Dry Skin

Since first of this year, when I spent time in the Mohave around old mine sites, I have had almost continual extreme itching on inner thighs, upper arms, and torso.  No noticeable rash to speak of. Have had complete blood workup including tests for mercury, lead, etc with negative results.
My skin is normally quite supple but is getting really dry.  I thought it might be a nutritional deficiency, or a circulatory problem.  I take no medications and only Centrum vitamins.  I am in 50s with excellent health.  
Lotions, Cortisone 10, oils, and powders do not seem to relieve it - powder is best or frequent reapplication of lotion or oil sometimes helps.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

David:

I don't know of any skin conditions you get in mines, at any rate, any that persist in specific areas as yours does.  Since your examination and workup ruled out common and contagious diseases, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that what happened is this: you were in a dusty, dirty, and unfamilar environment and left with the conviction that you "picked up something."  Thinking this made you itch and scratch. which in turn perpetuated the itch and reinforced the conviction that you indeed picked up something.

You didn't pick up anything.  Apply Sarna lotion (OTC) every time it itches and put the matter out of your mind.  Out of mines, out of mind.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff