Finally! I found others

[kyarpee]

Wow! I am for the first time realizing that others truly know what I am going through!  Itchy arms!! For the past seven years I have been going at this.  The itching for me begins in early Sept and  I have never realized when it stops.  I itch from my elbow to my shoulder on both arms until I am bleeding sometimes.  I have been to an allergist and dermatologist and have left with no answers.  HELP!  I use Tea Tree Oil which helps a little but I can still feel the sensations under my skin.  It's hard to understand how there is not an answer for this or a treatment to help relive this.  I am not one to take any medication but there has to be something out there.  


This discussion is related to Itchy Arms.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Your symptoms are suggestive of brachioradial pruritis.It is an intense itching sensation of the arm usually between the shoulder and elbow of either or both arms. The itch can be so intense that sufferers will scratch their own skin to a bleeding condition.

The cause is not known, although there are a few lines of thought on what causes it.The only thing that seems to help most sufferers is the application of ice to the area until the itch is diminished.Other treatments include cooling lotions like those containing camphor or menthol,capsacain or local anesthetic creams,amitriptyline and gabapentin tablets and
electrical cutaneous nerve field stimulation.

Pls discuss this possibility and these options of treatment with your dermatologist.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional queries.

[maggid]

I also have had the itchy arm syndrome for a few years and have become pretty well convinced that it is an issue related to a liver deficiency or inability to cleanse the system of toxins, most likely wine or other alcohols.  I recently did a two week "liver cleanse" diet program, which included no alcohol at all, and within a few days the itching disappeared.  As soon as i went off the program it started again.  I don't know which is worse, the itching at night or eliminating my evening wine!

[ktm824]

wow, thank you all so much. I am about to go crazy. This is the first time I have had my arms itch from wrist to elbow. It has been going on for the last couple of week. I literally scratched my arms to bleeding. I have gone out and bought hydrocortisone, calamine lotion, and benadryl topical lotion. In reading the other posts, I can't imagine this going on from Aug. to January. I literally put this up there with fingernails scratching on the chalkboard, it is unbelievably irritating.

I do have some stomach issues and so the liver cleanse may work for me, I do agree with the "itch" or "no wine"  :)

[FurballsMom]

It's possible that you have a sulfite allergy.  I am definitely allergic to all alcohol myself.  So, I've never been able to have the occasional glass of wine or wine cooler.  I never did like beer anyway.  I was introduced to cooking with wine.  It tastes really good, too.  Most people realize that cooking evaporates the alcohol, so there is no alcohol left in what you're cooking.  So, it's fine to prepare food with wine and even give a little to kids--if you don't have to worry about allergies with your kids.

Well, if there is no alcohol left in the food and the food is the kind that I know I am otherwise not allergic to, then if I'm feeling sick all over I can only conclude that it's the sulfites that are in wine.  There are natural sulfites in the stuff from the grapes, but sulfites are also added to wine.

Now that I think about it, I was itchy all over the place from the sulfites, too.

I'm just saying that it might not be just the alcohol, it may also be the sulfites.  With me, I know for sure that it's both.

[marq229]

This may be Menopause setting in...check this...
http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/itchy-skin.htm

[margypops]

I have chronic Urticaria (Hives) I find Aloe Vera Gel from Trader Joes soothes it best it wont cure it but it stops the burn and itch, coulsd be an allergy to something you have used or are using .Incidently mine came on in May after a trauma and Penicillin . I still dont know what the allergen is.

[cefergus]

I believe I have Brachioradial Puritius.  It does drive a person crazy.  Some have said it is associated with being in the sun too much.  It is also helped by taking plenty of Vitamin B-12.  It has helped me to take this and to stay away from the sun when it really is hot.
However, there is no sure answer.  It is down to near freezing this evening and I have a place on my neck that is driving me crazy.  My routine is to freeze it with an ice pack,
spray it with Lanacaine and hope it will calm down.  Try not to scratch it...that stimulates
the area to cause more itching.  This probably related to some type of neuropathy-it is a nerve problem.

