. I use aloe with lidocaine ( got it at walmart and keep it in the fridge) which works sometimes. My next step is to go to the acupuncturist and see if that helps. It amazes me that there are so many of us with the same problem and no one has found a cure. I never had this problem when I lived in New Jersey, but it started when I moved to North Carolina four years ago. I too take ambian to sleep, but not often because I don’t want to get dependant on them. The only way I can describe the itch is that it feels like my arms are covered with insulation dust. I hope someone can come up with something for us soon before this itch drives me mad.
October 10th, 2005 @ 2:13 pm
Went to see a chinese doctor about my itching and she thinks maybe it would be worth trying acupuncture. She can’t guarantee it’ll work but it just might. She say’s that as it started during pregnancy it could be more dificult to stop. I can’t start the acupuncture yet as she is not available for a few weeks. In the mean time I am going to my doctors surgery to consult an alternative therapist for her opinion on acupuncture. Some surgery’s offer complimentery therapies, it’s worth asking if you are in England. Will write back when I have some news. Keep the ice blocks chilling and sleep if you can.
October 12th, 2005 @ 10:13 pm
I surly feel bad for all of you.Yes,I have had this itch for the past yr(upper l arm)now, this week its both arms.Went to the dermo.& said it was frm my neck(this was last yr.)He was correct.I had an mri which revealed herniated discs(C4,5 to C7)Had c7 replaced in May,now having pain with numbness & tingling again in my r arm & guess what?The itch is back again.So,i do believe it is neuro.related.Ice does help to a certain extent.Tried Benedryl creams & lotions with no luck.Went to St.Lucia for 10days & NO ITCH!!!!Guess I need to go back(how I wish)My itch starts in October & goes away in March.I do have sle(lupus)for the past 21 yrs.Ive been on prednisone,too.(So anti inflammary drugs do not work)I have auburn hair,hazel eyes.I also believe Stress could be a factor,too.Hopefully,someone will come up to cure us all.We would be so grateful!!!!!I will say lots of prayers for all of you.Its nice to find a site about our condition.I was beginning to think I was losing my mind.I never thought so many people had this itchy condition.I will keep tuned to any & all cures.Pat
October 14th, 2005 @ 2:20 pm
I have had this itch problem on one or both arms since sometime during 1994. Yes, people think we’re crazy but WE KNOW WE AREN’T!! Last night, I wanted to amputate since I couldn’t get any relief from the itch. I had a specialist at the University of Alabama tell me I had Brachial Radial Puritis. The nerve that runs down the upper surface of our arms is called the brachial radial nerve. I was told that if you have a neck injury, this nerve runs up to your neck, therefore, could affect your arms. I found out I have a herniated disc – C5/6. OK, great, now we’re getting somewhere. From there, I went to a neurologist to test for nerve damage in my arms. None. So there went THAT theory. Like all the rest of you, I’ve used every prescription and non-prescription drug out there that might possibly relieve the itch. Nothing has. Mine is seasonal like everyone elses but I can’t pinpoint it to a particular time frame. I first thought it was due to sun damage. When I first got it in 1994, I lived in Panama City FL. In 1995, I moved to the northern border of Maine. Lived there for two years and my arms didn’t itch at all. Should have stayed there!! In 1997, I moved to Alabama and less than a year later the itch was back. That’s when I finally went to a doctor. He put me on Doxepin (25mg) and Clobetasol cream. That seemed to get rid of it but a year or so later it was back. I don’t think anything gets rid of it – no matter what, it will subside but it always comes back. I just want something to give me some relief from the itch and help me sleep. No matter what I take for sleep, the itch breaks through that barrier and I’m up several times a night, as you all can relate to, I’m sure. There are times, I will purposely scratch my arms till they’re raw just so I can pour rubbing alcohol on them. Better to burn than itch, any day. My son has resorted to hiding the rubbing alcohol from me! Ice doesn’t work for me because one my arms thaw out, they itch more than ever.
Thanks to all of you for letting me know I’m not the only one with this dastardly ailment!!!!
October 15th, 2005 @ 5:48 pm
I too, have had itchy arms for about 30 years. No dermatologist or doctor has been able to tell me what is wrong. It drives me crazy. However I have found that the cream Aveeno (skin protectant for relief of extra dry, itchy skin) is a great help. If the itching wakes me up I massage this into my arms and usually it helps a great deal. However if the itch is even more intense, I mix baking soda with water to a paste about the consistency of toothpaste and spread it on my arms. This is excellent and in about two minutes the itch has gone. Sometimes I just wet myarms and sprinkle the baking soda directly on the arms and massage it in. This is a little messier but the result is the same. My bathroom always has a box of baking soda in it. No more ice packs are need and no medication although sometimes I do resort to a mild antihistamine. Good luck, I know what you are going through.
October 17th, 2005 @ 9:35 am
I have had itchy arms for about seven years now. Always beginning in late August and continuing until late November, early December. It’s always worse at night. I live in Canada, am 51, have red hair and brown eyes. Sometimes when the itching get’s unbearable I’ll spray on Aveeno anti itch gel and it seems to help. My girlfriend also has this condition but she gets it all over her body, and with her it only started when she became pregnant with her first child, but has continued to plaque her. I think that a doctor needs to become afflicted with this before they’ll take it seriously. It is obviously very common, but is not being taken seriously by the medical profession. Hope we all get help soon.
October 17th, 2005 @ 1:49 pm
Neurontin update. I have now been taking it at night only (200 to 300 mg). I was nearly itch free so decided to skip a night. I was awake all night and had intense itching within 24 hours.
Back on the Neurontin and sleeping like a baby with only slight sensation during the day.
I know this is not a cure but a temporary solution. At least I am able to function after weeks of sleep deprivation.
October 17th, 2005 @ 7:16 pm
This sure is a miserable condition. I am trying to type with right hand only as my left hand in numb from having ice on forearm for several hours. I have been to doctors many times and have been given every perscription they can think of–shots, lotions and pills. Nothing helps. The only relief I have found is ice and pain. I have many scars on my arm where the itch has been so severe I have cut holes in my arm and poured alcohol over them as the pain is better than the itch. But, I have found something that helps and hope others can benefit. I am blonde with light skin so no one notices–I took this devise my wife uses that pulls hair out rather than shaving. I figured it would hurt, which again, is better than the itch, and for the first time in months–no itch. I used it continuously for several months and the itch was gone. It took several uses before the itch stopped as the itch would come back as the hair grew in and had to wait for it to get long enough to pull out again. A lot of little bumps would appear while hair was growing in, so I would ice it until numb or scratch and alcohol. After time, the itch stopped and I was able to let the hair grow back, but after about 3 months the itch is back so I just started using this devise again. Again, the itch stops for a few days until the hair starts to grow back. This time I will not stop the treatment if I am able to rid myself of the itch again. I am thinking of permanent hair removal. I strongly recommend trying the hair removal–but dont shave. I tried that once while in a state of intense itch as I was simply trying to remove the top layer of skin. This condition really sucks!!! Good luck to all–hope the hair removal helps at least one other person.
October 17th, 2005 @ 9:18 pm
Have any of you used Sarna Lotion? I’ve been using it off and on for quite a while. Sometimes I get relief from it, sometimes I don’t. The last several days it has been working for me.
Last night I bought some Lotrimin Jock Itch Spray since someone in this forum suggested it. I think I made a mistake by getting a spray because it turns to powder. Anyway, it hasn’t worked at all.
I tried the ice packs a couple times over this last weekend and they did help a little.
I’ll have to see if my doctor will give me a prescription for this Neurontin. I defnitely need something to help me sleep.
I was wondering what the surface of your arms are like. Mine feel very bumpy to the touch.
October 18th, 2005 @ 8:55 pm
Yes, my arms feel very bumpy below the skin surface. Also when I scratch for awhile a very tiny blister comes up and breaks open, looking like a tiny herpes lesion. I have had a suspicion for years that this is some aberrant form of herpes virus. It is similar to herpes simplex(like cold sores) in that there is a tingling in the nerve before the itching and resulant blister forms. Just bought the aloe/lidocaine gel and that is giving me quite a bit of relief, at least for the last few nights. Also a hint for all you fellow sufferers- get a stand-up fan( make sure it has a quiet motor, we don’t need anything else to keep us awake). Having it blow on you at night helps alot. I am thinking of making up a questionaire to correlate all the symptoms we have, our various lifestyles, injuries, medical history, general health, immune response, etc. to see if we can come up with a common thread. Some people have said they have arthritis, thyroid problems, lupus, and other things, but aside from this itch, I am totally healthy and have a weirdly powerful immune system- I haven’t had a cold or flu for 20 years. So maybe this is an auto-immune thing?
October 18th, 2005 @ 10:48 pm
hi folks ,,,,, male here age 34 lite skin hazel eyes
also share the itchy life as well
i also spend long days in direct sun . it seems to bring on more . also tried ice…
also manager so could be stress related
thanks for the info .. good luck to all .
maybe were all just lucky
October 19th, 2005 @ 9:00 am
I am going to try to print all our comments on this site and take them to my doctor. Maybe I can get some attention to the itch instead of just a shrug off and on to other ailments or such. I have tried everything the doctor has thrown my way including the dermatologist and allergist. Nothing has helped and either my body is wearing out from the irritation or it is simply getting worse. It has spread into the daytime for me more than before. It used to be mostly in the evening and night time. I went straight to the freezer yesterday when I got home and didn’t know if I would keep my mind long enough to get there to get ice. Relief has got to come from someplace.
October 19th, 2005 @ 11:58 am
hi, ive had itchy arms now for a few months>being from the Uk we do not see much sun so i used a sun bed for a few weeks and since then its been hell. Always in the evening and worse in bed. I use lots of calamine lotion. The itchy part is the relief, its the tiny pin prick feeling that drives me insane…but like lots of you i have no rash. I did see in one article on the internet that over sun exposure leads to damage of the nerve endings in the skin which is not repairable!!!!!! OOOuch!!! has anyone else heard this??
janey..UK
October 19th, 2005 @ 7:59 pm
I really think this an allergy to something. If it were the sun, we would have it more during the summer, but we all seem to start itching around August. I usually go down to Florida for a week or two in the Winter months and the itching doesn’t come back then. I really get a lot of relief from Clariton D. during the day and Benadryl to sleep. If I take it regularly then I still feel the tingle but not the itch. I don’t mind taking drugs if they help. Anything not to itch. Has anyone else tried an allergy pill regularly? I am under a lot of stress. My husband has Cancer. But, I still only have this problem from August till December.
October 20th, 2005 @ 11:53 am
I also have an itchy right arm that was driving me crazy this fall more than any other, so i went to my dermotologist and he had me get xrays of my neck. it seems i have cervical disc disease and now have an appt with a neurosurgeon in December
October 20th, 2005 @ 11:57 am
I suppose an allergy is a possibility but why searonal? I have tried to think of a food I only eat at this time of year or something else put on my body late summer and fall. No clue!
What about the angle of the sun at that time of year? Doesn’t someone want to do their thesis on this? Another question, is anyone African American or is this only a lighter skined problem? I have olive skin and do not sunburn. Also tanning beds have come up. I have used beds four or five different times before going to Hawaii. It seems I did not have this problem prior to this. Could this be when the damage occured?
Kathy in California
October 20th, 2005 @ 6:42 pm
My itchy arm syndrome is not due to sun exposure, but more from wind associated with the fall. Wind tends to dry my skin to an almost unnoticeable level whereas my arms will not show any signs but will itch like crazy. I also have problems with my legs. I do a lot of jogging and I notice that when I wear pants instead of shorts, then my legs itch less. I tried the ice and the creams and everything under the sun until I realized that I was only treating the symptoms, not the problem. The problem is light dehydration, caused by wind, sweating too much, over-exercise and maybe even a bit of stress. Now I treat the problem instead of the symptoms. You see, I’ve never been a big water drinker, I mostly drink coffee, juice, pop and sports drinks. To treat my problem, I started drinking daily requirements of water, pure, unaltered water. So far, I drink water before breakfast, once at mid-day, afternoon and evening. Just an 8 ounce serving and my arms feel much better now. I don’t think I’ve itched in two years.
October 20th, 2005 @ 11:43 pm
Well, this is all so interesting isnt it? I too am a fellow itchy arm sufferer. So funny to read all these messages because we are all having the same symptoms and have tried the same ways of relieving the burning itching and all feel like we are going crazy. I have spent a lot of time in the sun but like others here only suffer from SEptember/October through Marchish. So wierd! No thyroid problem that I know of, though my Mother has underactive thyroid. Am olive skinned, dark hair and eyes. Itch is on right upper arm – this year! Wierd thing is that a couple of days before it started this year I noticed that my right upper arm went almost numb. When I touched the skin it felt like I was touching it through a leather jacket!!!! Why are we all suffering and the doctors have no clue. We need to bring this to someones attention who will do something to help us in our quest to cure this bastard of an itch. (Sorry but there is no other way to describe it.) Ice is a big help for me though this year I feel that i will not give in to it. It has been difficult but I have resisted the urge to scratch. TRY IT! It really helps!
October 21st, 2005 @ 9:19 am
Can’t believe I found all of you – have been suffering same symptoms for 20 years and no one can diagnose – have had every possible allergy test, etc, and nothing definitive..have just been doing research on candida – acid imbalance of the body and fungal infections – and wondering if anyone else has tried this tact – am trying a supplement called ThreeLac for the next 60 days – have a friend who claims it saved her life and sanity – might be the reason baking soda works (alkalizing the skin – works for me too!) please keep writing and sharing – I feel less manic knowing it’s not just me – also don’t believe it’s sun or foods as there are times all of the above DON’T cause a problem – must be some cobination of factors..also fair and blue-eyed and 56- grew up on the shore, live in the north for last 35 years and thyroid also underactive but taking daily pill (armour) and no other major health issues…
October 21st, 2005 @ 11:09 am
I, too, have had itchy arms for years. With occasional pinpricks of itch in other areas: legs, face, back. But the intense itching in the arms overshadows all the rest. As far as I can recall, I get the worst attacks of this in the fall. I am fair skinned, green eyes, 59. Have eliminated scented detergents, etc. I get relatively little sun exposure because I have been concerned about skin cancer. I hardly ever get sun on my back or buttocks, but they itch sometimes too. I have nasal allergies that almost completely stop up my nose from swelling. And make that itch as well. The itching itself is the stress that makes us crazy, I believe. As soon as I get the itch relieved, I can deal with all other stressors rationally. I use a benadryl spray on my arms, and that helps somewhat. Also oral antihistimines and hedrocortisone cream. Tylenol also helps, but I understand that excessive use can cause kidney damage. I also have tried to eliminate the possibilty that dust mites may be involved by using a whole house electrostatic air filter and similar vacuum cleaner. Often the itching has been the reminder to clean the filter, and this has quieted the itch. But this year, the itch has gone on. I think that with me, the problem has multiple causes. I have very sensitive skin: I can detect very small particles in the air with my facial skin, for example. So almost any skin irritant can send me off. That is why the drs can’t find a cause: there are too many. But I thank all aof you for the suggestions I haven’t tried: acupuncture, ice, chamomile, tea tree oil, menthol cream. Has anyone tried emu oil? In desperation I tried a product with that, and it seemed to relieve, but I also used benadryl, so don’t know yet if the emu oil stuff really helped.
October 21st, 2005 @ 5:29 pm
Hi Again, I am trying Emu Oil. My friend went to Australia and brought it back for me. She said it was good for all different things. I know it works great on burns. So, I have been putting it on my arm, but I didn’t want to say anything to all of you until I new if it was working or not. Well, I don’t really think it is. But, I will keep putting it on and will let you know later if it is working. Keep trying different things, something out there has to work.
October 21st, 2005 @ 9:21 pm
I was researching our itchy arms problem this afternoon and ran across something very interesting. A person had the same symptoms we do and their doctor sent them to have an MRI of their neck. Determined they have a herniated disc – C5-6 (I do too). The brachial radial nerve that runs along the top of the arm goes up to the neck. I had a dermatologist tell me that my itch was due to this nerve being damaged , thus Brachial Radial Pruritus. I went to a neurologist who ran tests and said I did not have nerve damage. So that was all I did. This person took it a step further and went to a chiropractor. They said they experienced instant relief, are itch free and now see the chiropractor on a regular basis. Sounds like worth a try to me. I don’t believe it’s sun related, stress related, dehydration or wind. At least it isn’t for me. What is so baffling is why it only shows up certain times of the year? A man I work with gave me a balm today. His wife is from Thailand and always brings back lots of this stuff. It’s called “White Monkey Holding Peach” balm. Sounds funny, doesn’t it? But he says his wife swears by this stuff. I looked it up on the internet and there are some places that sell it. It’s very inexpensive. So tonight, I try the Monkey Balm!! Will let you all know how it does.
October 24th, 2005 @ 1:40 am
So glad I finally found others with the problem I’ve been dealing with for several years now! I too have itchy arms. At first it was only my left arm, now it is both arms. Itch is intense at night…causing me to lose sleep or have hard time getting to sleep. No known thyroid problem. I did have shingles when I was young. I am 43 now – female. I have been trying to figure out the cause of this for years. This is the first time I’ve found anyone that has symtoms similar to mine. I have had no luck with my dermatologist or Dr. My itching is seasonal also and it does seem to be aggravated by stress. It started late July this year and is still going strong. Oh, how I wish that someone could figure out what this disorder is and find a cure for it. I just read about an itch stopper device on the web. Here is the link: http://www.itchstopper.com/index.html Has anyone tried this device before? I’m thinking about giving it a try. Let’s keep working together for some answers!
October 24th, 2005 @ 7:46 am
Hi, I had itchy arms and legs for a few years until I realized that everyone seems to treat the symptoms intead of the root of the problem. My wife said that it was due to de-hydration and dry skin.. duh! Well anyway, there are two ways to fight dryness, the first, from the outside, you apply some moisturizer on your skin (or wet your skin and apply a sealing lotion) or from the inside, you re-hydrate your body. In my case, I blame my dry skin on the winds of the autumn season. When winds, pick up, my skin tends to dry out. I run a lot and do many outdoor sports so I get dry skin on my arms and legs unless I wear material that blocks the wind. To avoid the dehydration that comes with the fall weather, I just increased my intake of fluids. I drink water a few times a day and that usually does it. Until I started doing this, my daily intake of liquids would include coffee (not the best thing when you’re trying to increase your fluids) and soft drinks (again, not a good idea). So by supplementing my diet with a few glasses of water, I increased the fluids in my body and guess what? No more itchy skin. It took about two days for the itch to subside but last winter was itch free and this year, it didn’t come back like it used to.
October 24th, 2005 @ 4:24 pm
To YJRL – I don’t think you are talking about the same problem the rest of us are. Dry skin is an irritation at most. What most of the rest of us are talking about is mind consuming, intense itching with no apparent cause.
October 25th, 2005 @ 9:04 am
No, I do believe I had the same thing… Itchy skin with no real reason.. Staying awake all night because the itch was so intense that you felt like ripping your skin off…. And then on the surface, the skin looked normal, not even a flake of perceivable dryness.
Believe me… I read every post on this page… what we are all talking about is a very deep dryness, not a surface inconvenience… and all this started when I turned about 39 years old. Until then, I never had any skin irritations, not even melanoma or excema or even any rashes.
In any case, I tried all the creams and oils on the market, including drugs like Benedryl and some “natural” remedies. It started seasonally like everyone else, sometimes from mid to late summer, going until early winter, sometimes throughout winter. One year it drove me and my wife crazy, she would suggest a multitude of “special” creams that in retrospect seem to be bogus snake oil treatments. I’m sure some vitamin E or some Aloe would help but there really wasn’t any relief until last year.
October 25th, 2005 @ 7:16 pm
I really don’t think the itch has anything to do with wind or dehydration, at least it never has been for me. I lived in northern Maine from 1995 – 1997, during which time I never had the itch problem on my arms, or anywhere else. That area of Maine is EXTREMELY windy and EXTREMLY dry. Those two years were the longest I went without the itch. I had it before I moved there when I lived in Panama City, FL (very humid, hot, and not always windy). I moved to Montgomery, AL (very humid, hot, and not always windy) in 1997 and started getting the itch again shortly there after. Here again, this is a very humid place. I’ve been drinking around 2 quarts of plain water a day for years. We’re all different so it may not be one thing that will work for all of us. I certainly wish it was that easy…
October 26th, 2005 @ 8:35 am
this is going to ound really weired..but dont knock it it untill you have tried it!!!!
Mycell foot powder (to treat athletes foot)…i have since my last post and believe me it has relieved the itching no end
October 26th, 2005 @ 7:59 pm
I TOO HAVE THIS TERRIBLE PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE BLONDE HAIR AND BLUE EYES. I THOUGHT I WAS ALLERGIC TO MY DOG, WASHING POWDERS, THE SUN, YOU NAME IT. I HAVE BEEN TAKING BENADRYL TO SLEEP, THE AMBIEN WAS GOOD TILL I GOT USED TO IT AND THEN IT KEPT ME AWAKE. THE STRONGER MEDICINE THE DOCTOR GAVE ME MADE ME SLEEPY ALL THE NEXT DAY. THIS IS TRULY A LOSE LOSE SITUATION. I AM HAPPY TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT INSANE OR HAVE SOME KIND OF FUNGUS. IF ANYTHING THESE POSTINGS AT LEAST GIVE US SOME MENTAL RELIEF. I’LL PRAY THAT WE GET SOME SLEEP TONIGHT AND THAT WE ALL FIND A CURE TO THIS. I’M TIRED OF EVERYWHERE I SLEEP WAKING UP WITH BLOOD ALL OVER PLACE. I SCRATCH EVEN WHEN I’M HALF ASLEEP. I ALSO HAVE A BRUSH UNDER MY BED THAT I USE WHEN THE ITCHING IS SEVERE. MAY THE LORD GIVE YOU ALL COMFORT AND PEACE.
October 26th, 2005 @ 9:49 pm
I’ve been following the posts. They certainly have a common theme – intense unbearable itching that is most often seasonal.
I am with Cathy about wind. I live in a very calm still area in Northern California with a hot dry climate.
The only wind occurs in the winter. In fact, as mentioned by someone else, a fan at night helps relieve the itch. Also having my arms outside the covers is better. I drink plenty of water yet suffer from this problem. Still having great relief with Neurontin but I definitly want a cure!
I am exposed to sun from March until October with the problem occuring only August until the weather cools significantly. How are those of you working with a chiropractor doing?
Kathy C.
October 29th, 2005 @ 1:53 pm
Same itching as most, both upper arms. No professional person has any answers. Pretty much same symptoms, however, I find when my skin starts to feel warm, it triggers the itching. Fabrics on my arms tend to aggravate my condition. It’s getting cold out though, can’t go sleeveless indefinitely. Thanking everyone for the support.
October 30th, 2005 @ 6:32 pm
Have had this numbness and pain in left arm mostly when I turn my head to the left. If I am in that position for too long, my arm gets real numb, hurts so bad like there is a blood pressure cuff on it and is being pumped, then it hurts so bad it is unbearable. This has been going on since December. Had MRI nothing wrong. Went to therapyst, no help. Suggested chiropractor. Didn’t go yet. Was diagnosed with low thyroid in April, on medication. I have light brown hair, brown eyes, light skin, but my family of 11 sisters and brothers is half blue/green eyes and light skin and hair. Can’t take this pain and itch anymore. Praying for a cure. Thank you all. Fran
October 30th, 2005 @ 8:00 pm
This is amazing! I just searched for itchy arms without expecting any results and this is what I found! So, I’m not alone! I’ve had itchy forearms – both of them – for about 3 years and couldn’t understand why. I mentioned it to my GP who just looked blank! So, no help there. I’ve never tried ice but when it’s really bad I hold my arms under cold running water for instant relief. I have also tried creams with no result. Sometimes I scratch until they bleed. Actually it’s not too bad at the moment. I wish we knew what causes it.
October 30th, 2005 @ 8:37 pm
Well, I’m glad I came upon this site. I have been suffering from itchy arms like most of you people here for about the last 4-5 years. Every year it is a different part of my arm, this year it is my upper right arm and mid left arm. What the heck can this be. Reading some of your comments is very interesting. I have been thinking of putting together a list of questions, so we can come up with some commonality. I read some people saying they are blue eyed or women in their 40’s. I too am blue eyed and 42 years old. Would anyone be interested in supplying some questions that you are curious about whether others have the same issues? i.e. Male/Female, age, Race, (I don’t mean to sound ignorant) but I am a Caucasian Canadian women, Is this affecting any other race?, etc. If I get enough response, I’d like to put together a few questions even if it’s just for our own information, maybe something will tweek and we’ll figure something out. All I know for sure is that Ice works and so does the blue gel product called “ICE” or “COLD”, etc.
Look forward to hearing from anyone.
Susan in Canada
October 30th, 2005 @ 10:17 pm
Wow, I had no idea this many people suffered the same symptoms as me. It only just started about 2 weeks ago- left arm only from wrist to elbow. It happened for the first time ever around the same time last year and lasted a few months. I’ve tried a bunch of different things like cortisone cream, Gold Bond etc. Ice till recently worked best.
What I discovered recently worked completely but will gross a few (or most) people out. My wife and I are scuba divers and were told, and have read that if you get stung by jellyfish or man-of-war and you are not near medical assistance the best relief from the stinging and burning is to pee on the wound if you can, or have someone else pee on it if you can’t go. I tell you I was going nuts so I tried it. It worked!
October 31st, 2005 @ 1:41 am
Hello all!!! went to neuro.surg. this wk,to have another mri of neck to determine the damage to discs in neck(I do know herniated c3-c6)was a nurse & did alot of lifting.Well,the neuro surg. put me on neurontin.I take 200mgm at night & it works wonders after 3 nights.I finally slept like a baby.So nice to be able to sleep again & function during the day.I eat very well(Yes all healthy foods)& drink at least 10 8oz. glasses of water daily.I do not have any s/s of dry skin.I am thinking of going to a naturapath & also having an acupuncture tx.
I hope a few of you are getting some sleep & the itching is getting less intense.Yes,we need to get a questionnaire going to see if anyone out there would research this problem.i will look into essential oils,too.My prayers to all.Pat
October 31st, 2005 @ 1:11 pm
I can’t believe after all these years I have found other people suffering from the dreaded itching. Mine has been going on now for at least 12 years, in the summer it doesn’t bother me but come the Autumn back it comes. Sometimes I scratch my arms and the back of my neck so much that I make my skin bleed. I even thought I had scabies. I have tried every anti-itch cream on sale in England, I have taken Piriton (anti-histemine) before bed, but that only works for a few hours and then I wake up scratching again. Your column has helped in that I now know there is nothing seriously wrong, but very sorry that no-one has come up with any new suggestions. The latest thing I have tried is ice spray used for muscular problems – once again OK for a time. I am 63 years old, English woman. Tonight I will try an ice pack made up with frozen peas – let’s hope.
November 1st, 2005 @ 6:48 am
Solarcaine works for me.
November 1st, 2005 @ 7:24 am
I do not have this issue, however my cousin does. I have been researching it as much as possible, and have found several common things among everyone: Left arm is worse, particular time of year, ages, disc issues… etc. She too was told it was nerves, anxiety… she is on Zyrtez for allergies, Hydroxyzne (itching), Zoloft (anxiety) Xanax (itching). None of them seem to work. Ice has been her biggest relief as most everyone else. She has tried just about every type of cream, ointment from Aloe, vinegar, baking powder, vaginal cream, diaper rash cream, bio-freeze, lotions, etc etc etc… so far Icy Hot is working pretty well. Hers is her upper arms only, no rash, but has sores now from scratching. She does have 3 herniated disks, and we are wondering if this is a cause. I have read issues with the Iron as well, she was taking supplements and is going to cut that out to see. We too live in PHOENIX so its hard to not be in the sun, however it makes sense as to why its the summer months. (ANN B if your visiting the site again, and want to leave a email please do) We hadnt heard of anyone with this issue before and as many of you are stunned to see how many people are effected! Also, a wonder as to why we dont know what it is, what causes it or how to heal it. We are happy to find this site, and will be checking for updates. Her doctors also wanted to refer her to a allergy DR. Shes thinking of skipping to the dermotologist and the chiropractor… She was wondering if anyone has had issues with hot/cold flashes or chills. About the same time this started she experiences this as well….
