itchy arms

[karen2222]

I just wanted to say how much I understand what you are all going through.  I have been to every doctor possible. I went to another dermatologist on Monday and he diagnosed me with BRP, Brachialradial Puritis.  There is no real scientific explanation to this yet.  He told me to stay out of the sun and I live in AZ. Mine definietely gets exasberated when I am in heat or sunlight. But, strange that it happens for all of us from around August to November. It is nerve related. So, now I am on Emla (mixture of Lidocaine/prilocaine) and it numbs the area so I can sleep.  I know this isn't the best solution but I NEED some sleep. I am also going to a Spinal Correction Center, esssentially a Chiropractor. I have never been to one and not so sure about it. But, I have been adjusted once and I slept that night. I saw my X-Rays and my neck needs some realignment for sure.  Anyways, I hope this helps someone out there. Look up BRP.


This discussion is related to Itchy Arms.

[AlbertaGal]

I suffered from this for years, and finally connected it to low iron levels.  Once I started upping my iron supplements, the itchiness went away.  Now when my arms itch, I either take another supplement, or eat something high in iron content.  I have my iron levels checked regularly, and they are now always normal - my arms are my indicator!  I would strongly recommend everyone get their iron levels checked.  Good luck!

[AlbertaGal]

I suffered from this for years, and finally connected it to low iron levels.  Once I started upping my iron supplements, the itchiness went away.  Now when my arms itch, I either take another supplement, or eat something high in iron content.  I have my iron levels checked regularly, and they are now always normal - my arms are my indicator!  I would strongly recommend everyone get their iron levels checked.  Good luck!

[Lollyclem]

I am also grateful to have found this site, and others who experience this nagging, nasty affliction. I'm in my 2nd year, and I totally fit the profile I read about for this--red head, fair skin, 45 yes old, and previous difficulties with compressed neck and L4 & L5 vertebrae. Does anyone else get little bumps where the itching and burning spots are? And they bleed uncharacteristically a lot considering how small they are? It's become ugly and embarrassing to wear short sleeves. I'm currently taking 300 most of Gababentin at night, plus topical steroid creams, which help only a little. I'm noticing that sugar consumption can set off the itching get too, which I find curious if it stems from neurological issues. The best non-medical relief I get when the itching is bad (and I'm causing bleeding/stabbing front itching so hard) is comically odd: I gently run a wire-bristled cat[hair]brush where it itches. I take it with me when I travel, and keep it on my nightstand at night. The fine, sharp bristles stimulate tons of nerve endings at once, and it gives me a break from the itching. I don't have to press hard at all, so it doesn't break or scrape my skin. It gives me temporary relief like nothing else. Please try it! WIRE bristles work better than any other type.

[ejinphoenix]

I also have BRP and I see a couple of small whitish little bumps that are not going away.  I just got five days ago, a cream from a compounded pharmacy with amitriptyline, 5%, Gabapentine, 3%, Ketamine, 10%, Ketoprofen,5% and tetracaine 3% which took care of the symptoms within half hour. I was in misery and have been pain free for five days.  I apply two to three times a day.
I have now slept without the pain waking me up and I feel like myself again. You will need a prescription for this.
EJ in Phoenix AZ

[NJCarolx]

i wonder why this has not worked for me)

[itchyarmsincalifornia]

I have the same thing.  For about ten+ years now, every August through October the top part of my arms itch severely. I am 45 yr.old woman from California.   It almost feels like tiny bugs are inside me, right below my skin biting me from the inside. When I'm in the car and the sun shines on my arms, it's an AWFUL experience, and that even feels more like burning.   I itch throughout the day sporadically, especially if I am hot, and almost every evening.  I sleep with ice packs and there's blood usually always on my sheets/clothes.  Been to the dermatologist and they have no clue. I am always prescribed a topical ointment which is worthless.  I'm finding thru the internet that numerous people have this same condition but there is no diagnose/cure.  I found some inform. on "brachioradial pruritus" which may be a possibility.  If anyone else out there has experienced similar symptoms and can provide any feedback I would be much appreciative.

[charleyp81]

I live in London and have been suffering from these itchy arms since last year. Mine is definitely brought on by the sun (doesn't have to be particularly hot - it rarely is here these days) - this weekend we had the first sun in ages and my itchy arms, which were feeling much better, came back with a vengeance. But by the sounds of what everyone else is saying, it's not actually caused by the sun. There's no August connection for me. Mine seems to start as soon as the sun starts to get hotter - but there's no visible rash, and it's confined to my arms (all the way up and down both sides). I do occasionally get a persistent rash on my stomach, but anti-histamines get rid of that, whereas they have no effect on this.

