Severe itching with sleep problems

[Melbatoastie]

My son has had a severe itching problem for about 2 years now.  It tends to come and go, with episodes in summer, fall, and spring getting worse.  He usually has small scabs from itching so much, his face and arms are covered with them.  He itches in between his toes, fingers, head.  He has severe sleep problems b/c the itching is so bad.  No doctors can seem to give a sufficient answer - we've been told food allergies.

Medical history - he was born with a Vitamin K deficiency that caused a blood problem that was resolved within a month.  They suspected bad absorption of vitamins.  During blood tests b/c of this itching, his liver values were "elevated" but nothing further was done about it.  

What could be the cause and what tests should I use?  Could this be a form of liver disease?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The only condition I can think of which comes close to what you're describing is scabies.  But scabies is a mite infestation that other family members would have by now.

Has your son seen a skin specialist?  Has he had any blood tests, liver or otherwise?  If not, I'd recommend both these approaches.  (I doubt liver disease very much, but unless he gets a blood test, you won't know for sure.)

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Melbatoastie]

At one time, during all the tests, his liver values were elevated slightly, but returned to normal at a subsequent test.  Same for the white blood cells, elevated, then normal again.  He had a CAST test and that showed nothing.  We were told he had a slight allergy to rabbits, and a naturopath told us to avoid dairy, which seemed to help only mildly for a couple weeks.

He was treated for scabies just as a preventative, but they didn't think he really had it b/c it did not help.  

We're very much at the end of our rope.  He has been suffering like this for almost 2 years now, with these periods of severe itching, worse at night, worse when he defecates, and obviously when he's stressed.  No one can seem to help us.  We've seen dermatologists, allergists, homeopaths and naturopaths all to no avail. No one seems to have any clue why he gets this itching and eventually scabs and bleeds from so much itching.

[Sammi356]

maybe a reaction to chlorine in the water
try using distilled water to wash with

[cherry786]

A related discussion, Sewere itching problems was started.

[keithnh]

A related discussion, I have also had these symptoms was started.