Good Luck and hopefully with everyone putting their heads together, it will be solved!
November 1st, 2005 @ 3:20 pm
Hello Everyone,
Well, my itching has sort of disappeared. We have had a few nights of frost and I have found I’m not hardly itching. I’m so happy. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed a change? I hope you all stop itching soon. I do find it strange how there are a lot of you with herniated discs. That is a little scary.
November 1st, 2005 @ 11:09 pm
You know the more I think about it and read about all the herniated discs, problems with C3-C5, etc. on this message board, (I too, have been suffering with back problems for many years but have never had an xray to see the extent). It does make sense, especially the fact that the nerves run from our spine down our arms. If there is a pinching or irritation of the nerves, I can definately see how it could manifest itself in itching. (just my opinion) but I’m desperate. I did ask my Chiropractor about this itching about a year and a half ago and he did say to me about the nerves in the back etc. but I didn’t really think about it much then, but there sure are alot of us with back issues. I did mention in my October 30 comment that if anyone is interested I could get together a list of questions to find out any of our commonalities regarding this dreaded itch. Any questions you would like to see in the survey, please let me know.
Susan in Canada
November 1st, 2005 @ 11:25 pm
Just came upon this website, someone actually did a study, thought I’d pass on the website for your reading pleasure, lol! Just put your mouse on the website address and press Ctrl and click your mouse at the same time. If all else fails just copy and paste the address into your internet search bar.
Susan
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15627097&dopt=Citation
November 2nd, 2005 @ 5:05 am
The more I read I truely believe this is a nerve issue. I found a product called NerveFix by Natural Care from a DR Bob Martin. Reading through the information about Peripheral Neuropathy, it discusses these are problems from herniated disks, lupus, diabetes, Thyroid, lyme didease, etc. These are all things people have mentioned. My cousin is going to start this all natural homeopathic treatment.. and see what happens. If this works, I will let you all know!
November 3rd, 2005 @ 12:51 am
Hi Everyone, I get the itch all over my body. I’m nineteen and this is not my only health problem. Have you looked into candida? Try something called threelac and Bees candida support group on yahoo. Also try to empty your bowels, itching is worse when there is constipatio or blockage there. I’d really reccommend looking into candida. Does anyone also buzz, tingle and crawl along with the itching?
November 3rd, 2005 @ 12:53 am
Look up candida. And threelac! Seriously, this a symptom of candida. Make sure your not constipated, it makes it worse.
November 3rd, 2005 @ 5:36 pm
hello susan in canada, I think you’ve probably read all the problems! I’ve had back pains on and off for years, didn’t think it could be connected. I think any questions about neck or back injuries may actually be quite relevant. It would also be interesting to know where in the world this problem is most occuring. hope you and every one else gets some rest tonight. thinking of you all. x
November 3rd, 2005 @ 10:46 pm
To Karie in Phoenix – where did you find the Nerve Fix by Natural Care. Did you get it at a store? I’ve called around to a couple places and they don’t carry it. But it did find it on-line. I just don’t want to have to wait for it! This sounds like something I’d definitely try, especially since I’ve tried pretty much everything else. Thanks!! BTW – The last two night, the itching has not been as bad. But it’s getting to be the season when it starts to let up. I wish we knew why it does that!
November 4th, 2005 @ 2:34 am
CATHY- the NerveFIx came from a health food store called Healthy Habits, not sure if they are all over or not. My cousin didnt star this today, she is afraid of taking more stuff… so i cant say if it helps. I am checking with my chiropractor tomorrow, to see if he’s aware. Still researching, found another great forum.. over 350 postings about this…. besides the nerve damage, another interesting lead is liver toxins…. interesting… here’s the link http://www.pia.org.uk/forum/read.php?f=1&i=1544&t=551 if you have issues the topic is itchy arms within the site.
Still looking for answers…
November 4th, 2005 @ 4:00 am
Also, correction from a prior posting… what my cousin uses when she has an episode, wasnt icy hot, it is Vicks Vapor Rub. It has also helped heal her sores. Usually, she applys the ice packs and/or direct ice then does a wash with epson salt and then vicks vapor rub….
November 4th, 2005 @ 9:40 am
Hello again. One thing I feel certain of, it’s not climate. I live In P.E.I., Canada and we all know there’s no comparison to say, Florida/Arizona. I’m still itchy. Now I’m taking atihistamines, Allegra 12, non drowsy, in the day time and Benedryl at night. I use Aveeno as a moisturizer. Still, if my skin gets hot (or the blood vessels beneath the skin heats up) the itching will start and only ice packs will soothe it. So ice cools down whatever. What about hormones? I know a lot of you are much younger than me. I’m in my sixties and don’t take hormone supplements. The only medical condition I have is an underactive thyroid, which I take synthroid for. I also take 10 mg of Paxil and one halibut oil capsule a day. My doctor told me that a lack of vitamin B 12 can cause itching but I’ve had blood work done and everything is okay. I do have lower back pain but not severe enough to be treated. Sure is frustrating after dealing with this for a number of years. Oh yeah, I’m a brunette (well, I was) and have brown eyes. I used to love the sun and have burned a number of times, so I wouldn’t rule out skin damage. Thanks for listening.
November 4th, 2005 @ 10:54 pm
Okay, the more I read the more I think it’s pinched nerves as well, but I have one question… If it is a pinched nerve or nerves How come we only suffer from the pinched nerves from July/August until December/January?
Susan
November 5th, 2005 @ 7:38 pm
Well I am sorry to say I am another sufferer of this dasterdly condiiton.
I am 58 year old female, Italian, olive skin, brown hair and eyes, and live in the San Francisco Bay Area, were the weather isn’t too hot, or cold, some humidity, but it sure isn’t helping the itching.
My itching started out of the blue about 3 years ago. It started with my left shoulder and within several months had worked its way down to the lower arm, then shifted to the right shoulder and worked its way down, then disappeared. At that time I really didn’t pay that much attention to the time table. I did go to my primary GP who said it was dry skin – use lotion and sent me on my way. After several months I went back and he sent me to a neurologist who did all sorts of blood work and performed testing using electrical impulses on my nerves to make sure everything was connected correctly, in the end she said she didn’t know what else to do for me.
Then I went to my dermatologist several times and she , she put me on Doxepin and gave me Clobetasol Ointment and when that didn’t work she pretty much said it was in my head.
I changed doctors and went to a group associated with Stanford Hospital that is close to my home, that doctor put me through every test she could think of, CT scan, MRI, X-rays, blood workup, I spent a fortune and found out that I am totally healthy, then of course the itching subsided so I let it rest. When it came back I still didn’t pay attention to the timetable but went to another dermatologist that said use unscented soaps, shampoos, laundry detergents and no perfumes or scented body lotions, only use Cetaphil. I AM STILL ITCHING!
This year it started again in September and this time I am paying attention to the timetable. It happened as the weather started getting cooler, it doesn’t itch all day long, just in the morning, afternoon and at night and Ice is the only thing that seems to help. I have tried Icy-Hot patches, Tea Tree oil, Witch Hazel, and nothing seems to work except for the ice.
I am fearful about getting on a plane for a 5 hour trip (I hope they have lots of ice available, I will take the Ziploc bags).
It is a relief to know that this isn’t in my head and I am not crazy – we can’t all be crazy.
I sure hope some doctor is afflicted with it so they can exert some energy into finding out what this is.
I think I will do a spreadsheet and see what similarities there may be.
I will let you know what I find.
November 6th, 2005 @ 5:42 am
Please consider candida!
November 7th, 2005 @ 2:26 am
I have the lower forearm itching, but just on teh left arm. The only product I have found that relieves the itching is Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion. My husband uses it for red spots on his face.
November 7th, 2005 @ 8:11 am
my itching is definately damge to the nerve endings. i went on the sunbed yesterday for the 1st time in ages and i was awake all night itching (the worst in ages) There is no cure for it……..but like i said inmy last post Mycell foot powder has given me the best relief…hope this helps anyone
janey uk
November 7th, 2005 @ 4:10 pm
Hi Emma, I know for myself, I did a complete Colon Cleanse for two months. This particular Cleanse was also for Candida, The itching in my arms hasn’t gone away, can’t say, for me anyway, that the itching has any relation to Candida at all.
Susan
November 8th, 2005 @ 12:34 pm
Every night I read this column to see if anyone else has come up with the solution. I don’t have a bad back, not do I suffer from stress, so that can’t be it. The ice pack made up with frozen peas did help to soothe but didn’t cure the problem. Have now bought ice gel for strains – here’s hoping.
November 9th, 2005 @ 2:34 am
Hi everyone, I have been on the computer looking for help,after finding this web-site, i am searching for relief also. My left forearm is where it starts, i have all the same symptoms that you all have. I did not sleep much last night, the itching has been very intense, and i cannot stop scratching!!! I am thankful i found you all. I have tried so many creams, prescriptions, etc etc…I will e-mail more later, so tired, I pray I get to sleep tonight. God bless you all JoAnn
November 9th, 2005 @ 2:48 am
I am hoping more people join this web-site. from Long Beach, JoAnn
November 9th, 2005 @ 4:56 am
hi. it is 2:39 pm, the stinging, itching, burning pains in my left forearm woke me up after two hours of sleep,. the scratching is intense, I am really tired. If I could get some sleep, I could think so much clearer!! My left shoulder is burning, the stinging is making my whole body shake and jerk. If someone can help me.please get in touch…JoAnn
November 10th, 2005 @ 3:21 am
Hi it’s still the same day and i have already written in a couple of times, I am itching really bad tonight, no creams help me at all, the Dr. prescribed some pills, but they don’t seem to help either. Cristine, is your itching better? Does any one have other suggestions? I have little bumps on my arms also from scretching sooo much. I hope I hear from some of you, this is really hard to deal with!!! I am going to try to get some sleep. God bless JoAnn
November 10th, 2005 @ 5:50 am
JoAnn,
Have you ever looked up candida? I think this causes my itching, only I get it all over my body. Sometimes a simple candida cleanse is not enough. I’m trying threelac. I’d really suggest you keep an open mind and google it. It could just be your answer… ?
Hope this is helpful. I’d really reccommend the book The Yeast Connection by Dr. Crook.
Love Emma xo (19, Australia)
November 10th, 2005 @ 9:36 am
Hi JoAnn and everyone. One time when I went to my doctor and complained about the burning, stinging itch, he said that doctors are now finding out that so-called itching is actually pain (in disguise). Of course he still had no answers for me except that he sent me to a neurologist to be told that there is nothing wrong with my nerve endings. This nerve doctor had NO bedside manner and therefore there was no communication whatsoever. I’m wondering if my itching is quite as intense as it was in Aug, Sep, Oct. Ice is still the answer for me along with antihistimines. It has to be an allergy. What about exzema? Apparently there’s so many forms of exzema. Food for thought! Later……Doreen
November 10th, 2005 @ 9:49 am
Sorry, I’m spelling eczema wrong. Just looked up all the forms of eczema and it’s quite interesting. I have a form of Rosacea – it comes and goes. I wonder………………
November 10th, 2005 @ 10:10 pm
hi, where is every one!!!! I need some suggestions and help for this dreadful itching i am going thru. i got some pills so i could sleep, i had not slept much for a few days, i was feeling really awful and the itching was going full on… i went and bought some jock-itch, because one of you said it helped, so i am going to give it a try. i have tried all the other creams etc etc…..I hope some of you answer back soon, iwill not give up, i need some in-put here, help me… The drs so far do not know how to deal with this, i am getting pretty frustraded!!!! besides itching all the time, along with the stinging burning and being so uncomfortable!!!!please someone answer. God bless joann
November 11th, 2005 @ 1:59 am
Hello everyone! I’,m Karie’s cousin,(90-94-99-100)
The last two weeks have been pure hell for me, plus I think I got the flu last week on top of it, or else it was all the fliipping medication I was taking.
I got sick for 4 days straight, skipped a day, then got sick again, today I had the dry-heves, yuck! Where shall I begin? Vick’s Vapor Rub gave me great relief, especially if the fan blew on it, then I also tried hydrogen peroxide-which makes it burn, because you are taking the oxygen out of your skin, then I applied TN dickinson’s Witch hazel, from Walgreens, I still use it, I get relief from the Witch hazel. Last friday, I was desperate, and so miserable, depressed and really tired of itching, thought I was losing my mind, very emotional, I went to the Dermatologist, oh wow, I did not get any warm fuzzies from my doctor. Okay everyone, here it is, You Have To Stop Itching and Icing. I loved the ice, lived with it on my arms all day long, the more the better, freeze that itch away. By applying the ice, makes the vessels swell, so your brain is saying itch, then the brain says itch me some more, we get obsessed with f—g itching. I was crushed and ready to cry when the doctor told me I was creating the problem, my mouth probably dropped to the floor, just kidding. You need to tell your brain you are not going to itch, and it is soooo hard. By stopping the ice which I have used for like 20 seconds twice since friday, believe it or not I feel so much better. The bumps are going away, and I have scratched sores from hives that I got from the flexall 454, which yes did stop the itch, but I was covered in hives all over my arms, in my pits, and under my tits, not good. I have about a dozen sores, looks like I am a meth freak only on my arms. The best thing I did for myself is stopped the Xanax, that was definately adding to my problems, I have been off all the drugs still on the Zoloft and today I feel human, I have had two itching episodes today, only on my left upper arm. The dermatologist gave me samples of Pramasone lotion 2.5% which by itself doesn’t cut the itch, but with some Elocon lotion 1% that I got from my Doctor, the itcht stops, I even put Witch hazel with it, I get relief. He did give me an RX for another lotion, but the pharmacy caouldn’t feel it until just last night, I have not tried it, but I am going to get it, since he said it was better than what I tried to get from my Dr. which was TMC 1% (Triamcinolone) mixed with Lubriderm lotion. A friend of mine in Montana, was having the same itch problem, she got the lotion, and she was cured in two days. She does not itch. I got some of the lotion it does help, but has not made me itch free. I notice when I get a little excited from a stressful moment, I start to get the tingling and I want to itch, and I do, but just barely. I hope this is not overwhelming and hard to follow. I’m so grateful for my cousin helping me do all the research, Thanx Karie!!
Oh ya, Candida, speaking with my Doctor if we had Candida we would probably all be dead by now. There are alot of symptoms there that we can all relate too, but it sounds like they really don’t know what Candida really is. I know we research it, but I believe in my Doctor, I don’t believe it is Candida.
So hope this a little hlep to anyone itching. I hope and pray you all find something that works. I will keep you posted on the next thing I try. Take Care you all. Please really try to relax, and stop itching, and icing, and you will feel so much better.
November 11th, 2005 @ 2:05 am
Hi, I’m Karie’s cousin, and I have a story to tell you all. but right now I am so exhausted, I promise to tell you all tomorrow. Just checking here to see what was up.Sleep Tight!!
November 11th, 2005 @ 9:41 am
Hi JoAnn, Have you tried Benedryl at night? It was the life saver when I was itching. It took my itching away for the 3 or 4 hours and then if I woke up, I would take some more. You need your sleep and I don’t think Benedryl is addictive. At least when I took it when I was itching and then the itching stopped, I didn’t take it anymore and didn’t feel I needed something to sleep. It’s worth a try to get some rest.
November 11th, 2005 @ 10:14 am
hi, i am 44 years old and my itching started last year ….. now again this year around the same time … about sept to dec??? it is driving me nuts. it is at night the itching and burning almost like someone sticking needles from the inside out .. scratching hurts so good … i now have little blisters, some scabbed over… and last year i thought maybe hives … but why on both my upper arms???? and no where else?? i too have brown hair brown eyes and have sun bathed for years and tanned in tanning beds some…. i am going crazy!!! HELP!!!!!
November 11th, 2005 @ 12:52 pm
I’m bad, I thought after I wrote my story I lost it, and that’s why I wrote back and told you I had a story to tell. Didn’t realize our comments didn’t immediatley post. Hope you are all coping.
November 11th, 2005 @ 4:25 pm
Joanne Chandler, I have read all your comments, have you tried ice or the blue gel (called “ICE”) menthalatum for sore muscles? That is pretty much what most of us use. Other than that not much else to say.
Susan
November 11th, 2005 @ 8:04 pm
I am so happy that I found this. I have been itching since August. It started on a small spot on my right arm and is now causing itching on both arms. I went to a dermatologist who sent me to my internal med Dr. for further testing. All of my blood work was normal. I asked if she could do an MRI of my neck to rule out a disc problem but she thought it was an allergy. I have an allergy appointment on monday. i really don’t think that it is an allergy because I am taking pred, Zyrtec and Zantac and there is no relief. The only thing that works is ice packs, and sometimes distilled vinegar. I am so sick of only sleeping 2 hours a night and I can’t take a sleep aid because I have a two year old and I have to be alert for her. I am so sick of obsessing about this everyone thinks that I am just being dramatic. Has anyone else looked into nerve problems. I am thinking if the allergist can’t help me to try a chiropractor. any suggestions?
November 12th, 2005 @ 12:48 am
Hi everyone. read comment 117, sounds like maybe we are getting some where with this itchy situation, which buy the way i have had this on and off for several years, this time it is going on seven months, that is alot of itching!!!!! I am not going to use the ice anymore. I am going to try and get some of the tmc 1% with lotion and see if it works. This is really getting to me. Becky, i hope you have some one helping you out so you can get some rest!!! Just keep on checking the site, we can all help one another. We are all sane, we will find a solution!!! Thank you Edell, for the letter, i will try what you suggested, i appreciate it.. I do have some really good sleeping pills that are helping me sleep now, but i cannot take them too long!! My itching is usually worst at night time!! God bless you all JoAnn
November 12th, 2005 @ 1:06 am
Hi everyone, it’s JoAnn again. I have one more suggestion. All of you e-mail Dr. Phil on his web site and tell him about our itching arms etc etc… If alot of us do, maybe we could get some real help, we all know how great he is, if anyone could help us, it would be Dr. Phil. well come on, lets give it a try!!!!good night for now, God bless you all JoAnn
November 12th, 2005 @ 5:29 am
I’m wondering if oral antifungal drugs have been helpful for anyone???
November 12th, 2005 @ 10:38 am
Speaking of allergies? Do a lot of you have any allergies? I have various allergies and I assumed that this was part of it as it’s kind of come and gone over the past few years. However, it has gotten much worse over the last three weeks so maybe that doesn’t mean anything. I find it’s worse if I wear clothing that is tight to my elbow joint, as that is where it starts for me. Just the left arm though… Beer also seems to make it worse.
November 12th, 2005 @ 11:13 pm
Hello to All:
How’s the itching? I wanted to tell you all, that after using the ice for forever, my skin was extremely tough and dried out, from underneath. I put lots of Lubriderm Lotion on, when I start to get an itch, I cover my arms a couple times with it. If If I’m still itching, I use Vick’s Vapor Rub Cream all over. The Vicks gives me relief.
I just picked up my new RX, which I think you should all try, Clobetasol Propionate Cream .05%, which is stronger than the TMC cream. today I have had a great day, just a couple moments of itching, put my lotion on once and then did the Vick’s. Night time is hard for me too. Last night I finally got some sleep, and looking forward to tonight to a good nights rest. I take lots of deep breaths and try to relax. I’ve never been tested for allergies. I am brunette, brown eyes and 44. In fact my right upper arm is starting to tingle, need to get to my fixes. Take Care!!!
November 13th, 2005 @ 1:21 am
Hi Marie, I have been suffering with this for about 4or 5 years now, I don’t have any allergies.
Susan
November 13th, 2005 @ 1:40 am
Hey Joanne, Susan here. I just sent off a long message to Dr. Phil about our desperate search for a cure or help with this condition. I can’t imagine we’ll hear anything but here’s hoping.
Susan
November 13th, 2005 @ 4:12 am
Oral antifungal drugs, would be for a yeast infection, AKA Thrush. I know you believe its candida, but from what we have read its not. Thats yeast infections, and would be like thrush or vaginal itching. Also, the Dr’s say most of you would be dead…. Im glad your trying to help, am maybe for some people or someone thats what it is. However, the majority I think are not. People please read Edells comments on #117… regarding the ice too. I also agree about bombarding Dr Phil with emails, letters… get some recognition and maybe they will find an answer!!!
November 13th, 2005 @ 7:14 am
hi, its 4;35 am my left arm is itching, i am trying not to scratch, just gently rub it.. It always starts on my left arm.. I am wondering just how many people out there have this forearm itch, and do not even know about this web-site.. These sleepless nights are hard to take!!! Here’s hoping more of you wtrite in. iam going to try to get more sleep.. God bless you all….JoAnn
November 13th, 2005 @ 9:12 am
If this itching could be from stress, why does it wake me in the middle of the night? If we are ever going to be stress-free it should be when we’re sleeping. I’m going with allergies and or neck/back problems. I get a very sore neck sometimes but I chalked it up as the way I sleep. Thanks again for your support. Doreen
November 13th, 2005 @ 10:40 am
Doreen, I don’t know if it’s from stress or not but our stress continues to affect us as we sleep. Sometimes during sleep is the only time we let our stress out because we can’t control it and it comes out subconsciously through dreams. But who knows if it has anything to do with all of this! Marie
November 13th, 2005 @ 12:56 pm
I’m 51 white female.My mother has suffered from her arms itching for years,since she’s a nervous person,I just thought it was her nerves.Low & behold now I’m experiencing this nightmare! Mom tells me to use ice & learn to live with it,because no luck with Doctors! She’ll be excited I found you all,misery loves company! We’ll keep checking in with you. Janie in KY
November 13th, 2005 @ 5:12 pm
I just wanted to touch on the neck problems. It seems that as my itch progresses up my arms on my shoulders my neck is very sore. If I put the ice pack on the back of my neck while I sleep my arms stop itching. It would seem like something with the nerves. I guess that I will hopefully get some answers tomorrow after I visit with the allergist. I also take tylenol and that seems to help.
November 13th, 2005 @ 7:05 pm
I intended to send an email 3 days ago but it hasn’t posted so I must not have sent it.
I have really been feeling guilty reading all of the recent posts. My itching is nearly gone (just a tiny bit in the evening) and I sleep like a baby every night. I am still taking Neurontin – 200 mg 1 hr before bedtime. Has anyone else tried this? The main side effect is drowsiness but since I only take it at night it has not been a problem. Initially I also put Lanacain on my arms at night but I don’t need that anymore. Part of the reduction in itch is probably due to the cooling fall weather.
I know Neurontin is not a cure but it makes my life bearable and I can be awake for work during the day.
If you haven’t tried Neurontin yet, please do and in the mean time we will all try to figure this out.
I found the icepack on the neck interesting. I am going to try that too.
Kathy in Northern California
November 13th, 2005 @ 7:54 pm
Hi everyone,please read comment 117 about the ice. I have used it for years, but i am going to stop using it!!!! All of you please get on line and e-mail Dr. Phil!!!!! We need answers and help, let him know what we are all going thru, were talking months at a time, and years also. This is making my life, miserable!!!!!!! Do you all agree? Come on girls, start typing!!!!!!God bless you all JoAnn
November 13th, 2005 @ 8:44 pm
Dear Kathy and All,
I have found my itching to be worse during the warmer months and disappears in the cooler months. Does anyone else? Unfortunately, I am in Australia, so it’s just warming up here…!
Love, Emma
November 13th, 2005 @ 11:01 pm
Hello!!!Today I tried my most current RX for itching, it did not help. I’m totally convinced that the Vick’s Vapor Rub Lotion is hleping me.
The ice is only making the problem worse for everyone. I am feeling so much better that I have quit using the ice, I truly never thought I would say that, because the ice was my only relief. I had three different episodes of itching today(though the day isn’t over yet) and the Vick’s Lotion took care of it. I get really red in the area that is itching, after I get the lotion on it goes away. Try it, I hope it will give you all relief as it has for me. I will write to Dr. Phil. Take Care of everyone!!!
November 14th, 2005 @ 9:18 am
Just one more thought and then I’ll try to be quiet. If it’s stress, or neck and back related how come this itching is more intense in late summer and fall? The only thing that seems to add up is allergies. Comment please. Doreen
November 14th, 2005 @ 9:46 am
Thank goodness, I thought I was nuts! I thought I was the only person to ever suffer from this itchy arm thing. I am hopefully going to the dermatologist sometime this week but don’t have alot of confidence that they will be able to help me after reading all these posts? My arms have itched on and off for the past 15 years, it’s my forearm but mostly my right forearm. I did in fact have some kind of nerve damage when I was born and can’t help think that maybe this might have something to do with it? It’s just nice to know there are other people out there who understand just how badly this condition (whatever it is) effects you!
November 14th, 2005 @ 1:26 pm
Sorry to be ignorant, but who is D. Phil? Is he American or British? does anyone have an address for him so that I can tell my story too!
November 14th, 2005 @ 4:17 pm
To Edell and All – I have used Clobetasol, and wanted to warn you to be very careful with it. You probably already know it is a steroid and can be addictive to your skin. I didn’t know, and wasn’t told by my doctor at the time, that I should use it for no more than 2 weeks. Well, I used it for several months but the itch didn’t go away (used it in conjunction with Doxepin). In the beginning, it seemed to help with the itch. But the longer I used it, the more my skin became addicted to it and the less effective it was. I learned this from a new dermatologist I went to at the time. I still go to her now but not often since she hasn’t been able to cure me!! I think I will make an appointment to see if she’ll give me a prescription for Neurontin. I don’t believe I’ve been on that, although I’ve tried so much it’s certainly possible I’ve tried that too!! Good luck to you all. Reading everyone’s responses certainly make me feel better about this awful condition. I will most definitely figure out how to email Dr. Phil – Thanks to all of you.
November 14th, 2005 @ 9:11 pm
Hi everyone, please read comment 117, do not use the ice, even though it works, sounds like it is really bad for your skin!!! My itching is better, but today i feeling stinging, i am just hoping it goes away, so i can catch up on my sleep!!! Someone said . who is Dr. Phil, on your computer type in, Dr. Phil.com, you will get his web site..just tell him all about your itching problem!!!!! God bless… JoAnn
November 14th, 2005 @ 11:27 pm
Hi Everyone! Hope all is getting better your way of the world. Wow, am I feeling better, not 100% but I have some other issues on top of all this insanity.
Tonight I justed started to get the twitiches, stinging,burning, like their are flipping bugs crawling under your damn skin, the itch is so intense, I just barely touch my left upper arm and one streak of scratches, I immediatley turn red, my chest and neck turn red too. This all started on my right upper arm a year ago in September, lasted for a couple of days, took Benadryl and put on Cortisone Cream, it helped, but the Benadryl nocked me for a loop. Then through out the months, it happened, but wowww the end of June this year I was itching like crazy. I used Hotel/Motel Cards to scratch so I wouldn’t bring the blood to the surface, but it happened anyway. the end of July I thought I was losing my head, the itching was horrific. I then started doctoring. Tonight I started to itch, I put on the Vicks’s Vapor Rub Lotion and it took care of it. I have no desire to itch my arm. The lotion makes it cool and itch free. I use the regular vapor rub on my sores, it helps to dry them up. Please give this a try, but absolutely no ice!!!! Good Luck, and Praying this is a relief for you all.
Kathy, Thanx for the info, I appreciate it.
I tried it and it did not work, and sounds as if a good thing too. Have a Great Day!!
November 14th, 2005 @ 11:50 pm
o.k. I am confused. Regarding post #117. The doctor told Edell that ice makes the vessels swell. It is my understanding that heat dialates the vessels and the ice should restrict them. That is why a hot shower or bath will intensify the itching.
I do not undertand how the ice would intensify the itching.