I bought some Aveeno Anti-Itch Concentrated Lotion online (not available in the UK), which seems to help slightly - gets rid of the worst of the itching, although it doesn't relieve it entirely. As everyone says, ice (or in fact anything cold) is the only relief that really works - for me, just resting my arm on a cold pillow at night can help me go back to sleep again when I'm woken up by extreme itching.

I'm definitely going to try the milk thistle suggestion. I've got a horrible feeling that this isn't something that's going to go away, which doesn't bode well for my holiday in Corfu this summer!

[kitt67]

Hadn't noticed the connection to the east coast, but my itch actually began while I was living in Wisconsin.  I think we can all begin sharing possible commonalities in an attempt at understanding this.  It doesn't seem to matter whether or not a person is physically fit or out of shape, a drinker or abstainer,  and seasonality doesn't seem to be an issue, either.  Caffeine?  Meats laced with growth hormones and antibiotics?  Drinking water laced with fluoride?  Too much sugar?  Not enough salt?  Physical trauma that may have caused nerve damage?  More individual background....

[kitt67]

I should note that my regular doctor tested my blood pH and it was normal.  Also, Dr. Chang has retired and I can't seem to track him down anywhere....My apologies for the double posting.....not sure what happened there!  :)~

[kitt67]

My itch began in Nov. '08 while I was living in Wisconsin.  The first presentation was a small, intensely itchy spot on the front of my right calf.  The spot grew and then a similar spot began on the front of my left calf.  This too began in a small area but both eventually spread to cover the entire front of each leg from just below the knee to just above the ankle.  And then a similar presentation began across my abdomen and, eventually, both sides of my lower rib cage.  My doctor at the time started me on a course of prednisone, which made me a monster and did absolutely nothing for the itch.  He next sent me to a dermatologist; she took me off the prednisone, took a biopsy off my left leg to test for a liver disorder (negative), and gave me a cortisone shot.  The shot made the itch disappear for about a month and a half.....and then it roared back with a vengeance.  Same beginning as the initial onset: small spot on my right leg which grew, followed by a small spot on my left leg which grew, followed by other areas which included the backs of my thighs, ribs, abdomen, fingers, backs of my hands, and the back of my scalp.  This time, non-pitting edema occured on my lower legs and was often accomapnied by a strong peppery taste in my mouth, burning eyes and nose, and an overall skin crawling sensation.  Two to three 24 hour claratins a day helped a little, the desoxametisone cream my doctor had me try did not.  So I went to an allergist and was tested for all the usual suspects; negative on all counts.  The biggest relief I ever got that winter was to go outside and expose as much of my skin to that frigid Wisconsin air as I could.  

Then I moved back to Virginia.  Out of frustration and lack of any other avenues to pursue, I took a friend's suggestion and went to see a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medications.  After my initial interview with Dr. Chang, he asked to see my tongue (the shape of which he drew on my chart).  He put his pencil down, removed his glasses, and said to me, "Your blood is too acidic."  AHA!!! I thought.....Makes sense!  By this time, winter was gone and I was walking around in shorts.....my blazing red calves exposed for all to see.  This was comfortable for the most part as it got plenty of air on my skin....except when I walked through grass.  Walking through grass felt like my legs were covered in fire ants!  Acid, Dr. Chang explained.  Grass is an acidic plant; moisture settles on it during the night and when you walk through it, you disturb that moisture--which brings with it some of the acid from the grass.  I was convinced I was on the right track!  Dr. Chang and I met roughly once every ten days.  He would perform acupuncture on me and while I was "on the bench" he'd mix an herbal formula that, I later found out, changed each time and was designed to cleanse a different organ in my body (liver, kidneys, spleen, intestines, etc.). He also had me eat what essentially a vegan diet (which I stuck to but not religiously). Within a month and a half, I was completely itch free!  For a year and a half.

