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Severe Itching on arms

I have almost unbearable itching on my arms.  There are raised bumps, but they are not terribly noticeable until I have scratched them into bleeding and scabbing.  I've used Banadryl cream to no avail.  I have had some sun exposure (sunny Texas)but the rash preceded that.  I have had it for several months.

I have few allergies - Texas Mountain Cedar, cat dander, molds, but they typically present as respiratory or sinus complications, not dermatological.  I have an intolerance (not allergy) for ibuprophen, which caused me to have accute renal insufficiency several years ago (high levels of creatinine and BUN).

I am a 60 year-old, non-smoking female in very good health.  I do have managed hypertension.  I take three medications:  Premarin .625, Lisinopril-HCTZ 10/12.5, and Paxil 30 mg.  

Help!!
57 Responses
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Avatar universal
I have had the same symptoms that everyone has described.  Severe arm itching with bleeding for months.  It didn't start until sometime after I moved to DRY, HOT Arizona.  I have found (with a suggestion from my OB/GYN) that all of the items and activitives contributing to dehydration have been ultimate cause of my problem.  Caffine, dieuretics, very little liquids, stress etc..  I found that it takes a period of about two to three weeks of drinking (journaling helped) an appropriate / signifigant amount of water (up to one gallon or sixteen 8 ounce glasses of water a day -- for me.) to correct the problem.  Drinking the proper amount of water also corrected a few other problems, such as fatigue and constipation, I had less acne, and I found that drinking this amount of water also caused me to shed a few pounds by curbing my appetite and boosting my metabolism.  Again, this was after drinking up to a gallon of PLAIN water a day for approximately two to three weeks before I realized my results.  There are a few clues that your body has to help you decide whether you are drinking enough water -- If your urine has an odor or color to it -- the less concentrated your urine is the better off you are.  Obviously, the dry skin and itching are others.  It actually felt like I had a thin layer of dead skin on the tops of my arms.  I have found that when I fall back on my water consumption, the itching eventually returns.  I hope you will find relief as I did.
Helpful - 3
Avatar universal
Iam a 45 year old female.  Five years ago I started with severe itching on my arms mostly at night but sometimes during the day.  It starts around June July and stops around Christmas.  Creans do not work, I am allergic to antihistamin and ibuprophen does not work on me for anything.  I had an allergy test which showed  an allergy to belladonna, but when I stopped eating potatoes tomatoes and peppers etc it made no difference.  This year it has been worse than ever and I cannot sleep with it.  I go to sleep and within an hour and a half I am scratching in my sleep so badly it wakes my husband and after another half hour I am wide awake.  I also scratch till I bleed mostly in my sleep and also have so called hot spots where part of my ars are very very hot and turn almost purple.  The doctor told me to cut my nails stop scrating and use the creams she gave me which do not really help, and that I am unlikely to find out what the cause is.  The scrating can be relieved by using ice, but after this makes my arms feel as though they are bruised and very sore to touch.  The lack of sleep makes it worse, but I can not get through to my doctor just how bad it is.  I think they just think of it as an itch but it is far more than that.  Having a bath with dead sea salts is about th only thing that relieves it, or sitting outside when it is cold till I am absolutely freezing.  I am waiting to see a dermatologist but looks like my appointment will be January when I don't usually suffer much......
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
I am in my 60s and have had itchy arms for over 35 years. It started with a little itch on my upper arm. Then over the years it has gotten worse. I have it up and down both arms. I put ice on to ease the pain of the itch. I have been to so many Drs. over the years that I no longer seek help, I just scratch till I bleed and put ice on and pray that it stops. Since the condition started when I was young and healthy and taking no medication, I do not consider any medication that I take now to be the culprit. Sometimes when I wake in the mornings there is blood on my sheets from scratching in my sleep. I've used everything and only ice helps. I am so surprised that other people have the same condition (or shall I say curse?)
I find some comfort in this. Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone out there can help us?
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A related discussion, will my arms ever stop itching? was started.