As for the allergy question. I live in one of the most allergy laden areas of Northern California but I never have any allergies and have been tested in the past with all results being negative. So for me I don’t think it has anything to do with allergies.
The mystery definitely if why it is seasonal, so I have a question for Emma. Since Australia has reversed seasons from California, what months are you most bothered with the itching? Would it also be your late summer and fall?
Kathy in NoCal
PS I do know I was told by a doctor years ago that cortisone creams thin the skin. I used them for years but quit after I was told about the negative effect.
November 15th, 2005 @ 5:06 am
Doreen- about the time of year… stress, weather, etc does effect the nerves. This is why under stress, and in heat it intensifies.
Anne- interesting you had nerve problems… do you have any treatment for that?
Meash- Dr Phil is a American psychologist, who has a talk show.
Kathy- not positive about the ice/heat issue with the nerves, but i would think that restricting the nerves would cause problems as well… which may be why the ice is bad?
Just an FYI, about the Neuronotin, it is mainly used to prevent seizures, it blocks the brain, so I am sure its effective, as most say.. However they say it isnt a cure, not sure what the side effects are or would be long term?
Edell has gotten alot better since she stopped the ice… and the Vicks Vapor rub (lotion) helps when she does have an episode.
Good Luck!
November 15th, 2005 @ 5:38 pm
Hey Kathy, I’m with you. Heat dialates the vessels, I think that might be the opinion of one Doctor. I cannot see why ice would be detrimental, especially when it is so often used by Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Doctors, in healing sprains, and other inflammations. Not sure how Ice can damage your skin.
Susan
November 16th, 2005 @ 1:28 am
Here’s a clip of a medical statement I found online from an MD about heat vs. ice for nerve damage:
“On the other hand repetitive application of ice freezes and coagulates the myelin (fatty tissue insulating large nerve fibers) exactly like ice freezes and solidifies melted butter. As the ice freezes the large nerve fibers, causing freeze damage to the myelinated nerves, the patient develops sensory loss and pain due to permanent damage to the large sensory nerve fibers. This aggravates the RSD by adding sensory nerve pain of non-sympathetic origin to the initial thermal sensory pain of sympathetic origin.
As a result, Ice provides total anesthesia and relief of pain for several minute the same way as the hand becomes numb being exposed to snowballs in the winter. However, a few hours after the cessation of ice exposure, the pain recurs with vengeance due to reactive enlargement of blood vessels after the constriction of blood vessels due to exposure to ice.
This phenomenon causes excellent relief of pain with ice treatment followed by not only aggravation of pain, but damage to the nerve fibers adding sympathetic independent pain (SIP) to the original sympathetic mediated pain (SMP).
In most RSD patients ice makes the condition worse and can cause denial of diagnosis and treatment for the patient.
It becomes obvious that heat-cold challenge physical therapy is nonsensical because it end result is one temperature extreme neutralizing the other and ice challenge further damaging nerve fibers.
Please stay away from any ice exposure, even if you can not tolerate heat.”
Edell is going to post what her Dr told her too.
November 16th, 2005 @ 1:58 am
Another statement about ice:
“Ice will only cause the blood vessels to shrink more, reducing the blood flow.”
November 16th, 2005 @ 2:47 am
Also, regarding comment 150… this is in regards to RSD (which is a nerve disease), however the effects of the ice are what I wanted to point out. I dont think most of you have RSD, but some may. usually its only if you have a severe injury. RSD refers to pain, but as most people have gathered itching is a form of pain. Anyways, just another avenue… but like I said the main issue is the damage Ice can do to nerves. Ice can be used to reduce swelling, in conjunction with heat is the safest way.
November 16th, 2005 @ 10:58 am
Hi everyone, now that a couple of Doctors have said ice is NOT a good idea, and it is only temporary relief,,, we all do still need some answers!!! Why are we itching and how can we stop it!!! For the last three days, my itching has subsided, but this has happened before, i am still concerned about my itching problem. When it is occuring, the itching, twitching, jerking, cannot scratch enough or fast enough, i feel like i am going crazy, forgot to mention the burning sensation also!!! I thank God for the days of relief that i have had. Only you girls know what we all go through, and why? What’s this all about? Please all of you girls e-mail Dr. Phil, lets hope for some answers, and help!! Even though i am ok at this moment, this is somthing that has kept me up at night and has been very hard to kive with without thinking i am crazy!!!!! i think you all get my point!! I pray for you all that are going through this right now! God bless you all, love JoAnn
November 16th, 2005 @ 5:24 pm
Having only just started with the ‘itch’ syndrome – forearms in my case – a month ago i was just looking for some answers. I assumed in my case it is probably an increase in reaction to my normal seasonal allergy – moulds which makle me sneeze and cry from sept to dec every time the humidity rises. But now I’m not sure. I am early 40’s light skinned no thyroid history but have started to suffer with back problems recently. Will watch this space with interest.
November 16th, 2005 @ 6:10 pm
To Edell and All – I used Vick’s Vapor Rub Cream last night and it helped alot. My arms always itch in the evening before I go to bed. But last night, neither arm itched! After I went to bed, I woke around 12:30 a.m. to my right arm itching so I applied more cream. The left arm never did itch!!!
November 16th, 2005 @ 11:10 pm
To Karie in Phoenix – Thank you for the info on the ice/nerve pain connection. I think I can now understand why it may be a bad treatment.
I am interested in the Vics results. I want to try a few nights without Neurontin since it is getting cooler and maybe at this time of year the Vics will be enough. About 2 months ago when I had been sleepless for over 2 weeks I was thinking the only solution was amputation (then I probably would have had phantom itch!) It almost made me crazy.
Keep up the brainstorming! I know there is an answer out there.
Kathy
November 17th, 2005 @ 12:18 am
Emma seems very intent about the candida thing. I have had this itching for 7 years, and I do not have candida. Nor do I have allergies. As to the icing being bad for us, I have used ice very seldom for this condition, so obviously the ice is not an aggravating factor in my case. As for it being caused by stress, I have been symtom-free for months during times of great stress and itching like mad at times when my life was otherwise smooth and happy. I am living in a part of Mexico where it is hot and sunny all the time, but I still experience this only seasonally. Nothing about this condition makes sense. Maybe we were all whisked away in our sleep one night by aliens and injected with something. Haha. Gotta laugh about it sometimes. But really, none of it makes sense, but it is definitely a condition we are all experiencing with more or less the same symptoms, so WHAT IS IT? I wonder how much $ in total we have all spent on doctors, drugs, creams, etc. that don’t work. And how come doctors get paid when they do nothing to help you but tell you you have dry skin or you’re
just imagining it?
November 17th, 2005 @ 4:00 am
Hi all- I cannot believe how many people suffer with this.I thought I was one of few who deal with severe nightly forearm itching.
My itching began 3 years ago during my second pregnancy. It returns usually in Aug and lasts thru November. I get horrible itching on both forearms occasionally during the day but it is by far the worst in evening and through the night. As others have said, I also wake during the night and run to my freezer. I have tried all the the different creams and lotions with ice being the only thing that gives me some relief (very temporary). I believe that ice is probably hurting the condition long term as well.
I am 36, brown hair, blue eyes and fair skin. I think there are many factors that both contribute to and aggravate my condition……sun, wind, dry skin, stress and certain foods and probably hormones as well. I have no rash and the itch feels like it comes from deep within my skin. I lived in Chicago most of my life and had no problem. I moved to Las Vegas a few years ago- lots of sun and wind.
I feel so frustrated. I scratch myself raw. I will be seeing a very good allergist here and I hope he will help. I will possibly try acupuncture as well.
Thanks for all the ideas. I will try many of the suggestions. A good nite to all.
November 17th, 2005 @ 8:18 pm
To Kathy in Northern California – What mg and dosage is the Neurontin you’re taking? My dermatologist is going to call in a prescription for me but wanted to know how much you were taking and the mg. Thanks so much!!!!
November 18th, 2005 @ 9:28 am
Hi friends! I live in Tennessee now, relocated two years ago from Michigan. This problem has been going on for two years now. Dr.’s here in Tennessee are totally incompetent in my opinion. They don’t even want to hear about itching and my diagnosis is PMS and fatigue. Dr. says I am probably dehydrated because I swim every day! I drink 60 or 70 oz water daily, brown hair, brown eyes, 43 years old. It’s wonderful that this web-site exists and is so interactive together as a group. If enough women bond together and contact a female physician, perhaps this can be solved. What about contacting Dr. Northrop, the female doctor who wrote the book about menopause? My MALE doctor shrugged it off as PMS or premenopausal symptoms. Has anyone tried visualization or hypnosis therapy? My best friend in Turkey had this problem for 15 years. Said she was hypnotized and provided visualization exercises for one week at a resort in Ephesus and has never itched one day during the past 7 years! Please comment.
November 18th, 2005 @ 12:38 pm
Could it be an allergy to synthetics next to our skin? These materials are not natural, like cotton. I seem to be the only one that finds certain fabrics aggravates my condition. Just thinking…….Doreen
Oh, I’m still itchy by the way, maybe not as intense.
November 18th, 2005 @ 1:59 pm
Hi Cathy,
I am taking 200 mg of Neurontin at night.
When the itching was more intense I took 300 mg.
Garth from the Men’s Health site suggested I take it at least 90 minutes before bedtime. He said it had to go to the upper intestines for absorbtion.
It has worked great. Read up on the side effects.
They are very minor.
Garth also takes Neurontin during the day. I tried that but found it just wasn’t necessary and night only worked wonders for me.
I did try Wednesday night without and woke up with some itching so will keep taking Neurontin until I am sure the itching has subsided.
Hope this works for you Cathy. Let us know!!
kathy
November 19th, 2005 @ 8:37 pm
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for the info on Neurontin. My doctor hasn’t been able to provide me any relief but is more than willing to prescribe something new that I’m willing to try. She also said Neurontin has very few side effects. I’ll call it in on Monday and will start taking them Monday night. I’ll be out-of-town from Tues – Sunday for Thanksgiving (no computer) but will write to let you all know how the Neurontin has worked for me when I return. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!
Cathy
November 20th, 2005 @ 11:04 pm
Hi everyone, to Doreen, when my arms are itching, i cannot stand any material on. It feels as though my arms are telling me to keep everything off my arms!!! But when it goes away, i am fine. This is a very unusual problem. Hope we can can a solution soon. God bless you all, love JoAnn
November 21st, 2005 @ 12:54 pm
Every day I read this column in the hope that SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE in the world will come up with a foolproof cure. Now it is very cold in England but still the itching and burning continue, however in my case, only in the evening and during the night. Can I purchase Neurontin here in England and what will I ask the chemist for?
November 21st, 2005 @ 6:33 pm
Omigod! I am soooooo ecstatic that I found all of you. I’m sorry you have the same affliction, but I feel better knowing that I’m not crazy and am not alone. I have had this itchy arm thing for 12 years but only in the fall until it freezes. I have always thought it was related to ragweed season since it leaves once it freezes as so does ragweed. Ice is the only thing that helps me. I feel tormented by this malady. I have tried everything from Claritin to prednisone to bathing in Nivea cream to anti-itch cream to wearing sleeveless shirts etc. Nothing helps and my arms are scared beyond belief. I’m also wondering if it’s a hormonal imbalance. So perplexed, confused, frustrated, and itcy. Thanks for listening. Cat
November 21st, 2005 @ 7:59 pm
Hello Everyone, I found this place in the early hours of morning two weeks ago. I simply typed in “upper arms itch” and there you were. I have had the itching, actually more like stinging, burning itching on one arm or the other for at least 2 years. Living on a farm at first I thought it was something in the hay I was feeding. I too have allergies, and take Zyrtec daily. Although I take the Zyrtec for respiratory symptoms, when it wore off the itching seemed to be worse. Since June of this year I have been to my medical doctor, GYN, and last week a dermatologist. I was convinced it was hormones, I am 45 yr, white female. GYN said it was NOT hormones, Dermatologist said it was NOT Sun Damage, and looked like it could be Bracharadial Pruritus (sp?) I would not have known anything about that if I had not spent hours online in the middle of the night because I could not sleep for this crazy itching. Dermatologist gave me a prescription for Doxepin 25 mg. I do not like taking this, but at least I can sleep. Today I went for MRI. I have had one herniated disc in my lower back in the past, and we are checking to see if I may have one in my neck also. One possible help, the dermatologist also said to try Absorbine Jr. (Horse Liniment) on the arms to try to mask the itching, I tried it, it seemed to help. I have tried every OTC itch relief available. Plus benadryl and 2 rounds of prednisone,plus an injection. I have had HIVES, this is not the same kind of itch as Hives. It is not just dry skin. It is something very strange. November 21, 2005
November 21st, 2005 @ 8:46 pm
Hi all, If Vick’s Vapour Lotion works for you, maybe you should stock up. They have discontinued it here in Canada, not sure if they are thinking of discontinuing it anywhere else in the world but just thought I’d give you the heads up.
Susan in Canada
November 21st, 2005 @ 9:42 pm
Hello I itch too, another thing that seems to help some of us is that blue gel in a jar called ICE or COLD or something like that. Also Vick Lotion has helped alot of people. I haven’t tried it because it is discontinued in Canada, but it’s worth a try if you can get it.
Susan
November 22nd, 2005 @ 10:41 am
WOW.. I didn’t get a chance to read every post here as I’m at work right now, but I was going crazy here at my desk with my left sleeve up and scratching. I FINALLY typed in itchy arm for a search after about 13 years of suffering. Very interesting to see these comments! I’ve only met one other person who has this and he tries to keep his arms covered in the sun.
I’m a man, 33, medium to fair skin, dark blonde hair, and green eyes. I’ve never had my thyroid checked and don’t think I have any diabetes worries.. ? Suffer mostly on my left arm and have found that vinegar or even Tabasco sauce after a shower has relieved the itch enough so I could get to sleep. I started using Peroxide and the sores quickly scab over which seems to help the itch, but if I scratch one time, the itch becomes intense and I’m back at it.
I’m interested in experimenting with some ideas I learned here and will definitely come back to see what’s new and to share anything new that I might learn.
Good luck to all!!!
November 22nd, 2005 @ 6:16 pm
You’re a GREAT support group! So glad I found you. I tried Vicks vapor rub and I found it irritated my skin, with the itching actually getting worse. So, just wanted you to know it’s not the answer for me. At this point and time I’ve self-diagnosed and decided (for the moment) that I have allergy eczema, which can be seasonal and also lots of things can trigger it, even stress or anxiety. (I just finished using an ice pack but I think I need another little shot!) I’m hoping to hear of a cure for all of us. Doreen
November 23rd, 2005 @ 12:31 am
Hi everyone, JoAnn here. I have not itched for about one week, and i am very thankful! But i would still like to pursue this itchy siuation, because i never know when it will occur again, i have had this for about twenty years, and i also never know how long it will last. How are you girls doing? I will keep on checking in on this site,because i care!!! I will keep on e-mailing Dr. Phil in hopes that he will help us. I hope you all do the same, iwould love to hear from you girls! Take care, God bless love Jo Ann
November 23rd, 2005 @ 11:47 am
Hi Everyone, I too am pleased to see all these comments. I thought I was crazy and my son the doctor told me to go see a doctor. However, since my mother had the same problem when she too moved down to Florida and went to all the doctors, i.e. neurologists, dermatologists, internist, had blood tests, etc. and they found NOTHING. I too love to put the ice and it helps for a while. I live in Florida and it is warm most of the time so I am attributing this to the warm weather. This itch started after I moved to Florida. It started with right arm then I was free for a few years and this past spring it started in my left arm. Please, keep this going. There has to be someone out there to help us all!!! I bought Vicks Vapor rub and it helps a little. I’ll keep looking at this site to see for any breaking remedy news!!!!
Have a great Thanksgiving!
November 23rd, 2005 @ 3:44 pm
I am 24 years old, dark brown hair with green eyes. I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one suffering with this crap. I’ve been itching on my upper arms since the beginning of August. Nothing seems to help. Ice is a temporary fix like most everything else is. The itching is so intense….the more I itch the worse it gets. just when I think I’m finished itching it feels like needles poking at my arms….like its stinging. Its alot worse at night. Sometimes when I wake up there are scabs and bruises where I itch. I know lots of you have had this for years, but four months is enough for me. I’m so sick of this….it just makes me angry that there is no relief and doctors look at me like I’m crazy. One doctor has diagnosed me with eczema, which I know I do not have. This is alot different.
November 23rd, 2005 @ 9:16 pm
Hi everyone,I read the comments everyday, welcome Travis, i can understand how relieved you felt when you found this web-site, i too was very happy. We can all help one another. Though my itching has stopped right now for over a week, i am still concerned about it, because i never know when it will start again.. i have had this itching problem for about twenty years..this last time it lasted for months,l lost alot of sleep! I am trying to encourage everyone to contact Dr. Phil, on his web-site to see if he would consider helping all of us! It is worth a try, he has helped alot of people. Also can you even imagine how many people who have this itching, and do not know what to do!! We have all been to alot of Doctors, we need some special help, like Dr. Phil! I have lost soo much sleep from this, and i know all of you have also!!! Take care, God bless JoAnn
November 24th, 2005 @ 7:14 pm
i am 53 yrs old and have been suffering with this for several yrs. i have been to every kind of Dr. i have been diagnosed with brachial radial pruritus. i was on neurontin for about 2 years. it got better and would go away for a while but come back with a vengence. I don’t really know what it is or what to do to get rid of it. I have been staying up most of the night with ice packs, vapor rub, pramegel, alcohol, cetaphil lotion and etc. I was prescribed a new drug, lyrica, just been on it for 2 weeks, not working yet but was told it may take a little longer. I was also given ambiem cr, took it the first time last night and slept all night long, had a terrible headache when i got up but felt so much better to have some sleep. I don’t understand why Dr’s can’t cure this or have the answers. I know the sun aggrevates it, but is this sun damage from years of suntanning. I wonder also does this affect white and black people. I didn’t realize how many people were affected until i found this website.
November 24th, 2005 @ 7:41 pm
hi, found this website a few weeks ago. i have had this itchy skin for several years. I was diagnosed with brachial radial pruritus 2 years ago by a Dr. at a big medical university after goin to many drs, allergy specialist, bone dr and general practioners.I was given Neurontin 300 mg and it helped for a while and then i quit taking it because i thougt it was gone. I also stayed out of the sun some from his advice due to fact that is made it worse once it started up again. I got back on the neurontin and it didn’t seem to work this time. I thought if i made it through July i would have it made but in August it came back with a vengence. I was recently given Lyrica, a new drug, stronger than Neurontin. I have been on it for 2 wks and so far it is not working. Last night i took ambeim 12.5 cr prescribed also and slept all night long, woke with a terrible headache. I felt much better after getting rid of the headache since i had finally slept for first time in weeks all night long. I don’ t understand why the Drs. can’t find a cure or at least be able to treat this stuff. I have researched this stuff and can’t find anything other than nobody seems to be able to get rid of it. The Dr. says ambiem is habit forming, but what do you call it when you have to take other drugs every night for years and still itch to death. This is so bad i don’t see how anyone could live with it forever. What i f spreads over the rest of the body?There has got to be and answer. I can’t just sit back and let it consume me and my life. I have been to every kind of dr. i can think of. Next week i have and appointment with a Homepathic dr or whatever you call them. I have spent thousands on drs and drugs so i have to try this. I wish i had an answer for all of us. I would like to know if this affects white and black people. Its just something to think about. If i f i find out anything i will keep in touch. Also, i emailed Dr. Phil.
November 24th, 2005 @ 7:55 pm
hi, found website recently. have had itchy arms for several years. been on neurontin for a couple of years, it helped and this i quit taking it and in a few months it came back with a vengence. neurontin not working this time and now taking lyrica for 2 wks., not working yet but was told it might take several weeks. I was wondering if this affects white and black people. I didn’t realize so many people had it until i found this website.
November 24th, 2005 @ 8:14 pm
hi, found this website recently. i have itchy arms for several years, been on neurontin, worked for a while but no longer works. now on lyrical for 2 wks, not working yet, was told it would take several weeks. i was wondering if this affects white and black people. i have tried ice packs, alcohol, lotions, still no cure.
November 24th, 2005 @ 8:18 pm
was told i had brachial radial pruritus several years ago. on neurontin for 2 years and it worked for a little while. now on lyrical for 2 wks and its not working yet and was told it would take several weeks. will keep you posted/
November 25th, 2005 @ 5:02 pm
I am so glad I found this!! My hubby and I went to the Virgin Islands in Oct. I got a sunburn on my upper arms. I have been itching ever since. I have auburn hair Hazel eyes. Thanks for the advice about ice and biofreeze. I happen to have some!!
Becky
November 25th, 2005 @ 7:39 pm
The bio freeze is working!!! I got it from a friend who is also a massage therapist. AWESOME…Keeping fingers crossed!!!
November 25th, 2005 @ 11:14 pm
Hi everyone,wow i did’nt know men had this too!! We need to all keep in touch, so we can help one another. if you read all the e-mails, you will know we found out ice is NOT good, it restricts your blood vessels!! Sounds like we have all spent alot of money , prescriptions, creams, pills, whatever to No avail! So please everyone e-mail Dr. Phil, if anyone can help us, it is him!! Just think of all the people out there that may have this itching problem and do not know about this web-site. And some of us thought we were going crazy!!! Well i hope you all get my message! Take care, God bless love JoAnn
November 26th, 2005 @ 3:07 pm
Has anyone taken Doxepin 25 mg, 1-2 just at night?
November 27th, 2005 @ 12:45 am
Has anyone found sucees with their itch besides ice which we are not suppose to do?
November 27th, 2005 @ 4:16 pm
Hello ‘I Itch too’. I have tried Doxepin as a cream. I used it for 12 weeks but bacame allergic to it. My arms swelled up and turned red, so that was the end of that, just when I thought I was getting some relief. Only one other person has mentioned using the cream made from chillies. Capaisin. This is suposed to desensitise the nerve endings but you have to try it for at least 8 weeks before you get any results. I only managed 5 weeks and I could stand it no longer. There is no effect on application but if you’re arms are covered and you get warm, they feel like they’re on fire……..and guess what……the itch is still there! at the moment I have nothing to try and am itching a lot. I just don’t know where to go from here after all these years. I’m lucky this web site is here and I can be in touch with other sufferers. By the way my itching carries on till about March/ April then starts again August time. Oh well. Thanks for listening. Hope you all have a peaceful night.
November 27th, 2005 @ 10:48 pm
Hi everyone,comment to Meash, have you e-mailed Dr, Phil yet, if enough of us do, maybe we will get some REAL help, no Drs have come up with an answer, but Dr. Phil could no doubt get us all in touch with someone who would help us!!!!Please, i am going to keep encouraging you all!!! God bless, take care JoAnn
November 28th, 2005 @ 2:56 pm
Yes JoAnn, I’ve just e-mailed Dr. Phil with my itch history!! You’ll have to let me know if he does a talk about us on his show! We don’t get his shows broadcast here in England. Keep me posted won’t you. Sleep well
November 28th, 2005 @ 9:43 pm
Hi everyone, comment to Meash, i promise i will keep in touch! It might be a while, but i hope we all keep trying. Even though i am itch free, I can remenber how awful it was to itch, and be so miserable, and not sleep night after night..i never know when it will return, I am just very thankful for now. All you people that are itching, keep on e-mailing Dr. Phil, with his help, we will get some answers!!!!!! God bless all, love JoAnn
December 1st, 2005 @ 7:54 pm
Hi everyone, well it has been almost a month since I wrote my comment and I can not believe how many more comments there are. I was on vacation for 2 weeks and if it hadn’t been for the ice treatment I would have crawled out of my skin. I have found a balm and an oil that seem to help, I purchased them from “clipsavers.com” and it is called Sun Breeze by Sunrider Sunergy, it contains Menthol, Cassia Oil, Mint Extract, Eucalyptus oil and Camphor; Menthol and Camphor is what is in Vicks also so that must be what helps., it is that cooling sensation…I am going to try the Vicks. I also have an Rx for LidaMantle HC cream, it contains 3% Lidacaine and .5% of Hydrocortisone Acetate, both of these seem to relieve the itch temporarily only.
Does anyone have this problem on both arms or in more than one area? Mine started on my left shoulder but has radiated down to my left forearm.
I just emailed Dr. Phil…….that was a GREAT suggestion. Has anyone tried an acupunturist? I wonder if they could help.
Good Luck to all, and wishing you a good nights sleep. And keep the comments coming.
December 3rd, 2005 @ 1:58 pm
Hi Rosie from Fremont, CA, I have the itching on both arms from shoulder to wrists. It’s a real problem when both of them become irritated at the same time as it’s impossible to place ice blocks in the required positions for releif. I did consult a chinese acupuncturist who thought acupuncture might help the problem though she couldn’t give me any guarantee, so I’m still thinking about it. Glad you too have e-mailed this Dr. Phil guy, hope we get some response!! Take care.
December 4th, 2005 @ 8:32 am
for Joann, did you do anything to get the itching to stop or is this just your non itching season? I am currently taking ambiem 12.5cr, lyrica, and xanax. I take 75 mg. lyrica in the am, pm and also take the xanax about 8pm and the ambiem between 9 and 10. I am sleeping finally. Although I am sleeping I know the itch is still there. It is not driving me crazy but I also know its there and it feels like it spreading down my arm to my elbow. It is in my right arm and my skin feels like rubber. I put cetaphil lotion on it and it doesn’t seem to help to soften the skin. I also feel it working in my left arm in the upper arm. I don’t think I have a cure, I’m sorry to say but I will keep on taking the meds because I am sleeping. I know from this website that people from England have this and I am curious about other countries and races. If anyone knows the answers, please let me know. I wish all of us a peaceful sleeping night.
December 4th, 2005 @ 2:21 pm
Just wanted to say hi and give an update….Last week I saw an allergist. His advice was to absolutely stop with all the different itch creams and antihistamines and only use a good moisturizer just after a bath or shower while arms are still wet. He also told me to buy mittens. (I drove an hour for such profound advice.) He thinks part of the problem is dry skin and he will do a skin test on me tomorrow to find other possible environmental factors. He also ordered blood work to rule things out. He prescribed nothing to give me immediate relief. I literally am living with icepacks on my arms. It is all so frustrating and distressing. I am in a bad mood all the time from this. It continues to wake me all nite long. I did try baby oil on my arms following 2 showers and it seemed to help a bit. I was told today by a doctor who practices chinese medicine that he believes acupunture can help and that it is hormone/nerve related and the nerves must be calmed down thru treatment. He said it usually takes a lot of changes one of which is diet. I will consider trying this route. The Vicks Vapo Rub did nothing for me- it made it worse. I scratch all nite long and the more I scratch the more I itch-a bad cycle. I do believe that sun 100% aggravates the itching and must keep arms covered in sun. The problem is fabric irritates my arms when they are itching. I do find certain fabrics are more tolerable than others- a very soft (non-itchy) fabric. Thanks for all the advice, ideas and comments. I feel for all of you. I will keep you posted.
December 5th, 2005 @ 12:28 pm
Hi everyone, comment to JW, I did not do anything to make it stop itching, it just stopped, But I have had this for years, and i never know how long it will last! This last time i did have it for about seven months, and i got very little sleep, and then i quit using the Ice, It is not good to use the ice, if Cara will take the time to read all the comments, she too will not use the ice!!! Even though i don’t itch right now, i remenber how awful it is when the itching does occur, i am encouraging everyone to Please e-mail Dr. Phil . I hope everyone is, because it is going to take alot of us to be really convincing… WE NEED SOME HELP HERE, PLEASE!!!! Oh yes i bet this concerns alot more people than any of us can realize!!!!! For now God bless you all, JoAnn
December 5th, 2005 @ 8:32 pm
Hi- I returned to the allergist today and thought I would let you all know what happened. He did a skin test to check for specific allergies. I had very positive allergy tests for eggs, dogs, dust and certain types of trees. I do have a dog and my itching did begin around the time we got the dog but….who knows. He said that these could be causing/aggravating the itching or not. Comment to JoAnn…..I HAVE read all the comments and know that ice is not ultimately good to do as I wrote in my original comment last month but……it is the only immediate relief I get and therefore find myself doing it if not scratching.