I never experienced the itch as intensely as I did with those first incidences and the itch seems now to be confined solely to my arms and neck.....which is how a recent return to a dermatologist resulted in a diagnosis of bracchioradial pruritis...and a prescription for gabapentin.  No one wants to even consider my first session with this as being related to what's going on now, but it is the exact same sensation and nothing (not even gabapentin) short of ice provides any lasting relief.  I have seen a chiropractor, hoping that over time repeated adjustments might prove BRP to be the culprit.  Nothing has changed though.  The other night while scratching at my right arm, I realized a couple things that I hadn't before.  The itch I feel has two distinct sensations: a general, intense itchiness that covers an area of skin that varies in full size from a small spot to a large area; and a very specific spot that really feels more like someone is standing next to me with a tiny eyedropper full of acid.  The skin in these areas are affected two ways, as well: areas that are "itchy all over" may look red and irritated, but that skin doesn't break or tear; specific spots that itch end up looking like a crater--literally like something has burned the follicle.  I felt a spot-specific burn the other night and instead of gritting my teeth and growling at it while scratching, I took the time to examine that spot.  What I found was what seemed like a pore that had a colorless scab on it....very small but definitely something with a different texture than the skin around it.  Out of frustration (and curiosity), I pinched that hardened piece of skin to get rid of it.....and the burn....stopped.  If you can figure any of this out......PLEASE TELL ME!!!!!!!!!!!

I have found that LIBERAL applications of Sarna (for sensitive skin) seems to help with the larger itchy areas.  I will have to see if the tiny, pore sized irritations all develop a "scab" or not and whether removing that scab helps every time.  I have a theory, but that's for another time.

[kitt67]

My itch began in Nov. '08 while I was living in Wisconsin.  The first presentation was a small, intensely itchy spot on the front of my right calf.  The spot grew and then a similar spot began on the front of my left calf.  This too began in a small area but both eventually spread to cover the entire front of each leg from just below the knee to just above the ankle.  And then a similar presentation began across my abdomen and, eventually, both sides of my lower rib cage.  My doctor at the time started me on a course of prednisone, which made me a monster and did absolutely nothing for the itch.  He next sent me to a dermatologist; she took me off the prednisone, took a biopsy off my left leg to test for a liver disorder (negative), and gave me a cortisone shot.  The shot made the itch disappear for about a month and a half.....and then it roared back with a vengeance.  Same beginning as the initial onset: small spot on my right leg which grew, followed by a small spot on my left leg which grew, followed by other areas which included the backs of my thighs, ribs, abdomen, fingers, backs of my hands, and the back of my scalp.  This time, non-pitting edema occured on my lower legs and was often accomapnied by a strong peppery taste in my mouth, burning eyes and nose, and an overall skin crawling sensation.  Two to three 24 hour claratins a day helped a little, the desoxametisone cream my doctor had me try did not.  So I went to an allergist and was tested for all the usual suspects; negative on all counts.  The biggest relief I ever got that winter was to go outside and expose as much of my skin to that frigid Wisconsin air as I could.  

Then I moved back to Virginia.  Out of frustration and lack of any other avenues to pursue, I took a friend's suggestion and went to see a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medications.  After my initial interview with Dr. Chang, he asked to see my tongue (the shape of which he drew on my chart).  He put his pencil down, removed his glasses, and said to me, "Your blood is too acidic."  AHA!!! I thought.....Makes sense!  By this time, winter was gone and I was walking around in shorts.....my blazing red calves exposed for all to see.  This was comfortable for the most part as it got plenty of air on my skin....except when I walked through grass.  Walking through grass felt like my legs were covered in fire ants!  Acid, Dr. Chang explained.  Grass is an acidic plant; moisture settles on it during the night and when you walk through it, you disturb that moisture--which brings with it some of the acid from the grass.  I was convinced I was on the right track!  Dr. Chang and I met roughly once every ten days.  He would perform acupuncture on me and while I was "on the bench" he'd mix an herbal formula that, I later found out, changed each time and was designed to cleanse a different organ in my body (liver, kidneys, spleen, intestines, etc.). He also had me eat what essentially a vegan diet (which I stuck to but not religiously). Within a month and a half, I was completely itch free!  For a year and a half.