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This is a new problem for me.....only about one month.  It's incredibly miserable, and I'm unable to sleep.  I'm 45, and I notice many other women posting this complaint are around the same age.  I read in Suzanne Sommers book "Ageless" that she has itchy arms when she does not have enough estrogen.  As most of you probably know, she has gained much fame promoting natural hormonal replacement therapy for pre and post menapausal women.  Anyway, I'm in the process of getting a one-month hormone saliva test, and will then start this h.r.t.   I'll certainly post if it helps.  Thank you everyone for the good info.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I, too, have itching on my arms (nowhere else!) that started about 10 years ago.  I have been to numerous doctors and nutritionists and noone seems to know what it is.  I always am told allergies, and part of me believes it might be related to some sort of allergy since it comes and goes during different times of the year.  It also seems that when I have a head allergy, my arms don't itch as much.  I only know of one other person that experiences this kind of itching.  It is mostly at night and the ONLY thing that relieves it is putting ice on it.  I have tried every topical cream (including prescriptions) you can think of and NOTHING has helped.  It is internal and the itching and tingling sensation is unbearable at times.  I get discouraged thinking I will have this the rest of my life and will just have to live with it.  It has me totally mystified also!!!  I would love to talk to some of you via email but don't know your email addresses.  If anyone would like to chat, my email is ***@****.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have had a SEVERE itch on my arm now for about 2 years. It comes and goes.  It will be bad for a couple weeks and disapear for a few months and come back.  It really frustrates me because I itch to the point where i bleed and get terrible scabs and when I tell people and even my Dr's(i have been to MANY) they tell me to "stop itching."  It is so bad I sometimes feel i would rather have my arms cut off!! It is so much more then an itch.  I dont even know how to describe this.  I truly beleive that this deserves more attention becuase many people are suffering from it and no one is getting help!  I cant sleep at night when i get it and it is on the back of my mind throughout the day.  I have actually been out with freinds and had to go home because i couldnt bare to sit there and itch in front of everyone like a maniac.  This is not mental, it is some kind of disease and i am DYING to know what it is!!! Please someone help!!!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have been reading about the severe itching some of you have had and wanted to share what happened to me. For several years, I had SEVERE itching on my upper arms and in my scalp. I had sores all over my arms, legs, and in my scalp and suffered constantly from the itching. After seeing many doctors and dermatologists, I finally went to an endocrinologist. When I walked in her office with my severe itching and sores, she stated:"That looks like a blood sugar problem." However, all my tests for diabetes were normal. She did further work, i.e., checking my C-peptide level and it was very high. Turns out I had a huge amount of insulin in my blood, not glucose. Glucose is what everyone checks for. Since I have been taking glucophage, which helps the pancreas utilize insulin, all those sores and the itching has stopped. Trust me, it was severe and the sores were painful, itchy, and nasty-looking. I have been trying to let others know about this because it is something most doctors do not check for. Good luck. I hope this helps someone. ***@****
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have been reading about the severe itching some of you have had and wanted to share what happened to me. For several years, I had SEVERE itching on my upper arms and in my scalp. I had sores all over my arms, legs, and in my scalp and suffered constantly from the itching. After seeing many doctors and dermatologists, I finally went to an endocrinologist. When I walked in her office with my severe itching and sores, she stated:"That looks like a blood sugar problem." However, all my tests for diabetes were normal. She did further work, i.e., checking my C-peptide level and it was very high. Turns out I had a huge amount of insulin in my blood, not glucose. Glucose is what everyone checks for. Since I have been taking glucophage, which helps the pancreas utilize insulin, all those sores and the itching has stopped. Trust me, it was severe and the sores were painful, itchy, and nasty-looking. I have been trying to let others know about this because it is something most doctors do not check for. Good luck. I hope this helps someone. ***@****
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
We may know what this is..........
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***@****
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hello!  I found this thread most interesting since I have had a problem with this, although different in some ways from what I'm reading here.  The itch was excruciating and I couldn't possibly resist scratching, even though it made matters worse.  I tried everything: changing laundry detergent, giving up perfumes, drinking more water, etc.  No anti-itch products helped nor did talcum powder.

