itching arm

[Tannin]

About two weeks ago, my right arm started itching.  I have had this flare up in the past and it usually affects one arm or the other but never at the same time and the itching seems to be in one area of my arm anywhere from my upper arm to my wrist.  I did go to the dr. and he prescribed Zyrtec and told me to use Benedryl cream.  I have been taking the Zyrtec and using the cream, but it is not helping at all.  My arm is itching pretty much all day, but it seems to get worse at night when I go to bed which is now causing me to lose sleep.  I have been feeling stressed for the last six to eight months and I'm pretty sure the itching is due to that, but why did it just come on out of the blue and what can I do to make it go away.  

[Linda28]

I also have itching that started on my left arm about two weeks ago.  It comes and goes but seems to get worse at night.  The blog that people have shared has helped alot.  I am not alone.  The demotologist looked at it yesterday and didn't say much at all.  I use lidocaine liquid left over from my teeth work, also Hydrocortisone cream which the Doc said to keep using.  I keep thinking it's environmental?  I live by a freeway, but have since 96, also have a cat that I have had for three years now.  Someone said in blog it's nerves, well I am going to try meditation and peaceful thinking, maybe it will work.  Also it started about 3 days after my flu shot?  Any of these things fit your situation?  

[Linda28]

Correction, it's my left arm and that is the worst.  Also right arm, but not as bad.

[Nuerotic1]

You know...I seem to have the same issue...typicaly at or near my elbow it arm will begin to itch...OCCASIONALLY forming little bumps...at first I thought it might be stress causing it...which lead me to believe it may be some form of shingles...then I noticed with enough scratching that it would literally spread...I've attempted to deal with the incredible desire to scratch it by washing the area with alcohol...it helps some...now I'm wondering if it isn;t a form or case of MSRA, but at the same time does not resemble anything as to what MSRA has been described...it seems to come and go...but is always typically in the same places...very strange..I hope you get an answer with some definitive help...good luck.

[jewlee123]

I seemingly have the same issue. Mine, like Nuerotic1, its around my elbow. Its start with little bumps and is itchy, after about a week or so, it will kind of go away, but then will appear on my other am by my elbow. I have tried alcohol as well, only relieves itching a little bit. I have this cream the doctor gave me for itching and sometimes it works, now I think it works only for the itching. I also get these little tiny bumps on the tops of my hands, itch and go away pretty quickly. The main problem with my situation is I also get them on my legs, itchy bumps in patches. I have been to a few doctors and no one can figure it out. I take a prescribed clainex for itching, but what are the bumps, why are they itching and red. This is an interesting ordeal and will continue to see a dermatologist, but I have even spend money on a biopsy and was told the one on the top of my hand was a mucus membrane ??? No sens

[DWash]

I so have the same symptoms as you. Persistent itching arm on my right - forearm and shoulder and on occasion, my left shoulder. My regular dr. suggested taking a Clariton everyday thinking it was maybe allergy related. After a few days of taking it, the itching came back. Mine, too, starts in the evening. I even wake up in the middle of the night because the itching is so bad. My dr. suggested I see a dermatologist which I did today. She thinks it might be nerve related. I have no rash. She thought maybe a bone spur might be scratching my spinal cord causing the itching pattern. I also work out a lot and weight train. She thinks maybe the weight training has caused the itching. I'm going to stop lifting weights for a week. Interesting enough, on Friday and Saturdays when I don't lift, the itching is barely there. My brother is a dr. and suggests having a skin biopsy done for allergies before going the neurological route. I'll do anything. These severe itching episodes are driving me crazy. I also think the itching could be caused by heat. When I wear long sleeves and go into a warm room, building, my arm flares up and itches right away. I'll keep you posted. The derm gave me a perscription for Novacort gel. This should relieve symptoms but not cure the problem. She wants me to let her know what I found out if I decide to take the neurology route.

[andreah]

I wouldn't be surprised if you have keratosis pilaris..
I have the same symptoms and I'm pretty sure
that that's what I have..

[CatsPJamas]

I had the same itching problem with my right arm a few years ago when I was going through a divorce after a 32 year marriage. I thought I was losing my mind. I caught myself scratching my arm with anything I could find to relieve it but it only made it worse. I scratched til my arm had sores and bled.  I went to a dermatologist who found nothing wrong, told me it was probably stress, gave me creams, and told me to use benadryl. Then it suddenly went away. I chalked it up to stress. Now seven years later it is back in full. Itching so badly, mainly at night, that I can't sleep. I feel like folks don't believe me. I try not to scratch but it is unbearable and the more I scratch the more it itches. I get the bumps too. Mine is from my wrist to my elbow on my right arm. I too am wondering if it has anything to do with nerves. My sister has Shingles and tells me that it affects her nerve endings. I plan to check back here to see if anyone else has any "cures".

[rita_zac]

i have the same severe itching on my arms as these other people on this forum.  can high prolactin levels cause such an itch

[snickers501]

I too have the itching of my arms and found that summitting the body part in real hot water will give some relief, thank God.

[crazygirl87]

I have been going crazy with arm and back of neck itch, especially at night...The constant itching causes me to feel anxious....I instinctively feel that it is related to the immune system....Do I see an allergist or a dermatologist?

[Marjie777]

I can't believe so many have what I have. Mine starts at my right shoulder and goes down arm with two very sensitive areas. It pinches and burns and itches like crazy. Nightime it gets severe.  I find relief by putting icepacks over it.  That really calms it down, but I would like to know what it is.  Marjie777

[gabmacc]

I put up a blog. A doctor answered me, but unfortunately NOT to my question.
I have this itch on my left arm. It gets worse at night and when I scratch. An ice pack seems to help. Then it goes away for months and I think,,,, well, thank goodness. BUT it comes back without warning. There are no bumps or anything. Not even redness. Just VERY itchy skin.