The allergist did confirm that icing should not be done as it is as harmful as scratching. He suggested using an antihistamine during the day i.e. allegra, zyrtec or clariton and presribled Atarax for the nites which relieves itching and assists with sleep. He said to continue moisturizing with lotion or baby oil immediately following bath or shower while arms are still wet. That is all for now. Take care.
December 6th, 2005 @ 8:05 am
It is so comforting to know that I am not the only one suffering with itchy arms. No one else that I talk to has it or has even heard of it so I feel like I am a bit wacky. I live in Northern Ontario where the sun is elusive for 8 months of the year, so I don’t feel that it is the cause, for me anyway. When I told my doctor about this and said the more I scratched the more my arms itched he just replied, “stop scratching”. That was the advice I got. I have found a lotion which helps a little – Lac-Hydrin – the main ingredient is Ammonium hydroxide. Mind you, it could be the soothing coolness of the lotion that does the trick momentarily. Anyway, thanks to you all for sharing your experiences.
December 6th, 2005 @ 6:11 pm
Hello – I hope I am not repeating myself, my message must have gone into cyberspace. Anyway, thank goodness I am not the only one suffering from this horrible itchy arm thing. I have had it for some years now, this year has been the worst. Mine is mostly the forearms but sometimes the upper arms itch as well. Luckily I can still sleep at night. No one I have ever spoken to before has heard of this and my doctor’s advice was “stop scratching”. I have discovered Lac-Hydrin can be very helpful – maybe because it is to cool on the skin. Its main ingredient is ammonium hydroxide. Hope this helps someone out there. I live way up in Northern Ontario, where we see the sun for 4 months of the year only, so that is not the cause of my itchies! I sure hope someone comes up with the cause and cure.
December 6th, 2005 @ 11:38 pm
My wife suffers the same arm itch for the past 10 years but mainly lower arms. It’s driving her in sane. (faire skin, indoors person)
December 8th, 2005 @ 5:20 pm
I have been checking this site for a couple of months now just knowing someone was going to come up with an amazing discovery to cure us all. Where are you???? I have tried the same things over and over. Some things help for a short time and then it’s back with a vengence. It is almost like there is a little demon living in my upper arms saying “I’ll get even!!” I have tried cortisone cream, prednisone tablets and shots, moisturizers, water, ice packs, a $ 468.00 bill at the allergist twice and about that much at the dermatologist. You name it I’ve had and tried it. I’m tired. I have to open the windows in my cars and do crazy things just to stay awake to drive home most days because I am not sleeping again. I have also tried antidepressants and anti anxiety drugs. Nothing yet that completely stops it.
December 8th, 2005 @ 9:38 pm
It seems that a lot of people get on this forum for the first time and don’t bother to read all the previous comments. What’s the point of that? I know that some of you believe what the drs are telling you, that it is caused by the sun, but as others have mentioned here, they are not exposed to the sun and they still itch. And as I have mentioned, I am in the sun all year and still only have it for a couple of months in the autumn. If we are going to try to find a common thread, we have to try to find out something which ALL of us are exposed to, or something we all have, like a bad disc in our necks, which brings on and aggravates the symtoms. By the way, wearing anything on my arms can start me itching, even natural materials. I would like to suggest that when any of us goes to a doctor for this, that we let them know immediately that we have found out through this forum and our own experience(years of living with it, for instance) that it is not dry skin, allergies, stress, hormones, laundry soap or any other kind of soap, and that if they aren’t interested in finding out what it is, and how to effectively treat it, leave the office and don’t bother paying them. Right now I am overworked, stressed out, in the hot sun every day, wash with soap and I am not itchy. But I have little doubt that it will be back in Aug or Sept.
December 9th, 2005 @ 9:17 am
Hi everyone,
I’ve been writing in all fall now and now that it is December the itching is much better. Once in awhile it itches a bit but it will usually stop before it gets out of hand. However, I know I’m not completely cured and I don’t think I ever will be and next summer it will come back with a vengence. I’ve given up on creams and the like as it costs a lot and the only ones getting relief are the drug companies. I’m keeping in touch. Doreen, CA
December 9th, 2005 @ 12:09 pm
Hi everyone, comment to JW, are you e-mailing Dr. Phil? Please everyone please do it! New people are finding this site everyday, so we need to encourage everyone to e-mail Dr. Phil!!!!!!! There are probably more of us out there, than we can imagine!!! Yes, my itching stopped about three weeks ago, but like i have said before, i never know when it will return, with vengance!!!! I have had this for about twenty years, this last time it lasted for about seven months, i thought i was going crazy!!! Like all of us… I do not understand it either, But there is somebody out there who can help us. Please everyone keep e-mailing Dr. Phil, there is where our hope is for now!!!! I feel for all of you who are itching right now, it is a nightmare!!! God bless you all, love JoAnn
December 9th, 2005 @ 5:05 pm
Thank God I have found this site. I knew this itch in my right forearm and upper arm and neck was gonna be a goose chase with the conventional medical profession so I havent even bothered going. I want to summarize some of the likely causes and add a comment. Sun does seem to be a cause. Its interesting because in new zealand we drive on the other side and so its my right arm in the sun all the time. Sun, heat and stress. I find relief from ice also. I am not a chinese medical practitioner but have seen an acupuncturist who said this line on the upper arm is part of a major energy circuit called the triple heater. This symptom is coming from a build up of excess heat in the body, hence the ice cube treatment.
This heat can be caused by stress and by toxins which the body stores in outer extremities when it cannot eliminate them. The desire to scratch and break the skin can be a way of opening the skin to release toxins directly. An idea incidently which led to the application of leeches in days of yore. I mention toxins because a deep itching can be associated with a build up of toxins in the body in response to various substances. I am guessing that external heat sources can then stimulate or aggravate the toxicity where it is stored in the body. I have not had time to undergo a full course of acupuncture but a short course did provide temporary relief. I believe to be fully effective it must be combined with a cleansing diet and lots of water. It is difficult to eliminate toxicity in the body tissue but an alkaline diet and mineral salts will gradually do this. I am going to try ultra sound in combination with a high water intake and lots of alkaline food, fruit, broccoli, asparagus, vegetable juices. Plus limiting my sun exposure!
December 9th, 2005 @ 7:23 pm
To Sarah in Mexico – I would like to applaud you. If any of you are new to this site, please, please take Sarah’s advice and take the time to read all of the posts before running off to your doctor. You will save yourself a lot of time & money PLUS you will learn a lot. Also remember your post will not show up for up to 24 hours. So be patient : )
To J.W. – it seems this is happening to men & women in all parts of the world. Not sure if race plays a part. Many comments from caucasians but not sure if any others are affected.
To Adrian- Some interesting comments related to toxins. An update regarding acupuncture will be appreciated. I have had the itching in both arms but mostly on my left. You answered a question I had months ago about drivers on the other side of the road and your right arm being the itchy one. Any other drivers on the right side of the car out there?
To JoAnn – I am unsure if this is a topic that would interest Dr. Phil. He is not a medical doctor & he might be the one to say “just stop itching!” : )
To all – PLEASE be careful with cortisone creams. I have read a lot about side effects, espsecially thinning of the skin.
Of possible interest – when in Philadelphia for Thanksgiving I read an article about the International Forum on Itch held in Germany in September and the formation of the first research society dedicated solely to the study of itch. So somebody is paying attention to the “itch” problem in general. One of the comments in the article relates to using ice to temporarily shut down the nerve connections. It cautions on the use of steroid creams but not on the use of ice.
The ONLY possible thing in common I can see seems to be the possibility of neck problems. The fact that it is seasonal remains the mysterious part.
Neurontin update – I have not seen anyone else recently trying it. Since my itching is subsiding (not gone yet) I have cut back to 100 mg. at night.
I tried to skip a couple of nights but still woke up scratching (minimally). It has saved my sanity.
Sorry for the long post.
kathy
December 9th, 2005 @ 11:55 pm
hello all! I am a 45 year old white female in Alabama, USA. Last August, I went to a dermatologist after suffering for several months with this horrible itching/burning/tingling in my upper left arm. I was diagnosed with hives and have spent the last 15 months on the internet trying to get helpful information on hives. Last night, at, say, around 2:30 am, with ice paks held to my arm, I typed “intense itching” for a google search and utlimately found my way to this site. WOW! The shared particulars of this condition are fascinating.
I’ve tried all the creams & lotions, been saturated with all manner of anti-histamines, had IV therapy with solemnutrol & benadryl – nothing helped. Doxepin worked for several months then quit working. I have ice packs in the freezer at home and at work, though daytime is seldom bad.
I’ve altered my diet, my soaps, my vitamins, my environment. All to no avail. Sun exposure does seem to aggravate it. The effects of stress is a hard call for me; I work a very stressful but satisfying job and care for my elderly mother, but have a great husband and support group and take pretty good care of myself.
I have an appointment Tuesday at the dermatology clinic at the University of Alabama/Birmingham. I have felt that if I didn’t get relief I would lose my mind. Sleepwalking through work, terrible fatigue but going to bed fearing, then realising, the wake-up scream of ITCH/BURN 2 hours later.
Thank you all for all your comments. Finding this forum was very emotional for me. I’ll keep reading and will post the results of Tuesday’s appointment.
By the way, I had a discectomy for a herniated disk at L5/S1 (I think) a few years ago.
Here’s wishing us all a good night’s sleep!!!
December 10th, 2005 @ 3:00 am
Hi everyone, comment to Adrian, if it is toxins, would a Dr. knowing what is the cause,would pray they could find a better way to rid the body, without scratching endlessly, it seems!!!!! i do not know, justing hoping for some right answers! And yes it is important to read all the comments, it is interesting that we all have the same symtoms.Meantime e-mail Dr. Phil, he will help us all, God bless you all, JoAnn
December 10th, 2005 @ 3:00 am
Hi everyone, comment to Adrian, if it is toxins, would a Dr. knowing what is the cause,would pray they could find a better way to rid the body, without scratching endlessly, it seems!!!!! i do not know, justing hoping for some right answers! And yes it is important to read all the comments, it is interesting that we all have the same symtoms.Meantime e-mail Dr. Phil, he will help us all, God bless you all, JoAnn
December 10th, 2005 @ 8:51 am
I’ve been frequenting this page for a while now, trying to find out if anyone has been formally diagnosed with anything that could cause this “drive you crazy” arm itching. All of you have tried all the things I’ve tried, to no avail. My doctor just flippantly says it’s stress…I think they say that when they don’t know what else to say. But I am not under any stress right now. The most stressful year of my life was last year, when my daughter almost died twice. During that time, NO ITCHING! But now, in the fall, it is so bad at night that I’ve considered shaving my skin off or amputation. It is such torture. Ice helps in the short term and my doctor won’t prescribe Neurontin for me (why?). My daughter takes Neurontin and I’ve tried it and it helps, but I can’t keep taking hers!! I am 53, brown hair and eyes and have virtually no exposure to the sun. I live in Georgia, but have never been a big fan of being in the heat and sun. Worst times are Sept, Oct, and November and now December. Something has got to MAKE IT STOP!!
I’ve used ice, Lanacaine, Cortisone lotion, aloe….nothing works longterm. There must be a doctor out there somewhere who is willing to take on this mystery. My arms are scarred and ugly and I’m going nuts.
December 10th, 2005 @ 1:44 pm
Hi everyone,
After itching and scratching myself raw from the beginning of june, the itch stopped totally a week ago as fast as it began. This is the 3rd year this has happened. I haven’t changed soaps, detergents, or any of my usual habits, so that rules them all out. I am 50, brown hair, brown eyes and did not have this problem when I lived in N.J. It started when I moved to N. Carolina. It was my left arm for about 3 months and then it moved to only my right arm for the next 3 months. (ironically I had just made a comment to my husband about how it was odd that it was only the left arm right before it shifted to the right. ( Maybe it is subconscious) Last year it was both arms. I too tried all kinds of remedies and doctors with no relief other than ice. Good luck to all.
December 11th, 2005 @ 1:05 am
Further, I just saw someone commenting above that this is or could be related to candida. I have a stubborn skin condition which is very subtle, tiny faint pink patches that then become flaky. There is no itch associated with these or any other feeling and they are almost invisible. I found that these are a skin symptom of candida going by a description on the net. I have been taking the threelac for a few months but ran out and have not reordered. It has been two weeks since I stopped taking the threelac and suddenely the itch has started up with a vengence. Im going to get back on the stuff. Importantly when treating yeast you need to address the PH balance in your body because yeast like almost every other ailment of modern times thrives in an acidic environment. I can say that since I have been staying out of the sun and eating a WHOLE LOT more alkalising fruit, (about half a watermelon a day!) the itch has been diminishing. Will report back soon.
December 12th, 2005 @ 8:49 pm
Now that I’ve read all the new posts since I posted my comments on Saturday, I’m going to try everything that has been discussed. I just tried the Aloe with Lidocaine like someone suggested, but no help. I can’t stand any type of fabric on my arms when itching, but if they are bare and in the sun during the summer, they itch also. I get no relief with anything except ice and that’s short-term. I hate that ice is such a risk, but I have to use it to keep from going crazy. It gets me to sleep and then I have to get fresh ice packs when the itching wakes me up a few hours later. Mine is worst in the evenings and at night. Daytime is less bothersome. Another note: I think Dr. Phil is a great guy, but he’s a therapist or psychiatrist so I don’t think he’ll have much input except to try to find reasons to blame it on “stress”. There must be a doctor somewhere in the world who has itch arms!! It can’t just be those of us not in the medical profession. I’m frustrated and sleepy.
December 13th, 2005 @ 4:52 pm
A friend of mine just gave me a magnetic pad that velcros around the arm. I saw someone above mentioning this I think. Anyway it does seem to sooth the symptom. I have usually put it on after using ice which allows me to sleep without the intensity returning. I dont know where to get these magnetic pads from but they are around. I kept one on all day last week. It was very soothing and I think it really helped.
December 13th, 2005 @ 7:51 pm
We all have to have something in common. I am a 49 yp wf. I have a somewhat stressful job. My kids 3 boys are adults and both are going through stuff that causes concern. I have 2 grandchildren.
Allergies- YES! I was in the hosp for 1 week because of an allergic reaction. I have a dog.
I spent a week in St Thomas in OCT.
Itching began in NOV.
Fabric on my arms in the PM is irritating. I wake with bloody sheets from scratching.
December 13th, 2005 @ 7:56 pm
I forgot to add 15 years ago I was in a very bad car accident and my neck was in a brace for over a month. I am epileptic. I am also tired!
December 13th, 2005 @ 9:26 pm
hello all! update to comment #205.
I went to the dermatology clinic at the University of Alabama/Birmingham today. what a difference the right doctor makes! he diagnosed me with brachioradial pruritus and prescribed Neurontin (gabapentrin), which I will start Thursday night. He said the diagnosis of hives, which I got from a dermatologist 15 months ago, was wrong. He quickly recognized the use of ice as an indicator.
The doctor told me that they aren’t sure what causes BRP. They believe it may be nerve damage in the neck and that sun exposure may also be an issue. He told me to use SPF 30 on my arm at all times.
The doctor also called in a couple of residents so they could see what BRP looks like. I told them all about comments from this page, how remarkably alike the particulars are, and reiterated that people are DESPERATE.
I’ll let you know how the Neurontin goes. Based on what I’ve read here and from Garth Woods’ report on other posts I am (at long last) very hopeful. I’m also scheduling a massage.
In the meantime I would say to you, don’t let anyone tell you this is “just” stress. I think hearing that from a doctor would “just” make me pull their hair out! If your doctor won’t help, find another one. I went through my GP and a dermatologist before I found these people today.
so, 2 more nights with ice packs and then please, please, please some relief!
Eva
December 14th, 2005 @ 1:10 am
I believe Eva is exactly right. Early on this site it has been mentioned and I did look into it. Now I have found even more information that goes with what i believed from the beginning. Its nerve damage. It does say it can be caused from the sun or hernitated discs, etc. However also caused by other diseases that cause nerve damage. A cream for this is Capsaicin cream, which over time reduces substance P, which transmits neuralogic signals from the nerve endings to the brain. Has anyone tried this??? I would be cautious of taking Neurontin, as it actually shuts off a part of the brain, has side effects, and only works while taking it. This cream is for a long term treatment… interesting. My cousin suffers from this, and as of now has minimal itching, but tis the season. BRP does state it happens during the season everyone complains about. I truly believe this is what everyone has, I have encouraged seeing a chiropractor for this reason. Please ask several doctors, research the facts, and press them! Dont settle for stress, dry skin, allergies, etc! Good Luck!
December 14th, 2005 @ 8:07 am
RE: Comment #215
Eva, you might have just saved my life!! Hearing that someone has actually gotten a diagnosis and that this thing possibly has a name is music to my ears! I also have had neck/vertebrae problems in my past. I’m making an appointment with a dermatologist today and thinking maybe I should see an ortho about possible neck problems? I’ll stay in touch.
December 14th, 2005 @ 8:02 pm
hello to all, thought i would give you an update. I am still taking the lyrica, ambien cr 12.5 mg. I am sleeping good at night for the time being. I’m not sure if its the medicine or if its just the time of the year for it to stop for awhile. I want to tell you everything I’m doing to try to get rid of the itch. I saw my dr. monday at wake forest medical university in winston salem, n.c. He told me to keep taking the lyrica, doesn’t want me to take the ambien (my regular dr. gave it to me), says it is addictive and does’t really like for me to take it. I asked whats the difference i’ve been on neurontin off and on for a couple of years, now the lyrica, at least i’m sleeping. He replied that the ambien doesn’t work on my problem, just puts me to sleep and that the lyrica does. He gave me a perscription for lunesta ( its not addictive). I have not had it filled yet. Also, i went to a homeopathic dr and she told me she could help me, that all the drugs i have were bad for you and that i had been on so many drugs for years dating back to my childhood with allergies, eczema and sinus problems. I took shots for many many years, benadyrl i didn’t go anywhere without it. She said my body was in a vapor lock, the yeast you found in many foods was like feeding it. I never hardly drank water. I’m suppose to drink a gallon a day and i drink a 1/2 gallon a day and am building up to the gallon. I have not eaten any bread, rice, potatoes, sweets or cheese products or milk in 3 weeks. I take a bunch of vitamins and homeopathic each day. So, now to tell you the truth i don’t know whats really helping. I didn’t tell my dr in n.c. about going to her. You know drs and pharmaceutcal companies don’t think a whole lot of the natural way, can’t say that i don’t blame them but i am tired of itching to death, not sleeping and being a witch. I am going to do whatever it takes (taken thousands already), to get to the bottom of this. I will share with you my experiences and hope that one of us find some answers and relief. Brachial radial pruritus is some form of nerve damage, and if thats the case why go to dermatologist and not a neurologist, and if that’s true, why is it, the lady whose husband is a neurosurgeon has never heard of brachial rad. pru. I wish all of us a good night. Merry christmas
December 14th, 2005 @ 10:10 pm
I was in an auto accident 7/21/05 and in August noticed severe itching. It took me about a month of trying everything before I realized it was related to the nerves in the neck. The best thing that has happened to help is massage therapy. The itching has almost completely gone away. My neck is still tight and stiff, but I am 100% this was the cause of the itch that drove me crazy. It was almost like a crawling under the skin that scratching could not relieve. I tried benedryl and all sorts of creams. Switched detergents and changed my diet. Nothing. Started massage to relieve the neck and the itching started to disappear. I begin to feel it now and then when my neck is feeling tight and usually about 1 wk after massage.
December 15th, 2005 @ 1:51 pm
So happy to find this site! I truly thought I was the only one! For me it is both my arms and legs for the past 15 years. I have also tried most of the said medications. The only thing that really has helped is having ONE glass of red wine. Red wine has some sort of natural anthistamine in it, I have heard. I get migraines from wine, but would rather suffer that than itch, and that is a sad predicament. One thing I notice to be common is sun exposure. A lot of us are in FL. I am 35, fair, blonde, fair and brown-eyed. I notice that I begin the intense itching in the fall as well. However, it is when I have lost most of my tan. If I maintain the tan, I do not itch. Therefore, my bad sun-worship has never stopped. I will probably die with tons of scars from having lesions burned off and cut out…I just can’t handle the itch. My dermatologist reluctantly conceded that a LIGHT tan would help. I think he wanted to die for saying this to me, but ironically, small amounts of sun is the treatment for people with itching, like those on dialysis. I hate that I am perpetuating the problem, but if I lose the tan, the itch is terrible. Even so, the first few sun exposures also make it miserable, until the base is worked back up. I resort to using a tanning bed every couple of weeks in the winter. I cerainly am not condoning my behavior, it is just the combination of bad things that has worked. Honestly, I can’t see them being any worse than pumping myself full of other meds, either. I am certainly not judging those who take the meds, because if I had found one that worked, I probably would never go off of it. Anyway, I am just relieved to know I am not the only one, but am sorry anyone else has to deal with it. The comment that convinced me that you guys know how it is was the one about it feeling like the itch comes from inside. I feel like someone is poking me with needles from the inside out. How do you explain that one to someone who doesn’t have this problem? You just sound crazy, I guess. Thanks everyone.
December 15th, 2005 @ 6:37 pm
Cure for itchy arms!!!
I had itchy arms for about 8 yrs. Went to 3 doctors and no one could help me. I tried every ointment, cream, and miracle cure around, nothing worked…
But i finally found a cure for real, it turns out that I have Candidas(yeast overgrowth) in my body. This in turn can cause all kinds of odd symptoms. The yeast actually gets out of your digestive tract and into your blood stream. The cure is simple and cheap, GSE (grapefruit seed extract), which is a natural antibiotic and a yeast killer. Just use 20 drops in water, orange juice, or some type of natural juice, take this about 3-6 times a day. For more info just google; candidas and grapefruit seed extract and learn for yourself.
It may help you feel better very quick, but it will take months to completely clear your body. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 16th, 2005 @ 3:00 pm
comment to Karie in Phoenix, I have mentioned the fact that I’ve used this Capsaicin cream in comment 11 and 186, and I found it intolerable. It had no effect on my itching. I know that this cream has to be used continuously for at least 8 weeks for it to begin to be effective. I could not use it for moe than 5 weeks as my face and eyes were becoming sensitve. If your arms get warm whilst using this stuff, they feel as if they are on fire which is’nt helpful for releiving the itch. Good luck if you’re going to try it and let us know how you get on.
December 16th, 2005 @ 10:34 pm
hello all! update to comments #205 & 215.
Day 2 on Neurontin. I’ve been a bit (sometimes more than a little bit) loopy and uncoordinated, but slept like a baby last night! what a relief! I am still feeling some mild tingling/itching, but will not be at full dose until tomorrow. I expect the loopy will go away as I adjust to the medicine.
I made an appointment for a massage on Thursday and am really looking forward to that. “Concentrate on the neck and shoulders, please.”
I completely share Karie’s concerns about this drug – the side effects and the limitations. My plan is to get some good sleep while exploring other options and trying to find out as much as possible about this condition. I want to talk with some physical therapists to see if they can recommend exercises and will also take care about sun exposure. I’ll also probably ask for an MRI just to rule out obvious damage or problems. I’ve seen a couple of articles listed in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology that I’m interested in reading, but at $30 a download, I’ll need to spend some time in the library instead.
In the meantime, I am grateful for this relief in a way that only fellow-sufferers can understand. Tonight, for the first time in a long time, I am not scared to go to bed.
Thanks again for this wonderful forum. I wish for you all sweet sleep and a happy holiday!
December 17th, 2005 @ 1:56 am
“If two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask,
my Father in heaven will do it for you.” (Matthew 18:19)
Please, please could you all pray for me fervently, depersately? My
chiropractor muscle tested me for coconut oil and said that it is good for
my body but it wont tolerate it. I’m stopping all supplements that she says
aren’t tolerating, and being retested on Tuesday, to see if this helps and I
can tolerate then. Please please pray that I can tolerate it on Tuesday. I’m
screamuing from so much pain and I just desperately cry out to God that I
can tolerate it and stop feeding this awful stuff thats gong on in my body
and making me so ill. I am desperate to get off this candida and parasite
feding poison and begin to heal and at least stop feeding the beasts.
Please pray that my body will test positive at tolerating the coconut oil
and/or MCT’s (used for people with fat maldigestion and digestive problems
in hospitable) on Tuesday.
Please, please, please.
A depserate and insaley ill and hurting nineteen year old, Emma.
Lots and lots of love, Emma
December 17th, 2005 @ 4:05 am
Update to #167
Comment to Eva #205, thanks for your comment, it tells my story. I have an appointment with Neurologist right after Christmas, recent MRI has confirmed another disc problem, this time in my neck, was treated before with lower back (still painful). November appointment with Dermatologist resulted in “classic BRP” symptoms. I quit the Doxepin, it was helping me sleep, but the side effects were not worth it. I haven’t had a good night sleep since.
“Mineral Ice” is not a cure, but it does seem to calm the itching for a short time. Somewhat messy, smells strong, arm feels like it is on fire, but for a brief moment the itching subsides. Not sure if this is harmful in any way. This may be the “blue gel” Susan mentioned in #169. Thanks Susan.
I will give update after appointment with Neurologist after Christmas.
I am white female, 45 years old, disc and allergy problems, but I am becoming more certain this is more from the disc. I don’t think I mentioned before my older sister has had something very similar to this, At this time she says she hasn’t been bothered with the itching for a couple of years. But lives in fear “IT” will come back.
My Grandmother itched for years before she passed away at the age of 90. At the time doctors told her, “allergies, nerves, etc…..”
We are fair skinned and have a history of disc problems.
Thanks for listening.
December 17th, 2005 @ 11:21 am
To Eva – So glad the Neurontin is working for you. I have been taking it for 2+ months. I read everything I could about the drug and spoke with the doctor at length. I really could not find any serious side effect so I am not sure what others are talking about. Although it is recommended to take it all day I only take it at night. As the itching has subsided I am down to 100 mg (1 capsule) each night. My life is nearly normal again.
To Kim G – I am not sure about anyone with itching on the legs as well as arms. It seems that most here have itching only on arms, shoulders and neck.
Has anyone considered the roll “heat” in general causes? i.e. clothing, blankets, hot showers etc?
I took a hot bath the other night and suddenly realized every time I take a hot bath my arms start to itch. Just a thought.
Finally, the other day I remembered that for several years before this started I had some problems with scaly scalp. Also only seasonal. Anyone else?
kathy
December 17th, 2005 @ 4:05 pm
Check out this link…it explains a LOT and another form of treatment for our itching
http://www.anaisdedermatologia.org.br/artigo_en?artigo_id=44#ref3
December 19th, 2005 @ 1:26 pm
To Kathy- I think you are right about heat. I would imagine it would act as a vasodilator- bringing your blood to the surface so quickly you begin to itch. I hate jacuzzi’s for this reason–mixing hot water with water pounding on you is a recipe for disaster for an itcher.
December 19th, 2005 @ 6:08 pm
This condition is called “Brachiaradial Pruitus.” I’ve just discovered it, as the itching arms has been driving me nuts for 10 years. There’s a debate whether is caused solely by sun damage to the nerve endings in the skin (arms get most exposure) or if cervical disease/problems causes it. Mine is caused by years of being a sun worshipper. ASK YOUR DOCTOR to let you try Neurontin! It is the ONLY thing that has completely gotten rid of the itch. If I dissolve a half pill in water and drink it, the itch is dead within a few minutes. This medication is a God-send, but there are not many doctors out there that know about Brachiaradial Pruitus. Do a search on it in Google and you’re find forums and the info on it! I couldn’t live without it!
December 23rd, 2005 @ 5:01 am
#227 – Thank you Leslie.
The article certainly describes it all. Does say all cases were white so I guess that answers one question that has previously been asked. Also that all cases lived in warm climates. No solution to the seasonal nature. I live in a warm climate starting in April but do not have the itching until August.
