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.  

[twinlori]

Hey, I am a 49 yr old woman, in good health, have had 3 healthy children, all natural, no drugs, and have never been hospitalized for anything other than childbirth.  Never broke a bone or was in a car accident. In the begining of sumer 2009, I was planting some flowers, mums, etc.  That was on a Friday.  On Saturday I attended a cook out with friends, mostly outside in their back yard, which was not "woodsy".  The next day I attended a highschool gratuation at a friend's house in Pennsylvania.  They have 2 large dogs who shed badly.  Anyway, Monday morning I wake up and I have just a few red dots on my upper thighs and more on my upper arms on both. The few spots on my upper thighs itched, but not that bad, and healed quickly.  The spots on my upper arms were a freakin nightmare! I itched until they were bloody sores.  No one understood. My boyfriend said I was "gross".  I went to my doctor 2x who treated me for lice, and then chiggers, which only made it worse.  I finally went to a a Dermatologist, and they had no idea what is was.  They gave me some steroid cream and told me to get some Cerva creme.  After 2 months on the creme, the itching stopped and I thought I was good to go, except for all the little white spots on my arm which make me look like a lephr.  But, this October, it came back on my right arm, just below shoulder and above the elbow.  The itching is so intense and the pain sensations that occur some time are unabareable.  Like someone is sticking  a hot fire poke right into your nerve.  I found a website tonigh where a whole bunch of people like us talk about this ****.  Really, I am miserable.  I do love the sun, and always have since early childhood.  We were middle class family, Mom didn't work, 5 polish catholic children, and Dad worked at American Can Company in Canton.   Needless to say, but by October, I had relief.  It had cost me like $$250  in doctors visits, then I had to pay for the prescriptions.  Makes me sick.  I went to 3 Doctor's appt.'s, and no one could help me.   I was in a highly stressed job at the time, working long hrs, and being miserable.  I also drinked almost everynight when I got home, vodka and crystal light, 2 drinks usually.  So, I am a very concenious woman, and grew up going on vacation every year. one week to Ocean City,MD, and one week to a shore home on the Magothy River where we could fish, crab, and swim.  So I find this site tonight, and maybe you have to since you posted this, called www.skinsight.com, and the best one was www.drbaileyskincare.com.  She has a great article for our condition which is called BRACHIORDIAL PRURITUS.  Google it, you will be amazed.  People have been having same issues for years, and have gone undiagnosed!

[lloyd1128wpb]

i have suffered the same itchy arm symptoms as you all.starts with intense itch then becomes unbearable and develops tiny patches after scratching.i have scratched to the point of bleeding more than once.no help from creams or doctors,only temporary relief from ice.sound familiar?at least while briefly researching online i found your blog and at least was not alone.here is some hope for you all! while visiting my parents for the holidays my mother gave me some anti itch cream samples that have answered my prayers.its only been two weeks but so far has worked.the name is SARNA anti itch cream by stiefel laboratories.please try it and i hope you get the relief i have       lloyd

[mayanmoonz]

Witch hazel works wonders for BRP.  One caveat - better to use Thayer's Witch Hazel NON-alchohol, formula with Aloe Vera. Witch Hazel is anti-inflammatory, non staining and dries quickly when applied to your skin.  Put it in a spray bottle or just pour a small amount in your palm and apply it to your arms.  I apply several layers then wait for it to dry. I use it before bed, even if I'm not itching at the time, and after each shower.  Thayers brand also has other formulas, like Peach and Aloe with alchohol but only 10% as opposed to the 14% usually seen in the cheap store brands.  Also, Thayers is NOT distilled, like Dickensons' and others, which makes it more potent and thus, more effective.  Vita Cost has 12 oz bottles for about $6.00 and they also have a non-alchohol toner with rose petal and vitamin E.  Try it. Better than taking medications that may end up producing unwanted reactions.

[rjthesoundguy]

i have the same symptoms of my arms itching, strangely more at night.
Two temporary relievers for you.  Apply some Vicks Mentholatum direct and wait 10 minutes. or Ice packs. helps for a while. Haven't found the cure for a long term fix yet.

[texaspetlover]

I am 53 and my upper arm (from elbow to shoulder area) on right arm predominantly began last year, mostly during my sleep, although I have had some "itching attacks" during the day. At first I thought it was related to a previous sunburn, but when I mentionned it to my sister, she was shocked to hear about it because she has had the same problem--intense itching on her upper arms that wake her up at night. I am on hormones for post menopausal symptoms and in excellent health, but she is not on any medication and is 48 also in excellent health.
The good news is that I have found relief with Bacitracin antibiotic ointment--not anti-itch creams. Rubbing a generous portion of antibotic ointment (not cream) with my fingertips over the area (don't scratch with fingernails) stops the itching. I think I've also used a generic brand of antibiotic ointment in the past and it has also worked. I am also going to try Biofreeze Gel, which was recommended by another person. I'll let you know if I get positive results.

[rcrj]

Looks like we are all having the same issues.. My Right or Left arm will start ichcing out of no were. Most of the time its my Right arm  and it will wake me up at night.

Now knowing we all have the same problem my question is:
What was your age when it started?  Mine started when I was around 40 and I still have it going and coming at age 61.

I have not tried the ice but I do use vasiline and it works but I have to put it on just after a shower and before I go to bed.  If you get an itch rub it with you other arm..  DONT scratch it with your fingers.  You can rub it hard enough to slow or stop the itch. I found when you use your finger, you'll get a lump and or it'll start to bleed.

I hope this helps and God if anyone finds a real fix please come back and post it so we can all sleep..