Very Itchy Face, scalp itchy and back gets sweaty and iritated after a walk.

[kty]

This could be a medication problem.  I have had some rosacea, I think for awhile, but that is not my worst problem. I am a 54 year old woman.  My face feels awful!

I am driving my co-workers crazy and my supervisor has told me to try to stop scratching my face.  I have some OCD and am a bit on the autism spectrum so this is just adding to a problem I already have with not being able to settle down and concentrate on what I am supposed to.

I am on the following medication:

Effexor XR 300 MG
Adderal XR  40 MG
Buspirone 30 MG

These have been prescribed by my psychiatrist.  They are working pretty well.  I think Zoloft was better for the OCD but when I was depressed even after the top dose, I was depressed.

I also take .075 MG levothyroxine and pravachol.
This was prescribed by my family doctor.

The newest medication is Buspirone and my dose of levothyroxine has recently been raised. My family doctor hesitated a little bit before upping my dose of thyroid medicine as I was on the borderline. She was deliberating between the cholesteral medicine and the thyroid medicine and chose to up the thyroid medicine as I think she wants to make sure that my mood and energy aren't compromised because of being low on thyroid.

I have had excessive sweating and a little of the scratchy face before either of those last 2 changes, however, but now it is worse. My face feels raw and is a little blotchy and sometimes my nose really itches.

I walk every day during my lunch hour and when I come in, it doesn't really matter too much what the temperature is, I feel really grubby like I need a shower and my back feels sweaty and irritated and I am inclined to rub a place on my back where the skin is rough.

If this is a medication problem, which doctor do I approach first?  In a way I hate to say anything because finally, except for this problem, I am feeling better than I have for quite awhile and am concentrating pretty well except for the face thing.  Thanks for your assistance!   kty  

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You might have eczema, in which case hydrocortisone may help.  Please check this with a doctor.  Thanks.  Dr. Rockoff

[kty]

Thanks Dr. Rockoff,

I didn't make it clear enough that my whole face itches and there is one little rough spot that I rub, caused by OCD.  I will try the cream but if you look at this maybe you could give me another opinion, assuming that the itching is not caused by me rubbing it.  Thank you, kty  

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Your symptoms sound like those of OCD, not of rosacea or any other skin condition I know of.  These certainly are not the symptoms of rosacea.  Basically, you need to stop scratching your skin.  Medication plus will power are what's available.  I would recommend a bland moisturizer (Lubriderm, etc.)  No medicated creams are likely to do anything more than confuse the issue.  I'm glad you're aware of the OCD component and are seeking therapy for it.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff