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Extreme Itching all over body w/NO rash, welts or hives.


I've recently been diagnosed with Urticaria. My doctor says I fall into the 99.9% of the people who have it without any signs. My itchiness has been getting progessively worse for the past few years. I'd say almost 3 yrs now. It's to the point where I can't even engage in intercourse with my partner, go shopping or even go out in the sun. I keep hearing and reading how Urticaria, usually has signs on the skin surface but I don't, except for the really bad itchy feeling. Sometimes I question whether or not I have something else because it's really bad and it feels like I have a sudden burning rush of nails/needles stabbing my skin and I can't even move but only twitch. It's like this on a daily basis with my skin, whenever my body temperatue goes up. I feel like my body's thermostat is broken and I'm constantly overheating. I've been taking Claritin and Benadryl but that doesn't seem to help at all. My doctor also gave me a prescription medicine called Atarax, which only makes me drowsy and doesn't help the itchy feeling. Any suggestions? Btw, I've taken blood tests to see if there is anything wrong but everything came out fine. =/
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Avatar universal
I hope everyone that has posted comments on here will see this. It could be that some or all of you have dry, sensitive skin and/or eczema. I don't know if there is always a rash with eczema but there is always dry, itchy sensitive skin. I would also like to point out that taking hot baths or showers is not a good idea because it will dry your skin out more because it draws all of the oil out of your skin. It would be better to take a warm but not hot bath. Above all else, please all of you, see a dermatologist because he or she should be able to help you.
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Avatar universal
Writing to share what solved my itching. But first a little about what I experienced before resolved the problem.

I had terrible itching all over my body for several months - but only at home and only at night when in bed.  No rash, no bumps, & no temperature.

I have allergies - allergic to lots of stuff (been tested), so initially I attributed to allergies. I did all the things one does to treat the house, especially the bedroom, for dust mites and sought to eliminate bringing allergens into the house from outside.

At first only itched on my ankles, feet & legs so doctors thought related to my peripheral neuropathy. But then my arms, wrists, hand palms, back, and everywhere started itching. It would wake me up or not allow me to even fall asleep.  I was absolutely miserable and this went on for months.

I already take an antihistamine for my allergies, so started trying different anti-itching lotions and creams plus operating air purifiers at night in the house.  Some lotions helped more than others (temporary relief so I could sleep a few hours) but still unable to sleep an entire night.

I used a plastic back scratcher and pressed so hard I started leaving bruises on my legs. It was amazing the things I could find around the house to rub the itch without using my finger nails. Most helpful was a plastic comb, a hairbrush with plastic bristles, even the edge/end of the plastic card that held my pills (after empty) worked.  

Unfortunately the itching got so bad that I began to experience during the day when out of the house.  It was starting to distract me at my job. It also was causing me to feel stressed so triggered some other medical conditions I have that react to stress. So I had to deal with that on top of the itching.

THE SOLUTION  - Long story short - recently found the cause for my itching.  We had a dead mole in the attic!  Once the mole was gone, all the itching eventually stopped.

We started seeing flies in the house after the AC broke down and the repairman had to go into the attic.  Eventually figured out the flies were coming from the attic. Although a bug zapper was killing the flies, they just kept coming back.

So we called in an exterminator who found the dead mole in the attic. We have the exterior of the house treated by Orkin every other month, but had not had anything done inside the home for several years. Plus we rarely go up in the attic.

Once the dead mole was removed - it took a couple days but the all over body itching stopped!  But I found I was totally exhausted from all those sleepless nights, so I slept for several days only getting up to deal with the necessities.  

Traps have been set throughout the attic, garage and house for little critters and my husband blocked all the openings the exterminator identified where mice or moles could get inside.  

We didn't go as far as to have the chimneys checked since we have never used - but that's also an option for where dead animals might be.

Like many of you, the itching had gone on for months and I had been to see several doctors.  I researched and explored so many possible causes. I changed detergents, deodorants, bath soap, dish liquid, sheets (fabric), etc. I cleaned and vacuumed every where.  Had the house checked for mold or mildew.  Changed my diet, drank more water, and tried many of the things I read about that had worked for other people. You know the drill - well, I did it all!! But the itching continued.

If it had not been for the AC breaking down, and opening the attic door, we would not have seen the flies and called in the exterminator.  I was told that usually people aren't aware that there's a dead something in the house until it starts to smell (odor) but it can sometimes take months before odor is bad enough for people to notice.

My allergy tests had already made me aware that I'm allergic to animal fur & dander, but it never occurred to me that something like a dead mole could because me so much misery for so many months!
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My son in NC is going through that and I live in Oklahoma and am going through it. Nothing has helped, we can't find any dead animals but are looking.  
Avatar universal
I have also suffered with this affection.  I discovered that putting muscle rub all over relieved the itching.  Yes, the sting of the muscle rub distracted me from the itching, but when the burn went away, the itching was gone also.  Try it.
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Avatar universal
would taking a bath in oatmeal help? this just started yesterday and i could not sleep at all. i had red and white bumps on my arms and feet but went away the next day. i have very itchy palms and feet and i think my hands got a little swollen. i looked it up and i had the same symptoms as chicken pox, fever, vomiting, itchy palms, dizzyness EVERY time i stood up. however, the rash went away but the itching still continues, i took a bath and try washing al over with dove bu that didnt help much. i figured i should just take a oatmeal bath to relax and see if it helps at all. this is horrible and to much to deal with. im trying to avoid going to the doctors and find a way to cure it myself . do you have any tips on how to help relieve the itching? please get back to me asap!
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Avatar universal
I am so glad I read post after post to get to the one that hit home. Hubby suffering with no rash, all over itching, day and night, for several years. Making us both crazy. Discovered that dermatologists are like weathermen; overpaid to "guess." $$$$ for every kind of dr. Imaginable and a houseful of lotions and potions.
FINALLY, someone here mentioned the neuropathy medication Gabapentin. Hubby is diabetic, with neuropathy, but quit taking Gabapentin as the restless leg syndrome went away. So, I saw the post right before bedtime; found his pills (still good) and told him to take one that night and one in the morning. I have to confess I did not tell him why, because I wanted to make sure he wouldn't just THINK it was working. Well, he slept all night and no itching next day, nor any since. We are amazed. I would love to take this post and staple it to the forehead of each and every dr. We've wasted our time and money seeing!
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Avatar universal
same problem i itch everywhere all day it is so bad that yes i just want to jump off a bridge, head to toe is severely itchy with no rash or bumps its such a irritation  itch it almost hurts not to itch, i have not seen any doctors because every similar symptoms people have they have been to doctor after doctor and nothing. i found relief using reacton allergy pill i take one every other day and i dont itch at all is expensive but worth every penny to not feel the itch
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