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.  

[sophiedog63]

I share all of your suffering. I don't think I have slept thru the night in the past two months. Had a series of back/neck x-rays last week. Going back to the Dr. next week to discuss. He thinks it is my C5 nerve. My neck has been hurting quite a bit lately. Had a nasty back spasm about a month ago and my dr. gave me Vicodin and Metaxalone (muscle relaxant). I take one or both pills on particularly bad nights. But I'm usually up by 2 am... and most nights I maybe fall back asleep for an hour at most. I seem to be running on about 4 to 5 hours sleep each night. I'm not a proponent of medicating with such strong pharm... but at this point, I need sleep. Even if it is only for a few hours at a time.

As most of the previous comments have stated, ice therapy seems to be the best relief. I went to the dermatologist a year ago when I had my last flare up. Derm seemed pretty incredulous about it, as there was no visible skin damage. Gave me steroid cream which only made my arm scream louder. Eventually it went away after about two months, but then started up again in late September, mildly at first, but now it is unbearable. Short of amputation, I haven't found a long-term solution. But I will try the witch hazel. Anything at this point.

[maryhazel]

My right arm, between my wrist and elbow, has been itching for a few weeks. I've had sciatica on & off since June. An x-ray showed narrowing of discs, bone spurs and some scoliosis. I googled itchy arm and was amazed to find it may be connected to narrowing discs, and so many other people are experiencing it. I'll give all of your suggestions a try

[catchin123]

For a long time, and only at certain time did I experience shoulder itching to the point that ice packs would relieve the itching for a while.  However, I began looking at the medications I was taking and when I left off a Colon cleanse over the counter brand, it stopped.  Since I have not taken it, I have had no more itching on my shoulders at all.......Hoping this may help those that haven't recognized it could be something they are taking over the counter.

[stillitching49]

I am almost in tears reading all your testimonies about your "itchy" arms. I thought I was going crazy! I am on my third bout with this sh@# and I don't know what to do. I have been to every Dr. also where nothing was found and one Dr. almost acted as if I WAS crazy. This time is the worst it has ever been though. Just like you guys, it usually starts in the evening, with an ice bag I used to be able to get it to let up by the time I wanted to sleep. NOW, however, it wakes me up in the middle of the night and has iterally made me do some things that make me question my own sanity. I have tried some of the weirdest concoctions on my arm in the middle of the night, just hoping that I might stumble upon THE right combination of ingredients. Anytime I do seem to find something that seems to work it only works the first or second time I apply it and then it doesn't help at all. Short of cutting the skin off my arm, which I have wanted to do, I am GOING CRAZY!!!! Again, thank you so much for our posts though, at least I know that I'm not alone!

[frostrc911]

I have the same thing and have hade for a few years.  Comes and goes every few months (spring/summer)and as with most really starts up at night.  I too found ice packs about the only thing that helps.  I had Shingles a couple years back..Had never heard of it before. But as a baby boomer 52" I had chicken poxs. (also a nerve/itching thing)and we all see the ads  now for shots.  So my Dr advised me to get shingles shot.  Gona a give it a try...Pox its like herpes (which I never had) but stays with you forever with only occasional flare ups.

[ivantts]

wow this is going to make me crazy go back to the dr tomorrow  and no joke if what i get dont help i am going to torch my arm i played chicken with a cig we let it burn down all the way between are arms as a teen so i can take a burn and would rather have some short lived pain and a little scar then never sleep  im going to burn this mad itch away no joke its making me nutz