Aa
itchy arms = BRACHIORADIAL PRURITUS
all itchy arm sufferers....please look into brachioradial pruritus. My arms, and only my arms, have itched for 10 years. no rashes, no psiorias, excema etc. The creams, allergery pills..my list is extensive as to what I have tried but nothing worked. ---------------The only thing that helps are ice packs. -----------------------
Recently,I had an x-ray to check if I had any nerve impingement in my cervical spine - one of the possible causes but nothing showed so I continue to search for answers. I did get confirmation of the brachioradial pruritus from a great dermatologist who has only seen 3 cases in his 15 years on the job. He did a biopsy that he sent to UC Davis for confirmation. The diagnosis was actually a relief as I have been told that it is so many other things.
I hope this helps. I will keep posting if I find anything helpful solutions.
Recently,I had an x-ray to check if I had any nerve impingement in my cervical spine - one of the possible causes but nothing showed so I continue to search for answers. I did get confirmation of the brachioradial pruritus from a great dermatologist who has only seen 3 cases in his 15 years on the job. He did a biopsy that he sent to UC Davis for confirmation. The diagnosis was actually a relief as I have been told that it is so many other things.
I hope this helps. I will keep posting if I find anything helpful solutions.
Hi LeslieAZ, I've been trying to post for several times now and I don't seem to be able to post. Not sure why....so I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. Plus I haven't been on this site in quite a while.
Welcome! I am sorry to hear that you are a sufferer too however. I wish you much success in finding what works for you. Not sure where your other posting is that you speak of, but yes, you can repost on this one if the site allows you.
No, you're not the only one =) This site is full of people who have had it for many years and have offered a wealth of information, you just have to weed through a lot of newer postings rehashing the same kinds of info. Genuine BRP is caused by compression of the nerves in the neck...typically C4-C6...could be due to many different things: whiplash, disc herniation, arthritic changes etc. Once the compression is there and inflammation takes hold all sorts of things exacerbate the problem (sun, heat, certain sleeping positions, hormones, itchy clothing, certain activities that increase compression/inflammation etc.) so your best bet is to find what's causing yours and decrease the inflammation.
Good luck! Should you have any questions or simply want/need support, you can always email me at 'my nic here' @ M S N with a dot and a com after that.
Welcome! I am sorry to hear that you are a sufferer too however. I wish you much success in finding what works for you. Not sure where your other posting is that you speak of, but yes, you can repost on this one if the site allows you.
No, you're not the only one =) This site is full of people who have had it for many years and have offered a wealth of information, you just have to weed through a lot of newer postings rehashing the same kinds of info. Genuine BRP is caused by compression of the nerves in the neck...typically C4-C6...could be due to many different things: whiplash, disc herniation, arthritic changes etc. Once the compression is there and inflammation takes hold all sorts of things exacerbate the problem (sun, heat, certain sleeping positions, hormones, itchy clothing, certain activities that increase compression/inflammation etc.) so your best bet is to find what's causing yours and decrease the inflammation.
Good luck! Should you have any questions or simply want/need support, you can always email me at 'my nic here' @ M S N with a dot and a com after that.
I cannot beleive how long this blog is. Please research the effects of ASPERTAME. It is in so many foods, drinks, gums, candies that we all eat and are not aware of it. It is POISON. Google it, youtube it, get it out of your life and hopefully the itch etc will stop.
Hi Erin- Nice of you to consolidate all of the better cures-thank you.
I wanted to share this because I am literally in shock that I just stopped my itching-please read my post from about 20 minutes ago.
I suffer from the same problem.
I have been reading so many posts hoping for help. My itching is on my arms-once in a while near my ankles. Mine comes in August and leaves around Oct. I look for natural medicines because chemicals like parabens (known carcinogen) found in most commercial remedies, cause more problems for me like hives.
Here are a few things that help:
Zyflamed from vitamin Shoppe for internal inflammation-safe to take- does slow the itching a lot.
Colloidal Silver to heal the sores caused from scratching. Apply to paper towel hold on wounds.
Indian Healing Clay helped a lot.
BUT HERE IS WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!! I was reading another post and someone suggested pure coconut oil.
I have that in the house so I decided to go put some on my badly scratched arms and... I am NOT ITCHING!!! This might be the easiest remedy ever if it continues to work!
Please try it and spread the word if it works for you!
This suggests it might be fungal -which I did suspect-coconut oil is anti-fungal. That (fungus) would be normal during the summer- in lakes and at the beach in moist conditions even humidity.
I wanted to share this because I am literally in shock that I just stopped my itching-please read my post from about 20 minutes ago.
I suffer from the same problem.
