Arm iching

I am one of the many people that has wrote there problem on here. I have been to a Dermatologist, and he has tryed me on several creams. Nothing has helped me either. He now has me going to a PUVA Doctor. I have had made many trips to the PUVA Doctor and it don't seem to have helped. And tonight I wake up at 3:00 AM like a lot of people I see on here Scratching away. Wow, we can send people to the moon, but can't find a Dr. that can give up relief on this crazy scratching.


This discussion is related to Sever arm itching.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Tell us more about this condition and we may be able to help you...

How long have you had this itsching?

Is it jus located at one place or at multiple sites?

Has scabies, allergies, fungal infections been ruled out by a doctors exam or tests?

Do you think you may have dry skin?

Do you have any other problems/disorders like poor sleep or stress?

You may try some ani-histamines if that has not been tried earlier.

You may also try to use some emollients and moisturizers to help you.

You may feel frustrated presently because the medical care has not arrived at a complete cure yet, but doctors try to relieve your troubles and it may take some time to give an optimum benefit.

Best regards. let me know if you have any concerns

[Poweron]

I have had the itsching about 2 months now. At first if was on Right Arm, but now I am getting some of the same thing on my Left arm. I haven't had dry skin in the past and I am a 66 year old white male. Very low stress, retired, sleep very good. I have tried 1/2 of a Benadryl that seem to ease the scratcing but comes back after a nights sleep. And now I have some dry like patches on the inside of my legs. A little scratchie, also, but not as bad as my arms are.
Thanks,
Poweron

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This appears to be either a localized fungal infection which is spreading or an instant of dry skin.

Tinea corporis is the name given to fungal infection on the skin. In its native form this appears as ring like lesions with bumps in a circle and clearing in the center. This may be easily identified and treated using anti-fungals.

Dry skin may result from decreased oil discharges due to old age or due to change in use of some cosmetics which may cause the skin properties to change.

The treatment for both of these is different and at least in the case of fungal infection should be done by a doctor only. However, since the diagnosis is not certain as of now, it is best that you approach your dermatologist and take proper treatment.

You may use emollients and moisturizers coupled with anti-allergics to help you.

best regards

[Flower58]

I have had this itch for many years and have seen my dermatologist for treatment.  My condition was diagnosed as Notalgia. .It has no known origin or causes although it has been found to be related to the sun, heat, stress and hormones. He has treated me with two creams containing steroids that give some relief although it still returns.   The itch starts with a prickle under the skin in both upper arms. I also seem to have bumps under the skin. It begins usually when I'm beginning to rest and during sleep.  Wearing wool or cashmere aggravates it. The only true relief is to numb it with ice packs!!  The itch is so bad sometimes that I bleed and get red scabs.  I am glad that I am not alone in this but would welcome any input from those who suffer from this as well!

[jjb72]

I'm almost in tears reading these posts. I am a 37 year old healthy male who has had excessive itching on my left arm for two years now. Every description in this post matches mine. From the pickling sensation to ice packs being the only relief. Ignoring it is not an option; and I'd take pain over this itch any day of the week. I've been prescribed medicated lotions, Xynol, and allergy meds. The Xynol seemed to work at first, but that quit after a while. I have itched until I've bled. The best is when people tell me it's in my head. Hell maybe it is...

[Cablegirl7300]

I too have the same problem yall are describing. I am 36 years old and I have had this problem for nearly 3 years. I was going thru a bad time (ie bad marriage/divorce, new job) I figured it was my nerves.

It comes and goes thru out the year but worse in the summer months. Its usually between my elbows and my wrist with some spots on my hands from time to time. I have 2 spots on my hands right now. Its the most horrible stinging prickly painful itch I have ever had!!! The more you scratch it the worse it gets, I scratch till I scratch the top layer of skin off which in turn leaves scabs.

I work at a Local Police Dept. and the guys I work with kid me constantly about them being Meth Sores Its getting to be very embarrassing cause I fear ppl in my small town will start to actually think they are meth sores :-(

I have been to my family Dr, Dermatologist (which was a Complete and total waste of money!!) All of them was bumfuzzeled!! I have been to an allergist and he has helped me more than anyone BUT he's not even sure what is causing the problem. I've had the allergy testing done, tons of blood work checking for everything including cancer. I go to the Chiropractor on a regular basis so I don't think a pinched nerve is the problem

I have ALOT more problems with my left arm and I sleep on my left side more than my right. Last night I went to sleep on my right side and Today I have a new itchy spot on my Right arm. I'm wondering if I might have mites in my pillow which is causing this since I sleep with my arm up against my pillow. I am planning on washing and drying my pillow this weekend and also vacuuming my bed to see if that is the problem. Either way I have yet another appt with the Allergist Monday I am planning on keeping and I hope that maybe he and I can figure this out.

I am the ONLY person I personally know that has this problem. SOOO feel for you all as I know exactly what yall are going thru!! I agree there are so many ppl effected by this for it to go un-diagnoised, its just crazy!!

[mydavico]

I can't believe there is a whole community of people with the same problem that I have been having for years!!!! For me it is the top of my wrists and hands. It comes on in the late summer thru early fall. I have seen the dermatologist who told me to stop scratching (easy for him to say). He told me is could be a neurological problem and gave me a couple of expensive creams that worked at first but later did nothing. Ice has helped on occasion, and this year I have started using benedryl to sleep which has helped. The itching starts around 10pm and keeps me up till about 3am or until the benedryl kicks in (which ever comes first)

Interesting enough, about 20 years ago I used to spend HOURS a week in the tanning beds and I would come out with the same interesting needley tingling that I now have during the itching flare ups!!!!HMMMM????IT's one of the reasons I stopped bed baking. I find the flare ups start when I sometimes go out for a swim and I am in the sun! I thought it could be the chlorine but now i'm thinking maybe some long term damage from the tanning beds. The PUVA diagnosis is intriguing

[sonieb33]

Ok, I see that I'm not the only one with this problem!

I have the needle picking sensation which is mostly around the area of my upper arms although it can be anywhere from my wrist to my shoulder other times.
It most often occurs at bedtime but there are days where it's non-stop all day long (like today).

I have NO rash or dryness that can be seen or felt although I often itch it until I'm bleeding which then scabs over and unless I can remember to avoid that area I sometimes scratch the scabs off. I often have welts from itching but none are there before I start scratching my skin off.  

I've tried numerous creams they sometimes help temporarily and I've found the ones that have menthol or something that cools sometimes works the best, only because I think the cool/burning masks the pricking sensation, not that I think it's gone. I've also sometimes fallen to sleep with my fingernail shoved into one of the phantom "needle" sites. If I pinch or stab the site I can shut the pricking off....but only while I'm pinching or stabbing. I've also used an alligator clip for relief from the pricking, lol. Sometimes, though rarely, it shuts off the pricking in that area only to resurface in a different location.

I've thought possibly it's an allergy to latex...and wondered if there might be any latex in elastic, for instance in shirt sleeves and bra. I noticed that one time when I took my hair out of a ponytail and put my (wrapped) elastic band around my wrist that my wrist and forearm itched that day and I thought it got better a while after I took it off, this may have been a coincidence but possibly it might be proof of a link. I haven't proven or disproven this theory yet. I cannot seem to find information about what elastic is made out of and if it has any latex in it and haven't been able to find much clothing without ANY elastic. Of course this doesn't explain why the itching is ONLY on my arms...since there's elastic in my underwear and socks too and I don't itch around my feet or nether regions.

