My itching was so extreme that it caused large bruised areas all down my legs and scaring on my hands. Nothing seemed to offer any relief until the dermatologist took a biopsy of the itchy node and determined that it was inflammation. He increased my exposure to sunlight in a light box and recommended I tried taking 150 mg of a histamine blocker called Rainitidin, (Zantac ant-acid). Now I carry a bottle with me in my purse because it will give complete itching relief within around 20 minutes.) Try it for yourself!!!
I go to an allergy Doctor and he can't find out what is wrong with me. But I have to take cold showers and that helps, selsum blue shampoo and crisco yes can crisco rub on you helps a lot. I carry it around with me put it in a plastic container and keep it handy start to itch rub it on. my head I use olive oil its seems to help.
I also use clear tide, clear Dove Bath soap, get rid of the clorox and etc fabic softners rinse your clothes twice. It does help. My water bill went up a little but what am I suppose to do. cut back on something else to pay for the extra's. I use the regular Tide or what ever on husbands clothes until it is gone then I will use all the clear soaps. Wal Mart Value even has clear fabric sheet for the dryer.
good luck.
I started taking Celebrex, after 2 weeks I had bad reaction to the sulfa. Am now on prednisone. When will I get relief?????
Melissa makes good points.
We can have itching from a few causes.
The most common and anyone can have it is chronically dry skin and/or the use of sensitizing chemicals. Best treatment - gentle cleansing and daily use of a good moisturizer like Aveeno (I can provide a good list of others, too) Remember, A/C is cooled, dehydrated air.
Some meds cause release of histamine. Most common example is narcotics.
We may have an allergy to a med. I had blotchy hives on hands and feet for years until I realized I was allergic to NSAIDs - Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs like ibuprofen, Celebrex, Naproxen. It is IMPOSSIBLE to effectively scratch the palms and soles - the skin is too thick.
Sensitive skin is irritated sometimes with abrasion from tight clothing. If you are itching around the cuff of socks, waistbands, underwear.
Then there is US. We also have the delight of the itchy paresthesia. This can drive us mad and would be a great excuse when we do things we wish we hadn't done. Where people can be taught to deal with chronic pain there are few things we can do to take our minds off of itching. That is why it is a good torture tool.
Things people have suggested for dealing with neuropathic itching are 1) cold or coolness which is usually better than heat. Heat brings more blood to the surface of the skin and typically worsens itching - but not always. It is worth trying if nothing is working. IcyHot or menthol creams.
Steroid cream can occasionally work.
And the meds used for neuropathic pain can be used to try to subdue the errant tich signals. Talk to your doctor.
A new onset of severe itching might be a new relapse as would any new paresthesia.
quix
Really the type of itching it seems we have - there is no cure for it! I have the one on the bottoms of my feet and it drives me nutty because I am ticklish like you wouldn't believe so the best thing for me is just dragging my feet on the carpet - but then I shock everything from the static!
A good lotion can subside it somewhat and can definitely help with the dry skin - itch till you bleed problem. I also have ezcema, so I am sure that doesn't help. I would be interested to hear what some other more established MS members with this problem have to say, considering I am still pretty new around these parts!
MeLissa
I have had itching issues for years and just mentioned it to my PCP a few weeks ago. For me the worst part of the itching is on my arms and I will end up scratching until there is blood. My PCP suggested using some lotion on my arms. I don't yet know if this will work or not as the itching has subsided for the time being. But it does kind of make sense since it will change the sensations on my arms.
Dennis
Oh my goodness......I haven't been dx yet but I didn't know that itching was a symptom. My left ring finger has been itching on the under side just under my top knuckle for about two months..... geezooooo..... If I have MS, does this mean I'm having a flair up or is this an on-going thing?
Carrie
I personally have ictching issues as well and up until recently I just delt with them. There was a thread on here not to long ago that mentioned cold showers, or cold packs.
It helps!! I do it more at night when all symptoms seem to bother me worse so that I can get to sleep before the itching starts.
My head itches so much that sometimes I litterally scratch until I have sores in my head. Not sure why out nerves do this to us and it is irritating as heck but it is one more thing we have to deal with.
I will be looking forward to other words of advice from other members here.
Good luck.
Paula