Carol

[birdwood]

I have been suffering from the "insane" itch for 8 years now and have only found out in the last month that many others do also, it was a relief as I really did think I was the only one.After reading and comparing I also think I have Brachioradial Pruritus , so now at least I have a name to take to my doctor to prove I'm not nutty and to tell people when they stare at my scared and scabby arms.

[Murbert]

Shawl Itch?  Is this brachialradial puritus?  My dermatologist called it as women developed it in the past when it got colder and they began to wrap up and itch!!  He suggested the use of Zostrix and I have upped the dosage to Zostrix HP as this is year 6 - the itch starts in Aug/Sep to year end - for me.  High humidity makes it worse, especially at night.  I also have been using capsaicin cream when I have not been able to get Zostrix.  It helps and I was told by the doctor that the burning sensation dulls the itch which it does.  This is no fun, and I wonder if it will ever stop bothering me?  Hang in there all you itchers!  You are not alone!  

[larryrowe]

i have the solution and only  cure, these doctors have no idea what they are talking about, the cure is to allow no sun exposure to your arm, i too have had this problem and yes ice does take it away if it starts to irritate but the only way to avoid the irritation is keep the top side of your arm out of the sun completely,the sun is more potent now than it was years ago and i beleve that the sun is the direct cause of this ungodly itch,i have driven alot of the years and played sports so my arms have always been exposed,i realized fast this must have to do with the sun and then i cut exposure and sure enough NO MORE ITCH,please people dont listen to these stupid doctors and go to all these dermatologists and waste tons of money when the solution is to just avoid the sun on the areas that itch.Its as simple as that people, no charge just help because i know it can drive you insane so dont let it,you dont have to keep out of the sun but your arms do so be creative on ways to cover your arms and still be comfortable.

[Mistyang]

Hi, I am from the UK and joined today.  After being up most of the night and not for the first time with this terrible prickling and spreading itch from my wrist to my elbow.  Its good to know I am not alone and I hope by joining with you on this forum I can at least find some help.
I used cold water to take out the heat and find some relief.  It drives me insane knowing that God I have to be up at 6.15 am for work and Ive been awake most of the night.  Why is it this happens only at night there must be some reason.
Yes, I am menopausal could it be that?
We dont have an awful lot of sun in the UK so its not exposure to that.
I dont drink alcohol at all.
It feels to me that this comes from within, its not an on the skin problem that can be solved with creams or hydrocortisone treatment.    Antihistamines dont stop it!
My doctor thinks Im nuts..
My husband sympathises.
I understand what you are all going through...by the way nice to meet fellow suffers.
Regards Mistyang

[dougf]

hi.
  My wife has been dealing with the itching and stinging arms for about 5
years. Started on the right arm as just an itch. Went to a Dermatologist
and was told to only use dove soap but no help. Went to another
Dermatologist and was given a shot. Seemed to help for a while but
came back worse and on both arms. Has had xrays and MRI. Found
two bulged disc. Has been to 2 chiropractors still no help. Family DR.
subscibed Gabapentin helps but not a cure. The only thang that works
is ice. Went to a Neurologist had her arms probed found no problems.
She has had an uncurlable bacteria Pseudomonas most of her life.
Takes lots of medications for this. Was woundering if any one else had this same bacteria. Just serching for any help.Would love to see her get
some relief and all others having this problem.

                                                        thanks Doug

[jannz77]

Just want to introduce myself as a unwilling member of this 'itchy arm...drives you insane...club".

I'm looking for solutions...but also want to understand "WHY".  

- Why does it flare up in the Aug - Nov/Dec time frame (for me anyways).  ???
If it's UV related then it seems to me that the folks down-under in NZ and Aus would have a different time period.  

-  Yes... I've got some cervical issues -- disc degeneration, osteophytes...but again why would this only bother us in certain months ..??  

