Itchy Arms

Hello, i've been dealing with itchy arms for the last few years. I have been to the doctor several times and keep getting perscribed various creams that provided minimal if no relief. I have used several different types of over the counter creams which didn't help either. The itching is mainly on the top side of my arm right near my elbows (on both arms) I scratch until it hurts and gets raw (which makes it worse!) My doctor doesn't have a clue what it could be and I am losing my mind with the contant itching. I've seen a few other questions that say it looks seasonal, but I get this in the winter and Summer. It has spread down the top of my forearm now stopping at my wrists. MY Left arm is a lot worse for whatever reason. I was just prescribed Betaderm when I went to a walkin clinic today, but it doesn't seem to help (yet) Anyone else experiencing this? I live in Ontario Canada, so we go through all the seasons from extreme dry heat to extremely humid, and the usual Canadian winters...

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

Your problem may be either a form of dermatitis or a nerve disease in the category of what is called neuropathic disease.  A specific example of this is a condition called Brachioradial pruritus (itch).  If the first finding/symptom is itchiness (pruritus) at a time when your skin is normal in appearance and the skin only appears “raw” or abnormal in any way after scratching, there is a good possibility that the problem is not some kind of skin disease (dermatitis) but is a neuropathic disease, the itch arising from peripheral nerve signals, coming from the spinal cord.

This is an abstract from the medical literature:
TitleBrachioradial pruritus--a peculiar neuropathic disorder.
SourceClinical Neurology & Neurosurgery. 108(8):803-5, 2006 Dec.
AbstractThe case is presented of a middle-aged woman who suffered from lancinating itch on the dorsolateral aspect of the upper arm after a loco-regional injury, first on the right and later on the left side. Brachioradial pruritus (BRP) was diagnosed. Neurophysiologic examination was compatible with a neuropathy at the C5-C6 level, while a negative nerve root block supported an additional central impact. The presumed pathophysiology of BRP is discussed in terms of a neuropathic disorder. We suggest that damage from whatever cause from either the cutaneous nerves or from the more proximal sensory pathways may be the causative physiopathologic basis for this enigmatic disorder. BRP was refractory to different therapeutic approaches, except to lamotrigine. As BRP presents a therapeutic challenge, it seems important to report lamotrigine as a potential new therapy.
Authors Full NameCrevits, L.
InstitutionDepartment of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. luc.***@****

I suggest that you share the above with your doctor and together decide the type of specialist likely to be most helpful.

Please let us know how things turn out.

Good luck