Which brings me to my latest theory: It seems to be worse before I bathe and I think I have had some relief directly after bathing/showering so for the past few times I've bathed I've really scrubbed my arms good with a shower scrubby and my body wash. Then before I dressed I put on a healthy coating of my regular lotion (which doesn't seem to make the itching worse, in fact, it works as good as any hydrocortison cream I've tried). It's only been about a week but I think this is working...I haven't showered today yet and I'm itching like I'm crawling with ants! I'm going to test it again here as soon as I post this message. I'll get back on my results, lol.

[sonieb33]

Ok, I took the bath and yes the itching has subsided. While I was sitting there soaking I came up with another theory. Maybe the other sufferers on here can help me figure out whether or not I may have come up with a solution. However, first I'll explain my thought process:

Yes, I prefer baths to showers, especially since it's been around 60 degrees for the past week. I like to thaw in a hot bath from September to about June. I live in Michigan, nuff said. Anyway, there I was, sitting there thawing in the hot bath and trying to figure out this itching problem. First, I made a list of the strange and/or unique parts of the symptoms, for instance, the fact that it's always in the upper arms...I guess some people get it in the upper back and chest, but usually it's the arms/upper arms:
A. it's always upper body, mostly arms.
B. it's a needle type prickly sensation.
C. there's no "rash" (at least not on mine).
D. hot bath's seem to help (me).
E. stopping the prickling REQUIRES itching (or pinching or stabbing in my case...either way some sort of minor "trauma" to the site).

Ok, I think that pretty much covers that list...which led me to these conclusions:
A. upper body, especially arms are the last place for blood flow. For instance if you're lacking oxygen you're gonna see it in your fingers first.
B. When tissues "wake up" they often tingle or itch. (eg. thawing fingers/toes itch and so does fresh scar tissue)
C. it doesn't seem as if it's external, for instance, irritation of some sort.
D. what happens to your skin in a hot bath? It turns red -- increased blood flow.
E. trauma and hot water both bring blood to the surface of the skin.

Is it possible that our cells up near the surface of our skin are not getting enough blood flow?
I know that I have become VERY sedentary over the past few years...and I've been unemployed since January (probably close to when this itching began although I'm not sure)...I used to be very active. It seems the onset of this itching and my sedentary life COULD be linked.
I would like to know if anyone else who suffers from this itching is also somewhat sedentary. Is there ANY people who are really ACTIVE who have the same exact symptoms??
I decided that I'm going to the gym today because of this. I'll let you know if it helps ;)

[sonieb33]

I have one more thing that worked last night to appease the itching: Aspercreme.
The itching kept me up most of the night last night. I itched until I gave myself a bruise on my right upper arm. I tried all of my itch creams: Gold Bond, hydrocortisone, etc... finally I got up, washed my arms off with soap and water, dried them off real good and put Aspercreme on them. IT WORKED!!! and I was able to finally go to sleep!

[protem]

I have had this problem on and off for 20 yrs. As have my mother and sister. The itches seem to be subdural but result in a rash that follows the path of the nerve on (usually) the left forearm.
   I have gotten SOME relief in the past from mega doses of sublingual B12. I usueally take Benedryl (or genaric) at the same time. Then slather on hydrcortizone cream. Sleep is impossible.
   The upside is the attacks seem to go away after about two weeks. They come back every few months, but NO MD has ever offered me a treatment or diagnosis. I discovered the B12 "cure" on my own, and now use it at the frst sign of the itches! Unfortunately, I didn't get it fast enough this time.
Hope this helps someone else out there with this nightmare condition.

[space23]

Wow..I am so happy to see I am not alone, but sad you all have this problem too. I have had this problem for years and years. I am 34.  Mine only comes when Winter is coming and lasts until Spring. Its everyday, uncontrollable itching on both arms and sometimes my hands. I itch until it bleeds and there are little scabs on my arms. It is a little embarrassing. No rash, no allergies (been tested). Lotion doesnt help. Right now I am ok. It seems to get bad in middle of day and at night. When it starts, nothing rellieves it. And although a shower might make it feel better, I am not going to get up in the middle of the night every night to shower.