-  Yes... I'm a female with changing hormones -- so the night-time frequency sort of makes sense if hormones are at the root...but again...why just certain months ..???...

Ice seems to work best...but who wants to be woken up...have to go to the freezer to get an ice pack...then try to go back to sleep. UGH.  

I tried 'capsasian' cream --  wow...not sure if I got too strong of concentration but it BURNED.  Tried washing it off in the shower and it burned MORE.  

I tried some Rx strength steroid creams --  no luck.  

I tried acupuncture --- but the needles were put on my arm.  Maybe they should have been put on my cervical spine area ...???

ANYWAY.... just wanted to share my thoughts.

Jann

[Not2Loud]

I am so glad to have found all of you, you have no idea!  I have had this "mystery itch" for my 9th year now.  I am 46.  I look forward to it (NOT!!) every year from September to December.  I have been to my GP, who sent me for allergy tests ... negative!  I've had a dermatologist tell me I was stressed out and in denial about it, like most women!  Don't worry, I gave him a piece of my mind for all of us!  (What a jerk!)  The truth is, the only thing that stresses me out is this effing insane itching sensation!  I haven't slept for over a month now(halfway there, woohoo!) and it's driving me crazy.  
I find it really hard to describe to people.  A regular itch is merely annoying ... you scratch, you're good to go.
This feels like little volcanoes are climbing up through my nerves and exploding hot lava underneath the skin.  Although my friends and family sympathise, they just don't understand that this is not just an annoyance, it is extremely, extremely painful.  (I normally have a high tolerance for pain, but this is unreal!)
Some nights are so bad, I wake up wanting to scream my head off.  One time, I was actually biting at my arm.  I think I was trying to gnaw it off in my dream, lol.  The only temporary relief I get is naked ice packs, but I wonder what harm I could cause by numbing my arms to death.  And I lose them in the bed.  Don't laugh!  You know it's happened to you too!  lol
Like some of you, I have drawn blood from scratching, and have numerous scars to show for it.  I wake up with blood under my finger nails almost every day.  Other than that there is no visible sign of any problem ... no rash, welts, dryness, redness, etc.  My arms look perfectly normal ... except they aren't :(
After finally getting some answers from these itchy arm forums(I thought it was just me!), I've decided to go with the perimenopause story!  At least my age indicates the possibility.
I was tempted to write to Dr. Oz or even The Doctors to see if they would be helpful.  It seems there is no cure.
Next week, I'm trying acupuncture.  If he can't help, I don't know where else to go.  Maybe I can try a hypnotist and "forget" that I have this condition.

Thanks for reading, because I know you girls understand.
And you are not crazy!  And you are not exaggerating!  And you are not delusional!  I know!!  Because I'm not either.  :)

[Sharryshoo]

I'm so glad we have a place to vent.  I've had this "condition" for two years now.  I've been in FLorida for 4 years and I'm 65.  I can't believe that with all of the complaints the doctors have been hit with that they can't come up with a better solution than "it's stress!".  The only stress I have is THIS ITCH!  I have tried ALL the over the counter creams and none of them work for more than a few minutes and most of them say to only use two or three times a day.  I think I'll go crawl in the freezer (and bring my hypnotist with me!).  At lease we know we're not ALL crazy.  I HAVE found that taking an antahistimine (sp?) before going to bed at least knocks me out enough to sleep - altho I feel really lethargic the next day.  Praying for the day we don't itch.  God bless you all!  

[Simpleman74]

This is likely an allergic reaction to polyester. Which in all cotton shirts is still in the threads. So the wrist has contact.

[dpthots]

Just a thought here, does everyone seem to notice this happens in the fall/winter? I notice that some did. Has anyone checked on Fungal Allergic reactions, or seasonal allergens present during that time? What about IFS? (Google it)

My family has a history of intolerance (or something) with funguses. I am throwing my 2 cents in because I remember my Grandmother itching and scratching her arms a lot, (so much that she bled) , especially in the winter. My cousin had to wear a protective suit for a while for about the same thing that you all (I think) are describing, it was horrible.

