Anogenital itch (neurogenic/neuropathic)

[Golfer121]

Hello,
I am a 16 year old boy who has had chronic anogenital itch for around 2 years. There is no rash in the area and everything seems completely normal. I have seen 2 specialists and 1 private specialist and have been giving many treatments for normal skin conditions eg eczema. The only thing that seems to have worked is topical capsaicin but this is only effective for the itching around my anus and does not help my scrotal itching. The last specialist I went to told me it was most likely neurogenic and that there was nothing he could do (reassuring right). Since then I have done copious amounts of research. I found that it’s possibly linked to lumbosacral radiculopathy but wonder whether I’m way to young to have this. Not sure if this helps but I play a lot of golf so so maybe that could contribute. Also, I’ve been prescribed Gabapentin by a normal doctor but I’m only on 600mg a day so worry that’s not enough to have any effect. Final query, do any of you think a local anaesthetic cream could help eg lidocaine or benzocaine. Many thanks

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello and welcome to the forum.  Thanks for your question.  This must be very frustrating.  You've not found anything skin related?  Neurological itch does happen.  Here's an article that is very interesting on the subject. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3139924/  This article talks about neurological itch and that often, the place that is itching is not where the abnormality is that is causing the itch.  They will need to determine where it is coming from. When treatment is instituted, often they have behavioral therapy included.  Training yourself in dealing with the problem can help as not doing so can make the problem even more chronic. Lidocaine is also often used which you currently take.  Let us know how this progresses!

[Golfer121]

Thank you. What does behavioural therapy entail?