The article also talks about the promising results of gabapentin (Neurontin).
kathy
Thank you for the link.
December 27th, 2005 @ 5:04 pm
I have always wondered if the itching on my arms occasionally before bedtime is related to having dandruff. Ususally worse in winter and almost always before bedtime. The only one I have found that works is T-sol (for the dandruff), the one made with coal tar extract. Have not tried it on my arms but if I shower before bed I don’t have the itchy arm syndrome.
December 30th, 2005 @ 4:25 am
Hello fellow sufferers. This is so amazing to be able to share “the Itch” after many years of isolation. I am English but have lived in Perth, Western Australia since 1966. Age 62, brown hair and eyes, Grandfather Maltese, sun lover from way back. I was diagnosed with Discoid Lupus in 1985 but blood tests were clear of that after about five years. (That Lupus type is sun sensitive.) My arm itches started about 15 years ago. I remember the first time it happened, I was driving the car and suddenly had this electric shock sensation in one forearm. It made me jump and itch like mad. I remember racing into the house and holding my arm under the cold tap to try to get relief. I didn’t understand what was happening. Since then I have had regular bouts of itch, usually starting on the elbows and spreading down arms from shoulders to forearms. The itch is identical on both arms, simultaneously. I can imagine nerve irritation from the neck ( I have neck problems) travelling down inside each arm like an electric current. Ice packs have provided the only relief to date. What else can I tell you? I have just been diagnosed with underactive thyroid and started taking Thyroxin. Initially my GP sent me to a skin specialist who looked at my red, scarred and scabby arms and said that the problem came from my neck. He suggested that I had Brachioradialis syndrome ( presumably what you are all calling Brachiaradial Pruitis) and to visit the chiropractor. I went once but was frightened by the bone-cracking attack on my spine and was too scared to go back I decided to go to a physiotherapist instead and he massaged the arms, and then put me on traction twice a week. My itching gradually subsided but I think it was coming to its natural “disappearing act “time anyway. Next time the itching began I went to a new dermatologist. Through her I started to do pilates which I have been doing ever since. I believe that this has helped by building muscle strength and improving posture, especially taking stress off the neck and shoulders. My last bout of itching started after I went for a bike ride Dec 1st, on a really dull day, but apparently high uv rating, and for once I did not wear sun screen. I was sunburnt ( not badly) and have been itching ever since. Seems that sun sensitivity, heat, thyroid, disc degeneration are some common threads throughout these emails. I did try Vicks vapour rub this afternoon with some immediate relief. Two hours later I need to reapply. I take a bottle of frozen water everywhere I go – to the movies, to the shops, for a walk, everywhere. I know you will all understand and that helps.
December 30th, 2005 @ 4:30 am
Follow up on my last comment- I also have itchy scalp which comes and goes at about the same time as the arm itch. I use T- Gel also as does Kathy #226
Jude-Perth , Western Australia
December 31st, 2005 @ 1:48 pm
Wishing everyone here a Happy New Year. Itch free will be my wish for all of you.
January 1st, 2006 @ 12:52 am
Thanks for New Year wishes Meash. Same to everyone from me. Great news! Sh!sh!sh! I hardly dare to say it but I have been without ice packs and slept through for two nights now. Maybe it is the natural end of the itch cycle ( exactly one month this time) maybe the two applications of Vicks Vapour rub I put on two days ago, maybe because I have been wearing long sleeves when out in the sun ( Summer season in Australia right now) maybe because I have been taking Telfast 180gm before bed for 5 days ……who knows. It all seems like guesswork but I am just relieved to be itch free for the moment. May you all be so blessed and soon.
Jude – Perth W. Australia
January 2nd, 2006 @ 8:07 pm
wanted to let everyone know whats going on with me. i have been on the lyrica for 4 wks and ambien at night and have been sleeping great, and am pretty much itch free, still going to homeopathic, haven’t eaten bread, rice, potatoes, pasta since nov 28. i cheated a little at christmas and i itched a little also. i’m not sure whats going on or if its the end of my itch cycle for now. i will continue to take the lyrica and homeopathics for several months, probably until next december, and if i remain itch free thru the summer and thru december i will then decide what to do, as for now i won’t stop anything for fear the itch will come back. hope you all had a good xmas and a happy new year and will have many peaceful sleeping and itch free nights. if i were to suggest to you what to do, i would recommend the lyrica and if you also need something to help you go to sleep. the quality of my life is so much better. i didn’t sleep for months at night.
January 3rd, 2006 @ 9:14 am
Relieved I found this site. I thought I was alone with this problem. I have light brown hair and green eyes. I tan easily but am normally fair skinned. I have itched for approx. 13 years off and on. Sometimes Tiger Balm seems to alleviate the itch. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and comments.
January 3rd, 2006 @ 9:15 am
P.S. My itch is in mainly in my shoulders although it does move down my arms on occassion.
January 4th, 2006 @ 3:53 pm
Eva – What part of Alabama do you live in? I also went to the Dermatology Dept at University of AL in Birmingham approximately 2 1/2 years ago. I went throught the “Grand Rounds” and was diagnosed with Brachialradial Pruritis. My dermatologist in Montgomery had never heard of it. I’ve been taking neurontin since Nov 21st, but really no relief from it – unfortunately. I’m in the process of getting an appointment with a chiropractor and hoping it helps.
January 6th, 2006 @ 1:32 am
hI everyone, i have not written in weeks,on November 16 2005, i wrote in that evening and was itch free for a couple of days, which have continued itch free days, thank you Jesus. I read where a person did not think Dr. Phil would be into , “our itching problem”, well i think Dr. Phil would help us,we really need some answers. It is jan 2006 and i am still itch free, and i do not know why, i just hope it never comes back, i have gone for a few years before without it!!!! Well, the Holidays were wounderful,such fun. God bless you all,sleep softly… love JoAnn
January 6th, 2006 @ 6:03 pm
hello all! update to earlier postings and reply to Cathy,
Cathy, I live between Montgomery and Troy. Perhaps we’ve passed one another on the street, trying to scratch without being obvious.
I have been on Nuerontin for 3 weeks now and love it. The doctor at UAB started me on 900 mgs of Neurontin/day and I have slowly worked my way up to 1500 mgs/day. I still have occassional flare-ups and require about 10 minutes of ice. I figure I have about 90% coverage with the current dosage of Nuerontin and will eventually end up at 1800 – 2000 mgs/day. The only real problem I have with it has been adjusting to having to remember to take meds at a certain time each day.
Cathy, I wonder if you didn’t take a high enough dose of nuerontin?
Yesterday I saw my GP who said in his 26 years of doctoring mine was the first case of brachioradial pruritus he had seen. ok. He also said that his experience with Neurontin (for other applications) has been that 1500 mgs/day is about the lowest therapuetic dose. I know I’ve read other people on this post say they take less and get relief.
I feel like my head is clearer than it has been in ages. Sleep is a marvelous thing! And, the skin on my arm is returning to normal. I am very careful not to expose my arm to sun, even winter sun.
I go back to the University of Alabama/Birmingham Dermatology Clinic on the 17th and will ask for an MRI on my neck at that time. In the meantime the neurontin has worked wonders for me. Don’t know how I lived without it.
good sleep to us all!
January 6th, 2006 @ 6:23 pm
oh! one more important thing. If you are taking Neurontin DO NOT take anything with magnesium in it, Pepcid AC Complete, for instance.
I had one bad night since taking the Neurontin and then made the connection while sitting up with ice packs and (again) reading everything I could find online. I think I read about the magnesium/neurontin connection on one of Garth Woods’ postings. thank you, Garth! I don’t know what dose of magnesium interfers with the neurontin: Pepcid AC Complete has 185 mgs and my Women’s One-A-Day vitamin has 85 mgs. I’ve quit them both.
January 7th, 2006 @ 9:01 pm
All
I have not had a chance to read every email on this site but those I have read are incredibly valuable to me if only in the struggle we all share.
I am 46, blond and blue eyed and have itched for 8 years now. I get really down from it. I have tried just about everything from allapathic to homeopathy, acupuncture to stress reduction meditation and yoga techniques. I have completely changed my diet; I do not drink or smoke or eat candy or bad stuff. I pray for relief although sometimes I feel as though I am not doing enough spiritually; “God, why have you sent me these locusts?” like the Lamentations.
I can only remember one time I got too much sun. I was about 16 and got very sun burned, but sunburned all over. I am always mystified that I get the itch on the upper arms, sometimes the back of the neck and occassionally on the upper back. But, usually, it’s the upper arms and the pain and itch is so unmanageable, I just don’t quite know what I am to do.
For now, I find ice is best. I put what I call my “blue ice cube” (one of those little hard ice packs you put in a cooler) in a tea towel under my arm pit when going to sleep; I now take Seroquel in small doses to sleep. It’s the only thing that lets me sleep through the itch. Even if I wake up, I go back to sleep more readily. I wear gloves when the going gets really bad so I stop scarring myself.
I don’t know what we are all going to do but it is a big help to me tonight to have all of you out here sharing this problem.
Thank you and God Bless.
January 8th, 2006 @ 12:27 pm
Hi,
I have only recently developed intense “under skin” type itching, mostly on my left forearm but sometimes on my right too. Even wondered did I have scabies but as I said, no rash. Interested to read some of the above messages. I have reasonably fair skin and originally had dark hair, my eyes are hazel.I live in UK and have never been a sun worshipper,but do have a history of spinal problems. I have been tested for thyroid function, (no probs) but am overweight. Could this be related to glucose intolerance or early Stage 2 diabetes? So far I don’t have diabetes but at 52 I know I am at risk. I also have a history of dry sensitive skin and excema and psoriasis on other areas of my skin. Again the auto-immune system seems to feature in a lot of the preceeding cases. Haven’t seen my doctor as yet but will keep you posted.
January 8th, 2006 @ 8:13 pm
Eva, How funny that we live so close! I live in Millbrook and work at Gunter AFB. When I went to UAB at B’ham, I saw Dr. Bonnie Ewlewski. I felt such relief just having someone make a diagnosis that made sense!! I only take 200 mg of neurontin before bed because of another users suggestion. When you take it throughout the day, does it make you sleepy? I’ve been seeing Dr. Phan in Montgomery. But with a new health plan for 2006, Dr. Phan is no longer a preferred provider. I will start increasing my dosage on my own and see what happens. Thanks SO MUCH for the advice!!!
January 9th, 2006 @ 8:29 pm
hi Cathy & all! the recommended method of increasing dosage of neurontin is SLOWLY. I took one 300 mg pill day one, two pills day two, three pills day three. The first three days I was very loopy (no driving! no sharp objects!). But, after those first three days I’ve had no problems with drowsiness during the day. A little uncoordinated at times, but that’s not a big change for me
I am careful of my dosing intervals.
Cathy, you are welcome to write me off-post at EvaOnTheFarm@aol.com for more particulars of my experience in adjusting dosage.
And a big thanks to A Big Pink Cookie in Paris for hosting this post! sleep well!
January 13th, 2006 @ 7:59 am
Like you I am gobsmacked by the amount of sufferers. I have had the itchy symptons for 2 years now but only in the upper right arm. It occurs mostly when I´m very warm and is worse during the night. Its usually worse in the summer but I am presently suffering with it and its January! I live in Spain but dont sunbathe hardly at all. I have been going through a hell of a lot of stress but no thyroid problems. The only thing I´ve found eases the itchiness is cold water but will now take an ice pack to bed with me and try lanocaine or calamine. I´ll be checking this site over the coming months hoping for a miracle cure!
January 13th, 2006 @ 8:01 am
I, too, have had the itching for 3 years. I have been to the local ER 3 times and each the first time they gave me a couple of shots which were only a temporary fix. I finally changed MD’s and was at least taken seriously. I’ve since been referred to an allergist, dermotologist and skin cancer specialist. I’ve had bloodwork done, xrays taken and biopsies. One diagnosis I do have that is real is Aquagenic Pruritus and Cholinergic Urticaria. This means an allergy to water (showers, humidity, sweat) and very sensitive to sudden temperature changes. I have a script for Hydroxyzine, which just barely puts a dent in the itching but it also makes me drowsy so I do sleep better. I am on several meds, some of which I think may be a problem. I know that the diagnosis is only a part of the problem as the itching rarely seems to stop. It is not only my arms, it is also my neck and entire backside. I used to go to bed with 3 or 4 ice packs. After checking on the internet, I found a suggestion to try a heating pad. Believe it or not, it works!! In the meantime, I continue to search for answers. I keep an on-going journal of what changes take place or how my body reacts to different things. It’s a great tool to bring to the dr’s office. I also mixed up an unusual body cream for myself that works wonders. I buy the cheapest lotion I can find without perfume or dyes and I also buy a small jar of mentholatum. I melt the mentholatum in the microwave and whip it into the lotion. It’s a much cheaper solution than a lot of the other lotions on the market that cost $8-$15 a bottle. I put this lotion on as soon as I get out of the shower. Baby oil only clogs up the pores and other problems will eventually come along. The doctor also told me to take tepid showers but I found that ending the shower with extremely hot water really works. A lot of these ideas I got from the aquagenicskin forum. Keep searching on the internet and be open to new ideas. This seems to be my last resort as I’ve tried everything else after being told in the ER to go home and take more anxiety meds. There is nothing more irritating/annoying/life-changing as an itch that can’t be scratched cleared up.
January 13th, 2006 @ 7:14 pm
I haven’t read all of the postings, but would like to let everyone know what helped me w/brachial radial pruritus. My doctor prescribed both Capsaicin 0.025% cream (over-ther-counter) & Temovate 0.05% cream (prescription)- generic = clobetasol propionate. I used the Capsaicin twice/day for 12 days. Took a day off & switched to Temovate for 13 days.I stopped using anything. It has been 3 weeks & I’ve had no itching. Praise the Lord!! Noteworthy: Capsaicin may take 1-2 weeks for relief. Temovate is not to be used for more than 14 days at a time. Hope this helps everyone or at least someone.
January 17th, 2006 @ 8:13 pm
To Jude Kaminski- Finally someone from the southern hemisphere- You mentioned that your arm just started itching again on Dec. 1st. As you can see from all the posts on this site, most of us seem to be affected with this mainly from August-Nov. or Dec. This year mine started in early Sept. and disappeared in early Nov. So I want to know, altho you had a bout in Dec., are you bothered by this certain months of the year more than others? The opposite months from the rest of us perhaps? Am very curious about this.
January 18th, 2006 @ 8:50 am
OK, I think we all need to find a centrally located University Hospital and sit in protest until some doctor finds a cure. Not a temporary fix but a cure!!! This itch is driving me nuts as you can probably tell at this point. I have never protested a thing in my life but I sure would be willing to march on Washington if it would help this miserable itch. It rules my life anymore. I don’t want to go through life drugged to the hilt and still itching. I have tried to get my doctor to pull this website up and read to understand what is going on but to no avail. Just a nod and some more drugs. We are changing again today. I’ve been on klonepin, cymbalta for several months now so its time to change to something else that will have just about the same results because it is still in the same group of medications. I think the main thing they are hoping for is to find something that will make me loopy enough I won’t care if I itch or not.
I’ve been the route of dermatologist, allergist, primary care, neurologist. I have spent enough on this to have had a wonderful month or two luxury vacation. Anymore ideas form anyone else? I’m just rambling at this point. I feel defeated to the max.
JW
January 18th, 2006 @ 5:47 pm
My arms have itched for past 20 years. When I was a student I had occasional bouts..now at 48 I have it permanently. It may get slightly worse in the sun but it is much the same all year….particularly bad at the moment..January..no sun. I take amitriptyline tablets 10-20 mg a night and use emollient creams to minimise the itching and the feeling of despair! I have tried higher doses of amtriptyline 100mg which is great for the itch but side effects- extreme fatigue and weight gain – were not good. Has anyone had any success with Chinese medicine?
January 19th, 2006 @ 5:14 am
Hi Sarah ( in Mexico)
I had noticed that I was the only itcher from the southern hemisphere.
I have itched daily, worse at night, from Dec 1st until 17th January. I have tried Telfast allergy tablets, cortisone cream, and am now on Endep 10 mg
for the past two weeks. Also I have been covering my arms when out doors. Now I have managed two days and nights without that terrible itch and have slept through without having to get up for ice packs. I think the Endep has helped, even with such a small dose. I do feel a bit dopey first thing in the morning – that seems to be the only side effect.
Since finding this site, I have been trying to pay more attention to my daily activities and diet to see if I can relate any specifics to the itch.
I have been doing intensive bike riding most days in training for a two-week ride coming up in March. I am wondering if the riding position is causing pressure in my neck and irritating the nerves in that area. Also being out in the sun a lot more, albeit smothered in sunscreen.
I guess I will just keep up the small dose of Endep and hope that will keep the itch at bay. As far as I can remember, it usually goes away in the cooler weather. We are in the middle of our summer in Australia right now.
This year I intend to keep a detailed record of “THE DREADED ITCH”
Jude
January 23rd, 2006 @ 9:10 pm
Hi
I’ve had this for about 7 years. It started in a small area on one arm and has progressed to both arms. My cure-keep cool!! I only wear short sleeves, with vests when it’s cold and will lean against a cool wall or anything to cool my arms down. I lived in Costa Rica when it started but now live in Washington state. It’s not climate but heat. Oh yeah, try sleeping with your arms out of the covers with a window cracked. I love to be warm but the ithching is not worth it!
Good Luck
January 24th, 2006 @ 11:14 am
thank you all, read most all the postings, just started this mess this fall and been puzzled. Im not one who runs to the dr. and have been putting it off but almost at my witts end. so glad to find this arena and found several good suggestions I will try. Will be glad to share results if any work for me.
what a “affliction”! good luck to all, I will keep reading for more info….I do feel better knowing its not “in my head”
January 25th, 2006 @ 11:08 am
I’ve been awhile writing and I just want to update you. My arms aren’t as itchy (not as intense) but it pops up mostly in the evenings and when I scratch enough a rash forms. My arms have a lot of blemishes on them now and they don’t seem to want to go away, even with moisture creams.
I use Aveeno cream because it’s the only things that doesn’t cause more itching. After reading all the posts I no longer go to doctors. I suppose I will if I’m about out of my mind. In the evenings I usually take a benedryl and after some time the itching stops. The only thing I don’t like about taking this medication is because it is also a sleep aid and acts like a sleeping pill. Fabrics and my arms getting warm, still plays a big part. I don’t use much ice at the present. I dread to see next Fall coming.
January 31st, 2006 @ 6:30 am
Hi, just tried the Vicks Vapor rub, it’s the first thing that’s worked, put it on last night after a stressed ‘itchy’ day of visiting both physio and dermatologist and reading posts on here, what a relief! I can still feel it slightly tingling and it does get hot, but no itch and I slept, oh my god everyone must try it, my poor partner bought it for his cold only yesterday and I’ve swiped it, and it won’t leave my side, well not while it works anyway!!
Saw dermatologist yesterday and told me my itching is not a skin ‘disease’, and they signed be off but they have prescribed Antax anti-histamine which is for the treatment of Brachialradial Pruritis, it also treats anxiety (hey at least when I’m scratching I won’t be anxious about it!!!). I also saw the physio who checked over my neck, reflexes etc., I had a neck injury 3 years ago and was treated by a physio and resulted in having a steroid injection, the itching is in the same arm/shoulder, she can find nothing wrong, but has booked me in for a 2nd opinion in a couple of weeks.
I have copied and printed lots of the posts from here and highlighted several paragraphs that particularly highlighted my problems and although I have produced them at drs, physio and dermatologists, not one of them has looked at it… what can I say, nothing new from reading other posts on here, no one seems to have a clue.
I am blonde blue eyed and fair skin, I don’t tan easily but do sunbathe but not excessively and I go on a sunbed maybe 6 times for 3 minutes each before I go abroad. I live in sunny England so obviously the hot weather is not to blame here! What does concern me however and I’m wondering if any other writers can help me here, is whether to go abroad for a holiday, we had planned to go to the Canaries or somewhere for a week at end of Feb or March time, but not sure if the heat will aggravate my condition, I don’t want to spend my time totally covered up and scratching! Any thoughts or experiences on this would be gratefully received!
February 1st, 2006 @ 3:09 am
Stephanie,
Hi, although I personally never had this, my cousin suffered severely this year. I researched and commented here, we recommended the vicks vapor rub… i called my chiropractor he said that 2 ingredients make it work, which are the same in another one thats prescribed and cant think of what. I still believe its nerve damage… or BP… same thing… My advice if you can tolerate it… take your trip. I wouldnt let it control my life, which may make it worse. You may have to cover up more, as heat seems to agitate… but… Also, check into a chiropractor… if you can go a few times before your trip you may find relief. This is just my personal advise. I wish there was a cure for you guys, I have seen the suffering up close, I know its hard and frustrating. Good luck!
February 1st, 2006 @ 10:22 am
Hi Karie, thanks so much for your advice and reply, I must admit that you may have a point with the BP, as the tablets seem to be working also, I tried using the ointment and the tablets separately and had a few problems but together… I haven’t itched for 2 days! Just some tingling and I’m wearing long sleeves today, apart from a tiny scratching on my shoulder (I put on the Vicks) that has been it!
February 1st, 2006 @ 6:58 pm
Hi, just checking in. The site comments have definitely slowed, both here and on the Men’s Health site. For most of us it is that “itch free” part of the year. I quit taking Neurontin in December and have been doing great!
To Stephanie – Although I have itched from Aug -Nov/Dec for many years I also travel in the winter to Mexico & Hawaii, Even though I get tanned I have had no problems with itching. Sun, heat etc seem to have no ill effects until Aug – Nov/Dec. This continues to be the mystery for me.
Hope many of you are for the moment “itch free” and enjoying the new year.
Kathy
February 1st, 2006 @ 10:08 pm
hi to all! also just checking in after several weeks away from this site. An update on my nuerontin dosage: I am now at 1800 mgs/day and am virtually itch free. Before my follow-up at the University of Alabama Birmingham dermatology clinic, I was dosing at about 4 hour intervals. Rather difficult to keep up with and complicated. The doctor told me I could just take 600 mgs 3 times per day. Much easier schedule to follow. I am not experiencing any discernable side effects and I do still have a flare-up every now and again, but seldom and only need to use ice for about 10 minutes when it does occur. I’m not especially happy thinking that I’ll be on this medication forever, but I believe it is possible some other remedy may be found in the future and am grateful for the relief now. sweet dreams!
February 2nd, 2006 @ 8:23 am
Haven’t updated in a while, but thought I would let everyone know that here it is February and I’M STILL ITCHING!!! Maybe not as bad, but it has NOT gone away by any means. I take Neurontin and Benedryl but they don’t help. I’ve tried the Vicks Vapo-Rub, Gold Bond itch cream and anything and everything else I can find. I’m still using ice at night just to get to sleep and the Neurontin helps me to stay asleep. But I still have itch spells throughout the day and night. I’m also on Allegra and Flonase for a recent sinus infection but they haven’t helped the itching either. I have always had neck problems and will try and find a chiropractor that may be able to help, if that’s the problem. If it is Brachiroadial Pruritis, I can’t seem to find anyone in the medical profession who knows what it is or can treat it. I’m going crazy.
February 2nd, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
Hi I am a male 53 yrs old with itchy arms. Mainly my right arm in the afternoons and night. I’ve been to all sorts of medicos with no answers. I have spent years in the Australian sun, so maybe that is a cause. I am blonde but with olive skin. Ice works and I also use Vicks vapour rub which gives some relief.
February 2nd, 2006 @ 6:27 pm
Just finished reading your entire site and must say I am dumbfounded that so many of us suffer from the same symptons. Also, that the majority of Doctors consulted blame “STRESS”. I will definitely E-Mail Dr. Phil in the hopes that someone with some clout can get the medical profession to pay attention to us. Someone posted a question about the electronic itchstopper (sells for 59.95) I purchased one and it works if the itching episode is mild. However, it was no help for episodes that woke me from a sound sleep. Thank you for a very informative site. I plan to visit often in hopes of finding relief from this horrid itching.
February 2nd, 2006 @ 6:33 pm
I must get my two cents worth in also. I have been reading this site for quite some time and this is what I have to offer. I am 60 years old and have been a sun worshiper all of my life. I am very dark skinned and never really burned but let myself get to the “black” point. I have been suffering from itchy arms for approx. 5 years. It usually starts in October when the cold dry air arrives in our area. However, we go to Florida for 3 months (Dec. Jan. Feb.) and two days after we arrive the itch disappears. Ice has been my only relief but I have purchased Sarna which I understand is a new product on the market and will have lots of it on hand when we return to the cool dry air. I have not read all the threads on this site but I understand that sun causes this condition so why does it go away when I return to the beach and warm weather. I have not sought medical help as I know what they will probably tell me. STAY out of the sun!!! Is anyone on here similar to me???? This itch is unbelievalbe!!!!!!!!
February 2nd, 2006 @ 7:35 pm
To Ralph Bowler – Since you are “down under” I am curious is your itch is seasonal.
kathy
February 2nd, 2006 @ 9:27 pm
Hi all
My last post was Jan. 19th when I had just started taking Endep tablets for the itch. I have 10mg per day, and I have stopped itching completely. I can’t believe it. I am still bike riding daily but in long sleeves and suncream everywhere – it is our mid-summer in Australia.
I dare not stop taking the tablets in case the itch flares up again.
Good luck everyone. Life’s a bitch with the itch !!
February 5th, 2006 @ 7:31 pm
Hi Kathy
Sorry I forgot to mention that my itch is seasonal. I only get it in our summer months. It’s mainly on my right arm which has probably received more sun over the years as it is the right arm which is closest to the window when you are driving down under. I suspect it could be related to sun damage although I have no sun spots or cancers.
February 6th, 2006 @ 2:41 am
I have read all the posts over the last month and had nothing to add so just watched and waited. I realised that only people with the itch are searching for answers – the others have somehow found a cure and got on with their lives.
1. Mine is seasonal – summer time for the past ten years but in varying degrees. I have it in three areas – both arms and centre back over an old injury.
2. It is worse if I eat bread.
3. It is relieved if my husband massages my upper spine and the knotted muscles on either side and the itch often stays away for a couple of days. Also, seven years ago, I broke my central back and the skin over the damaged vertebrae itches like crazy but it stops with very firm pressure on that part of my spine. I had a deep Thai massage in Hanoi which I thought would kill me but I had no itch anywhere for two years. The deep theraupeutic massages here in Australia only temporarily relieve it.
4. I think it is something to do with a depletion of blood supply caused by damage to the spine and the itch is the body’s attempt to get blood to the area. A couple of minutes of rotating my arms slowly and alternatively in both directions also relieves the arm itch for several hours.
5. At the moment, massage of the damaged areas are the keys for me.
Good luck to everyone.
February 6th, 2006 @ 10:42 am
I woke up this morning with my husbands condition on my mind and it just dawned on my that I’d never written about him. Several years ago Jerry’s arms started itching. Severely intense itching. The best I have determined over the years is that we really can’t tell that it’s seasonal condition. For that first several months we were lucky to get 3-4 hours of sleep a night. He literally had to sleep with ice packs on his arms. We went to our doctor who didn’t have a clue but who sent us to a dermatologist in our area. After our visit with him, he informed us that Jerry had Brachial Radial Pruritus – which is as he stated it, a rare nerve disease – and incurable. He tried creams, antihistamines, etc … on him but nothing worked long term. He told us that doctors have never honestly figured out what causes the disease. Part think it is strictly sunlight related and for the life of me I can’t remember what he said the second reason was. So, he sent us to Baptist Hospital in NC to see a certain doctor who he said was the worlds leading authority on this disease. We made the trip and this doctor basically told us the same thing the dermatologist did. It’s incurabe and the best you can do is help control it, so he put Jerry on Neurontin – which we all know is an anti-seizure med. He told us that that was the best they had to treat the condition. Jerry took about a weeks worth of the drug and said no more. It just zoned him out till he couldn’t even function. I called and talked to Jerry’s chiropractor who is just a sweet heart of a guy. He was very concerned and started doing his own research. He spent a lot of time studying the condition and he called Jerry in to see him. He worked on a specific place in his upper back and the itching was gone instantly. I don’t know exactly where in his back that doc does this, but I could ask if anyone is interested in knowing. The itching comes from this radial nerve that runs in the back of the neck and down the arms. From time to time Jerry’s neck itched like crazy too. Now about once a year his arm will start itching and he’ll go back to his doc and tell him his arms are itching and he will work on that spot and solve his problem.
