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Cause of intense itching
My son is in college. He has been going through times of intense skin itching...esp. at nite. He says it feel like his skin is crawling. He has to scratch it and when he does it is like a burning sensation. He was checked out at the local health clinic on campus and they thought it could be scabies, so they gave him this pesticide cream to use. It helps for a few weeks, then it starts up again. The itching areas are mostly in the folds of his skin, in particular he has said in the nape of his neck, under his arm pits, behind his knees, between his fingers, on his chest bone, by his wrists and elbows and even on his toes and the bottom of his feet. He will take benadryl at nite, but even this doesn't help much. He has used this cream 3 times now and it keeps returning after a few weeks. There is NO visible rash. He says the skin is all marked up, but it is from his intense itching. I suggested that he moisturize his skin with unscented lotion. This does nothing for him. I'm not sure where to turn. I don't think he should keep using this pesticide, and wonder why this keeps coming back. He has also done the laundry thing and washed his clothes, and bedding with hot water. Would appreciate any help, comments regarding this!
Best Answer
My son went to an internist for his itching. There were no Dermatologist on staff. He wasn't sure what it was. He was unable to do a scraping. He put him on a 3 week regimin of Prednisone. Also some type of prescription benadryl (equivalent). He is better, but still occasionally get itching, but not as intense as before. If this comes back after the Prednisone is gone, he suggests going to an allergist. Thank you for the info. Just curious as to when you mention he may need oral treatment...what were you thinking of...Prednisone? or something else. I am really glad he is better, as I was really worried about his mental state, it was getting the best of him. Hope it doesn't come back. Thanks Again!
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From the areas which you have described, raises the possibility of scabies more. Scabies produces small red bumps and blisters and affects specific areas of the body. Scabies may involve the webs between the fingers, the wrists or other folds of body.
Diagnosis of scabies is made by scraping the skin and viewing the material under a microscope to see the characteristic mite or eggs. Moreover apart from the topical treatment, oral treatment may also be required.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.