I have been reading so many posts hoping for help. My itching is on my arms-once in a while near my ankles. Mine comes in August and leaves around Oct. I look for natural medicines because chemicals like parabens (known carcinogen) found in most commercial remedies, cause more problems for me like hives.
Here are a few things that help:
Zyflamed from vitamin Shoppe for internal inflammation-safe to take- does slow the itching a lot.
Colloidal Silver to heal the sores caused from scratching. Apply to paper towel hold on wounds.
Indian Healing Clay helped a lot.
BUT HERE IS WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!! I was reading another post and someone suggested pure coconut oil.
I have that in the house so I decided to go put some on my badly scratched arms and... I am NOT ITCHING!!! This might be the easiest remedy ever if it continues to work!
Please try it and spread the word if it works for you!
This suggests it might be fungal -which I did suspect-coconut oil is anti-fungal. That (fungus) would be normal during the summer- in lakes and at the beach in moist conditions even humidity.
I suffer from the same problem.
I have been reading so many posts hoping for help. My itching is on my arms-once in a while near my ankles. Mine comes in August and leaves around Oct. I look for natural medicines because chemicals like parabens (known carcinogen) found in most commercial remedies, cause more problems for me like hives.
Here are a few things that help:
Zyflamed from Vitamin Shoppe for internal inflammation-safe to take- does slow the itching a lot.
Colloidal Silver to heal the sores caused from scratching. Apply to paper towel hold on wounds.
Indian Healing Clay helped a lot.
BUT HERE IS WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!! I was reading another post and someone suggested pure coconut oil.
I have that in the house so I decided to go put some on my badly scratched arms and... I am NOT ITCHING!!! Already 20 minutes has passed!!
This might be the easiest remedy ever if it continues to work!
Please try it and spread the word if it works for you!
This suggests it might be fungal -which I did suspect-coconut oil is anti-fungal. That (fungus) would be normal during the summer- in lakes and at the beach in moist conditions... even humidity.
I have been reading so many posts hoping for help. My itching is on my arms-once in a while near my ankles. Mine comes in August and leaves around Oct. I look for natural medicines because chemicals like parabens (known carcinogen) found in most commercial remedies, cause more problems for me like hives.
Here are a few things that help:
Zyflamed from Vitamin Shoppe for internal inflammation-safe to take- does slow the itching a lot.
Colloidal Silver to heal the sores caused from scratching. Apply to paper towel hold on wounds.
Indian Healing Clay helped a lot.
BUT HERE IS WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!! I was reading another post and someone suggested pure coconut oil.
I have that in the house so I decided to go put some on my badly scratched arms and... I am NOT ITCHING!!! Already 20 minutes has passed!!
This might be the easiest remedy ever if it continues to work!
Please try it and spread the word if it works for you!
This suggests it might be fungal -which I did suspect-coconut oil is anti-fungal. That (fungus) would be normal during the summer- in lakes and at the beach in moist conditions... even humidity.
I have been suffering itchy arms for about 3 years. I am 52. I assumed it was hormonally related. To date I have no signs of menopause, but assumed this itching was "formica" a form of itching. Ice is the only remedy for me. A tip for a homemade icepack that is soft and conforms to your arm- blend equal amounts of water and rubbing alcohol (or any drinking alcohol for that matter), combine in a ziplock bag. I always double the bag. Then freeze. It makes a lovely frozen gel. They last a long time, you can make them any size.
My BRP started on my upper arms - both. It felt as if fire ants were trying to eat their way out of my arm. (I live in Hawaii and have experienced fire ant bites on my feet - not fun.) My first experience was horrifying. I was sound asleep then suddenly felt intense pain and itching in my upper arm. I leapt from bed, turned on the light, threw the sheet back while rubbing and slapping my arm as hard as I could. I kept trying to tell my husband we had bugs in our bed- he could not understand me through the tears, moans and hysteria. He grabbed my arms to keep me from slapping myself. I yanked away like a wild animal. I opened the freezer door, standing there trying to get relief. Soon, I was lying across the island in my kitchen with my arms stretched out as my husband piled bags of frozen vegetables and fruits on them. I stayed like that for over an hour. My husband was amazed because I hate being cold more than anything. Now I know that I hate itching more than anything.
My episodes are sporadic. Intensity varies. Oftentimes it is one random sting. I can be doing anything and suddenly let out a slight scream and instinctively grab or smack my arm. Nothing is there. Everyone around looks at you like you are nuts. Your spouse begins to think you are seeking attention. They lose sleep too. It affects everyone.