I never experienced the itch as intensely as I did with those first incidences and the itch seems now to be confined solely to my arms and neck.....which is how a recent return to a dermatologist resulted in a diagnosis of bracchioradial pruritis...and a prescription for gabapentin.  No one wants to even consider my first session with this as being related to what's going on now, but it is the exact same sensation and nothing (not even gabapentin) short of ice provides any lasting relief.  I have seen a chiropractor, hoping that over time repeated adjustments might prove BRP to be the culprit.  Nothing has changed though.  The other night while scratching at my right arm, I realized a couple things that I hadn't before.  The itch I feel has two distinct sensations: a general, intense itchiness that covers an area of skin that varies in full size from a small spot to a large area; and a very specific spot that really feels more like someone is standing next to me with a tiny eyedropper full of acid.  The skin in these areas are affected two ways, as well: areas that are "itchy all over" may look red and irritated, but that skin doesn't break or tear; specific spots that itch end up looking like a crater--literally like something has burned the follicle.  I felt a spot-specific burn the other night and instead of gritting my teeth and growling at it while scratching, I took the time to examine that spot.  What I found was what seemed like a pore that had a colorless scab on it....very small but definitely something with a different texture than the skin around it.  Out of frustration (and curiosity), I pinched that hardened piece of skin to get rid of it.....and the burn....stopped.  If you can figure any of this out......PLEASE TELL ME!!!!!!!!!!!

I have found that LIBERAL applications of Sarna (for sensitive skin) seems to help with the larger itchy areas.  I will have to see if the tiny, pore sized irritations all develop a "scab" or not and whether removing that scab helps every time.  I have a theory, but that's for another time.

[TexasGirl831]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!  I read all about this and this is ME !!!   I thought maybe it was mosquitos, but in reading this article and pin pointing my symptoms and the on set. this is it.  I was in my late 30's when i had an accident on a trampoline., My neck hurt for the next few years, went to the Doctor and found that I had a herniated disc between C5 and C6.  Never thought much about it until reading this.  Shortly after the accident I started having chronic itching , mostly when asleep.  It was like I was bitten all over.   It comes and goes. Now Im 50 and I seem to get it on my forarms, mostly on my left arm.  Like fiberglass and when I scratch it goes away for 1 sec and comes back with a vengence.   I would of NEVER put these two together at all.  Thank you !!!

[daisytimy]

Hi, my problem started 3 years ago back in England, not a hot place, I also suffer from lupus so I'm never in the sun, my arms itch day and night, I'm going tomorrow to another Dr, if I find something I will share it with you all

[adeledogs]

Hi this is my 4th year with the itching.  I live in Spain and always started when the heat arrived so I presumed was sun related...also just my right forearm at first between shoulder and elbow but this year left arm has started itching just as bad..and now November and cool so the sun theory has stopped for me.  Always happens when I am in a relaxed mood or when I go to bed and then I cannot stop..Drives me crazy and this year broke my skin as itched that much..Aloe Vera helped and the ice.  Wondered if could be related to my age and hormones as 46, but notice a lot of younger girls on this site..is this mainly female related I wonder?
I am going to try B12 as seems to have worked for a lot of people on here who had lack of iron (which I did) and then they started to itch.  Also I am going to check out a chiropractor as a few comments all point to trapped nerve in the spine specifically aimed at itching in the forearms only, so having yourself checked out and realigned might be the answer to our relentless itching...stressful times also seem to trigger mine..will let you know how I get on...

[kellbell5]

So glad to find that others have this same problem..It saves me money. I won't be going to the doctor for the 5th time about my arms.  I am going to try the sarna and the milk thistle.. I hope it works!
I

[roynut]

After an especially miserable night where my arm itched so bad that it kept me up all night, I went to see my doctor, who prescribed a drug to take once a day and Lidocaine patches to see if either would help the itch.  

I tried the Lidocaine patches (brand name Lidoderm) the first night, and to my infinite relief it worked!  Within an hour or so of applying the patch it numbed the skin on my arm and completely quelled the itching.  I did experience a side effect of minor swelling of my throat, but that was nothing compared to the relief I experienced, plus it went away as soon as I took off the patch.

The patches can only be used for 12 hours each day, so I use them when I go to bed so I can sleep.  The itching is worse then anyway.

If you haven't yet found a way to stop the itching, please give the Lidocaine patches a shot.  It won't cure the condition but it will provide relief from the itch.

I'm supposed to give the drug a week to take effect, so I guess its effectiveness is still to be determined.

[LDMc]

Know it's an old thread but I have the itching arms, too. Itching is a mild way to put it, it's deep tissue, painful itching and wakes me up. Ice packs can't numb it, nothing stops it. Dermatologist was zero help. No rash, nothing visible, started about 20 years ago out of the blue. Only on back of forearms, in areas that change for each episode and are about 2 or 3 inches across. Can last for hours or minute or days.
FINALLY figured out that when I avoid diet sodas with Nutrasweet, the itching goes away after a couple of days and stays gone until I drink them again for a few days then I have another round.
If anyone has this and drinks diet soda with equal or some form of nutrasweet, stop for a few days and see what happens. Anything is worth a shot to make it stop.

