intense itching!

[Biggy73]

I need your help!  I am a 54 year old female who has had an intense itch for the last 3  years.  It seems that it is worse during the night, however, I do have some problems with itching on my arms during the day.  There is no rash, that I can see. It just feels like a million pin pricks under my skin.  It will actually wake me up at night!  I awake with bruises all over my body where I have been scratching!  My upper arms are worse at night.  It also affects the bottom of my feet, thighs, and groin.  The sensation to itch is out of control!  Help!!  I changed my laundry detergent, I've used Benadryl, and itch creams with little relief.  In another forum, I read that it might be a side effect from cortisone.  I get facet joint injections yearly for nerves in my back that are inflamed.  Once in awhile I take about 2mg of Ambien so I can sleep, but I take no other drugs.  It seems that there is something going on deep within my body and not skin problem.  Any thoughts or ideas?  Thanks for your help!  
Desperate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Biggy73]

Thank you for your response.  No one else in the family has the same reaction.  My husband and I sleep in the same bed, and he isn't experiencing any of this.  I also itch when I am sleeping elsewhere.  I haven't noticed that foods, sleep, etc. trigger more itching.   There are some nights where I don't itch at all, but at least 3-4  nights a week it is out of control!  The only thing that has changed since this all started was the facet joint injections I have been getting once or twice a year.  

Thank you again for your comments.  I'll get some Calamine Lotion today and give it a try.  I do use Lanacane Lotion with limited relief.  

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This may be due to allergies, infestations with insects, eczema, dry skin or neurological disorders.

We must first eleiminate the common conditions. Therefore, you must try and find out if you may be allergic or haev some kind of insect infestation?

does any one in your family have a similar condition? are you sure you have no noticed any rash? does the itching have any correlation with eating, sleeping, drinking or any other normal function?

It may be beneficial that you apply calamine lotion on the affected area along with moisturizers and use anti-histamines for your condition.

Let me know how you feel and answers to these questions we will take it from there.

Best regards