I started experiencing severe, random, localized itching 3 days ago, Friday. It started on my right hand and spread to my forearm, then later that day occurred on my left hand and wrist. It was rather sudden with no obvious cause. Later that night, it occurred on my chest and stomach. The next day, Saturday, it happened across my entire back and shoulders. At this point I bought some Calamine lotion and Benadryl. The lotion didn't help much but the Benadryl really did, except that it made me very drowsy and so I cannot take it during the day. My symptoms alleviated for the rest of the day and into Sunday, but the symptoms started back up again towards the end of Sunday. I was up all night Sunday night with severe itchiness all over my body, no longer localized, and this morning it had not stopped. I covered myself in an anti-itch lotion and headed off to work, where I sit now and am still extremely itchy.
My symptoms are: Constant, severe, random itchiness and welts that occur by themselves as well as after I scratch. The welts that appear by themselves look either like tiny bug bites or oddly shaped welts that look like colorless splotches. The welts that appear after I scratch look like scratch marks, only slightly swollen. I only experience redness if I scratch.
Some general answers to questions that may be asked: I have not changed soaps or lotions. I have not changed detergents. I have not changed my diet. The only allergies I have that I know of are reactions to bug bites and vitamin B-12, which I do not take. So far, I have experienced these symptoms on my scalp, under my chin, my neck, shoulders, arms, hands, chest, stomach, upper/middle/lower back, pelvic region, and legs.
I have no health insurance and cannot afford to see a doctor, so I'm desperate. I need this itching to stop as it is badly affecting my ability to concentrate at work and I am extremely uncomfortable all of the time! Can someone please help me?