I think it’s a shame that our medical doctors don’t see the benefits of using alternative medicine along with traditional. Some things aren’t always cured with a pill.
February 6th, 2006 @ 3:50 pm
Hi Virginia,
That really is interesting and ties in with the massage helping. I will print out your response and go see my friendly chiropractor. Thank you. Judith
February 6th, 2006 @ 7:39 pm
Glad to hear from Virginia about her husband’s treatment. I am going to print it out and take it to a chiropractor. Although I’ve never had a neck or spinal injury, I’ve always had problems with my neck….stiffness and discomfort. Perhaps a chiropractor could help. And even though I live in Georgia, I have NEVER been a sun-worshipper and my itching is not seasonal. It is year-round. This year however, it has creeped up above my elbow, whereas in years prior, it stayed between my wrist and elbow. Both arms are affected. Sometimes just one at a time and sometimes both at the same time. Keeping ice packs on both arms at night is not easy!! I will keep checking here in hopes that someone is finding relief.
February 7th, 2006 @ 2:33 pm
I have had this severe arm itching for about 16-18 years. I’ve been to so many doctors, tried every cream, now when it gets unbearable I just scratch to get relief, wipe off the blood and put ice on it for a few minutes. Sometimes I double-dose Claritin. (generic is cheaper and works fine). I too have light eyes and blondish/brown hair, but it seems that so many people of all types have this problem. One year it will be on my left forearm, then it may change to the other arm. Makes no sense at all, just comes and goes as it pleases. I have to wear long sleeves at work so people don’t see the scabs on my arm from scratching. My daughter laughs at me because I’m always telling her “don’t touch my arm!!!
February 7th, 2006 @ 3:54 pm
I have also been following an English chatline on itchy arms and a post last night is well worth reading. In summary, the chiropracter/masseur needs to work on C5-6 vertebrae, topical creams don’t help as it is not a skin problem but a new drug called “Lyrica” seems to work wonders.
The site is http://www.men’shealth.co.uk/talk/
There are many threads and scroll down to Health, then Skin and you will see the itchy arms site. The relevant post is right down the bottom. Good luck.
February 7th, 2006 @ 6:07 pm
I thougth I’d post a copy of the message that I posted to men’s health this afternoon. I had called and talked with Jerry’s chiro today and what I posted is from what he told me.
I called this morning and left a message and he called me back a little later. He spent about 25 minutes on the phone with me talking about BRP (Brachioradial Pruritus). He also believes that for a lot of people there has probably been some sort of trauma or such to a person that causes this condition to begin. For Jerry, he did a lot of riding mountain bikes and one day he went over his handlebars and landed hard.
Anyway, Dr. Reagan said that for Jerry’s BRP, he specifically works on levels C5, C6, and C7. He added that depending upon how easily he could gets Jerry’s back to move (or whatever you’d call it) sometimes he also works from T1 – T4, although not necessarily all of these (T’s) at the same time. He said it depended upon how much inflammation he found there as to which one specifically he deals with.
He also said he checked or worked up in the plexis – behind the collar bone.
And lastly he said he remembers having Jerry use cold packs on the side of the itching up on the base of the neck and top of the shoulders.
I totally agree with the statement that the topical creams and ointments just help calm the irritation – they don’t address the true problem which is from that radial nerve. The one lotion that Jerry found that help calm the beast was called Sarna. At our WalMart they don’t have it out on the shelves, you have to ask for it. Dr. Reagan said he spent a bit of time studying that radial nerve and it’s path. Hopefully anyone who wants to visit their chiro. will find one as concerned as ours is, who was willing to do some research and really hunt a solution.
February 7th, 2006 @ 8:22 pm
Heartfelt thanks Virginia
February 8th, 2006 @ 2:55 pm
Hi, all. I’m a 52 year old and it took me 5 dermatolgolists before I heard the term “brachial radial pruritis” and then I thought, “Thank God, I’m not crazy!” I have cervical dis disease (lots of arthritis and degeneration of discs plus spurs) suffered trauma in a car accident long ago, and this condition is directly related to that. My doctor prescribed a cream with steroids that works, but I need to exercise tremendous willpower to not scratch before it sinks in. Flucinonide is what it is (check that spelling, though – I’m not sure) I also highly recommend another prevention that has worked incredibly since I’ve been doing it for a month – and that is swimming 3x a week. I find that the neck movemnet if I breathe bilaterally releases some of the tension in my neck and is as therapeutic as massage. In any case, the episodes of itching have nearly disappeared – so much so that my arms have completely healed. Try it!
February 8th, 2006 @ 7:02 pm
Hi All!! I am SO EXCITED and couldn’t WAIT to get home and write to all of you. I haven’t written in quite a while because I had nothing new to say – just still itching. But I have been reading what all of you have been writing. I FINALLY went to a chiropractor this evening. While talking to the nurse when I got there, I told her I was told 4 years ago that I have a herniated C5-6 disc. I wanted the doctor to know so he wouldn’t hurt me and this was my first time to a chiroprator. She showed me a chart of the spine that diagrams what disc affects what part of your body. Guess what??? C5-6 affects the shoulders and upper arms!!!!! For the past 4 months, the itch has been concentrated in my right shoulder, right upper arm and left upper arm!!! I am so mad at myself for not going to this doctor sooner but, like most of you, I had given up hope of having any relief. I don’t have any relief YET but I feel like I’m on the right track. I have taken every drug the dermatologists could think of to give me. All they did was provide minimal relief, if any. I go back at 7 tomorrow morning for another adjustment and can’t wait!!! I have an ice pack on my neck right now since they highly recommended I use it. I panicked at first because I don’t want ice anywhere near my itchy arms. But with this on my neck, it’s not bad at all. I’ll write more tomorrow evening with any results I may have. I’m not expecting miracles, just relief. We just may be on to something. THANK YOU VIRGINIA!!! If it wasn’t for your words of wisdom, I may not have called the doctor yesterday!!!
February 8th, 2006 @ 8:04 pm
Hi Judith and Cathy. You both are very welcome – for whatever small part I may have had. I don’t have a clue why, but when I woke up the other morning it just stayed on my mind to get back online and see what was being said about this disease and to tell how Jerry has been helped. My heart sincerely goes out to anyone who has this. I’ve just wanted time and again to sit down and cry for Jerry.
When Jerry was first diagnosed, all I could find online was statements about the cause being sun related and that was about it. Then I chanced up on one little statement someone had made in some medical paper that was located outside of the US. They brought up the fact that they felt there was a great possibity that the disease could be brought under control/cured/helped with spinal manipulation instead of drugs. This was what I’d been digging for. I immediately called and spent a good hour on the phone with Jerry’s chiro and that got the ball rolling for us. I so hope that you guys get the same relief.
Cathy please continue use of the ice packs the doc recommended. They truly help the inflammation. Every time Jerry goes to see Doc Reagan, he immediately comes home and grabs his ice pack out of the freezer and does exactly what the doc suggested. He’s proven for himself that they are very beneficial.
Please don’t be discouraged if you don’t get immediate relief at the chiro. Encourage him to continue working in that area until he finds the place where you get relief. That isn’t to say that you can’t get immediate relief – I know Jerry did. It was miraculous to witness the change that took place in about 30 minutes.
February 9th, 2006 @ 3:46 am
Hi everyone just wanted to update you from the 1st of Feb, I have been taking Atarax especially for Brachioradial Pruritus, and using vicks, since then, my arm has just got better and better, I hardly need to use the Vicks only use it, if I get a ‘bit’ of itching, and am taking 4 tablets a day (could have up to 5), my arm has stopped burning and flaring up as well this past few days, so although I am not going to shout to the roof tops I’m cured, this so far is working extremely well for me, so for those in the UK who have not been prescribed this (prescribed by dermatologist) please try this.
February 9th, 2006 @ 6:59 pm
HELLO ALL, IF ANYONE SUFFERS PRICKLING ITCHING, REDNESS AND BURNING AFTER WATER CONTACT — TRY THIS. STOP EATING SUGR AND SWEETNRS AND START A VERY VERY VERY LOW GLYCEMIC DIET IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS A FREE AND EFFECTIVE CURE, I’M LIVING PROOF OF IT. IN THE FIRST WEEK YOU SHOULD NOTICE IMPROVEMENT.HOWEVER, FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF TAKE COOLER SHOWERS, AFTER A SHOWER STAND IN THE SUN, WASH-UP INSTEAD OF SHOWERING AND WEAR LONG CLOTHES TO STAY CLEANER LONGER. I’VE TRIED MANY REMEDIES FOR MANY YEARS AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THATS WORKED FOR ME, HOPEFULLY IT WILL WORK FOR YOU. TELL EVERYONE!!! barrywilllwin@yahoo.com
February 15th, 2006 @ 5:03 am
Well, three days after deep massage on upper spine, no itch at all except I went to the Blood bank today and they put a conscriction bandage on my left elbow. Within 20 minutes, the whole area was extremely itchy under the bandage which follows my theory about restricted blood blow causing the itching. I took the bandage off, did my rotating arm exercise forwards and back about ten times and the itch just retreated. Twelve hours later, still nothing! I really feel I am getting control of the itch.
I wonder if glucosomine and chondroitin (Shark cartilege) which is good for osteoarthritis would help repair or relieve the damage in the spine which seems to cause the BRP.
February 15th, 2006 @ 9:50 am
Thanks so much to everyone with information on itchy arms. With all the things that Virginia wrote, I feel much more hopeful and I think everyone is getting closer and closer to the answer. My itching had died down for awhile but it seems to have popped up again so I didn’t have much relief. It’s not too intense but it’s always there, worse in the evening and overnight. Maybe it’s the way I sit and/or sleep. I do have a sore neck most of the time and it hurts especially when I hang my head. Would arthritis contribute to this I wonder. I’m not saying I have arthritis because I don’t know. Sorry I don’t have information for you. I wish I could contribute more.
February 15th, 2006 @ 9:02 pm
Virginia, Am so glad your husband has been helped by his chiropractor. I was advised a year ago by a friend who is a nurse, altho he didn’t know exactly what I had, that work on C5-6 might be helpful. I am going to get someone to work on me, altho I have not been bothered much by the itching lately. Since your chiro seems to be so helpful and understanding, could you please ask him if he has any explanation as to why most of us are affected by this seasonally(and NOT when the sun is strongest) That is the biggest mystery to me. And to everyone- I have found that coffee aggravates the condition. Has anyone else found this to be true?
February 16th, 2006 @ 8:46 pm
Coffee does not seem to aggravate my itchy arms, but I do notice that desserts and sugar sometimes starts the itching. I’ve cut down on as much sugar as I can, but am still going to contact a chiro if it gets unbearable again. Mine has finally subsided a little and my arms are finally healed up. I just dread next Fall. I can’t imagine what the correlation would be to the seasons and a spinal/neck problem. This is such a mystery!
February 18th, 2006 @ 11:56 pm
I’ve been suffering from pruritus since October, and it affects my entire body. It primarily kicks in once my body temperature rises, which really sucks because I used to work out regularly. This has affected my entire life, from my work environment (I work in an office) to my personal life. If for some reason I become agitated, it flares. If a particular room that I may be occupying is a tad bit too warm, it flares. If I perform physical activity, it flares.
The only relief I’ve found was, of course, ice. It became so intolerable that I sought the advice of my physician. She placed me on Atarax 50mg daily. This was completely ineffective. So, after a month of ineffective treatment, she referred me to a Dermatologist. He placed me on Doxepin, initially 10mg, and finally increasing it to 30mg daily. Additonally, I began using Eucerin, and some anti-itching lotion which contained menthol, and dimethicone. Although, this was soothing on my skin it was absolutely useless for the itch. After a month and a half of treatment, he finally opted to refer me to an Allergist. This was the best choice anyone has made. He placed me on 50mg of Doxepin, 50mg of Atarax, Allegra, and Kenalog cream. I realize this may appear drastic. However, I am extremely appreciative. His primary motivation was due to my vacation plans to Egypt on March 9. And, because I cannot tolerate the heat, he felt that we had to take drastic measures in order to get this under control. And, I must say that it has been very effective.
I’m planning to minimize the medications upon my return to the States. I hope this has provided some assistance to someone. If anyone intends to replicate my treatment, I would be remiss not to warn you against receiving Kenalog injections. I have read horrible things about it, so I must advise you against it. The cream is fine, but avoid the injections.
Oh, and I am an African-American male, 30 years old, fairly dark complexion (despite my Caucasian, and Native American ancestry).
February 20th, 2006 @ 10:54 pm
It has been my experience that, when I heat up, the blood vessels constrict and I itch. High carbohydrate food will also cause it. I do have upper spine damage and I find that I can increase the blood flow to my arms without heating up by just slowly rotating my arms forward and back about ten times each arm, slowly being the operative word. The itch then retreats. Don’t know why this works but it does. I found the topical creams thin the skin, especially if they contain steroids, and this seems to make the condition overall worse. I have had this for eight years, generally in summer and this is the first year I think I understand it.
February 21st, 2006 @ 2:01 am
My itching started slowly about 2 years ago….it began with itching in both my arms just at the elbow…. there was no obvious allergy, and what frustrated me was that I would itch until I made little spots on my skin that would sometimes bleed….I wondered what the problem was but at age 45 put it down to being pre-menopausal…. Just a few weeks ago….I had my first bought of ‘real itch’…the itch was now moving up my arms and was not just itchy, but felt ‘prickly’ as well…..I began itching more often and began to notice that the area i was itching began to ‘generate its own heat’!! I was dumb founded by this as my arm would be cold everywhere else except the itchy part…..I would touch the itchy part and it would be hot to the touch…..and it got worse…..a week or so later it was moving up the the upper part of my arm to my shoulder…. This burning (or feeling of generating its own heat) facinated me as I could not think of anything related to the skin that would result in the generation of heat and wondered about nerve damage…..
so…here I am on this site….reading comments and thinking that I am doomed to a miserable life of itching…..:( Some of my stats are:
1) I live in the north of Australia and it is very hot (perhaps being exposed to the sun more often)
2) This year has been particularly humid (a fungus of the skin: Nah!)
3) I have put a pool in the back yard (some have said chemicals?)
4) I have had a back injury in the past that resulted in tingling across my shoulder blades for some years (this is the most likely cause of the symptoms in my opinion, ie: nerve damage, at 47 years old probably some osteoperosis, and a dash of old bones)
5) I’ve got blue eyes….go figure…lol
Anyway………will be seeking advice and help…..Pray for me please…:)
I
February 22nd, 2006 @ 8:48 am
Thanks for your input. The itching mostly is triggered by my arms getting too warm, such as in a very warm room or wearing too many clothes. If I’m cold then the clothing doesn’t bother me. I spend most of my time bare arms when I’m indoors. So heat definitely starts the itching in my case. I’ve also noticed if my arms are constricted they start to get itchy.
Funny how they can get men on the moon but this itch is a mystery to the most intelligent of people. Thanks for listening, once again. Can’t wait for a permanent cure.
February 24th, 2006 @ 9:30 am
Hi everyone,
I haven’t written for months – just suffered in silence and scratched. However, I have just started my annual diet – I give up sweets and chocolates for Lent every year in order to lose half a stone (I had to start 2 weeks early this year as I have put on extra weight) and guess what – the itching is now down to almost zero!! I can only do this for 6 weeks in the year as I am a chocoholic!! I have always been a sun worshipper, so I guess that hasn’t helped either. Can’t stay in when the sun is out. Is there anything you can buy over the counter at a chemist as I don’t wish to go to the doctors?
February 25th, 2006 @ 7:59 pm
Hi all fellow itch sufferers
It has been several months since my last entry,the itch has gotten alittle better but is still there. I am astounded at the amount of people from all over the world that are suffering from this and most doctors know nothing.
Thanks Virginia for your Chiro info, I am going to email that one and also #215 (Eva) to my Chiro today then I will make an appointment with her next week. Everytime I go see her she asks how I am doing so I know she is interested.
I stopped going to all the other drs because they weren’t doing anything to help. If you go back and read my first entry #103 which explains all that I have been thru you will understand.
The only things that I have found to be helpful is the ice (but instead of using ice packs I made myself some corn bags to freeze) they don’t seem to be as harsh as the ice packs, also the Vicks cream.
I seem to remember one of the comments was about itching on the legs, has anyone had any problems with that. My sister has leg itching but isn’t exposed to the sun that much. In the past I have itched on one are then the other, this year it was only the left arm (closest to the driving window), it started in late Aug/early Sept and slowed down about a month ago. It all seems very strange that it happens at the end of the summer season here. He have a boat and I have always been a sun goddess…..but no more….we are selling the boat too.
Let you know what happens when I see the chiro next week.
Good sleeping to all
Rosie
February 26th, 2006 @ 12:37 pm
Hello all, First let me say I am a 49 year old male / my life’s background is in heavy roadway construction. I have worked “Many” days in the sun and have had “Many back and neck pains for years. I have worked in a office now for over 5 years.
I have had this same “Uncontrollable” burning, prickly, under the skin itch you all have been talking about for over 20 years. Not every day mind you (I would have been in a rubber room if it had), it has came and went through the years (spring, summer, fall). It has been in both arms (top forearm area, from 3-4 inches above my elbow, to a little more than halfway down my forearm, but mostly in my right arm.
Last night I read through every single post while I was close to tears from this burning itch. I have seen a few doctors years ago and neither one could come up with a cure, and both had no idea what it was, stress was mentioned most, Zanax was prescribed but it was no help for the itching. I have tried every thing there is in over the counter itch creams, none of them have worked. Years ago I would use whole tubes of cortizone cream rubbed on both arms then I would cut the toes out of my tube shocks and tape them on my arms so I wouldn’t scratch. I consider myself a pretty tough guy, but when these itching bouts come over me I am taken to my knees, I fill so sorry for my wife at these time’s because I am so irritable that I can’t even be around anybody.
The only thing there is that will cut the pain of this burning itch is……”ICE”. I have used every thing and anything cold in past years. Bags of ice, frozen water bottles rolled on my arms, ice cream containers rolled on my arms, bags of frozen vegetables, bags of frozen chick breast strips…….anything cold or icy. Last night it was frozen black eyed peas( and yes (Rosie,corn is also my favorite :-0). My wife has found me pasted out sleeping on the couch in the morning with thawed out melted bags of vegetables many times. I know this may sound funny but at the time I will do anything to get relief from the “Itch”.
After all this time in pain, this is the first I have done any researching here on the internet. I was so surprised to find so much on the subject, or at least others with the same symptoms. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. It really does help to know there are others.
I have to say that after all the years, the doctors, and all the reading last night and this morning I believe there is a direct link to my back / neck pain. Not always, but in some case’s they have shown them self’s at the same time. Like rite now…. For the past few weeks I have had a sharp pain on the right side, between my shoulder blades, this pain also runs up to my neck and down to my forearm with numbing of my fingers. The filling is almost what I have read about carpo-tunnel
February 27th, 2006 @ 9:29 am
I am going to try the doctors again both general and a Chiro, and I am going there armed with all your symptoms and cures,(Brachioradial Pruritus)will be discussed as well as the spine C5-C6 ideas.
Thank you all, and I’m real sorry for “Such” a long babbling of my “itch” history but I fill I finally mite be on to something that will cure this for good.
Please, please, please, please.
Joe
February 27th, 2006 @ 7:34 pm
to Virginia, would you please ask the chiropractor why this is not an ongoing thing instead of seasonal? I am really curious as to why its not everyday of every month for 12 months. My itching came back in august with a vengence. I have been on lyrica 75mg and lunesta at night, prescribed by the same dr. in winston salem,n.c. I have been sleeping and not itching for a while now. I have had this for about 5 years. I went for months and months without sleeping and thought i could kill myself. I went to every kind of dr. imagineable in s.c. and n.c. I went to my allergy specialist in charlotte who sent me to wake forest baptist. I am so releaved to be sleeping and not itching, but in my heart i know its not gone. every now and then i’m reminded by a slight itching sensation. i am very interested in this situation with your husband. please see if his chiropractor has an explanation for the on and off deal. thanks for your help.
February 27th, 2006 @ 11:15 pm
I’m finally done reading all the previous entries! Took me three seperate sittings, and now I guess I’ll add my own two cents. Firstly, before I forget, I want to mention in case some of you don’t know, there are packs filled with a gel substance that you can buy at drug stores (chemists, for you Britts) instead of actual ice. I have a couple that I alternate. They’re soft and pliable to mould around the curve of your arm and they might even fit under your sleeve. Having said that, I stopped using ice several days ago after reading above (my presentation of this site doesn’t have numbers??) that it might not be the best idea. The explanation made sense so I gave it a try. Whether it’s the reason or not, my itch has lessened. Do what you have to NOT to scratch and NOT to ice, I know it might be impossible seeming especially if you’re at the hight of your spell, but try to distract yourself and see what happens.
This is only my second year with this but I am so determined to find a solution. At first I wanted the cause but now I’ll settle for a solution. I did love some of the eager-beavers earlier who suggested a survey/questionaire be compiled. If I were more computer-literate I’d try myself. Last year it arrived in September (right, upper arm) and lasted ’till March! This fall, like clockwork it came back in September (left, upper arm) so I’m hoping I’m almost done with it again. After it’s peak, in November and December, it’s become more manageable. Perhaps that’s why I can keep from scratching or iceing.
My stats are; female, caucasian, brown hair and eyes, 45, live on the west coast of Canada where it’s temperate, sunny and very dry in the summer and cloudy and very wet in the winter, never really hot or really cold. No known alergies. My history could support either of the suggested causes. I have a notoriously bad lower back and my neck is frequently stiff and sore. I also play a lot of tennis so although I’m relatively fit I’ve had lots of rotator cuff (shoulder) problems and tennis elbow currently (but both on my right side, the itch is on the left this year). I used to be a total sun worshiper in my teens and twenties (in Toronto) but not so bad any more. I have been know to visit the tanning salon in the winter months, but not lately! That’s something I find interesting about this site…how many of us have or do use a tanning bed. Are tanning beds just that common? Or could this be more significant??? I do tend to support the sun damage theory (or something related to weather) a little more than the neck compaction theory, even though I don’t want to, I adore the sun. Here’s why. My back and neck are sore all year round so why only itch September to March? Recently our weather took a dramatic turn from record-breaking rain to steady sunshine. After two or three days of sun my itch was GONE. No itch for several sunny days, I was so happy. Then the rain came back and so did the itch! I don’t know much about atmospheric/barometric pressure and it’s effect on the human body, but perhaps there’s a connection??
Like many of you I’ve tried all kinds of things, many lotions, anti-histamines, sleeping aides, accupuncture, herbs, massage, chiropractor (not a good one I don’t think), psychologist (recommended by the chiropractor!). I’ve been for blood tests and x-rays of my neck (no problems indicated?!).
In the end, here’s what has helped me. A simple remedy for not-too-bad times is an arthritis relief gel sold in Canada as Mentholatum “Deep Cold” Gold (extra strength). It may be what Susan refered to since it has a blue label. It’s probably a lot like the Vicks some of you use (I’ve not tried Vicks). Here’s something funny, I live in an old, drafty house so I need to keep warm but not my one arm so I went to the used clothing shop and bought some cheap (but actually pretty good), soft cotton, ski-type turtle necks ($5 ea.) and cut off the left sleeve! They’re really weird and ugly but around the house they do the trick. I even sleep in one. Oh, too much information!
Finally, I did try the new drug, Lyrica (pregabalin) recently. I took 50mg twice daily for a month (mid Jan to mid Feb) and it really helped but I’d try a higher dose if/when I take it again. Another woman with BRP takes 150 mg twice/day and had better results–hers vanished! I believe I’m coming to the end of my ’spell’ so I did not go back to my doctor for more (I hate my doctor and the drug is expensive). I do plan to get more for sure if this returns again next year. I experienced no side effects, didn’t feel like I was taking anything at all.
Thanks everyone who’s ‘listening’. I appreciate all the info. and I hope I can help someone too.
February 28th, 2006 @ 7:05 am
Hi again,
I woke up this morning with the same thought as Deborah, if this is BRP why would it be seasonal, I am curious to find out if Virginia’s husband’s chiro has an answer to that. I sent some of the comments to my chiro over the weekend and am going to make an appt for later this week…..we’ll see what she has to say.
Joe, So.CA, when I mentioned the frozen corn bags I wasn’t referring to vegetables per say. I buy dried corn from the pet food store and sew cotton (actually jersey) fabric bags with the corn, then put them in the freezer. They work great because they mold to your arm and the icing isn’t quite as harsh as the other frozen items you mentioned or even the gel bags. I did this because I actually freezer burned my arm so I had to find an alternate before I ended up with an additional problem.
My episodes diminshed somewhat in Jan although I still have some slight itching in my left upper arm occassionaly, almost not enough for icing. I just don’t understand the Aug to Jan (Feb) timeline.
By the way, I am not and have not been taking any medication at all for over a year and a half, it didn’t seem to help me so why bother.
I will let you know what my chiro says.
Rosie
February 28th, 2006 @ 3:42 pm
My chiropractor said to tell you to see a “Corrective” chiropractor. Guess there’s a difference. I plan to go for a while. My itching has subsided quite a bit. I’m only using Sarna lotion at night, only because I’m so afraid it’ll start itching again. But so far, so good. I itch just a little, and close to the surface of the skin – not deep – and the intense, prickly sensation is gone. Good luck!!
March 2nd, 2006 @ 3:22 pm
I am not a sufferer (thank goodness) — but it appears that my father has just started with these symptoms [both forearms -- he has poor/slumping posture, and had just switched beds/mattresses when this started; he has also had Shingles].
I do want to point out a fact that strikes me as important, based on all the accounts regarding this being a seasonal syndrome:
The sun starts leaving the northern hemisphere in June, and starts returning in January. August into December (especially) are the months of the year when we (in the north) have the LEAST exposure to sunlight, which is obviously important to our overall health. Secondary triggers of the syndrome like a lifetime overexposure to the sun that has caused nerve damage, and excessive heat triggering nerve-related symptoms, are probably unrelated to the underlying seasonal effects of diminishing sunlight on our skin, seems to me.
I also think the “parallel” factor of both arms triggering at once, etc., makes it clear that this is some sort of nerve/back-related (and under the skin) syndrome as the later posts are indicating. And maybe it’s something a certain type of person is more susceptible to than the general population (former Shingles sufferers, or constant worriers, or very stressed individuals, etc.).
Anyway the “corrective” chiropractor leads sound very much worth pursuing — I hope that turns out to be the answer for people. I wish you all blessed sleep and itch-relief soon.
March 7th, 2006 @ 6:01 am
I’ve suffered with itchy arms for the last ten years.It started during my first pregnancy but stopped as soon as my son was born. Throughout my next pregnancies I suffered again but this time the itch remained.It affects my upper arms and sometimes my neck. I’ve noticed it isn’t really bad during the day, but come night time just after my shower it gets really bad. I don’t get a rash at all and it feels like something crawling under your skin. I’ve been to 4 Doctors over the years and have been told I have everything from Hormonal problems, being allergic to water( itch is terrible after a bath)and also that it could be from taking iron tablets or panadol (get a lot of headaches) It is such a relief to find I’m not the only one suffering from this horrible condition.It has affected my life for such a long time and after reading some of the other entries it scares me that some of you have had this for 20 years or more.I’ve tried Cortisone creams (with minimal relief), Anti histamine tablets, Telfast, Polaramine ect. I haven’t used ice yet but I’m going to give it a try. I am so glad I found this site as it has given me peace of mind that it’s not just all in my head. Lets hope we all have a cure very soon.
