Extremely Itchy Skin All Over Randomly

Sometimes I get this horrible itching starting at my thighs and moving up my body when I am exercising or just walking . Sometimes it can be on my arms or my back and the itching isn't only when I am exercising. If say I'm sitting on a chair and the slight pressure the back of the chair causes on that part of my back will make it turn red and itch horribly. Or if my pants or shirt touch my skin with a little pressure or no pressure at all I'll get that extreme itch in those areas. Or if someone grabs my arm or any part of my body (even a soft rub) I'll get that itch. The itching gets so bad that I just want to tear my skin off and scream. Scratching only makes it worse and even more unbearable.
It doesn't happen all the time, I'll have long periods when I'm completely fine but then there are bursts where for a while this problem happens and I absolutely cannot STAND it anymore. It just happened to me today when I was taking a slow walk with my best friend. I literally RAN to her car so she could get me home. Everyday last week I went to the gym and I was fine. Today was a different story. I'm at my wits end. Please help!!!!

P.S. I'm on several medications depakote, lamictal, singulair, and birth control but this itching has been going on before I was ever on these medications.

[jagesh50]

Dermographism is a physical urticaris with symptoms you mentioned.I use cyproheptadine 1 tab at bedtime for a month with good results.You need to get evaluated by your derm and treated.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms that you are having are due to dermographism and exercise induced urtiacria.Dermographism is a normal physiological response of the skin. The term literally means writing on the skin. Firm stroking of the skin produces an initial red line (capillary dilatation), followed by an axon-reflex flare with broadening erythema (arteriolar dilatation) and the formation of a linear wheal (transudation of fluid/edema) termed the triple response of Lewis.

Most symptoms can be controlled by taking antihistaminics like benadryl or Claritin or zyrtec. Slow down or stop your exercise as soon as symptoms start. You should always exercise with a partner who knows about your condition.

In some people, eating certain foods before exercise may make allergic symptoms more likely to occur. Keep track of what you eat before exercising for a few weeks. If you notice a pattern to your symptoms that seems related to a certain food, stop eating it for a while and see if the hives stop.Also, do not exercise for 4 to 6 hours after you eat.

You should stop exercising as soon as you notice the hives. If the hives don't go away in 5 to 10 minutes, or if you have other symptoms, call your doctor right away. It can be Exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Also wear medical alert jewelry or ID tags describing the condition and sensitive substances and always carry a self-injectable epinephrine kit (Epi pen).

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.