Itch on my arms

[Dinger42]

For the past 4 weeks for what ever reason at any given moment & at any time of the day/night my arms start to itch. It only happens on the tops of my arms a few inches above my elbow to a few inches below my elbow. The itch becomes insatiable. So intense that I feel the only way to stop the feeling is to cut off my arms.To describe the feeling would be that my arms start itching & burning & being stabbed with needles or razor blades. I will time myself & see how long I can go without breaking down & giving in & itching the itch & I can't make 2 SECONDS. The only thing I have found to get to sleep or to make the itch go away if its not bedtime is A.C.& C. *mg (acetylsalicylic acid, caffeine & 8mg codeine phosphate) tablets that I got in Canada for headaches. My question is is there a name for this condition and is there a medicine for it.

[rolerud]

I too have had this itch on my arms. It is like a thousand fire ants under my skin. I did find a pain pen called Flex24 that relieves it immediately. You can by this online for about $9.

[adam559]

I also have this itch and its awful, Ive found out that capsaicin just a little on the itchy area and around it works. Be carful because its like a heat rub so wash your hands and be carful what you touch but it really helps me and my itch is horrible sometimes. from what I understand the cream kills or deadens the nerves under the skin.

[Desrtdove]

Sounds like Brachioradial Pruritus. There's a whole forum on it under 'dermatology' here. I think it's posted under Itchy arms=brachioradial pruritus. If indeed you have BRP, my extensive research shows it's actually caused by nerve damage/compression of the nerve roots from the cervical spine (typically C4-C6). Topical ointments, ice, etc. only over-ride the nerve impulse causing the itch for a short time....if the compression and consequently the inflammation responsible for the neurogenic itch isn't resolved, the itch continues. It's often worse in the summer with the heat and sun due to increasing the internal inflammation. Anyway, good luck to you! I've had this condition for about 14-15 years myself....mostly resolved, but any change in activity or re-injury to the area and my itching comes back. I truly hope you can find out truly what is causing your itching and if it is BRP, get it resolved =)