What causes this particular type of sunburn itch?

[Bizzarolibe]

So...I just graduated with a degree in environmental biology. I have a working knowledge of basic (I mean, VERy basic) animal (and human) physiology, but most of my courses were more "big picture" kinda things. Oh, and lots of stats.

Anyway, so 2 days ago I got this sunburn on my back. It's not horrible, but it is a healthy pink. Pretty painful. Now, I have this...condition. When I get a decent sunburn, I itch, but it's not the "normal" sunburn itch. It happens exactly 2 days after the initial sunburn. It is what I have come to know as "hell itch". I've found descriptions on numerous forums that describe this itch to a "T". It drives you insane. You become a madman/madwoman for about a day. You cannot scratch it. Any type of lotion/cream/ANYTHING causes it to itch more, ESPECIALLY the creams designed specifically for sunburn.

Now here's the deal: I'm not a sissy. I'm very outdoorsy. I can take some pain. But I can't take the "hell itch". I need to know: what causes it? I know that your body is getting rid of the dead skin cells and new skin is...blah blah blah, yeah I get that but that doesn't give me any specifics. What is the biological mechanism that drives this itching? My thinking is, if I know what causes it (specifically), I'll better know how to treat it.

For example, if it's a histamine response to the dead skin cells/debris that are still present in the skin, I would think a strong anti-histamine (prescription strength hydroxyzine perhaps? I mention this specifically because I have a small stash of it from an old prescription) would help. I also know dry skin is a leading cause of itching, but as I mentioned before lotions/skin moisturizers seem to make it unbearably worse. Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated. And remember: this is NOT the normal sunburn itch.

[harley3920]

Hydroxyzine worked for me. I tried the peppermint oil, which worked for a brief time but stunk up the entire floor of the hotel. And with that I used Solarcaine spray.  Both worked for a bit, but the Hydroxyzine worked way better. I'm not one for meds, but the alternative is insane! To the person whom recommended it, THANK YOU!!!!!  I've been through pain in my life but this takes the cake. I was on a tour of the USS Missouri in Pear Harbor when it hit its worst, or what I thought was the worst. I had to leave my family to continue the tour. By the time I got to the hotel I thought I was going to die. Hell's Itch is the worst crap I've ever had to deal with.

[Jwyman127]

I too am going thru the hell itch. I am a fair-skinned redhead and have home thru this several times throughout my 38 years. It does start exactly 48 hrs after initial burn. Actually, knowing the itch is coming before it arrives is as psychologically devastating as the itch itself. I've found that if I stay on Benadryl throughout the it h it's not as bad. I also drink and try to limit showers, cold or warm. Aloe helped me a bit to, and MOST IMPORTANT, DO NOT SCRATCH, the it h will come back 20 times worse. God bless all who experience this.

[moose40]

Mine just started and the wife is on the way to walgreens for peppermint oil. I have been rocking in a chair non-stop to calm my itch

[jrich1985]

So yesterday was my second day having a sun burn and this itch started I tried all remedies mentioned with no success until I broke down went to the er everyone looked as if I was crazy and granted I probly looked like I was but I asked the doctor specifically for atarax and after saying he didn't think it would work and some convincing to try aloe over the counter remedy (which I tried already and made it worst) he gave in and gave it to me I took the pill and with in 15 min it started to reside and within 30 I was sleeping (best sleep I've got since the initial burn) now upon waking up I noticed itch was gone but being what it was I filled prescription he gave me pharmacy gave me hydroxyzine thank god I filled it I got to work (2nd shift) and it started back. About an hour ago I took the pill and hell itch has quit there is still the normal sunburn pain and itching but the unbearable pain that fills like someone shooting your sun burn with full auto air soft gun has subsided thanks for advice and for anyone going through this save yourself go see a doc

[MikeKing]

I just had the same experience. I used factor 30 sun screen, long sleeved tshirt, hat, long trews... forgot about my neck. I was at an air show, and most of the time i had to keep returnign to the hanger for shade. However i still got minor sunburn, through the sun block, around my neck. the next day, very little pain, as expected, skin sort of sore. About 2 hours ago i tried to go to bed. I dont know what caused it, possibly the bedding against my skin, but the hell itch just exploded.

Slowly at first, i just thought it was irritation. So i got up, and within seconds it was unbearable.  Fortunately your neck is a very small area of skin... even so... it got to the point of me crying aloud out of pain and frustration with it. I usually have a high pain tolerance. I can go paintballing, come back covered in bruises and be fine... This was worse. I would rather be shot by a paint ball gun... several in fact...

out of desperation i set my shower to cool, and had it running over my shoulders, this seemed to relive enough for me to think strait. Prior to this i was punching my mattress very hard going mad. Another thing that helped (for me) was applying pressure to the area. I covered my neck with my hands and pressed. This deadened the itch for a short while... then i had to release, and try it again. Cold flannel did nothing. But ice cube did. I grabbed 2 cubes, one at each side of neck...

The ice allowed me to transition from a madman, screaming and flailing, into someone who just rocked and panted. But yes, as it said above, as soon as the cool wares off, the itch returns.. but for me, not as bad.

Unfortunately i'm on my own (my partner has gone to see her family) and its half 1 in the morning. So apart from what i have in the flat, i cant get anything.

Its subsided now, after about 2 hours... it may return... I am just grateful that ti is a small area. Though if it does come back, getting Hyroxyzine maybe difficult. I am in the UK, and the only way i can think of getting it, other than flailing and yelling in the back of a Taxi, is calling an ambulance, kinda feel overkill for sunburn... but damn, may have no choice

[robbo78]

Use Piriton allergy relief tablets or any other brand antihistamines.