Severe Itching on arms

[Itchy 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!!

[KatieASU03]

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!!!

[Barbaraobrien]

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. ***@****

[Barbaraobrien]

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. ***@****

[blackspecks]

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[Laken3]

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!!

[Susanna]

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!