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.

[mozi]

I have the same problem with my left forearm.Cold running water.Not nice to get out of bed but,i have found no other cure.Maybe i,ll try the ice pack.

[Desrtdove]

Hi everyone,
I couldn't help but see another thread on this forum about itchy arms or Brachioradial Pruritus. There's many of us who have it....I'm sure there are many different reasons to have itchy arms, but those of us with actual Brachioradial Pruritus have found a common theme....more than likely some kind of degenerative change or damage to the cervical spine (neck) particularly C4-C6. I would suggest starting there...if there is no visible rash, the itch is agonizing to where you want to cut your arms off, gets worse if you scratch it, apply heat or are in the sun or is worse at night, doesn't seem to respond to itch lotions or creams, responds well if you apply ice packs, it's possibly BRP. Have a doctor xray your neck and check for narrowing of the disc space.....if that appears to be the case, try to get an MRI of the neck with specific attention to C5-C6. Then proceed with an EMG to check for denervation at those same levels. Come on over to the "itchy arms=Brachioradial Pruritus" thread on this same forum....most of us gather there to listen and offer support for one another. Good luck and take care!!

[COwp34]

Relief for itchy arms: I've had itchy arms for several years in the winter, but last year (2009) nothing worked to ease it. I been told it's everything from eczema to stress to nerve damage. I tried prescription steroid creams, moisturizing lotions of all kinds, etc. I could barely work or sleep from December to May. Ice packs and aloe with lidocaine helped some, but had to be constantly reapplied. The dermatologist was little help.. Anyway, when I started to itch this past fall, I happened upon a suggestion in a blog for witch hazel. It is an astringent, so seems counter-intuitive, but since it only costs around $2, I thought I might as well try it. To my amazement, it works. If I start feeling that prickly sensation, I dab it on my arms with a cotton ball once or twice a day, as needed. It leaves no residue and doesn't seem to dry out my skin. I can hardly believe it myself, but I can function normally, and don't even think about my arms. What a relief! When I researched it further I learned it is sometimes recommended for chicken pox and even the itch and skin pain of ALS patients. I can't explain why it works, I just know it does for me.  Sometimes the simplest remedy is the best.

[gabmacc]

Right now my left arm is good. No itch no nothing. It usually seems to back off in the winter. Now I have tried accupuncture. That seemed to help. This chinese medicine practiconer also told me to try and keep my arm straight instead of beding it at night. I assume it has something to do with circulation.
Before that I pretty much tried everything that people have listed. The good old ice pack, wrapped around my arm ( pretty much limited to elbow area ) seemed to help the most. After a couple of nights you get used to it.
Bottom line is......  a lot of people have this problem, but not one doc, dermatologist etc has an answer.
Has anyone tried Desrtdove's suggestion getting your spine checked?

[oliviajjdylan]

I have had the same problem going on 3 years. It runs between April to September. It is so severe at night that I barely get any sleep. I have tried the ice packs at night too. Once they are numb, I can go back to sleep. My first year to the dermetologist diagnosed me with scabies, but they are contageous and noone else in my family had them and I share my bed. The next year, I went to another dermetologist and they said it was skin allergies. And now, here I am again, my third year, back on the computer looking for answers. I would love to know what is going on with everyone who is suffering with this. What is it, what causes it, and what cures it?

[rumtruffle]

Hi all...I found this forum whilst searching for a solution for my itching arm.....I honestly thought I was going mad, so in some respects, I am just happy to be reasured about my sanity!
I have tried the witchhazel suggestion above, and I do get temporary relief, but the only thing that gives any real relief, especially during thr night, is a reusable gel ice pack. This has been a lifesaver, as it does not get wet in any way, so I am able to go back to sleep with my arm laid on the gel pack.
I can trace the start of my itching to a severe bout of sunburn, so I wonder if this is connected?

[Cameo58]

I too have terrible itching arms, both of them from my wrist to my elbow.  I have had the problem ongoing for about 8 years now and first thought it was due to going through the menopause.  I do live in a warmer climate than the UK so that probably doesn't help either.  My itching usually starts around end August and lasts about 6-8 weeks and then goes away until the next year.  It is driving me mad at the moment.  I did go to a skin specialist a few years ago and he said it was due to sun damage although I wasn't to convinced by him as I don't really sunbathe.  He gave me some lotion which didn't really work.  I find that putting an ice pack on the itching does numb it for a while, at night it is pretty bad so I tend to put calamine lotion on before I go do bed to dry it up as if I scratch my arms start bleeding.  Roll on the cooler weather!!

[Tellall]

I have the deep intense severe itching you are all talking about.  Mine is on my arms (sometimes one, then the other), from the elbow to the shoulder.  I have tried numerous prescriptions and over the counter creams, lotions and ointments to avail.  I have been given prescrption drugs and now have Tardive Dyskinesia from overdosing and still have the itching.  It is so severe that is about drives you crazy.  I have had all kinds of tests, been to family doctors, allergists, neurologist and no one can find the cure.  I have to use the ice packs also.

[Brodi]

Its 3am & I'm up because of severe itching. My arms from elbows to shoulders itch. Mine seems to be only during the summer months. I will try the ice & witch hazel & see if it works. I leave by the beach & keep thinking is it a forum of skin cancer?

[Laureen64]

Over the last 6 weeks I have been suffering the itchy arm problem, it is nearly always my right arm, normally any place between my lower shoulder & wrist, normally in the evening, sometimes during the day. I have been woken up by it also. I experienced this some years ago when I was taking Premarin HRT), but Eurax normally cured the problem, & it was only occasionally & it seemed to disappear when I stopped HRT, but this time the only relief I can get is a flexible ice pack. I was in a restaurant last night and had to go to the cloakroon & run my arm under cold water, this did help. My doctor has sent me for blood tests, but I am not sure what he knows what he is looking for, he seemed a bit baffled when I consulted  him recently. As it seems such a common problem, why doesn't any one know what causes it.

[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..

[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.