After finding this wonderful site, I realize I am not crazy. Neck injury, and lots of sun are my story too. I will be paying close attention to foods, stress, or other triggers. I have always slept on my back, arms not touching torso, legs not touching each other. I have always slept with my head turned totally left or right on a flattish pillow. Because of whiplash years ago, I cannot sleep on the back of my head without suffering excruciating headaches. If I get too warm while sleeping, it brings on the itch. Flare ups seem most intense after a sunburn. It is my opinion that it is the warmth trapped in your skin from a burn, more than the sun itself. I have been taking DHEA for a few years. I notice if I forget to take it, especially 2 days in a row, I will have itching, again leading me to believe it is hormone related for me. The non-organic meat theory seems entirely reasonable to me also since they give animals immense amounts of hormones. Forgive me for TMI, but my arms also itch when my husband and I get romantic - surge of hormones? Or perhaps the warmth? Showers help sometimes, but can exacerbate the itching too. I place homemade ice packs on my arm then wrap saran wrap around my arm to hold them. I go to bed with a towel under each arm to collect the condensation. And if all else fails there is always the "BRP DANCE" - running in place scratching your arms like a maniac.
My BRP started on my upper arms - both. It felt as if fire ants were trying to eat their way out of my arm. (I live in Hawaii and have experienced fire ant bites on my feet - not fun.) My first experience was horrifying. I was sound asleep then suddenly felt intense pain and itching in my upper arm. I leapt from bed, turned on the light, threw the sheet back while rubbing and slapping my arm as hard as I could. I kept trying to tell my husband we had bugs in our bed- he could not understand me through the tears, moans and hysteria. He grabbed my arms to keep me from slapping myself. I yanked away like a wild animal. I opened the freezer door, standing there trying to get relief. Soon, I was lying across the island in my kitchen with my arms stretched out as my husband piled bags of frozen vegetables and fruits on them. I stayed like that for over an hour. My husband was amazed because I hate being cold more than anything. Now I know that I hate itching more than anything.
My episodes are sporadic. Intensity varies. Oftentimes it is one random sting. I can be doing anything and suddenly let out a slight scream and instinctively grab or smack my arm. Nothing is there. Everyone around looks at you like you are nuts. Your spouse begins to think you are seeking attention. They lose sleep too. It affects everyone.
After finding this wonderful site, I realize I am not crazy. Neck injury, and lots of sun are my story too. I will be paying close attention to foods, stress, or other triggers. I have always slept on my back, arms not touching torso, legs not touching each other. I have always slept with my head turned totally left or right on a flattish pillow. Because of whiplash years ago, I cannot sleep on the back of my head without suffering excruciating headaches. If I get too warm while sleeping, it brings on the itch. Flare ups seem most intense after a sunburn. It is my opinion that it is the warmth trapped in your skin from a burn, more than the sun itself. I have been taking DHEA for a few years. I notice if I forget to take it, especially 2 days in a row, I will have itching, again leading me to believe it is hormone related for me. The non-organic meat theory seems entirely reasonable to me also since they give animals immense amounts of hormones. Forgive me for TMI, but my arms also itch when my husband and I get romantic - surge of hormones? Or perhaps the warmth? Showers help sometimes, but can exacerbate the itching too. I place homemade ice packs on my arm then wrap saran wrap around my arm to hold them. I go to bed with a towel under each arm to collect the condensation. And if all else fails there is always the "BRP DANCE" - running in place scratching your arms like a maniac.
I just read a lady's comment about epidurals playing a part in this problem. My youngest child is 14 and I had my other 3 naturally. When I was given the epidural the anesthesiologist injected the medicine into the sac of fluid around my spinal cord. I immediately got an intense headache and felt like throwing up. I was given Phenegran for the nausea and to help with the headache. But the whole procedure was awful. I had to get a epidural blood patch after having her. Got some relief from the headaches and we were discharged the next day. Then I had to go back for another blood patch because I was still having severe headaches and was walking bent over like an old lady. Thankfully after the second blood patch the headaches subsided. In saying all this I'm putting into order a chain of events that I wasn't even aware of!! Because in retrospect I now know I never had any of this itching before the epidural. I have also always loved being outside in the sun. So from reading previous comments I assume these two things can be attributed to my symptoms. Also does anyone know if indoor tanning helps. I'd think the answer would be no but I've seen a few comments on different sites that say its beneficial. And I wondered if anyone else starts itching really bad after a mosquitoe bite? It seems to start off a chain reaction of intense itching whenever I get bitten. I also start to itch really bad just from laying down. It's so frustrating!! I would really appreciate any info. Thanks in advance
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Dermatology Community
Learn to identify and prevent bites from summer’s most common pests.
Doctors argue for legislation to curb this dangerous teen trend in the latest Missouri Medicine report.
10 ways to keep your skin healthy all winter long
How to get rid of lumpy fat on your arms, hips, thighs and bottom
Diet “do’s” and “don’ts” for healthy, radiant skin.
Images of rashes caused by common skin conditions
