Aa
itchy arms
I just wanted to say how much I understand what you are all going through. I have been to every doctor possible. I went to another dermatologist on Monday and he diagnosed me with BRP, Brachialradial Puritis. There is no real scientific explanation to this yet. He told me to stay out of the sun and I live in AZ. Mine definietely gets exasberated when I am in heat or sunlight. But, strange that it happens for all of us from around August to November. It is nerve related. So, now I am on Emla (mixture of Lidocaine/prilocaine) and it numbs the area so I can sleep. I know this isn't the best solution but I NEED some sleep. I am also going to a Spinal Correction Center, esssentially a Chiropractor. I have never been to one and not so sure about it. But, I have been adjusted once and I slept that night. I saw my X-Rays and my neck needs some realignment for sure. Anyways, I hope this helps someone out there. Look up BRP.
This discussion is related to Itchy Arms.
This discussion is related to Itchy Arms.
Hadn't noticed the connection to the east coast, but my itch actually began while I was living in Wisconsin. I think we can all begin sharing possible commonalities in an attempt at understanding this. It doesn't seem to matter whether or not a person is physically fit or out of shape, a drinker or abstainer, and seasonality doesn't seem to be an issue, either. Caffeine? Meats laced with growth hormones and antibiotics? Drinking water laced with fluoride? Too much sugar? Not enough salt? Physical trauma that may have caused nerve damage? More individual background....
I should note that my regular doctor tested my blood pH and it was normal. Also, Dr. Chang has retired and I can't seem to track him down anywhere....My apologies for the double posting.....not sure what happened there! :)~
My itch began in Nov. '08 while I was living in Wisconsin. The first presentation was a small, intensely itchy spot on the front of my right calf. The spot grew and then a similar spot began on the front of my left calf. This too began in a small area but both eventually spread to cover the entire front of each leg from just below the knee to just above the ankle. And then a similar presentation began across my abdomen and, eventually, both sides of my lower rib cage. My doctor at the time started me on a course of prednisone, which made me a monster and did absolutely nothing for the itch. He next sent me to a dermatologist; she took me off the prednisone, took a biopsy off my left leg to test for a liver disorder (negative), and gave me a cortisone shot. The shot made the itch disappear for about a month and a half.....and then it roared back with a vengeance. Same beginning as the initial onset: small spot on my right leg which grew, followed by a small spot on my left leg which grew, followed by other areas which included the backs of my thighs, ribs, abdomen, fingers, backs of my hands, and the back of my scalp. This time, non-pitting edema occured on my lower legs and was often accomapnied by a strong peppery taste in my mouth, burning eyes and nose, and an overall skin crawling sensation. Two to three 24 hour claratins a day helped a little, the desoxametisone cream my doctor had me try did not. So I went to an allergist and was tested for all the usual suspects; negative on all counts. The biggest relief I ever got that winter was to go outside and expose as much of my skin to that frigid Wisconsin air as I could.
Then I moved back to Virginia. Out of frustration and lack of any other avenues to pursue, I took a friend's suggestion and went to see a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medications. After my initial interview with Dr. Chang, he asked to see my tongue (the shape of which he drew on my chart). He put his pencil down, removed his glasses, and said to me, "Your blood is too acidic." AHA!!! I thought.....Makes sense! By this time, winter was gone and I was walking around in shorts.....my blazing red calves exposed for all to see. This was comfortable for the most part as it got plenty of air on my skin....except when I walked through grass. Walking through grass felt like my legs were covered in fire ants! Acid, Dr. Chang explained. Grass is an acidic plant; moisture settles on it during the night and when you walk through it, you disturb that moisture--which brings with it some of the acid from the grass. I was convinced I was on the right track! Dr. Chang and I met roughly once every ten days. He would perform acupuncture on me and while I was "on the bench" he'd mix an herbal formula that, I later found out, changed each time and was designed to cleanse a different organ in my body (liver, kidneys, spleen, intestines, etc.). He also had me eat what essentially a vegan diet (which I stuck to but not religiously). Within a month and a half, I was completely itch free! For a year and a half.
