Endless itchy skin allover

[babybrown]

I've had skin itch problems for 5 years now & I've all but given up on finding solutions as it seems nobody can help me. I was in Malaysia for some years, which has a tropical climate & I used to get athlete's foot as a student all the time. I itch allover my body, but it varies. Worst, most annoying & most consistent is my feet that itch constantly, it just never stops, it even wakes me up at night! The skin on the rest of my body itches too, my torso, legs & scalp, though not as consistent as my feet but almost. Lately my face itches, on my upper lip & around my nose especially. The inside of my ears also itch & I constantly need to have an earbud handy to scratch inside my ears, sometimes only one, sometimes both. I've developed bald patches in my beard that also itch. I've spoken to my GP about it, he's given anti-fungal cream & medication to take, no luck. He's referred me to a dermatologist, who seemed to think it MAY be external factors, my shoes/clothes or such. I've used Lamisil & other creams with no relief. My mom tried to help, washed my feet, & afterwards her hands & face were itching. My suspicion is that it's a fungus, but my doctors are not so convinced. How can I establish what it is exactly first of all? What tests can I do to find out if indeed it is fungus or not? At least after a diagnosis, I can look at proper treatment. Any help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.

[babybrown]

Thanx for the advice, will go ahead with those tests.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms the possibility of fungal infections cannot be ruled out. To confirm the diagnosis, I suggest you to get a KOH examination of the skin scrapings and fungal culture done. Once diagnosis is confirmed, then topical and oral antifungals can be started.

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.