The Solution to My Itching

Hey All,

I've been reading comment after comment about unexplained, misdiagnosed, and mistreated cases of itching.  I've been battling unexplained itching for five years now and have finally found the answers.  To start, here are my symptoms (I'm a guy FYI):

1.  Itching all over after taking showers (at any temperature).
2.  Itching all over after swimming.
3.  Itching after simply changing clothes.
4.  Legs itching when wearing shorts.
5.  Arms itching when wearing short sleeves.
6.  Arms/Legs itching when I get rained on.
7.  Itching from humidity.
8.  Itching all over from exercising/sweating.
9.  Itching from shaving.  
10.  Itching all over due to temperature changes.  
11.  Itching sessions last anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour.
12.  The only relief I could get was from taking one Benedryl tablet - unfortunately, Benedryl knocks me out so it was not always the best option when having to go to work!

The following has improved my condition, diagnosed by my current Allergist, as "Aquagenic Pruritus."  I estimate that my symptoms have improved by 90% and I am getting better everyday.  Here's what I'm doing (as directed by my Allergist):

1.  I have been taking Fexoffenadine (generic for Allegra), for several years now, (180MG) once a day.  I am now taking it twice a day.

2.  I am taking Gabapentin (generic for Neurontin), 300MG tablets, twice a day.  Neurotin is commonly use to treat people with seizures but has cut down my itching almost completely (like I said, about 90%).  Now, if I start to itch (becoming rarer and rarer), it is not nearly as bad and only lasts 5 to 10 minutes (much better than 30 minutes to an hour)!

3.  I have been doing Photo Therapy twice a week through my Dermatologist.  Basically, I stand naked in a box of controlled light for less than one minute (after applying lotion everywhere).  I've done 10 of 30 sessions so far.  My Allergist thinks that once I've completed Photo Therapy that I will be able to eliminate the need to continue taking Gabepentin (I still will have to take Fexoffenadine because I have allergies).    

Check out this link:

http://skindisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_get_rid_of_aquagenic_pruritus

My suggestion - talk to your Allergist about points 1, 2, and 3.  Then, get with your dermatologist about Photo Therapy.  I know it sounds like a ton to do but it's really not - plus, it's worth it to get rid of the problem.  Let me know what you all think!      


This discussion is related to Itchy legs, no sign of rash or irritation.

[eilia]

Just you should avoid using these foods for a while : yogurt, fish, high salt,soft drinks soda's , tea , cold cut meats.You can try it at least for a week and see the result.

[jenweb9]

vortex2999,

finally! this is easily the most helpful comment i've found on the internet re: the post-shower apocalyptic leg itch. i've been experiencing these symptoms (intense drive-me-out-of-my-mind itching on my legs after a shower, with episodes lasting about 30 minutes, but with no rash or other visible cause) intermittently for several years. my episodes aren't as frequent as yours (just a few times per year) so i don't think i'll seek treatment unless it gets worse, but it's good to know that i'm not crazy and that there is in fact a name for this problem and a course of treatment. thanks for the well-researched response!

and because there's a dearth of other comments pointing in the right direction...

HEY! YOU THERE, WITH THE ITCHY LEGS! fear no more to shower, shave, or swim! the hour of your emancipation is at hand! YOUR PROBLEM IS CALLED AQUAGENIC PRURITUS. google it, put down whatever pointy object you've been scratching with, and go see an allergy specialist. YOU ARE NOT CRAZY.