itching arms

[ajap]

HELP... I have read hundreds of posts but do not know if anyone in 2010 has come up with anything to help.   I have severe itching on my left forearm to the elbow and occasionally above the elbow by about 1".  I have been to 3 dermatologists who have given me a total of 10 cream/ointments.. to NO avail.  I began to see a neurologist who prescribed Lyrica 300 mg. per day... and lidoderm patches both of which provide NO relief.    I have used a cream called Capsaizen that worked one time, but never again.   I am going to be starting (neurontin?) on Monday, but do not have high hopes.    The ONLY relief EVER is fresh ice on the arm until I can fall asleep.    Any others with this problem???


This discussion is related to Sever arm itching.

[chiubi]

OMG!!  i can relate!

and none of above or anything else has helped and dermatologists know nothing-along with 3 other doctors!!

i have been experiencing SEVERE itching in my upper arms..to the point where i scratch so hard i bleed and i want to rip my arms off!  no one understands and NO doctor has been able to help or diagnose..i was on pregnesone and steroid creme that doesnt help..it is not everyday..it will come and last days and then some how it disperses, but it is so very bad that i am going insane and it affects my job..

nothing gives it relief..no ice, creams, prescriptions..it is the worst thing that has ever happend to me because i do not know tha tcause.i just read the thing about the vegtables..is that really a thing?..and how long after you eat them does that happen..im really losing it and i cannot find any pattern..i do eat greens for lunch and love broccoli, but..

by any chance-and this is a last grasp-do you chew a lot of sugarfree gum?  i have tried to pin point anything i take..i chew a ton of gum a day and have since i quit smoking 15 years ago, but i thought just maybe i could be developing a weird reaction..i have no idea..id love to hear the meds and suppliments you take, if any

[Jimbob2303]

I get the severe itch about six inches above elbow too ,I actually find its when I've been eating too much greens ,or some forms of rich alcohol ,like last night I drank rum ,made from sugar cane so today it's going crazy ,my mother gets it aswell and the doctor also diagnosed her with having a high iron count ,hemocromotosis ,I think ,,so she watches her iron intake and the itch stays away ,so I think its similar for me ,so hope this may help some ,I'll be detoxing now for a couple days to see ,so no broccoli and peas (I had almost whole can last evening too) for a week to test for sure

[Jimbob2303]

I get the severe itch about six inches above elbow too ,I actually find its when I've been eating too much greens ,or some forms of rich alcohol ,like last night I drank rum ,made from sugar cane so today it's going crazy ,my mother gets it aswell and the doctor also diagnosed her with having a high iron count ,hemocromotosis ,I think ,,so she watches her iron intake and the itch stays away ,so I think its similar for me ,so hope this may help some ,I'll be detoxing now for a couple days to see ,so no broccoli and peas (I had almost whole can last evening too) for a week to test for sure

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like neurodermatitis only. The only thing that seems to help most sufferers is the application of ice to the area until the itch is diminished. Other treatments include cooling lotions like those containing camphor or menthol, capsacain or local anesthetic creams, amitriptyline and gabapentin tablets and electrical cutaneous nerve field stimulation.

Please discuss this possibility and these options of treatment with your dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.