Itching arms

For the past 7 years I have had SEVERE itching in my arms from the wrist to the shoulder only.  I have been reading this post for many days and have tried many of the remedies suggested (witch hazel, Lamitril, Zorizax, ice packs, Sarna lotion) and a combination of all of these seem to help for a little while but I want to know what is causing it.  I have been to my GP, he referred me to a dermatologist.  She biopsied my lesions and it came back not "dermatology" related.  I have been going to a chiropractor for this for about 2 months now and he trying different things.  He has put me on a "anti viral" natural pill, he has upped my Lysine  to 1000 mg 3x a day, and the Vitamin C up 5 mg.  He is looking into the BP (brachial "something") to see if it could be nerve related.  He thinks I could have a virus in my nerves (that is layman terms for how he described it).  He is adjusting me regularly and we are going from here but the itching is unbearable.  I get very little sleep at night and sleep with ice packs on both my arms.  HELP!!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Well,your symptoms are typically suggestive of brachioradial pruritis. Brachioradial pruritis is an intense itching sensation of the arm usually between the shoulder and elbow of either or both arms. The itch can be so intense that sufferers will scratch their own skin to a bleeding condition.
The only thing that seems to help most sufferers is the application of ice to the area until the itch is diminished. Other treatments include cooling lotions like those containing camphor or menthol,capsacain or local anesthetic creams,amitriptyline and gabapentin tablets and electrical cutaneous nerve field stimulation.

Please discuss this possibility and these options of treatment with your dermatologist. 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.

[troutlady]

You might try www********.com - they carry a medicated salve that contains turpentine.  I have the same problem and read about the brachioradial pruritis and that is what I think I'm dealing with.  It has been helping mine, it is only about $9.95 for a can and last a long time.  Hope it helps!