[nancbabemam]

Sun block with an SPF greater than 40 works about as well as any ointment or cream and is relatively inexpensive.    I've also discovered that runing hot water over the arms and then rubbing in a cream or ointment seems to help.  Perhaps because it opens the pours.  The ice packs get me through the night.  I keep them under my pillow.  Being in the sun all summer doesn't seem to have an affect.I was fine all summer, but   I've been in itch-land since October.  I don't drink at all, so that's not it.  I've had it since i was about 35--almost 30 years.  Not stress related.  My sister has it and we think our mother probably did, too..
Does anyone know if repeated exposure to the ice will harm the skin?
  .

[scobi16]

wow! glad i googled itchy arms after all of these years. u think u r the only one until....sorry so many others have this problem but in a way it is comforting. ice is the only cure for me. although just the opposite feels good too. meaning i get in the shower and turn the water on as hot as i can stand and then stand there with my arms under the water. this feels good but normally does not make the itching go away. i am a 42 year old male and have dealt with this for probably 20 years. work at a hospital and none of the id docs have answers either. anyway, i did see one post that it is possibly exposure to the sun. i think this year i will try and keep my arms covered and see if this helps. my arms are ithcing as i type and it is february. it just comes and goes throughout the year but has been persistant for the last two months. good luck to all.

[LuvCelticThunder]

Can't believe I found this site!
I have had this problem for TOO long to remember. Been to every type doctor, had ALL the tests possible. Tried every cream lotion, etc. you can use. No help either! One time I even lathered my itch arm up with antibacterial soap and scrubbed with a very hard bristle scrub brush and very hot water.. Nah - didn't work
For the last several years I have used 50 mg. tabs of Atarax to control the itch. Makes you sleepy but who cares, right?
Only problem is if you let the itch go for a couple of days without starting on the pills, you will not get ahead of the itch!. Duh-huh, I just did that and now can't get itch under control.  Nah - didn't work.
I try anything that pops into my mind - whether it makes since or not!  Can't you tell?
Anywho, thought I'd share my "thought of the day". Maybe it will work on you. Has worked for me so far today. ( Also, just started on the pills while the itch is gone)
I use a heating pad after my daily walks (just in case). Today I thought = umm-let's try this.
I put the heating pad on the highest setting, placed it over the itch and pressed it tight until I couldn't stand the heat anymore. Arm was totally RED when I removed the heating pad but I don't care!
Has been working so far today.  YYYYEEEEAAAA
Good lucks guys.

[kls102481]

To: I think I have found the answer for me.
I was like many people on here that itch after a shower. I have been itching for about 6 months and lately it has been real irritating and dont even want to shower or bathe. I showed no visible marks just felt like 100's of ant randomly biting at my legs and butt mostly. I tried many of the things that others say like use room temp water and pat dry the body and put on clothes right away, they all helped a little.
But one day I put BABY OIL into the bath water and then washed up normally and I had zero itching on any part of my body afterwards and it was a relief. I still felt clean and actually enjoyed getting cleaned up. I dont know how much i used but it wasnt very much. It almost seemed like the water ran off of me so fast i didnt need to dry afterwards. In the next day I tried to bathe and put it just on my legs while in it and washed up normally and I feel good again.
I have yet to try to apply the baby oil before or even after the bath or shower cause i havent needed to.  I would like for everyone who thinks this might help to try it. Then try it many different ways and let everyone know what you think. It should at least help many people who have had this problem. SO IF THIS WORKS FOR YOU PLEASE REPOST THIS TRICK TO OTHERS IN THIS FORUM AND OTHER DISCUSSIONS AND LET OTHERS KNOW IF THIS MAKES A DIFFERENCE> THANKS

[deerofthedawn]

I posted this already but I wanted to reproduce it here.
I was suffering just like you for years. From about age 42 to 47. Since November 2009 I have been taking Milk Thistle every day and I only occasionally itch. No more scabby arms!! No more wishing I could just sandpaper the skin off my arms and be done with it!!