I cant believe there is not a solution for this. It feels like there are little chiggers under my skin biting me. HELP!

[Itchyandlost]

Hello itchy commununity,
This problem began 14 years ago for me and it was always in my neck, it drove me crazy it lasted about 3 weeks and then went away. During that time I changed everything detergents, soaps, colonge, we washed everything I owed to no avail then one day it disappeared.  About 6 months later it was back and again I started changing things.  It always lasts 3-6 weeks although I have had a few times a little longer, nothing helps except ice I have tried every cream that I could buy over the counter.  Recently about 6 weeks ago a started itching on my left arm right above the elbow, this is the first time I have had the itch anywhere else other than my neck but it feels exactly the same.  It lasted there for about 4 weeks. Someone told me I should try an allergy pill and so at my wits end like we all are I tried and after about 15 minutes it would subside. Then about 2 weeks ago it went back to my neck. Now I am up sometimes for 2-5 hours pacing the floor. I have found that a wet washcloth soothes it some I have even froze the washcloth and that helps then if I can lay on it it masks it long enough to fall asleep but I usually wake up a few hours later itching again.
This weekend io was talking to friends about it(usually every one thinks I'm crazy) we discussed the possibility on skin parasites And I have done some research and ordered some cleansing cream. I will post back if this helps any.  I am a landscaper and am outdoors all year. I live in Colorado although the first time I got this I lived in Connecticut and I had returned from a trip to Arkansas where I had a bad episode of chigger bites. First I thought can chiggers life in your body for 14 years but then realized they don't borrow so not sure.  Yesterday I found someone who said drinking plenty of water helps so I am trying that since its a free trial. Lol my cream will get here next tuesday so we will see. This itch usually affects me spring to fall and as I said I'm outdoors very active and athletic. I own my own business so stress is always somewhat present. Usually as soon as it comes on it has to work its course and changes in environment don't effect it.( I am now in Minnisota on vacation and still itching like crazy) I hope any of this helps and I will post back if I find anything would love to hear from others if someone found anything since no one has posted here in a year.

[Solieman]

My arms between the elbow and the wrist started itching and a burning feeling in the evening and I could not stop scratching.  I felt I was going to scratch my skin off. I tried all kinds of skin care and then one night I thought of trying something new.  It was hurting so bad I pull out an Ice pack and put it on my arm and did i feel relieve  i held it on it for about 2 minutes and the itching went away and I was able to go to sleep.  The next day while I was at target i was telling my story to the cosmetic girl and she recommended a cream for my arm.  I tried it and I was surprised how much relieve it gave me. I have been putting it on at night and when it might flare up. The name of it is Boots expert sensitive restoring night treatment.  
So try the Ice Pack and then try the cream from target.
I hope This helps.  

[TexasGirl831]

I have also had the itching problem.  It started over 10 years ago.   I would wake up in the middle of the night itching severly on arms or legs or both.  Kind of like if you were mosquito bitten all over., but for no reason.   I now have an itch on my right arm that wont go away.  I thought hives, or allergic reaction to something I ate was the problem..   Feels like I got into some fiberglass ? but I know I havent.??  I need help !! and relief !

[TexasGirl831]

Ive had the exact same symptoms, feels like we've gotten into some Fiberglass.  this go around has lasted 3 weeks.  Ive used Benadryl lotion, alcohol., cortizone, to no avail.   Its not dry skin.  I started having this problem in my 30's.   I hope someone finds out what the heck this is because like you.........my arms look like I put them in a meat grinder.  !

[kiaya1]

67 yr old, same symtoms (symptoms) as yours, itching arms, have tried tenactin a fungal spray, hydrocortizone cream, lanacane, various dryskin lotions, exfoliating products, stopped bath soaps, changed laundry soap & double rinse sheets.   itching so much at night that have open areas where skin is raw.   no relief.

[Kk11957]

Try pure coconut oil-it just helped me!