[lolo269]

I suffer with this same itching and finally a dermatologist has it right BRP. Creams make it worse and ice reliefs it 100 percent. I am thinking I should go to a chiropractor as some have since it effects the spinal  cord and I have lots of low back pain. I just want to know if it is related to any type of cancer as I had breast cancer and this came after that. Any ideas?

[nikki1969120]

I may have a little more information on the itchy arm phenomena!  It is definitely a nerve problem; which is a mild form of Fibromyalgia. When the connective tissue around your cells has weakened.  My acupuncturist told me to take Knox Gelatin everyday and this will strengthen the connective tissue.  I put the Knox Gelatin in a cup of Pulpy Orange juice.  This way the texture of the gelatin is kind of masked by the Pulp; easier to swallow.  Also Vitamin C in the form of Orange Juice and Apple juice is good for the connective tissue. The heat brings on the symptoms hence the reason it starts in July and ends usually around December.  Well I hope this information is somewhat helpful to you.  Good luck

[nikki1969120]

OMG!  It is so refreshing to know I am not the only one with this strange itching attacks on my arms.  Ice seems to be the only thing that alleviates the pain.  I freeze up the ice packs that go around a bottle of wine for comfort.  I went to a Chinese Herbalist Doctor and he said my lung channels were weak that is why I am itching on my arms.  Your lung channels run down both of your arms.  He just gave me some tea and did a cupping process on me.  I still have episodes and yes it started around August.  This type of itching has never happened to me before.  I will be 41 the 1st of October.  I have been under a lot of stress lately and thought maybe that was why but after reading  all these posts it sounds like a form of allergen.  I took the advice of some posts and went to store and bought Milk Thistle; gold baum cream and claritin.  It seems to have subsided for the moment but I guess I will find out tonight.  good luck everyone.....I know it's frustrating and makes you just plain irritable.  I have laid in bed at night just scratching and crying and begging for it to please stop.

[Shower123]

I discovered these things milk thistle claritin and Ill try lotrimin.
Also one other thing Tucks is very cooling

[suncitylinda]

Glad to find you all.  Itcy bloody scarred arms off and on for years.  Sun worshipper when young still outdoors daily to garden.  Serritonin drug when started about 10 years ago.  Has flared up again, as I went back on (Prozac) to quit smoking a few years ago. Lower back pain, recent pain in hands, joints. Sun and heat aggrivate condition.  Starts up almost always as night.  Dont drink, or, smoke anymore!   Will come off Prozac and try some of the many suggestions you have all provided.  

[margypops]

Me too, hardly slept last night, I have noticed a pattern of interest in my research, I live in a rural area and this itching/rash/hives also dermographism  does happen mostly in August onwards  I have a large garden /land with cactus and all kinds of desert vegetation, i googled them , the cactus, and they are actually very  toxic, I get it mostly on my arms, and neck area , it has been horribly hot here this August well over 100 degrees every day ,we have a respite today,its abou 90   .so check out if it could be any plants/cactus/ all kinds of plants especially around California ..today I ran out for benydryl to take in capsule form , I already have the cream, which does not help me ...reading up on ideas.. this all started for me after a trauma at a dentist office over 2 years ago ...

[janicemrly]

8-2010    I too have itchy arms from mid August til therll first frost.  this has been going on for about ten years. I truly
believe that it has something to do with rag weed and or mold.  I take a RX allergy pill every day in the AM but it wears off late afternoon.  Long sleeves definitely helps. I take Benedry  Keep the arms covered

[thedatagirl]

Hi,
I suffer from itchy arms too.  It started 5 years ago when I was pregnant and was unbearable.  The only thing that helped was benadryl and to ice it down or wrap it tight in cold washcloths.  I feel like a freak when these episodes occur.  I have been using benadryl to fall asleep at night but it leaves me groggy in the morning.  At least it helps the itching though.  It was fine for a while but just recently got worse.  Anyways ~ we are not alone, which is good to know.......could it be stress?  I'm under a lot of stress and am wondering if the stress & hormones trigger it?  

[Janetd245]

I am SOOOO happy to see I am not losing my mind.  For 8 years I thought I was. You all understand.  It actually inhibits me from doing things during these months that I want to do because I am so preoccupied with the itching sensation under my skin in my arms; like worms crawling around under there. I just read your posts and ran to the store.  Got Capsacin, Tiger balm, Zeasorb and Milk Thistle. I am desperate!! Let you know the results....