itchy upper arms

[sunshinecoastbc]

For many years I have had "itchy upper arms". It usually starts in mid August and lasts until January. It is not a normal itch......this is almost a painful itch that greats significantly worse when it is scratched which by the way is involuntarily done in my sleep. Any doctor I have seen about it is baffled. Last year I started using a spray on sunscreen instead of the usual cream type of sunscreen. It is Coppertone Sport 30 or higher continous spray, ultra sweatproof. I never go out in the sun without using this product on my arms, back and chest. Then I started spraying this product on my upper arms and shoulder area just before going to bed at night. It has been a miracle to me....as long as I don't forget to use it before going to bed, I am virtually itch free all night. If I forget to use it, I am guaranteed to get the "ITCH" and the Coppertone Spray doesn't work if you have already irritated the skin by scratching. I used to sleep with ice packs on my arms....now I don't have to. Pass this on to your readers, please.


This discussion is related to UPPER ARM ITCH-I'M NOT CRAZY EITHER.

[rkerber]

I have the same thing. I have been to 4 different dermatologists, allergists, neurologist, chiropractor, and primary doctor. I think they all don't believe me. The dermatologists said it was a sun allergy,but I don't believe it. My itchy upper arms start in the spring and ends in the winter, but this year it seems like it has lasted longer and worse. I have had this since august 2004. No one seems to know what I have. The allergist took a allergy test and blood work and all normal. I will be getting my blood work for everything, and maybe it will show something. I found brachioradial pruritus when searching for upper arm itchy skin and believe I have this, but can't find a dr that treat this. Frustrating!!! The only thing that helps is a bag of ice on each arm, but it keeps my husband up. I am sitting here with a bag of ice on each arm. My arms each until they bleed. The allergist told me to take and allergy pill during the day and and one at night. My primary dr today said that I need to see a dermatologist. This time I am seeing a different one. i hope she is familiar with BRP.

[lauritztj]

Thanks for the lemon juice tip. I have read hundreds of posts now and followed through with all kinds of medical advice and treatments. Even though I have had a neck injury many many years ago this itching only started very recently so I ruled out that kind of nerve damage. My kids got gerbals at around the same time my itching started and I began having acute asthmatic responses occassionally when ever they cleaned the cages. I squeezed a lemon about an hour ago and the itching has subsided almost completely. I think I'll rub some antibiotic cream on top of that after the lemon juice dries just before bed. I think we're all touching on probable causes. Heck, it could even be a combo of things-even partly psycological. Itching is caused by nerves generally anyway.

[JOCKF]

I have been having the same problem for years. Yesterday I tried something new - it is ordinary lemon juice that you use for food. You get it in a green bottle. I poured some on a paper towel and applied to my arm and I slept through the whole night with no itch.
Just apply and leave it to dry on your arm.
I believe the problem is a bacteria that gets into your pours in the arm area - so the little bit of acid in the juice helps the infection.
Hope it works.

[roachmd]

I found this post late at night while I should have been sleeping instead of itching and "Googling".

I am surprised to find that so many others have the same symptoms as I do, that is an itchy forearm, starting around August and continuing until about January. The itch is so intense, it is agonizing. I found some sites that call this condition BRACHIORADIAL PRURITUS. Even with a name, the doctors do not seem to understand the problem. Some suggest that it is a sun exposure issue and others say it is a neurological problem, usually resulting from a back injury of some sort.

I am not a medical professional, but the sun theory doesn't seem to be a viable reason because the itching is in such an isolated location, and almost always at night. The neurological suggestion seems more appropriate because it certainly feels like a nerve is causing the itch. However, the neurological theory does not explain this seemingly seasonal condition.

The most logical theory to in my mind would center around an allergy of some sort, although I have had basic allergy testing with no positive results. However, when I do get the itch in the middle of the night (usually nightly), I take two Benadryl tablets (actually the no-name equivalent) and I get relief from the itching within 30 to 60 minutes. Also, what I have recently found is that if I take the 24 hour allergy medications such as Reactine (again no-name equivalent) just before dinner, I don't get the itch that night.

I pass this information on because I see so many desperate people that are also suffering through this. Again, I am not a medical professional and what works for me may not work for anyone else, but it is worth a try.

Mike

[dokky]

aloe vera from your garden works on the itch ...i tried to aloe from the store , but not so effective as the fresh picked aloe......im starting to think its stress related

[itchytara]

I thought I was the only person inflicted by this itch.  I have been going
crazy for years and just attributed the itch to stress. I have been taking
benadryl at night.  It helps but knocks me out.  I will try the spray.

[jordymike]

Im a little more awake now . What I meant to say is that I have tried " hot Therma dura C "
This makes the area hot and tricks the brain into thinking there is no itch . At first it worked great but now it takes more a nd more time to funtion.Looks like Im back to the ice packs again soon as I need to sleep...yawn ...

[jordymike]

I will try it too . Sat here 0230 am cant sleep because of the dreaded itc. I have just applied a casion cream that does help but never fully eradicates it . Im on my wa to try buy the spf 30 first thing tommorow . Heres hoping !

[bubbles750]

i know the feeling ive had itchy upper arms over 2 years been to doctors and dermatoligsts i went to another dermatoligst and he prescribed sarnol-hc and it has helped more than anything i tried.has a medicine smell like menthol dont like to smell that way it will drive you crazy like you i would wake up itching and if i ever started to scrach look out cause like you the only thing that helped was putting ice on it thats not a very pleasent way to try to sleep so glad you have found something that works i will get me some spray on coppertone sport 30 or higher cant wait to try it im so excited  thanks i have tried everything on the market i could open up an anti itch store i have so many different kinds also ive had steroid shots steroid creams to no avail. sure hope this works for me it would be a blessing !

[mmwedgewood]

I'm so glad that there's others!  Upper left arm between my elbow and shoulder?  The derm thought it was my soap or detergent.  It comes back every summer! So frustrating - as the anti-itch cream only works temporarily.  Any good feedback from a neurologist?

[margypops]

It sounds unreal but I will try it.