The first time it happened it lasted for over 6 months; the rash covered the insides of both my arms and both breasts and the lower part of my chest. It was aggravated by wearing long sleeves and warm clothes which were necessary with it being the winter months.

The next time I was convinced I had shingles and saw a doctor.  It covered the insides of both arms, breasts and part of my upper hips. The dr. prescribed a cream which didn't help and said he thought it was viral.

The last time this happened a friend told me to try a medicated powder like Gold Bond.  I did and it cleared up almost immediately.  During the time I waited to see if the powder helped, I realized that this seemed connected to my having night sweats.  I'm a 43 year old woman but already postmenopausal.  I was on HRT the first time the rash occured but still had night sweats.  I realized the itchy places were tender areas of skin, especially areas that didn't get to "breathe" at night since I am a side and/or belly sleeper.

But using the powder cleared up the last episode and using it daily seems to have prevented it, although I noticed a couple of times when it seemed about to flare up again --clammy skin, a stinging sensation...  

What you ladies have may or may not be the same thing I've suffered with, but a medicated powder may be worth a try.  In my case I think lotions, creams, or Vaseline do more harm than good --with all respect to the doctor here.

I hope that helps someone, and I hope you find the help you need!!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I am a 47 y.o. athletic female who has the stinging, prickly, itch on my arms for a year now.  Luckily, I found a solution!  It started on my right shoulder and gradually (over 6 months) spread to my left shoulder and both forearms.  I couldn't sleep well, had scabs from itching, and lived in ice packs.  The dermatologist gave me several creams which only relieved the stinging itch temporarily.  I was getting extremely irritable...nothing seemed to help except ice.  The dermatologist finally diagnosed me with brachial-radial puritis, and told me to stay out of the sun.  That didn't help either.  I went on line and found 2 articles, both which stated that a compressed nerve could possibly be causing the symptoms, and that some people obtained relief with chiropractic care. I had an MRI which showed 2 slightly bulging cervical disks.  I immediately made an appointment with a chiropractor and the symptoms began to resolve immediatley--the same day.  I have never used ice packs since! All symptoms were gone within 2 weeks.  I also decided to get massages weekly to relax my shoulder muscles.  Presently, I see the chiropractor once every 1-2 months for maintenance.  I also reduced my weight-lifting to keep my neck and shoulder muscles more relaxed.  I highly recommend the chiro care and stick with it!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I also have intense itching on my arms with no cause to be found.  One spot will itch so intensely, even though I try not to scratch I end up rubbing it raw. Drs can find no helpful solutions - no creams, no pills. Glad to know I am not alone, but would really like some relief. My arms are covered with scars now. It seems to be working its way from my forearms now to include my upper arms.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi, I have had a severe and chronic itch on my lower left arm for over a year.  The strange thing is that I do not have a rash.  I scratch until bleeding because it itches very badly.  I do not itch anywhere else.  Topical creams do not help. Can you help?  Thank You!!
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A related discussion, stinging arms was started.
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A related discussion, Prickly Arm Itch was started.
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Hi. It's winter in Australia, and my itchy arm problem comes and goes throughout the year regardless of the season. Strange. I'm a 37 yr old guy, and until recently the problem was limited to the tops of my forearms. Crazy itching with no visible rash. I itched until I bled last week. A nice scar to show for it. Here's the drama- it's spread to my stomach and legs this week. Random small pink spots which are very itchy. Went to the doctor because I haven't had chickenpox yet and feared the worst. Nope, an allergy he says. You'll never know what the cause is, he says. Well, I'm going to try dropping my coffee intake, eat a little healthier, and drink more h2o. Can't hurt right? I can also recommend an oral gel for alleviating the itch. It's supposed to fight gingivitis, but I applied it to my skin snd it has a numbing effect which is somewhat relieving. Good luck everyone.  Mikey.
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A related discussion, itching of lower arms, lower legs and feet was started.
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U can have things and get tested and they not show up or not have symptoms for years or none at all for years and years  depending on our genetics. U have to look at all possibilities and know one condition can be caused by many different causes and diseases. And note I have the itchy arms to mainly my left arm and it is reocurring and worsing with time I first started to have issues 5 to 6 years ago and all are getting worse. I also have alcers in my stomach I forgot to mention and had diaria off and on for that time frame to. The itchy arms was my first sign of a possible major issue.
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Avatar universal
Believe it or not get tested for syphlis,hiv,herpes and hpv and if ur testing negative keep getting tested u want real blood work done. There are billions of bacteria that live on our skin and if our immune systems are under constant strain or compromised those bad bacterias can cause itchyness and sores or even alcers. My left arm badly itches from time to time after I itch it soon after or before I have raised bumps that burst open and look like small burns that leave small holes that scab over and last for a week or more after the scabing they heal leaving scars for months. I also have herpes and hpv just found out and I think I may have worse problems. And of course been tested for every thing but syphlis but I have syptoms of hiv like sores in back of head yellowing of toe nails my jaw and neck crack all the time and I get very tired all the time like I'm drained I have bumps on my inner lips. I also have been exsperiencing swelling above my ankles and legs. Swelling in small areas of the gums and two knots on both sides of my jaw in the back. My glands normally swell minorly and fill stiff at times in my neck and under my jaw. But I test negative for hiv but then again they only test for t4 and d4 cell counts to determine that not the actual virus its messed up u gotta spend countless time and money to figure things out.
Helpful - 0

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