March 9th, 2006 @ 10:38 am
Hi all….Cate from Australia here…..12:30 am and i can’t sleep…just finished the ice pack and going to have another go……some comments I’ve been thinking about are:
I don’t think my itching is related to ’sun’ persay as I do ‘heat’….. being in the north of Aus….I spend most of my time in are conditioning….. and the itch is ok…..but if I heat up….. it starts again…..exercise (swimming in my pool) can do it….or getting into a hot car….leaving the airconditioned house or just laying on a couch made of foam rubber.
I thought it was my back injury that had caused this dreadful itching….but I’m not so sure anymore….. I’m wondering if the back injury results in damaged nerves and the nerves react to heat?……
My other idea is “I have been on anti-depressants (Ciprimal) for 5 years now….could this have injured my neurological system?….
I don’t know….I’ll have to see a Dr soon……
Thanks for your posts everyone…..:)
March 10th, 2006 @ 8:22 am
I to have the same symptoms as everyone else in this forum. It is great to
see that alot of people have written in and told us all about there episodes.
I have had these symptoms now for around 1 year. I dont know what to do.
I have been to many doctors and nothing.It is a funny thing actually
because alot of you have a itchy left arm. As you drive on the right. I am
from Australia where we drive on the left and my right arm is the itchy one.
So I dont know if it has anything to do with drivers arm sunburn. Or could
it be just nerves. If anyone can help with some information that would be
great.
March 10th, 2006 @ 5:41 pm
I just found this website when I googled “Brachioradial Pruritis.” Three years ago I developed the intense itch/burning in my arms. It seemed to follow a nerve right down my arm. After 2 dermatologists, 2 allergists and my GP tried their diagnoses and cures on me with no relief, I mentioned the problem to my Chiro. He treated my upper back and neck for a few weeks and the itch was gone for 3 years.
In January of this year my migraines became worse. An x-ray showed degenerative disc disease and spurs in my neck. Now guess what’s back! The dreaded itch! So I’m back to my Chiro for another series of visits.
I’m recommending those of you with a similar problem to contact a good chiropractor. Good luck to all!
March 13th, 2006 @ 11:52 am
Hi Cate, I’m going along with you. Heat triggers the itching as does wearing too many clothes, even the fabric on my sofa will set it off (I don’t know what kind of material it’s made from, something synthetic). But again, I have to ask everyone, whatever causes it, why does it seem to be seasonal?????
March 13th, 2006 @ 8:48 pm
Hi Steven, I’m also from Australia – the Gold Coast – and have had this every summer really badly for the past eight years and this year I seem to have got on top of it.
I returned today from six days camping and hiking in our summer and no full itch at all so I feel the acupuncture of my upper cervical area has worked. I have had four weeks, once a week and the difference is remarkable. Once or twice I got the faintest prickle in one arm but found that by VERY slowly rotating it in both directions about five times, it just went away.
In the last year, I have had physio, chiropractic and massage, all of which helped a little with the itch but nothing as much as the acupuncture.
This may be a temporary fix because probably the spine damage is permanent but, if you can find a doctor to do it, it is mostly covered by Medicare.
March 14th, 2006 @ 5:32 am
Hi Dee thanks for your comments…..I’m thinking that the sofa problem is related to the fact that ‘foam’ does not breath….and it generates a lot of heat…for example if you by a foam matteress you would be perspire more due to the lack of breathing in the foam….. As for the seasonal issue…I’m thinking that the tempreture rises and results in the body heat rising…. therefore…the problem can be seasonal….eg: cool weather less feelings of being hot….this would also correlate with the notion that people in cold weather can get it….eg: if they turned down the central heating and stayed ‘cool’ would they suffer as much? What do others think?
Cheers……
Cate (Australia)
March 21st, 2006 @ 9:27 pm
I find this most curious. My BRP is very seasonal, September to March and I live in the northern hemisphere, Canada. A few of you living in Austrailia have it at the same time, but it’s your summer?? I kind of envy you in a strange way because at least you can wear no sleeves or light clothing. Try going sleeveless during the winter in Canada! I do keep my heat relatively low in my home because I agree, heat, dry or wet, makes it worse. For the past month or so my itch has subsided to a bearable level and I’m pretty happy, I can sleep, hopefully it will be completely gone soon, for all of us!
March 25th, 2006 @ 1:10 am
My husband has all of the same symptoms as all of you! He is suffering with this itchiness on one arm. He actually gets up and runs to get ice. I shared this site with him and he was so glad to have found people that he could relate with! We tried the Vicks today with no luck
… He does have a common ailment in Degenerative disk .. Please keep up the postings, we appreciate all of your input!
March 25th, 2006 @ 2:14 pm
I have been to 4 doctors in the last 8 weeks. Rite after my itchy right arm subsided I started having pain in the band of muscles up and down my right arm, in my neck and between my shoulder blade. I had MRI’s X-rays, blood test, the whole 9 yards.
The pain was so awful at one point between my shoulder blades I had to go to the hospital.
After all the tests……………….. Degenerative disks in my neck, between C4 to C7, slight arthritis. Bottom line, …Major Therapy. I have been on muscle relaxers and inflammatorys for over a month.
I have always had a slight neck and back problem from an old racing accident when I was about 23.
The two of these physical problems, uncontrollable burning itching of my right arm and neck-back-shoulder blade pain with sever cramping of the muscles in my forearm. Always seemed to show up very close together. The older I have gotten the worst it has got.
I totally believe these 2 things have something to do with each other. The funny thing is I never asked my new general Doctor, but I will……….This year I went from knee surgery, The Dreaded Itch for about 2 weeks, then less than a week later the neck, back, arm pain started. Gezzzzz give a guy a brake, I’m still fighting thru the neck pain and arm muscle spasms but NO ITCHING………… Good Luck to you all, I will talk to this new doctor to see if he thinks the 2 mite be connected.
March 25th, 2006 @ 6:02 pm
After five sessions of acupuncture on upper spine, still no itch!!!!!!! Occasionally a vague tingling but that is it! And this is after at least eight years of the beast.
March 26th, 2006 @ 12:04 pm
Just a quick update – since giving up sweets and chocolates for lent, the itching is almost down to zero – perhaps some of you should try it – it may help.
March 29th, 2006 @ 2:40 pm
Hi everyone, I too have had itchy arm and back of neck for 8 or so years. I thought I was the only one as none of the drs. out there mentioned ever having come across this before. Not that I want you to itch but misery loves company and maybe we can put our heads together for a cure. Background, small frame, blonde, 60 have not had back problems but was diagnosed with osteopenia. I have thyroid problems and take medication I thought it was medication, fabrics, plant, sun, weather, wine, etc. etc. etc. need I go on? Something that works for my itching (but not always, as you all know) Noxema cream, doesn’t smell too bad and seems to calm it down. Nothing takes it away, I do not have this seasonally, but year round, lucky me. Ice gives the greatest relief, but last night that didn’t work. I am considering trying chiropractic since my gut says nerve endings. I always thought it was related to shingles or the herpes virus in some way, of course all the docs think your nuts. I have taken every med offered and every topical cream (even a babies diaper rash cream)
available OTC and prescription. Now, I take Valium I too thought it could be aggravated by stress, to help sleep, but do not want to overdo since this can be addictive, Maybe will try the Neurontin.Keep in touch, Linda
April 2nd, 2006 @ 2:58 pm
If you’re willing to try drugs, try Lyrica (pregabalin), a new drug, it works! See the tail end of my mile-long entry Feb 27th for dosage ideas.
April 4th, 2006 @ 2:20 pm
Thanks for the Lyrica info, I’m willing to try anything at this point. Linda
April 10th, 2006 @ 9:30 pm
At times I just cry with the thought of having to have this ODD PROBLEM for the rest of my life. My upper arms/shoulders and sometimes lower arms itch so must and so often that I can’t remember a time where there was a stretch of days linked together that I had relief from it. I’m 55 and have had it for about 10 years–progressively getting worse. I start “light therapy” tomorrow–3 times a week for 6 weeks–I’ll try most anything. Have been to many doctors–emergency rooms, etc. Ended up at the University of Pa.–where I had to take a really hot bath every night for 14 day–the bath had to be exactly 20 minutes–then out of the tub to put on a thinck vaseline type prescription medicine…THEN had to wrap shoulders/arms with sahran wrap and SLEEP LIKE THAT–with itching under this total mess–well I did it–it really didn’t help–but I know you’ll all understand that to feel like there’s relief in the future–you’ll just about try anything!!–which I have…I’ll let this site know how the light therapy works–I’ve never written in anything like this before–a GP Doctor gave me a cream for poison ivy that worked for awhile–nothing lasts for too long–and with me it’s year round. Thanks for letting me vent—Sandy
April 12th, 2006 @ 8:34 am
Sandy, I know exactly what you mean about trying anything. Besides all the prescriptions I’ve used I’ve tried Vicks, vineagar, soda, betadine, hydrogen peroxide, everything on the drug store shelf that says it is for any sort of itch, ammonia, alcohol, salt water, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, lotions, creams, bath salts, staying under water for almost an hour. Anything I can do. Ice packs, hot rags, warm rags, antibotic cream, vaseline, If I had all the money I have spent on itching to live on , I could probably live a year or so. The only thing I haven’t tried so far is a chiropractor. I’ve called several and asked them if they had ever treated anything like this and all have so far acted like I was out in left field so ….
Hope you find relief and can pass on the miracle.
Jeanette
April 12th, 2006 @ 4:23 pm
Well, I have tried the chiropractor and it works for me so long as I keep it up. I went once a week for five weeks – no itch!!! He has gone on holidays for the past three weeks and last week the itch returned. I can’t wait for the chiropractor to get back. He works on my upper spine and shoulder blade area. I notice that the skin area on my back has started to tingle like it is stretched so I really do believe the arm itch is connected with this area. Also, sweet things which “heat up” the blood steam now seem to kick off the itch almost immediately.
In Australia, because my chiropractor is a medical doctor, it is covered by our universal health plan and I only contribute $8 a visit. I don’t care if I go once a week for the rest of my life.
April 13th, 2006 @ 3:39 am
Hi everyone,i have not commented for about five months, my ithching just stopped, well a few days ago it returned,mildly. I just pray it does not come back like the last time!!!!! It really has me baffeled, i am going to go back to bed and try to sleep, i have a busy day tomorrow…I pray the itching will go away!!!! God bless you all, sleep softly…Joi
April 13th, 2006 @ 3:39 am
Hi everyone,i have not commented for about five months, my ithching just stopped, well a few days ago it returned,mildly. I just pray it does not come back like the last time!!!!! It really has me baffeled, i am going to go back to bed and try to sleep, i have a busy day tomorrow…I pray the itching will go away!!!! God bless you all, sleep softly…Joi
April 15th, 2006 @ 4:49 pm
Start Light therapy Monday–Mon/Wed/Fri for the next 6 weeks–we’ll see. Thanks for the good words JW..it’s SO Frustrating! Sandy L.
April 21st, 2006 @ 9:20 pm
Hi all. Just today got some SULPHUR 6X and the itch is better tonight. It is supposed to neutrilize the rash and I believe I am better.
I am going to make an appointment with a chiropractor and see if this is related to my problem. Oh how I have suffered with this ITCH and it is worse than any other pain I know of.
Keep up the good works guys1
Lynn in East Texas
April 23rd, 2006 @ 2:36 pm
Found this site Googling ‘brachioradial pruritis recently and couldn’t believe other folks have this same problem! And the same problem with doctors not knowing what it is. I was fortunate to find a dermatologist who said my symptoms were ‘textbook’ for brachioradial pruritis. At this point is was a mild itch on my forearms, aggravated by the sun. He said go see a neurologist, which I did.
Well, the neurologist provided more information than I really wanted, and none good … I’ve always been aware of a slight deformity in my neck/spine but since I hit 50, now add cervical spondylosis (spinal C5-C6 osteoarthritis), osteophytes (bone spurs) and compression on the nerve bundle exiting from the neck down the arms. Over three years this mild-mannered itch has turned into a fire-breathing dragon under my skin which is only controlled by ice (up to 2-3 hours at a time. – I’m amazed at how long I can hold an ice pack on my arm without it actually feeling cold, just a modicum of relief.)
Like a lot of other folks here, I am fair, blonde/blue, early 50s and don’t sun well. Originally from Atlanta, GA now living in central Tennessee. I recently started a new business in wholesale ornamental growing, so now I’m outside even more. In the winter time I can’t wear long sleeves (the
cold air actually feels good on my arm!), in the summer the heat/sun aggravate the nerves and start the itch.
Neurosurgeon gave me an MRI and says I can get relief from surgery by removing/carving down bone spurs (ouch) to reduce compression on the nerves, but he also wants to do a few Frankenstein type experiments first … like a spinal tap prior to a myelogram (which I understand just this test can cause seizures!!!) and some kind of ‘electric’ test where they place electrodes in your arms to measure electrical travel speed. Sounds like that test would set me into orbit – can you imagine!!
The ONLY thing (besides ice) that has helped me is a product called Presley’s Itch No More, a spray-on product that is ‘all natural’. It works about 60-75% of the time, but relief is relief! I also tried the chiropractor thing, but it seemed to aggravate the nerves more. I think acupuncture may be next.
Thanks for letting me join in to ’share the misery’!!
Molly
Tennessee
April 23rd, 2006 @ 4:18 pm
I try most things that come up on this site if it is not ice or drugs. Four weeks off acupuncture and the itch came back last week with a vengeance. I read on an English “itching” website that two people had had great success with Omega 3-6-9 (flaxseed oil capsules), the first said three capsules three times a day and I did that. The itch stopped after twenty-four hours but, boy, did I have stomach cramps and diahorrea! Then the next person said they did one capsule three times a day so I reduced the dose to that yesterday.
I am going back to the acupuncturist this morning (he’s back from Africa thank heavens) and the work certainly makes a different to the discomfort in my upper back from wear, tear and injuries. A nice flow-on seems to be controlling the itch. I think it increases the blood supply to the area.
Tomorrow I am going snorkelling in Samoa so it will be interesting to see if the Omega 3-6-9 controls it while I am away in the tropics.
After eight or nine years of feeling like a victim with the itch, I am enjoying working out my own way of controlling it. For that, I am very grateful to all the lovely suffering folk on these websites. It really is a support group at its best.
April 24th, 2006 @ 6:52 pm
What a relief to find this website. ICE GEL -THIS DOES WORK & LAST NIGHT GOT THE BEST SLEEP IN AGES. Its main ingredient is menthol and is used for muscle/ backache/arthritis etc.It works exactly like ice but lasts a way lot longer…don’t know if you can get it in the US or anywhere outside Australia & NZ but here is the website http://www.mentholatum.com.au/index.php
Maybe there is something similar in your country and it may be worth a try.
Have had this itch – always confined to the upper arms & back of neck for the past 20 years. I am 51 & live in the southwest of Western Australia. Interesting that a lot of posts here have had this thing for around 7 to 20 years! I find this thing iis seasonal around Autumn when the temperature changes & it has progressed from my left arm to the back of my neck & now is working it’s way down my right arm ..never in the same spot but in tiny increments over the past 20 years. Totally maddening with lack of sleep & an itch that makes you want to scratch til you bleed, then the whole area turns red & hot and comes back with a vengeance like hot needles under the skin. Have used lavendar oil with some relief amd ice works best but after reading these posts yesterday thought I’d try something else, found the Ice Gel & decided to send in my comments. Will keep posted.
April 26th, 2006 @ 8:11 am
Hi everyone
I live in Australia and have had this itchy arm business for about five years off and on. It certainly is mysterious. It just stops for a few months as if someone has pressed the stop or off button, and then returns gradually and intensifies. Also it is worse at night. I have tried all sorts of creams also. The lastest that helps to sooth is emu oil. But I think this is just a bandaid treatment as I really think it comes from inside.
I think it may have something to do with the sun or heat as mine only itches on the top part of the arms, from shoulder to wrist. The under side of the arms has never ever itched.
I have recently found out that my spine is very crooked. I went to a chiropractor and had x-rays. I have damage at the neck, mid-back and have had a brocken tail bone. I have have treatment, but was not suffering very much itching at the time, but haven’t been able to get to him for treatment for a while and my itching is really bad.
I do suffer from stress quite a bit too, but when I was really stressed and depressed last winter I did not have the itching. I had recently shifted from one country town to another and was plagued by the itch. Then I thought that maybe because it was only the arms that were affected that it might be something to do with underarm deoderant. Although I use only natural stuff from the health shop. Anyway I stopped using all deoderant and within a week the itching stopped altogether. I was in seventh heaven. But lo and behold by christmas time it slowly came back again. I was so sure it was the deoderant. I am now quite desperate. I have looked on the net before but have not found this site. I am amazed that so many other people have the same problem, but disappointed that no one has any answers.
If I have any success with the chiro or maybe accupunture I will be in touch
April 26th, 2006 @ 8:53 pm
Well hello all. I went to the chiropractor today and had x-rays. He has never heard of brachial pruritis, but says he will check out my cervical spine and see if he can advise me. Just my luck, a chiropractor who knows nothing of this dreaded disease. I am to go back in two days.
Does anyone in Texas know of a chiropractor who is familiar with this? If so, please advise. I will appreciate it so.
Thanks.
Lynn
April 30th, 2006 @ 8:07 pm
I can’t believe that I stumbled onto this site! I have often wondered how many people might commit suicide at night due to itching- it is absolutely MADDENING! I am in my late forties and have had itchy upper arms for about three years. My doctor put me on cimedatine which is an upper GI medication but works on histamines,. and the itching was much better for quite a while. Then I took a vacation out in the sun, and for the past three weeks it has returned in full force, so I am positive the sun has something to do with it (which really stinks since I love the beach and also drive a convertible.)It is almost exclusively my left upper arm but now seems to involves my right shoulder and neck as well. Wearing long-sleeved shirts won’t work because when I itch I can’t stand to have ANYTHING on my arms at all. Actifed helps a little but makes me too tired to function. Ice is the only thing that gives me relief. It works really well but isn’t always convenient. Does anyone know of an “itch” specialist? There must be some doctor who deals with this- I’ll go anywhere!
May 1st, 2006 @ 6:01 am
Oh my goodness….what a treasure trove I’ve run across this morning! I’ve had this thing for over 20 years and like all of you, I have tried anything and everything over these years that I thought would help.
My conclusions have been for me that ice is #1 after the itching has started. I use the cool gel packs. I keep them in the freezer and when needed, I just sit in my recliner (or lay in bed if it’s keeping me awake) and have the packs on both arms.
The other thing is limiting the time I spend in the Texas sun, and covering my arms with long sleeves….which is not pleasant when it’s over 100 degrees, but I don’t suffer well.
I am dark haired and brown eyed by the way.
I have printed out this whole discussion so I can go over the entire thing to see if anyone is having success with something I havn’t tried.
May 6th, 2006 @ 11:50 pm
I would love to hear from anyone else who has tried the Omega oil 3-6-9 (flaxseed oil). I have been on it now for three weeks and it seems to have done the trick for me. I returned today from two weeks in tropical Samoa and had absolutely no problems at all despite all the sun, humidity and salt water. I started with 3×3, dropped to 2×3 and now take 2×2 a day. This is after eight to ten years of the rotten beast. I feel good in other ways too and I know my skin is getting much smoother. If anyone else is trying this, I would really like to hear from you.
May 7th, 2006 @ 2:44 pm
Dear Judith: Thanks for the heads up on the Omega oil. I will get to the health food store tomorrow and hopefully purchase this. The sulphur 6x does give some relief, but nothing so far has gotten rid of this awful plague.
How many days did you take 3×3, 2×3 and 2×2? Please advise.
Thanks,
Lynn
May 7th, 2006 @ 5:32 pm
Hi Lynn, I took 3×3 for about three days, then 2×3 for another couple. By then, the itch was gone and I kept forgetting. The past week or so, it has probably only been 2 once a day because that is all I remember. I got the faintest prickle after eating honey as a syrup on pancakes so upped the dose then. One thing is that the Omega oil won’t hurt generally at all. My skin all over is in much better shape. I am fairly careless about skin care so this is a real plus for me.
May 9th, 2006 @ 1:42 am
2:43 am: Thanks Judith. As you can see the time of the morning, I am up scratching…….I purchased the Flax Oil on my way home from work and took one w/supper and another when I went to bed. It is 1200mg but this is the first time in several weeks I have been awakened by the itch on my arms. Not sure if this agrees with me or not.
Thanks for your reply.
Lynn
May 9th, 2006 @ 6:18 am
Lynn,
I can’t do without my sleep. When I have itching in the night, I get up and get out two of my frozen/cold packs I keep in the freezer. Put them on my arms, or maybe just alternate one between arms so I can get more comfortable. I can almost always go back to sleep. I wake up and find the gel pack on the floor or in the bed, but I can go back to sleep.
May 10th, 2006 @ 7:18 pm
Reading all the comments about itchy arms I am quite discouraged. I also came upon this site by accident. I am wondering if anyone has the itch on the legs and also has anyone had a rash connectd to the itch?
May 10th, 2006 @ 10:20 pm
Hi Natalie, Don’t get discouraged. Until I located this site, I thought I was the only person in the world with the itch. This is definitely my best year because I think I understand it now and I don ‘t feel such a victim. I really think it is something to do with lessened blood flow from the upper spine, maybe caused by damaged nerves or something. I have a lot of spine damage.
But, this year, I am able to manage it. Acupuncture across my upper back will hold it for over two weeks. I think the Omega 3-6-9 helps. What sounds a bit strange but really does work is, when the itch begins, very slowly rotate your arm about five times in each direction. The itch goes within about a minute. I think it increases the blood flow to the arm area. Don’t know about legs and don’t want to think about them!
As regards a rash, the skin seems to get bumpy and rough when the itch is bad. The Omega 3-6-9 is definitely improving my skin tone all over. Whoever initially mentioned it, thank you!
Just for what it is worth, does anyone else have a problem with constipation?
May 13th, 2006 @ 11:02 pm
I agree that the skin gets bumpy and rough when the itch is bad- I’m never sure which came first. Sometimes I get bumps which seem to cause the itch… Anyway, I have been having a really bad episode since I went on a cruise the first week in April and was in the sun. Then just when it seems to be subsiding, I had a small glass of white wine last night and was up between 3 and 4 am. Even with ice I couldn’t get it to go away, and it continued into the morning today and still feels “prickly” now. I really really don’t want to give up the things I love (like sun and white wine and my convertible car!) so I’d like to know if any of these things that people do like the Omega 3-6-9 allow people to resume their normal lives. Oh, and by the way… I broke my back in 1994 and have rods in there. The last surgery I had was in 2001, and was much more extensive than the previous ones. It was after that that the itch started. At first I didn’t make any connection, but after reading things on this website, now I’m wondering…
May 13th, 2006 @ 11:21 pm
Give acupuncture on your upper back a go. I have broken my upper spine twice over the past eight years. Also, when it starts to prickle, do try the SLOW forward and back arm rotations – about four or five. I do it in shops or anywhere and I haven’t got arrested yet! I think these things gently increase the blood supply and that seems to calm the itch.
May 17th, 2006 @ 3:05 am
hi all……. got to my wits end tonight and in desperation ‘googled’ “excessively itchy arm”….
i am so relieved that there are others who understand the discomfort..
i am super fit, work as a builder, and surf competitively…. non smoker, and live the most healthy life imaginable, in a tiny bush community on the coast… i do however spend near every waking hour outdoors and exposed to sun. i am pakeha, but very dark…with dark skin tan, even in winter…
i would say im in perfect health ( other than the itch!!)
i have however suffered in the past with a retrolisthesis(spelling?!) of the L4….
i am seeing a pattern in many people here. sufferring the itch, and having back problems
saw something on this site which pretty much sums my complaint up….http://www.vgrd.org/archive/cases/2001/brachioradial/brachioradial.html
sorry.. i cant offer a remedy, i just scratch like crazy… i wish i knew what was really going on….. but i do feel better sharing! and knowing you all are out there….
May 17th, 2006 @ 3:11 am
hi again…. just a slight post script to my last note…. just read thru the threads about half way back…. saw the discussion re; brachioradial has been covered already…. sorry folks…
also pps… going on monday to see a woman about “rolfing”… otherwise known as “structural intergration”. for my back condition.
anyone heard of/used/can comment on this treatment……??
interesting if i get some itch relief from it?!
May 22nd, 2006 @ 12:33 pm
Hi – thanks to all for sharing your stories. I’m a self-diagnosed brachioradial pruritus sufferer. Been itching for about 5 years. Live in Panama City, Florida (originally from England). My itch is generally with me from May-Nov. Female, 43, brown hair, blue eyes. And like many others, ice is the only thing that helps – actually I keep bottles of water in the freezer – wrap one on the affected arm each night with a towel -stays mostly frozen all night. Zero tolerance for capsaican – felt like I was sticking my arms in a fire, and only occasional relief using other topical treatments. The cervical/spine theory is interesting…I woke up on my 16th birthday unable to move my neck without experiencing excruciating pain; since then about twice a year I go through what I call a pinched neck nerve episode – tho I really don;t know what it is. Treated with a prescription muscle relaxer and pain reliever immediately, it subsides within a week. But so far, nothing but ice relieves the itch. Except for one really weird experience- and this must be coincidence, but will share it anyway. After several particularly bad sleepless, itchy nights in a row, I spent half a day sanding cabinet doors with an electrical sander. Really curious as to whether the constant vibration could have anything to do with nerves, etc. – as I then had two totally itch-free days. Couldn’t think of anything else I’d done differently. I have seen mention on some web sites about TENS units being used (and my husband has one) – but wouldn’t really know where to attach the electrodes (arms? neck?!!) Just wondered if anyone else had tried a TENS machine.
Teresa
May 22nd, 2006 @ 4:17 pm
I would put the TENS on your upper spine radiating out across your back. That is where the acupuncture needles go and that sure works.
May 22nd, 2006 @ 8:27 pm
Hello Teresa and Judith:
I have also self diagnosed myself and went to the chiropractor last Thursday for the needle treatment (in my ears) This is something new and takes the place of the staple previously used for weight loss, migraine headache and other problems. At any rate, he placed 4 in my left ear and the itching has really subsided. Also, I have more energy and less appetite.
Really amazing. You can find out more under amazingearstaple.com. His name is Dr. Dixon, and I am very impressed with this treatment.
Hopefully this will help some with their problem, i.e., cervical spine injury/illness causing the itching. Please tell him I told you about him.
Lynn Brown
May 29th, 2006 @ 8:34 pm
I’ve been undergoing “light treatment” for the past 5 weeks–at first I thought it was helping a little–but I’m worse now—it’s been so many years of itching. Ice is o.k. But most of the time lately nothing seems to help. Have been to so many local Doctors..went to The University of Penn—top notch Doctor–no help. Am going to head up to NYC as soon as I can get an appt. with a Dr. there. My husband suggested the Mayo Clinic–don’t even know where to begin to find out how to get an appt. there!~~~I’m starting to think that there never will be any help for me. It’s not stress related…my Son was married a few weeks ago–and I had a pretty good stretch..this last week has been awful–just awful–I’m glad to be able to write this and have people understand, Sandy
May 30th, 2006 @ 8:46 pm
Dear fellow Itchers:
Just an update on my arms. I am really impressed with these needles that remain in my ears. It is a kind of magnet very similar to acupuncture, but they remain in until they fall out. It is amazing. I felt better immediately when he found the pressure spots, and they have given me relief that I haven’t known in several years. Please see my previous entry and check this procedure out. I am so improved, I may be able to get back into my sleeveless outfits again. The sores are healing and I am only using Vitamin E on my scars now.
Thank God and Dr. Dixon for this.
I sincerely recommend this to all of you “arm itchers.” It is also very in-expensive.
