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!!

[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!

[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!!

[blackspecks]

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[Meana]

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......

[Meana]

I am a 45 year old female with itchy arms. My symptoms soud the same as everyone else. I cannot sleep with it though and this really make me crabby. I can not make anyone understand that is is not just an itch including my doctor. I also have hot spots where a part of my arm burns like mad and turns almost purple.  Ice again is about the only thing that helps.  I have suffered for five years but only from June to December each year. It is nice to know I am not alone I was begging to think I was I was loosing the plot

[DrowningFaery]

I understand the itching part, I just don't know why. I've had itchy hands and feet constantly for a week now. Ocasionally it spreads to my arms and legs. I have no idea what's going on. If you find an answer to your itching problems let me know. This is as close as I get to going to the doctor.