I came across the idea for Milk Thistle in my reading that associated nerve itching with liver function. However I don't care how or why it works, just that Praise the Lord I hardly ever think about itchy arms and it used to be such a constant stress.

I take Milk Thistle extract, 200 mg each tab, 2 tabs a day. It says it is standardized to have 160 mg of Silymarin.

Also occasionally I need to use Capsaicin cream, which uses cayenne pepper extract to "use up" the nerve receptors so the itch is masked. Sounds like it would burn and occasionally it does a little, but that's better than THE ITCH.

Both remedies are natural, too. No side effects. Thanks be to God.

Here is wishing you healing and rest.

[kaybur]

hi,  just found this forum trying to get some answers.I'm glad to know It's not just me or all in my head, as the medical profession seem to keep telling me. a little bit about me. I'm a 47 year old male, i drive a taxi 10 hours a day and  live in th U.K. I suffer with severe back pain, arthritis, have depressed c5 and c6 discs and receive U.V heat and light treatment for psoriasis. my dermatologist mentioned BRP, but when i mentioned my symptoms first started after PUVA treatment, which is UVA light plus a plant extract called psuralens which sensitises the skin to the uva light, she seem to think i was nuts and said it was more likely to be nerve damage. I mentioned this to my neurologist when i had an MRI scan on my c5and c6 and guess what, he thought i was nuts and said it was a skin problem. I have been on anti histamines for years anti inflamatorys for arthritis and lyrica , a pregabilyn pain killer, for my back pain. i moisturise 3or4 times a day for the psoriasis and still the itch persists only ice or soaking in coldwater seem to do any good. my G.P cannot suggest any more drugs or treatment and gives me the impression that I am wasting her time and to come back when i have a proper problem. for me at least heat seems to have been the trigger and it is definitely worse during the summer but from what i have read there are some common factors for quite a few sufferrers. ie neck or back trauma arthitis psoriasis shingles. if anybody out there is collating all this info hope this is useful it don't stop the itch but it helps to know it's not just me and maybe someone will come up with a miracle.

[jannz77]

OK-  so it's summer and AGAIN my arms are itching and look like I have mosquito bites from the scratching I've done.

I went to a new dermatologist yesterday and brought in the info on Brachioradial Pruritus.  She asked if I had any weakness in my arm -- to which I said 'no'.  She said that if I had weakness in my arm then the itching 'may' be due to a cervical spine issue.   But the fact that I don't have any weakness then I have this OTHER form of skin nerve issue -- called "________" (sorry but I can't remember the name exactly...should have had her write it down).  But the essence of this form is that the nerves in the skin in THIS area are for some reason suffering from "inflammation".  It could be from UV radiation (which is probably the case for me given the time of year it happens)...but she said it could also be a genetic thing...they don't really know WHY it happens or WHAT causes it.  

What she did say is that I could try this topical prescription drug cream called "Zonalon".  She said that in pill form folks take it for anxiety to calm their nerves.  And in a cream form it does the same thing to the skin nerves -- it calms the inflammation.  You have to use it at night because it causes 'sedation' -- so you have to be cautious until you know how it will affect you.  

So...I've only used it one night -- and seemed to help -- but obviously NOT enough time to say definitively whether this is SYMPTOM RELIEF therapy a lot of us are looking for.  It's definitely NOT a cure...for that we'd need to know what causes it.  However, if it is 'inflammation of skin nerves' ...then I'm going to make sure I take my fish oil, and all my antioxidants that help internal inflammation.

What I want to know is if anyone else has tried the Zonalon 5% cream...and to share  their experience.  

Best wishes,
Jann