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Sever arm itching

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I did a little more searching and may have come up with a cause and hopefully a cure.
In the 1980's thru the 1990's I had above normal hours of exposure to the sun from being a lifeguard but also have spent hundreds of hours baking under tanning lamps in tanning solons.
I found this post and think this may be the problem.

PUVA is a type of ultraviolet radiation treatment (phototherapy) used for severe skin diseases.

PUVA is a combination treatment which consists of Psoralens (P) and then exposing the skin to long wave ultraviolet radiation (UVA). It has been available in its present form since 1976.

This person wrote:

I have something to say about the comments various people have said about PUVA Itch. I have had PUVA ITCH. I refer to it as
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Avatar universal
Same problem, same symptoms, and I've tried everything listed on this site, every over the counter product, home remedies, presciption steroid creams and lotions and I've had biopsies (no results).  I've been to a family doctor, an internist, and a dermatologist and no one has any idea what is causing this.  My dermatologist said he had never seen or heard of this kind of problem so I printed 15 pages from this forum and took them to him, just to show him.......SEE I'M NOT CRAZY!  My severe, uncontrollable itching is only on my left arm, only on the top side about 6" above and below my elbow area.  The open sores and rash only come from or after the excessive scratching. I've only had this for 2 years now, summer and stress do make it worse, and it's unbareable at night causing lack of sleep. Benadryl no longer works. Last year, the itching was only about 3" above and below my elbow. My symptoms seem to progressively get worse. Since no one seems to know what causing this I am curious to know (since you have experienced this for 20+ yrs)what I have to look forward to or what we, or anyone else with this condition, may have in common. Have your symptoms spread to a larger area of your body (In this forum, see: Severe itching from head to toe)?  Someone in that forum suggested "gasoline" to control the itching.  Sometimes at night my itching is so severe I've wondered if they meant to light it after applying it....  

I am a 51 yr old female, average height/weight. I have a healthy diet and get moderate exercise, I have no known allergies. My occassional stress is no more than most people. I take prescibed medications: "hyzaar" for blood pressure (inherited problem) and "estratest" for menopause hormone replacement (female aging problem).

Please pass on any information you can.  I WANT ANSWERS TOO!!! The medical profession seems to be baffled.
***@****

Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
A related discussion, arm itching was started.
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Avatar universal
Very pleased to see I'm not on my own here. I was determined this morning (03:00am) to 'Googlise' my itching problem and here I am.

I have the night time itch on my inner forarms and neck area. It has developed over the last 5 years (I'm now 31) from a very small itch area on my left forearm to a regularly nightly occurance typically waking me up at 3 in the morning. I've read all these postings and have gained a couple of new things to try.

Has anyone had help from Clarityn (or similar antihistamine)?
I took it for hayfever and it had immediate effects relieving the night time itch. I found it best to take a couple of hours before I went to bed...
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Well, more to report. The Lidoderm patch was working but not the relief I was getting in the beginning. I went to my primary care physician (required by my insurance) and he prescribed Neurontin 300mg, which is an anti-convulsing medication but helps people such as diabetics who are suffering from neurological pains. It did not help me one bit. I had double vision the next day and could not even read the newspaper.
I had someone email me and said to apply vitamin E oil and then sunscreen. This does help. The vitamin E helps from the itching but in the evening it just gets worse.
My next visit will now be to a neurologist and we will see what happens.
I will try the gel as mentioned in the last posting. Hell, I
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Relief, I just woke up from a 9-hour sleep. I have not slept that long in years. The Lidoderm has done the trick! This is wonderful. I hope anyone that has this problem tries this product. After years of agonizing torture I have found a solution and probably a reason for my itch. I hope this will help others with the same problem. The answer from Dr. Rockoff would have been correct and I feel if I had visited a neurologist he may have recommended the Lidoderm  patch. May be not. I did find my answer searching the Internet, such a wonderful thing. The answer I found was on a website www. Flakehq.com. This is a sight for Psoriasis. Thanks for the emails from people with suggestions. I hope this posting of my problem and solution will help someone else with sever arm itch! I removed the Lidoderm patch in the middle of the night when I used the restroom to give my arm a rest because I had it on past the recommend 12 hours and it is 5 hours later and still no itch. I am a happy person.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Thanks for the information. It's so strange that there are so many people that have this problem but no one knows what causes this. . I have been checking the internet and have found many others with the same problem and yes, I do think it is a neurological problem that a pain specialist can help with because I have been to other doctors and dermatologist and they do not know what is causing this.
I have been using Zostrix HP, which has capsicum (the heat in peppers) and empties the nerve receptors of the itching signal. It burns like heck but is a lot better than the itching. I also get a little relief from Sarna and  other creams that have Camphor or Menthol in them which helps sooth the prickling sensation.
The best relief is with an ice pack. I could not go to sleep last night until I got up and wrapped with an ace bandage an ice pack on my arm. I am waiting for this to end as it always does for no apparent reason.
As I sit here typing and scratching (now I have applied an ice pack) I am still wondering if someone has seen a neurologist and have received any answers. Again I welcome any emails and will forward others that have replied until we can find an answer. Signing off and scratching away. ***@****

Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
A related discussion, Severe itching on uder my elbow was started.
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A related discussion, what is this painful itch? was started.
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A related discussion, Itching and burning arms was started.
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A related discussion, Itching Forearms was started.
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A Solution!!!!
After years of no sleep, late night icing, itching my arms till they bleed, more doctor visits then I can count and wanting to chop my arms off, I think I've found a solution. It's kind if embarrassing after years of trying to figure out what this is and thinking that I'm cursed and I'll never find out..... Pure coconut oil. I've been applying coconut oil to my arms after showering and before bed for the past few days and I've found the relief I've been desperately trying to find. Can it really just be really dry skin that has been causing this. Good luck  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had this terrible itching  since  I was   a child(as far as I can member)   I am 23  now   and  still don't have a clue  wut  this is.   I've been to many dermatologist  n every thing  they perscribe  does not work..   Now  they jus tell me it's ezema     I'm jus so tired of this.  My arms  are so scared up  from all the scratching  n all these years.    And like most of yall  I have noticed that  during  the summer time is when it's at it's worst..    I'm jus glad I found this site  I thought I was alone.    
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A related discussion, Severe Itching in Arms was started.
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A related discussion, itching arms was started.
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Mine has just started up again after a year break,and now its up both arms,on my chest and neck. I been to the doctors countless times and had all lotions and potions. First doctor I saw said i had scabies! Gave me cream for it I used it and strangely enough the itch went after a couple of days, 3 months later it came back and I went to doctors totally embarrased thinking I had scabies again, same doctor said that isn't scabies! Hmmm so I threw my matress blankets cushions away for nothing! Thanks doc! Anyways my point is the cream worked on me because I believed it would (placebo effect) which leads me to believe its in my head caused by stress I think. I get it when I'm feeling run down or stressed

Does anyone who has this suffer from acne aswell just wanted to know if there was a link thanks.
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A related discussion, sever itching of arms was started.
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A related discussion, how can this itching jump locations on your body? was started.
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A related discussion, itchy arm was started.
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A related discussion, Itching Arms was started.
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A related discussion, itching was started.
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A related discussion, itching was started.
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