PAINFUL ITCHY skin. S.O.S.

[brownbybirth]

Hello.  I have a problem with my skin.  When I was younger, it always itched after I bathed myself.  This led to poor hygiene.  I don't stink, i just don't bathe as often as i should.  I worked on the problem and it seemed to go away for a time, then it re-appeared.  Sometimes, bathing (shower/bath) is uneventful and then there are the REGULAR times when my body is engulfed in a painful itchFEST that doesn't stop or show signs of residing for about 20 mins after sitting COMPLETELY still after putting on clothing.  

Doctor, I can't MAKE  you know how uncomfortable and (sometimes) embarrassing this is.  Even if rain/water, any type of water touches my skin, that portion of my skin will react as if it were being ATTACKED with an allergen 99.99% of the time.  there is no surface reaction (rash, bumps), just an INTENSE and PAINFUL itch.

in the past, i've consulted with dermatologists who Rx lotions that fail to soothe the itching and i now have more lotion than Wal-Mart!

help, PLEASE...

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

It is very difficult to make a diagnosis without examination but some of the possibilities for your symptoms are aquagenic urticaria, dry skin (xerosis), psoriasis or dermatitis.Systemic diseases like like liver and kidney disorders,diabetes, iron deficiency anemia can also cause itchy skin.

Water urticaria, or aquagenic urticaria, is a rare condition in which hives develop within 1 to 15 minutes after contact with water. The hives last for 10 to 120 minutes and do not seem to be caused by histamine release like the other physical hives. Most investigators believe that this condition is actually exquisite skin sensitivity to additives in the water such as chlorine but distilled water can also cause this reaction.

It is diagnosed by applying tap water and distilled water to the skin and observing the reaction. Treatment of water urticaria includes epinephrine, antihistamines, or cortisone-like drugs. Itching can be controlled with cold packs or commercial topical agents that contain menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, aloe, antihistamines, or cortisone preparations.
ref:http://www.myonlinewellness.com/topic/physicallergy

I feel that an examination by a dermatologist is required to confirm a diagnosis.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Nathaniel_81]

Hello, i want you to know that im only 15 years old. and obviously not a docter , but it sounds like Aquagenic pruritus which is a skin disease that is usually evoked by the contact of water. i have seen many people talk about these types of things, so i recomend you go to your dermotologist and ask about it. i hear some people get on certain meds and iron to help BUT EVERONE IS DIFFERENT. so Consult your Dermotologist FIRST. i hoped i helped. please let me know if i did or not.

Sincerly
Nathaniel W