I never experienced the itch as intensely as I did with those first incidences and the itch seems now to be confined solely to my arms and neck.....which is how a recent return to a dermatologist resulted in a diagnosis of bracchioradial pruritis...and a prescription for gabapentin. No one wants to even consider my first session with this as being related to what's going on now, but it is the exact same sensation and nothing (not even gabapentin) short of ice provides any lasting relief. I have seen a chiropractor, hoping that over time repeated adjustments might prove BRP to be the culprit. Nothing has changed though. The other night while scratching at my right arm, I realized a couple things that I hadn't before. The itch I feel has two distinct sensations: a general, intense itchiness that covers an area of skin that varies in full size from a small spot to a large area; and a very specific spot that really feels more like someone is standing next to me with a tiny eyedropper full of acid. The skin in these areas are affected two ways, as well: areas that are "itchy all over" may look red and irritated, but that skin doesn't break or tear; specific spots that itch end up looking like a crater--literally like something has burned the follicle. I felt a spot-specific burn the other night and instead of gritting my teeth and growling at it while scratching, I took the time to examine that spot. What I found was what seemed like a pore that had a colorless scab on it....very small but definitely something with a different texture than the skin around it. Out of frustration (and curiosity), I pinched that hardened piece of skin to get rid of it.....and the burn....stopped. If you can figure any of this out......PLEASE TELL ME!!!!!!!!!!!
I have found that LIBERAL applications of Sarna (for sensitive skin) seems to help with the larger itchy areas. I will have to see if the tiny, pore sized irritations all develop a "scab" or not and whether removing that scab helps every time. I have a theory, but that's for another time.
Then I moved back to Virginia. Out of frustration and lack of any other avenues to pursue, I took a friend's suggestion and went to see a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medications. After my initial interview with Dr. Chang, he asked to see my tongue (the shape of which he drew on my chart). He put his pencil down, removed his glasses, and said to me, "Your blood is too acidic." AHA!!! I thought.....Makes sense! By this time, winter was gone and I was walking around in shorts.....my blazing red calves exposed for all to see. This was comfortable for the most part as it got plenty of air on my skin....except when I walked through grass. Walking through grass felt like my legs were covered in fire ants! Acid, Dr. Chang explained. Grass is an acidic plant; moisture settles on it during the night and when you walk through it, you disturb that moisture--which brings with it some of the acid from the grass. I was convinced I was on the right track! Dr. Chang and I met roughly once every ten days. He would perform acupuncture on me and while I was "on the bench" he'd mix an herbal formula that, I later found out, changed each time and was designed to cleanse a different organ in my body (liver, kidneys, spleen, intestines, etc.). He also had me eat what essentially a vegan diet (which I stuck to but not religiously). Within a month and a half, I was completely itch free! For a year and a half.
I never experienced the itch as intensely as I did with those first incidences and the itch seems now to be confined solely to my arms and neck.....which is how a recent return to a dermatologist resulted in a diagnosis of bracchioradial pruritis...and a prescription for gabapentin. No one wants to even consider my first session with this as being related to what's going on now, but it is the exact same sensation and nothing (not even gabapentin) short of ice provides any lasting relief. I have seen a chiropractor, hoping that over time repeated adjustments might prove BRP to be the culprit. Nothing has changed though. The other night while scratching at my right arm, I realized a couple things that I hadn't before. The itch I feel has two distinct sensations: a general, intense itchiness that covers an area of skin that varies in full size from a small spot to a large area; and a very specific spot that really feels more like someone is standing next to me with a tiny eyedropper full of acid. The skin in these areas are affected two ways, as well: areas that are "itchy all over" may look red and irritated, but that skin doesn't break or tear; specific spots that itch end up looking like a crater--literally like something has burned the follicle. I felt a spot-specific burn the other night and instead of gritting my teeth and growling at it while scratching, I took the time to examine that spot. What I found was what seemed like a pore that had a colorless scab on it....very small but definitely something with a different texture than the skin around it. Out of frustration (and curiosity), I pinched that hardened piece of skin to get rid of it.....and the burn....stopped. If you can figure any of this out......PLEASE TELL ME!!!!!!!!!!!
I have found that LIBERAL applications of Sarna (for sensitive skin) seems to help with the larger itchy areas. I will have to see if the tiny, pore sized irritations all develop a "scab" or not and whether removing that scab helps every time. I have a theory, but that's for another time.
My itch began in Nov. '08 while I was living in Wisconsin. The first presentation was a small, intensely itchy spot on the front of my right calf. The spot grew and then a similar spot began on the front of my left calf. This too began in a small area but both eventually spread to cover the entire front of each leg from just below the knee to just above the ankle. And then a similar presentation began across my abdomen and, eventually, both sides of my lower rib cage. My doctor at the time started me on a course of prednisone, which made me a monster and did absolutely nothing for the itch. He next sent me to a dermatologist; she took me off the prednisone, took a biopsy off my left leg to test for a liver disorder (negative), and gave me a cortisone shot. The shot made the itch disappear for about a month and a half.....and then it roared back with a vengeance. Same beginning as the initial onset: small spot on my right leg which grew, followed by a small spot on my left leg which grew, followed by other areas which included the backs of my thighs, ribs, abdomen, fingers, backs of my hands, and the back of my scalp. This time, non-pitting edema occured on my lower legs and was often accomapnied by a strong peppery taste in my mouth, burning eyes and nose, and an overall skin crawling sensation. Two to three 24 hour claratins a day helped a little, the desoxametisone cream my doctor had me try did not. So I went to an allergist and was tested for all the usual suspects; negative on all counts. The biggest relief I ever got that winter was to go outside and expose as much of my skin to that frigid Wisconsin air as I could.
Then I moved back to Virginia. Out of frustration and lack of any other avenues to pursue, I took a friend's suggestion and went to see a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medications. After my initial interview with Dr. Chang, he asked to see my tongue (the shape of which he drew on my chart). He put his pencil down, removed his glasses, and said to me, "Your blood is too acidic." AHA!!! I thought.....Makes sense! By this time, winter was gone and I was walking around in shorts.....my blazing red calves exposed for all to see. This was comfortable for the most part as it got plenty of air on my skin....except when I walked through grass. Walking through grass felt like my legs were covered in fire ants! Acid, Dr. Chang explained. Grass is an acidic plant; moisture settles on it during the night and when you walk through it, you disturb that moisture--which brings with it some of the acid from the grass. I was convinced I was on the right track! Dr. Chang and I met roughly once every ten days. He would perform acupuncture on me and while I was "on the bench" he'd mix an herbal formula that, I later found out, changed each time and was designed to cleanse a different organ in my body (liver, kidneys, spleen, intestines, etc.). He also had me eat what essentially a vegan diet (which I stuck to but not religiously). Within a month and a half, I was completely itch free! For a year and a half.
I never experienced the itch as intensely as I did with those first incidences and the itch seems now to be confined solely to my arms and neck.....which is how a recent return to a dermatologist resulted in a diagnosis of bracchioradial pruritis...and a prescription for gabapentin. No one wants to even consider my first session with this as being related to what's going on now, but it is the exact same sensation and nothing (not even gabapentin) short of ice provides any lasting relief. I have seen a chiropractor, hoping that over time repeated adjustments might prove BRP to be the culprit. Nothing has changed though. The other night while scratching at my right arm, I realized a couple things that I hadn't before. The itch I feel has two distinct sensations: a general, intense itchiness that covers an area of skin that varies in full size from a small spot to a large area; and a very specific spot that really feels more like someone is standing next to me with a tiny eyedropper full of acid. The skin in these areas are affected two ways, as well: areas that are "itchy all over" may look red and irritated, but that skin doesn't break or tear; specific spots that itch end up looking like a crater--literally like something has burned the follicle. I felt a spot-specific burn the other night and instead of gritting my teeth and growling at it while scratching, I took the time to examine that spot. What I found was what seemed like a pore that had a colorless scab on it....very small but definitely something with a different texture than the skin around it. Out of frustration (and curiosity), I pinched that hardened piece of skin to get rid of it.....and the burn....stopped. If you can figure any of this out......PLEASE TELL ME!!!!!!!!!!!
I have found that LIBERAL applications of Sarna (for sensitive skin) seems to help with the larger itchy areas. I will have to see if the tiny, pore sized irritations all develop a "scab" or not and whether removing that scab helps every time. I have a theory, but that's for another time.
Then I moved back to Virginia. Out of frustration and lack of any other avenues to pursue, I took a friend's suggestion and went to see a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medications. After my initial interview with Dr. Chang, he asked to see my tongue (the shape of which he drew on my chart). He put his pencil down, removed his glasses, and said to me, "Your blood is too acidic." AHA!!! I thought.....Makes sense! By this time, winter was gone and I was walking around in shorts.....my blazing red calves exposed for all to see. This was comfortable for the most part as it got plenty of air on my skin....except when I walked through grass. Walking through grass felt like my legs were covered in fire ants! Acid, Dr. Chang explained. Grass is an acidic plant; moisture settles on it during the night and when you walk through it, you disturb that moisture--which brings with it some of the acid from the grass. I was convinced I was on the right track! Dr. Chang and I met roughly once every ten days. He would perform acupuncture on me and while I was "on the bench" he'd mix an herbal formula that, I later found out, changed each time and was designed to cleanse a different organ in my body (liver, kidneys, spleen, intestines, etc.). He also had me eat what essentially a vegan diet (which I stuck to but not religiously). Within a month and a half, I was completely itch free! For a year and a half.
I never experienced the itch as intensely as I did with those first incidences and the itch seems now to be confined solely to my arms and neck.....which is how a recent return to a dermatologist resulted in a diagnosis of bracchioradial pruritis...and a prescription for gabapentin. No one wants to even consider my first session with this as being related to what's going on now, but it is the exact same sensation and nothing (not even gabapentin) short of ice provides any lasting relief. I have seen a chiropractor, hoping that over time repeated adjustments might prove BRP to be the culprit. Nothing has changed though. The other night while scratching at my right arm, I realized a couple things that I hadn't before. The itch I feel has two distinct sensations: a general, intense itchiness that covers an area of skin that varies in full size from a small spot to a large area; and a very specific spot that really feels more like someone is standing next to me with a tiny eyedropper full of acid. The skin in these areas are affected two ways, as well: areas that are "itchy all over" may look red and irritated, but that skin doesn't break or tear; specific spots that itch end up looking like a crater--literally like something has burned the follicle. I felt a spot-specific burn the other night and instead of gritting my teeth and growling at it while scratching, I took the time to examine that spot. What I found was what seemed like a pore that had a colorless scab on it....very small but definitely something with a different texture than the skin around it. Out of frustration (and curiosity), I pinched that hardened piece of skin to get rid of it.....and the burn....stopped. If you can figure any of this out......PLEASE TELL ME!!!!!!!!!!!
I have found that LIBERAL applications of Sarna (for sensitive skin) seems to help with the larger itchy areas. I will have to see if the tiny, pore sized irritations all develop a "scab" or not and whether removing that scab helps every time. I have a theory, but that's for another time.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!! I read all about this and this is ME !!! I thought maybe it was mosquitos, but in reading this article and pin pointing my symptoms and the on set. this is it. I was in my late 30's when i had an accident on a trampoline., My neck hurt for the next few years, went to the Doctor and found that I had a herniated disc between C5 and C6. Never thought much about it until reading this. Shortly after the accident I started having chronic itching , mostly when asleep. It was like I was bitten all over. It comes and goes. Now Im 50 and I seem to get it on my forarms, mostly on my left arm. Like fiberglass and when I scratch it goes away for 1 sec and comes back with a vengence. I would of NEVER put these two together at all. Thank you !!!
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