Brachioradial Pruritus- Itching of the Arms! Here is my Story

[Cablegirl7300]

I started a new job nearly 10 Years ago, right after I started my new job with a Police Department, I started
itching on my forearms. I made Jokes that I was allergic to my co workers! This rocked on for a while, I started with my Family Dr. the Dr and Nurses just scratched their heads, gave me meds and sent me on my way! I still struggled for years with this, being I work in Law Enforcement, they like to joke with me about being on meth, cause I will scratch till my skin rips and leaves sores from itching. It has been a frustrating cycle as ppl tell me to stop scratching! That is like me telling them don't breathe! Its an itch like no other itch! I finally went to my allergist, he did allergy testing on me, took 8 tubes of blood and tested me for cancer and everything else under the sun! He gave me Zertec for Mornings and he gave me atarax at night, this helps some but I still wasnt happy with this! I went to a dermatologist and she diagnosed me with Brachioradial Pruritus and told me to more-less stay out of the sun as well, that I was allergic to the sun. I always go to the tanning bed starting in Feb-March to knock the white off of me! I had noticed that the tanning bed seemed to help it, then when I told my Dr that he said it was anti-fugal (rolling my eyes) I am like everyone else ice is the only thing that seems to help the itch (I guess cause it numbs it) but my life is so busy! I work 2 jobs, I'm a single mother to 3 kids! I don't always have time to grab some ice whenever this happens. Stress seems to play a factor in my itching too! When I am stressed or upset I notice I scratch more! Idk that I've ever had any neck damage, I did take a nasty fall down some iced over stairs in the winter of 2004 my symptoms started in 2007. I feel for anyone fighting this battle! Know you are not alone, I just wish there could be a cure for this insane diagnosis!! Any Input is welcome! If I can figure out how to post a pic I will do so! I would love to see pics of other ppls arms as well to see the comparisons.

[MammaG123]

Tanning!?  That will destroy your skin!  It seems like it works only because it temporarily dries it out.  In the long-term, you're doing the opposite of your doctor's advice.  You probably caught a fungus from a tanning bed.  Stay away from that junk!