UPPER ARM ITCH-I'M NOT CRAZY EITHER

[SherryG]

I just read "upper arm itch" from some lady that posted a few years back and was so relieved that someone else described to the letter what has been happening to me. But I was disappointed in your response that she was just obsessing about her body and basically needed to get a life. I am happily married with 2 sons, a great career, home, friends and social life. I do have stress in my sales job, but have had that since I was 18. (I'm now 31)I don't have time to obsess about something that would trigger me to have the miserable itching spells I'm having.Upper arm tingling, piercing sensations that scratching doesn't help..I've resorted to actually slapping my arms and have recently found an athletic spray for back pain actually numbs the surface of my skin. Went to ER last night because it was so bad, was prescribed "neurontin" , seems to take the edge off but is it just covering up a bigger problem? Should I see a dermatoligist first, then neurologist? ER physician gave me list of tests to get done: ESR,CBC & C-Reactive Protein???Indication:Idiopathic Pruritus. He said it's an extremely long process to get to the bottom of itching problems. Been seeing a chiropractor 3x week for back pain I've had on and off for 7 years;been getting adjusted and treated with muscle stem therapy..back's never been better and i've never gone this long w/out back going out..chiropractor is an RN and says maybe from getting corrective adjusting therapy for back is stimulating nerves???Had complete preventive physical bloodwork done..all ok with kidneys, liver, thyroid, etc.Had itching really bad at ankles, but not anything compared to itching on upper arms & shoulders. Made tracks on arms from scratching, afraid of it happening in public, because I cannot resist the urge to scratch...i should say rather, that it isn't an urge that I can control...just like i told my husband when he told me to stop scratching..this isn't up to me..it's an involuntary reaction that wakes me up in the middle of sleep or while driving or just working...trust me..i don't want to scratch, but i have to...driving me crazy..don't have time for several doctor's visits, any help appreciated!

[Royceivy]

I have long been the "victim" of insane itching.  It comes and goes periodically.  I also get the itching on my back.  When I scratch I get welts from it.  Sometimes the barest touch will make me itch and get welts.  My doctor says it is a histamine reaction.  The pressure of my clothes ie: the sleeve of my shirt or my bra causes my body to release histamines to that area.  This causes me to itch.  There is a medicine that he gives me that inhibits the histamine release and keeps me from going nuts itching.  I have to take it for weeks at a time occasionally to keep the itch at bay.
  
   Jen

[SherryG]

To everyone who has this problem....just got results from bloodwork test done monday...(hs-CRP)...I don't know if the things that showed up in my blood are the reason for my itching, but i'm so glad i took the tests..i'm only 31 and now know that my risk of stroke or heart attack is 2x greater than normal...the test shows higher than normal levels of the protein secreted by the liver associated with heart disease....anyway...going to internal medicine guy 2morrow and dermatologist....will keep you posted!

[SherryG]

no rash...my thing is internal....the only rash that i get is from scratching it too much....good luck to you!

[notalone]

Reading of others dilemma sure is helping. I thought I was alone with this problem. I have suffered with the "upper arm itch" for past 13 years. Doctors, both GP and derm do not know the cause or have diagnosed one. The derm I saw several years ago prescribed "Tiamol" a 1/2 % menthol compound. This helps, if applied daily, however does not cure. For years the only relief was to freeze my arms with ice or snow. As well, this itching only occurs on the arms (upper side) from the wrist to shoulders and along both side of my neck/top part of front shoulder area.

The area never develops into a rash, but produces an awful amount of heat (blood flow?) and after a few days a very small pimple-like (inflammation/white blood cells?) appears.

To my knowledge no other family member has this and I've ruled out environmental(work place) toxins. Sun does not affect as winter months, when covered up, occurences are as often.

Stress? No more than at at time when I did not have this. The only changes I've made are to quit smoking, alcohol consumption (nary a drop) and started a physical exercise program 13 years ago.

I wish you relief because I know what it is like and pray you can tolerate this awful nuisance until a cure is found. Good luck.

[patrick59]

i know the torture of upper arm itch....i have found something that works for me...an over the counter pain rub called capsacin..it is a muscle rub that produces a burning sensation on the skin...the relief is not immediate...within hours you should have measurable relief...i use the the highest power HP rub...you may have good results with the regular formula...beware when you shower...hot water can feel like scalding water ...even 24 hours later...dont rub it on skin that you have torn up with itching..

[mattrix]

I'm curious, doues a rash accompany this itch?
recently i have had a sever itching on the underside of my forearms, where there is no hair and the skin is soft and sensetive. it seems ta develope a rash after a few hours, but i am not sure if that is just from scratching. it looks like tiny little welts usually at the pores and follicles. the condition fades away after 3 days or so if i can resist the urge to scratch. the sensation is very similar to poison ivy, a warm burning itch that makes you grit your teeth. i have had it twice in the past 3 months, and those are the only occurances i have ever experienced.