Extreme Itching - Month Old Sunburn

Hello,

I am a fair-skinned person who had been doing some light tanning in preperation of vacation.  On the day that I went to the beach (a month ago tomorrow), I made the oldest mistake in the book...  I didn't use sunscreen because it was a cool and windy day with a good cloud covering.  Needless to say, I got one of the worst burns of my adult life.  I don't believe it was quite sun poisoning, because there was no purple skin and no throwing up, but I definitely ran a high fever and was absolutely miserable for a good week.  Then the skin began to heal.  There was an EPIC peel and some mild itchiness to go with it.  I was diligent about using a good lotion and aloe daily.  

After three weeks, the worst of the burn was gone.  I'd had some areas on my chest where the skin had peeled due to abrasions with my bra and the seatbelt of my car which were very raw - but they finally seemed to be healing.  (I had been putting an ointment on those diligently every day).  I thought I was fine and had learned my lesson, and I returned to my water aerobics class - which I have been attending twice a week for the last 18 months, and had only missed for a few weeks because I didn't want a wet bathing suit rubbing up on my sore skin.  

Within 12 hours of getting home, my skin began to itch uncontrollably - only in the areas where I had been sunburned.  The skin became red again, in all the places where the burn had been the worst, even though I had not been exposted to sun.  I assumed that the chlorine aggravated my skin and I have not been back since.

That was 8 days ago.  Every day I use a hypoallergenic body wash and wear no perfume.  I am on a diet that excludes gluten/wheat, soy, sunflowers, and peanuts due to allergies and intolerances.  The itch has not gone away.  It does not respond to itch creams.  Benadryl spray offers minimal relief, but not total.  Every lotion I use on my skin irritates it more now - the only lotion that doesn't cause near-instant painful itching is my expensive vitamin-enriched facial moisturizer.  The itch gets significantly worse at night.

What should I do?  Tomorrow will be the "one month sunburnaversary" and nine days since I swam in chlorine.  For the record "ignore it" or "don't scratch" is not an answer that works.  This itch is one that becomes increasingly intense and makes a pain deep under my skin the longer it gets ignored.  For the first time in my life, I understand how people can claw their own skin off.

Thanks in advance,

Liz

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
For such itchy skin after sunburn and chlorine contact dermatitis, apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps. Also wear cotton clothes and use mild detergents.

For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide). But they are available under prescription and should be taken only after consulting a dermatologist. Also avoid going out in the sun during this time unless and until you are wearing a sunscreen.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[LizG81]

Pleasssse help I am so desperate!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
For such itchy skin after sunburn and chlorine contact dermatitis, apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps. Also wear cotton clothes and use mild detergents.

For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide). But they are available under prescription and should be taken only after consulting a dermatologist. Also avoid going out in the sun during this time unless and until you are wearing a sunscreen.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[LizG81]

Thank you for your help.  The itching hasn't gone away yet, but sometimes it gets a little better during the day.  Taking a Claritin helps a little, as does Benadryl at night, but it doesn't go away.

Every cream I have used, including Cortaid, has made it worse.  So has baby oil, aloe, benadryl spray, etc.  It might feel better for a minute but then right after it becomes frantically itchy!  

I can't get in with a dermatologist so I am going to go to the emergency clinic at work tomorrow - I will update you on what our on-site doctor has to say!  

[LizG81]

Nurse practitioner gave me an rx for prednisone.  I will update soon to let you know how it works in case anyone else ends up in the same situation.  

[LizG81]

Prednisone is already helping - on day 3 of 6.  Having some side effects from the rx but it's a walk in the park compared to the itching!