Itchy all over - no rash

[angryt]

For the last 4 weeks have been insanely itching all over. Its worse at night, but it gets so bad I keep waking up because of the itching. I scratch myself raw, until I bleed when I'm asleep and during the day its almost as bad. Its awful, the doctor gave me antihistamines and cream, but its not helped. I have no rash, no dry skin and no history of skin problems. Also a couple of days ago a lump appeared just below my ear, but the doctor doesn't know whats going on and told me to wait for a few days. I'm getting desperate, I need a good nights sleep and its so irritating. Can anyone tell me what this might be?

[PuckUCD]

It may sound totally stupid and like an unqualified comment so take it for what it is worth ...

I react similarly when my bedding and clothes are washed in certain detergents.  The most notable is a four letter word for me T_DE.  Someone later explained to me that the residual water softener chemicals in the material would react with body perspiration during the night.  When it does, it feels like a million pin pricks or essentially like prickly heat.  The worse areas for me are on my legs because of full contact with the sheets, higher temperature under the covers, and a little night perspiration.

Again, unqualified comment but a simple detergent (Ch__r) with no extras or additives works best for me.

[angryt]

I don't think this could be eczema, there is no rash, no dryness, no redness, no swelling, nothing that characterizes eczema or dermatitus and if it was allergies the antihistamines would've allieviated it. Its just itching, all over my body, severe and without any signs of rash or dry skin. I also have a persistant migraine. I wish I knew what was going on, i need a good nights sleep, where I don't have to get up and have a cold shower just to get some relief.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It could be eczema, sweat dermatitis, allergic reactions or bug bites.

You need to wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. Wash all your clothes and linen etc in savlon, chlorhexidine solution and sun - dry them preferably.

Apply calamine lotion at the site of the lesions and see if it helps. You could take some oral antihistamine medications like cetrizine or loratadine. You need to maintain a good personal hygiene .

Anti-itch drugs, often antihistamine, may reduce the itch during a flare up of eczema, and the reduced scratching in turn reduces damage and irritation to the skin.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone or desonide), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Moisturizing is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of eczema. Keeping the affected area moistened can promote skin healing and relief of symptoms.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eczema

Let us know if you need any further information.

It would be advisable to consult a skin specialist for your symptoms and a proper clinical examination.

Let us know if you need any other information and post us on how you are doing.

Regards.