can not stop itching!

[mel1983]

i have started a new job about 2 months ago and it did not start untill then. It was not real bad at first, but annoying now.It started on my arms and now its all over my body . There is a rash on my belly, just itch. Since then,i have been using cortizone-10,1%hydrocortisone,gold bond,and took benedryl  but the itching and rash has not went away . My whole body seems to itch, especially my arms and belly.When i take baths i itch in the water more .There has been times  I can't sleep at night anymore because I wake up and my whole body itches and i have scratched them till they bleed and they still itch.  I have used the creams  to help and it may for an hour or so, but the itching returns. . I have tried doing everything to get my mind off of  the itching to see if it goes away and nothing works. Any ideas you may have just let me know by e-mailing me ? Thank you sooo much.

[JudithGabriel]

You may have ideopathic hives.  I have had them for 33 years.  First a doctor treated with hydroxizine and tagament.   That worked for 10 years.  Then he added doxepin.  Eventually that stopped working. I now take 2 cyclosporine daily with 4 of medrol every other day.  Medrol dose packs are used for exacerbations, but they are less and less since I started cyclosporine.   There is also a new medication based on a humanized mouse anti-body that works for a lot of people with asthma and chronic hives and angioedema.  (xolair....they company helps pay the cost, just apply....but it did not work for me, in fact it made things worse, but everyone else in the d0c's office had complete success.)  I feel for you.  You have to find a very good allergist who keeps up with the very latest approaches.   I hope this helps you.   FIND a doctor who HEARS you and who is willing to do what you need.   They are out there.

[land_rover65]

I would try a dose of benadryl first, if that didn't work I would try prednisone, if that didnt work, I would consider a new job. There may be some form of irritant that is in the air that is being absorbed transdermally

[medhelp72]

hi

I think you should have a blood profile done to check for eosinophil count. Get a liver function test done. Most GPs would put you on steroids hoping you dont come back. Steroids such as the one you had provide temp relief only. Its better to have him prescribe an anti-histamanic (non-sedating). if its an allergic reaction to some air pollutant etc then it would go away but if its excaberated by water then it could be fungal. Keep the body dry and se if your GP would suggest some dry talc. But you should see a specialist.

[azjewel]

I recently went to the doctor for what I believe is the same situation. I have had all the same symptoms you were explaining.   The doctor told me it could have something to do with the allergies in the air and my body is reacting to it.  He put me on a medication called methylprednisolone, along with an allergy pill called XYZAL.  The medicine defiantly helped what rash there was and the itching, but after finishing the methylprednisolone my body started itching again.  I am going to call on monday to see what other options I need to do.