God Bless you all,
Lynn
May 31st, 2006 @ 10:08 am
I saw my dermatologist this morning for the constrant red itchy rash and today he said it is called brachial radial pruritis (it is damage to the skin nerve endings from too much sun over the years), and I am guilty of loads of sun bathing. SARNA, OVER THE COUNTER IS THE BEST I’VE FOUND SO FAR. YOU HAVE TO ASK THE PHARMACIST FOR IT HOWEVER, ABOUT $12 BUT WORTH IT. GREAT STUFF.
June 1st, 2006 @ 5:29 am
I have had this condition for 16 years. Came on me suddenly at a retreat. Someone else at the retreat got the same thing at the same time, suddenly. It has returned every year but twice since then. Sun exposure in the summer intesifies the itching in the late fall, early winter. It doesn’t itch in the summer. I suspect brachial purites and plan to try a chiroprator, read a journal article that claimed that quite a few people got relief from that treatment. If It is nerve damage from the sun, why is it only on the tops of the lower arm? Why not anywhere else???? Good question! The nerves in the tops of the arms are fed by the neck area of the spinal column. BUT, why did this guy at the retreat get it at the same time as me? Virus???? The Docs don’t have a clue. You will spend a fortune on this.
June 1st, 2006 @ 11:56 pm
I am a black woman who lives in Michigan. This started last year..and has recently (about the last 1-2wks) reoccured. I’ve noted that it increases when i’m very sleepy. I can’t stop scratching when i’m sleepy. As a matter of fact, that’s how I knew i was tired cuz i would catch myself scratching my arms. i’ve scratched my arms and have seen red welts across my arms that always disappear. It starts out like a pin prick/tingle that turns into an itch. Now i’m noticing that i’m also scratching my back, sides of my stomach, and legs (not as much as my arms). it feels like pins are sticking me and I always end up scratching. I know if i go to the Dr…they will not be able to diagnose it. I don’t have sun damage, i’m going to try Omega-3 and see what happens. I needed this site, good to know i’m not alone.
bree
June 7th, 2006 @ 12:55 am
Just found this site. Same thing here, docs & all haven’t got a clue. I use ice & Sarna P. Helps me alot. Don’t care what anyone says, I won’t give up my ice. Sometimes I’ll use antihistamins, but I don’t really think they help much. Don’t remember ever having any serious back injury, but I do sometimes wake up stiff in the back or neck. Did have a very sore shoulder once about 8 years ago for about 4 or 5 months, attributed to overwork with that arm. Now that I think of it tho it is the same arm that is usually itchy, altho the itch does move from arm to arm sometimes or from forearm to upper. Anywho, the chiropractor did give me relief the ttimes I went & if the itch is going to stick around for ages this time I will make an appt with him & let you all know how it goes. One other question, do any of you suffer from “restless leg syndromn”? Another of those obscure maladies that no one seems know much about, Take care everybody.
June 7th, 2006 @ 12:51 pm
Bless you all for your willingness to share and help! I’m nearly 60, female, brown eyes & hair (except for the gray), English & German descent, spent most my life in Hawaii, Guam or So. Cal – but never a sun lover, so only one big sunburn in my life. Contracted itchy arms about 18 mo ago – syndrome starts on the top of my right forearm (I’m always a passenger, never a driver) and then “spreads” over to JUST the top of my LEFT forearm. One thing I have not seen ANYONE suggest is TEA TREE OIL!! I use that in conjunction with Eucerin Itch relief moisurizing spray + a few drops of lavendar oil + a drop of emu oil (to carry it to the lower layers of the skin). It stops the itch for 15 min to 4 hours (depending upon the position of the moon and stars??) I know Tea Tree oil helps alot for burns (the secret is to always apply it a SECOND time, about 10 min. after first application for BURNS – then you could (figuratively only) run over the burn site with sand paper and it wouldn’t hurt! Very odd, but oh so grateful for this knowlege). On the third try I finally found a derm. doc that didn’t scratch his head but actually recognized this syndrome and suggested Capsasins (0.02% only); Neurontin (haven’t tried it); Sarna anti itch lotion; menthol; Chriopractor C5, C6 & C7 spinal manipulation; strontium chloride, zonalon and Vit B-100 mg. daily. (good luck on these); He also suggested (hmm? might work?) OTC hemorrhoidal anti-itch prep called Tronolane (active ingred is pramoxine hcl 1%). The added KICK to my itchy arms is that I also have gone thru menopause and have “senile purpura” (tops of my forearms bruise and skin tears easily because of the lack of collagen, etc) so whenever I scratch, the skin bleeds underneath and it looks like huge angry red bruises (I’ve had to cut my fingernails to the quick so I can’t scratch, and try now to only scratch with one of those rubber toothed round scalp massagers). Anyway – hope some of this helps my itchy bros and sis’s out there! I’m heading for the Chinese Herbalist and a Chiropractor now. (ps the capsaisin started burning my itchy spots – and besides, I know it was only a matter of time til I unconsciously scratched the capsaisin areas and then rubbed my eyes — yikes!!) I’m also thinking topical Aloe and some A, D & E cream/oil to help rebuild healthy skin (not for itching). ARE THERE ANY MDs out there willing to help us? I think I’ll check Dr. Andrew Weil’s site – maybe there is help there. Good luck and God bless us, everyone.
June 7th, 2006 @ 12:53 pm
Oh yea – I forgot to mention: I have Fibromyalgia — this latest Dematologist I went to (most knowledgable so far) seemed to wonder if FibroM might be part of the syndrome – since I also have a lot of achiness (joints, back and neck pain).
June 7th, 2006 @ 7:57 pm
Fibromyalgia….that might be an interesting poll. I have had it for over 20 years. How about the rest of you with the forearm itch?
Ginger
June 11th, 2006 @ 7:01 am
Just bought the Omega 3-6-9. Can someone tell me how I am supposed to take it for the itch? I think it was different than the regular instructions on the bottle. I would like to start it asap. Thanks
June 11th, 2006 @ 5:52 pm
I took nine a day 3×3 safe to take up to ten. I took it for a month and I think that it, coupled with the acupuncture and the slow arm rotations if Ithe prickle began, worked wonders. I haven’t had acupuncture now for several weeks and can feel a little tingle occasionaly (especially after eating wheat and sugar) but the slow arm rotations (about five each way) stop it.
June 15th, 2006 @ 1:14 am
Nice to know I’m not the only one itching!
June 15th, 2006 @ 9:32 pm
Has anyone besides Judith tried the arm rotations and do they find that it works for them? Seems too simple…. I’ve tried it but it doesn’t seem to help. I am absolutely finding that white wine brings it on (and sometimes other alcohol) but I’m just not willing to give up all alcohol or white wine. I find on the nights that I do have a drink, then taking the neurontin before I sleep can help. Does anyone notice tomato sauce causes the same thing? Also, I’m finding now that it’s summer and the itch is bad, even my hair on my shoulders is feeling too “prickly”. Isn’t there any way to find some doctor or medical institution to figure this out?
June 16th, 2006 @ 8:44 pm
Wow, I can’t believe so many people have brachial radial pruritis – I didn’t know anyone with it and no doctors here have any answers. I live in New Zealand with lots of sun but i do not lie around in it! However I do have neck damage at C6,7. I am trying osetopathy at present, amitrip at night and , wonderful ice when the itch gets too bad.The seasonal pattern happens in the Southern Hemisphere too and, yes the itch is worse in the evening and at night.Like many of you I can’t believe the dermatologists have no answers, especially now I know there are so many with the problem.Thanks for making me feel less odd!
June 16th, 2006 @ 9:50 pm
Hi…
OMG!!!! This is awful!!! I’ve been itching for two months now, and while I am glad I found this site I am so SCARED there really is little to be done. I went to my doctor yesterday, and he said, “hmmmm…I’m puzzled.” Bummer. I’m going to a dermatologist, and am grateful that if he, too, is puzzled that I could at least ask for Neurontin, as I have heard some of you suggest.
I have dark skin (I’m half black and half Irish), brown hair and brown eyes. Normally, I get darker in the sun, am not allergic to anything but dust, and have never had any health problems or sensitivities. Benadryl doesn’t help making me think it isn’t an allergy.
What’s going on with us?
June 16th, 2006 @ 9:54 pm
and, yes…I have muscle pains too – back pain for years, neck, shoulders, and plantar fasciitis (bottom of feet)….my doctor called it spondyloarthropathy and hesitated to diagnose me with fibromyalgia because I couldn’t really tell if I had unexplainable fatigue, as I have young children. maybe there is a fibromyalgia link….hmmmm….
June 18th, 2006 @ 4:59 am
I only have itching on the backs of my hands. Ice and Naproxen is the only thing I’ve tried so far. Ice gives immediate relief.
Did everyone’s start with their hands and move up to their arms? No spinal trauma that I’m aware of???
June 22nd, 2006 @ 10:51 pm
Yet another who has had the wacky driving-me-crazy itching on my arms & neck for about 13 years now. I too have seen the dermatologist, (no skin problems) allergist, (no allergies) tried all the creams (don’t work) , ointments (make it worse), antihistimines,(does help me sleep, but can hardly get up in the morning). I use unscented soaps, try not to overdo it in the sunshine, overall am very healthy except for this DAMN itching, which is driving me to the brink. I am 48, wonder if it’s hormonal, except as I said, i’ve had it for 13 years. I do have blonde hair/blue eyes. Mine is mostly on my upper arms, but sometimes goes to my wrists & neck. Worse at night, but sometimes it’s horrible during the day too. My doctor calls it Pruritus also, which is basically saying he doesn’t know what to do. I’ve given up on doctors at this point, just a waste of money. I do have a TENS unit, i will try that. Hopefully that will bring some relief. I’m about at my wits end, sometimes think it might be best if i just didn’t wake up so I don’t have to itch anymore!
June 25th, 2006 @ 3:11 am
My arms have driven me crazzyy!!!! All summer long , itch, itch. scratch, scratch, bleed,bleed.I went to an allergist and told him I thought for sure I was allergic to tomatoes. We take pride in those down here in tha dirty “south”. Well he tested for those and 50 other things with the pins in the back routine. His conclusion; SUNLIGHT.That’s right it’s only my right arm and he said to use a high (30 and above) sunscreen.I have not been faithful everytime @the pool, but it sems to have helped when i followed hios instructions. It is late June and here I sit CLAWING away. I will have to be more stringent in my application and report back. BTW, I am quite sure it is hereditary. I remember my poor mother wearing cream and a roll f plastic around her arms to help her itchy, bloody arms.
June 25th, 2006 @ 4:15 pm
eucerin put out a product 3 yrs ago for people who broke ouy in the sun, but it has been discontinued and i can not remember the name .It was wonderful you put it on and NO ugly red itchy bumps.It stopped it before they ocurred. It is no fun when you can’t go to the beach or wear a sundress or anything cool knowing you will just become one big mess of itchy hives. My jusband and I went on vacation to Mexico and by the next day I was covered. Talk about sexy. I wish I could just get that product back.
June 26th, 2006 @ 4:09 pm
OK–LIGHT RADIATION—DIDN’T WORK—THAT WAS PRESCRIBED BY A TOP DERMATOLOGIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PA.!!! I FOUND A SPRAT CALLED ITCH-X AT THE DRUG STORE—IT CAN GIVE SOME RELIEF. BEEN GOING TO THE CHIROPRACTOR—AM GOING TO TRY SOMETHING NEW—HAD BLOOD WORK DONE AND MY TRIGLYCERIDES WERE OFF THE CHARTS–99 IS HIGH NORMAL AND MINE WAS 383!!! MY CHIROPRACTOR HEARD THIS AND SAID CLEARLY MY BODY ISN’T TAKING IN FATS AND BREAKING THEM DOWN PROPERLY. THE NERVE ENDINGS AND THE ITCHING COULD BE FROM THE FAT NOT GETTING TO THE NERVE ENDINGS??– HE SAID TO TAKE COTTAGE CHEESE (3 TO 1 RATIO) AND FLAX OIL AND BLEND TO BREAK THE OIL DOWN–BLEND TIL’ IT’S SMOOTH—COTTAGE CHESE BEING THE LARGER PORTION—THINKS THIS MIGHT HELP–I’LL TRY ANYTHING!!!! GOING TO A NUEROLOGIST TOMORROW–ANYTHING NOT TOO ITCH AND BLEED…IT’S AWFUL. WE LIVE ON THE WATER IN NJ — I LOVE TO GARDEN BUT THE SUN ACTUALLY “HURTS” MY ARMS–ALTHOUGH I’M NOT CONVINCED IT’S SUN DAMAGE, ETC.—MY BACK WAS BURNED MORE —AND MY FACE HAD A LOT MORE EXPOSURE..THAN JUST MY ARMS!! WILL KEEP POSTED.
June 26th, 2006 @ 11:56 pm
PLEASE READ!!!!… I’ve read some of the more recent postings, and wanted to throw out to you what alot of people have found from this website in the past year… my cousin suffers from this as of last year, i researched and found it to be BRP (bronchial radial pruidus, dont quote on spelling im going off memory). It is seasonal (which i still dont know why, but its acurrate)… it is a nerve damage condition. Read up on BRP. A chiropractor can relieve or repair some nerve damage. Also, I know ice helps, but long term it causes more nerve damage and will worsen the condition. Neurotin is used for seizures and shuts off part of the brain, i would be very careful if you decide to go that route. My cousin hoped it was a one time thing, but its back again this summer. Sunlight does bother it, but isnt the cause. Most people with BRP have one of the several causes, neck or back injuries, or a disease that causes nerve damage (lupus, diabetes, etc). Please research BRP. Dont waste your time on allergists, neurologists, etc… research this and try to find a doctor that knows about it or is willing to check into it!!! Best wishes, i feel for all you who suffer!!!
June 27th, 2006 @ 12:31 pm
Just wanted to say that I’m from Canada and I spent some time in April visiting Georgia, South and North Carolina (it was awesome). This April the locals said that it was above normal temperatures (it was very hot). I did not scratch once. I’m back home working in my garden and some days it is humid, but not all the time. My arms are starting to bother me again even though it isn’t as hot here as in the South (and never will be). I’ve used some ice already and I cringe to think what August, Sept, Oct, is going to bring. I think it is time the professionals do some research, but then, we are a minority. Thanks for listening.
June 29th, 2006 @ 7:14 am
Hi itchy arm people
My arms have calmed down quite a bit since not being in the sun. It is winter here in Western Australia. But I also am going to the chiro, so that might have helped. Last posting I did was in April and it was really bad. Sometimes alcohol or coffee makes it worse. I am suffering from fatigue on and off and also am hypothyroid and going through menopause. I had blood test done the other day and have way too much vitamin B12 and my cholesterol has suddenly gone up as well. I am interested in hearing more about the fibromyalgia connection. The lady that was suffering from the restless legs syndrome – that is a magnesium deficiency and most people will be low on that especially if they have a lot of stress.
June 30th, 2006 @ 11:02 pm
Great information here ~ any one familiar with web sites that direct you to reputable Chiropracters?
Thanks to all…
July 3rd, 2006 @ 6:57 am
Fibromyalgia connection. I have had fibromyalgia for about the same length of time I’ve had the itch we all share. Around 20 years. I think the fibromyalgia came first by a few years. I have also had 5 fairly significant back & neck injuries. (3 horse falls, 2 motor vehicle whiplashs, and 1 fall on the ice) I have been shocked that this is the first year that I have not had “the itch”. It was so bad for so long. I do not know why I don’t have it this year. It would always be bad in the summer and go away completely or mostly in the winter. I haven’t been in the sun as much this year, but maybe that is or is not the reason. It’s a strange malady!
July 3rd, 2006 @ 9:02 pm
I found that acupuncture was more effective than chiropractic – 30 visits to the chiropractor over six months and while, I had no itch, I was quite sore. Acupuncture and being gentle with myself was lovely and now pretty well nothing hurts and I itch very rarely. I haven’t had acupuncture now for about six weeks and am starting to get an occasional tingle.
It is good to stay away from very sweet stuff too.
July 4th, 2006 @ 8:47 am
Without a doubt, I believe it’s sun exposure … whether direct or indirect — and sun exposure that is cumulative. Apply 45SPF+ religiously from the moment you get up and reapply through the day when the itching is present. Maintain the applications for four to five days. To treat the itch itself, use any very strong brand of muscular lotion that is used for pulled muscles and the like (such as Dencorub or Bengay) … get the strongest you can. Before applying the cream (and this is CRITICAL!), wet the skin. While the skin is still wet, apply the cream liberally and massage into the arm. You will have a strong sense of burning for a few seconds, but then relief from the itching … that lasts 3 to 4 hours.
July 4th, 2006 @ 3:35 pm
Just wanted to say that any reputable chiropractor will give you adjustments for BRP after taking xrays and checking your spine. My itch is not seasonal, I have it all the time. I started seeing a chiropractor about 5 weeks ago and this is the first relief I’ve had in years, now it comes and goes and I’ve actually had itch free days, so I am very pleased, I may also try acupuncture in conjunction with the chiro.Also the chiro had something called BioFreeze it;s a really cold solution and works almost as well as ice. I would try the omega fatty acids but want to do things individually so I know what works. Heat and sun as well as white wine sometimes aggrivate the itch but are not the cause, I have been tested for allergies, no firbromyalgia or lupus no link to anythingelse except this awful itch. Before the chiro I was taking valium occasionally to break the cycle and it did work for those who want to try it. Try it all until you find something that works for you, what works for one may not work for another. Good luck
July 8th, 2006 @ 4:24 pm
I have an itch in both upper arms, it’s just started recently. It isn’t as bad as for many of the people here, I can generally ignore it. When I’m working or busy it isn’t a problem, only when I think about it. So I am lucky from that point of view.
It’s a problem trying to figure out why we get it from reading all the messages here. We may all have similar symptoms but from different causes. Logically for me it could be a number of things. I’ve developed rsi so it may be nerve related. But we’ve had some sunny days in the uk, I’ve been using a new suncream, so that might be the problem, perhaps an allergy. Or is it my new job, I don’t feel really really stressed but it could contribute.
July 10th, 2006 @ 12:56 pm
Thank you all for sharing your ideas – I’ve just googled ‘itchy upper arm’ in desperation as I’ve suffered for about 3 years now but recently the itching has been waking me up. It’s a relief to hear I’m not going crazy.
I wondered if it was sun-related since my itching seems to have got worse since we moved from London to the Middle East. Saying that, I had it in the UK and thought it was bed-bugs – an anti-allergy mattress protector helped a bit, though my husband has never suffered.
Since living here, I’ve blamed it on the aircon drying my skin out, chlorine from swimming regularly, the sun (though I wear factor 30 minimum, as I’m blonde and blue-eyed) or hormones (I’m currently pregnant and it’s definitely got worse during pregnancy, so that if the baby isn’t waking me, the itching is!) It’s driving me insane, as it really only affects me at night. Being in the sun doesn’t seem to aggravate it.
I was planning to see a dermatologist to try and find a solution but after reading so many comments and suggestions, I might try a chiropractor first, though it’s disturbing that no one has been given a straightforward solution from a medical professional.
July 10th, 2006 @ 6:32 pm
I have had eczema the whole of my life, itching tends to get worse during the summer and at night. If itching is unbearable, have a shower and turn the water onto really hot until the itching goes away. I have done this for years and when the water gets to a certain temperature its as though water is itching it for you. It does no harm to the skin except that it gets red for about ten minutes because the water is hot. The feeling is such a relief. Try it and see what you think
July 11th, 2006 @ 2:41 pm
I was relieved to finally know that I’m not crazy!! I have suffered for 12 years. I was involved in a car wreck the day before I was to leave for the beach. I injured my neck and lower back and when I got to the beach I got a bad sunburn on both my shoulders and upper arms. The burn/itch happened and I had always associated it with sun damaged nerve endings, but now I think it is more related to the nerve damage in my neck. I have been to every doctor there is with no one able to tell me anything. I have tried everything on the market and have recently come up with something that is helping me finally get some sleep. Before bedtime I use a Shiatsu Massager on my neck for about 15 minutes( $20.00 ), then I rub Psorisin Gel (coal tar) on both my upper arms. I also purchased one of those cervical pillows that keep your neck in alignment while you sleep. The combination of all of these has finally given me a month of sleep. I really think the pillow does work because if I lay on the sofa using a regular pillow the itch starts back. I have this itch year round and sometimes the sun bothers it and sometimes it does’nt.Hope this is of some use to someone.
July 13th, 2006 @ 10:33 am
I’m having a really bad day; the Allegra 12 isn’t working; creams aggravate my skin and the only thing that’s helping is the ice. For me, a hot shower would drive me over the edge; I have to try to keep the blood vessels (or whatever) from heating up, hence, the ice. The itching has definitely started earlier, this summer, but there’s no point in seeing a doctor. What are we going to do? The only reason I’m not about to panic is that I know I’m not alone. Thanking everyone for the support.
July 13th, 2006 @ 3:48 pm
My arm itching, which I’ve had for the past few years, was absolutely miserable all winter..then it stopped in April and now it is back. I can’t imagine what would be triggering it off and on throughout the year. I am NOT and have never been a sun-worshipper, even though I live in the hot south (Georgia). I’ve been using Gold Bond lotion on my arms every day after my shower, and ice packs at night. Also, it is much worse at night than during the day. Such a mystery……..
July 13th, 2006 @ 4:53 pm
I still think that, when we lie down, it creates pressure on the nerves in the upper spine which triggers the itch. Most people with the itch seem to have upper spine damage of some sort or other and perhaps that is why acupuncture or chiropractic or deep massage seems to help.
During the day, sweet food seems to set it off sometimes but getting someone to press on the upper spine or slowly rotating the affected arm certainly does the trick for me.
July 13th, 2006 @ 7:57 pm
I have been searching for the answers to this itching arm problem on and off for about 2 years now. This is the most current website I have been on so far. The other websites I have found are very dated. My itching arm problems come and go and thank God I do sleep at night but if I am awaken for any reason I start to itch. I have bruised myself terribly in the past from constant scratching and rubbing. I have always used ice to calm the itching. I have had blood work to rule out cancer,(test was negative) and alergy testing. I do have alergies but the alergy med did not help me with the itching arms. I would love to come up with a health questionare that would hopefully identify some simularities between all of us and try to figure this crazy itch thing out. Presently my upper right arm is itching and a pinching sensation comes and goes. Between my shoulder blades on my back I have a tingling sensation. I will be having surgery next week (Complete Hysterectomy/endometriosis) If this is a hormone thing that makes me itch maybe it will go away after the surgery. Anyway I am going to try the biofreeze now and see if it brings some relief. Oh yea, one doctor that I went to a neurologist thinks that my weight gain from 135 to 179 over 1 1/2 yrs. is what is causing my arms to itch??????
July 14th, 2006 @ 5:53 am
Tammy, I surely don’t think that the “itch” we all share has anything to do with hormones, but I wish you a speedy recovery with your surgery. I have had the itch for over 20 years, and have been so glad to find others who share this very frustrating condition. It really does help to find others and know that your not imagining it as the doctors would make you believe. I would bet you could line up 25 dermatologists and maybe one would even have a clue that this condition exists. All they know to do is prescribe creams.
The last couple of years mine has lessened though for years I thought I would go mad with the itching at night. I am making a real effort to stay out of the sun as much as possible (difficult in Texas). I don’t know if that has made the difference, but I am having little trouble now.
I am wondering if the back injuries isn’t the key….I have had 6 events that have been significant for causing neck/back pain. Two whip-lash from auto accidents, 3 falls from horses w/each landing somewhat on my back, and a really hard fall on the ice about 1979 where I my feet came out from under me and I fell on my back and whacked my right elbow. I felt a sharp electrical like jolt up my entire arm. From that injury, I was in constant pain for over 3 years. Do these kinds of injuries ring a bell with others? Also, I was in outside sales and was in and out of my car (again, in Texas sun) and having the sun beat on me thru the glass for 24 years. I always thought that was a factor too. Love to hear your thoughts.
July 15th, 2006 @ 3:14 am
I itch ALL OVER but mostly legs. Worse at night when trying to sleep and after coffee, tea. Came during first pregnance and each consecutive pregnance. Now here to stay. After years of misery I found Vitamin B works!!! For 4-8 hours at a time. I now take spirilina every night and when I need to during the day. It works for me! I carry spirilina everywhere with me.
July 15th, 2006 @ 4:17 am
wow! finally people with with i have. this is the second year that i’ve experienced the horridly painful itch on my , surprise, surprise, upper left arm, and it’s driving me up a wall. i’m terribiliy irritable from the lack of sleep i get at night, and now seem to have my days and nights backwards due to the fact that i can only sleep at night. I’m only 17 years old, contrary to most sufferers who seem to be in their 40’s or 50’s. i’m praying to god that this doesn’t last that long. but anyway, i have minimum sun exposure, being less than an hour a day usually, and this starts. it seems to be triggered last year when i was eating any type of bread products, and found relief after being put on allergy medication and a few rounds of predisone, and the itching went away about mid october and din’t return until about a week ago. i hope that doctors will realize that this isn’t all of us being crazy and that it is an actual problem that they need to get to the bottom of. i’m going to look into the brachial radial pruritus, due to the fact that i’ve had some nasty falls to the head/neck region when i was younger from gymnastics and the such. thank you all for making me feel like i’m not alone out there
July 16th, 2006 @ 11:12 am
Hello again,
just a quick update from me. I went to my GP (with an interest in dermatology), she looked at it and immediately said it was eczema. I hadn’t expected that as my arms have no marks on them really, just a little dry skin (I have not scratched them). She’s given me a very thick emollient called epaderm (described here http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000931.html). I think there are lots of other makes, that’s just one you can get on perscription in the UK.
I have to use it instead of soap and then I put it on again after a shower as a moisturiser. It’s working well (noticeable difference after one day) and although still some itch occasionally it is only slight and not maddening. So there is a simple solution to my very common problem. She said that the eczema can be triggered by a number of things, like something rubbing against the skin, stress, etc. I wish eveyone as much luck.
July 16th, 2006 @ 11:56 am
Ann, with all due respect, I would really be surprised if what most of us experience here is eczema. I am an RN and I’ve had this for about 20 years and I honestly don’t think it is eczema, but if the emollient works, that is something very helpful that others could try for relief. I went to probably 3 derms when I first had symptoms, and I don’t think most of them know what it is. The ones I’ve talked to don’t even know the name for it, or possible causes. In my experience (which of course is only one person) a dermatologist for the most part either puts a cream on anything that itches and if it doesn’t work, they try another cream. Hope my experience isn’t typical, but I finally gave up and found this site and try anything suggested here that sounds reasonable. I’ve been very lucky and havn’t had as much itching for the past couple of years. The only thing I can attritube it to is not being in the sun so much, but I do think there is a link with neck/upper back injury. Just my two cents worth…and thats all.
July 17th, 2006 @ 10:16 am
My Mom has had just terrible itchy arms (at night) for the last month. It started up out of no where. It was getting so bad that she couldn’t sleep but just a couple of hours at a time. Nothing was working, she tried the OTC hydracortizone, tea tree oil, coconut oil, even an anti fungal cream. Here is what she did that has worked wonderfully for the past four nights no itching and lots of restful sleep; She started a Master Cleanse (juice fast), had a chiropractor adjustment and iced her neck every night before bed. Her chiropractor told her that all the nerves that run in the arm originate in the C3,4 & 5 area. I hope this helps anyone else that is having the same problems. My Grandma also had the same arm itch that troubled her for many years before her death. I wish we would have known what to do then, she suffered so.
July 17th, 2006 @ 5:27 pm
Dear Nancy:
Thank you for your comment. I sincerely think the upper arm itching that I have had is due to the nerves that run down the upper arms. That is why this “itch” seems to come from within, and also only effects the upper arm and shoulder area. I couldn’t understand why no where else itched and I felt sure it had to be something besides allergies, even though I have been told that many times. The treatment very similar to acupuncture that I have found, and the ONLY thing that has truly helped, is when the chiropractor does the therapy in my ear with either needles or something like BBs. I cannot remember the name of this treatment, but I sincerely feel this is the answer we are looking for.
Thank you to all who contribute to this site.
Lynn Brown/East Texas