burning itch below skin on forearm

[subcan]

I read the following post in this forum.  This is exactly the type of itch I get.  It is not always present.  I have actually gone for about two months with no itching at all.  Now I am awake at 4:30am with such intense burning itch just under my skin.  I cannot itch it better, but this is what my skin screams for.  I feel like I could take a knife and cut off the top of my skin so that I can get to the actual itch.  
I wonder if it is stress related in any way.  I don't have any "known" stresses at this moment, but maybe there is something.  It has been about one hour now and the burning is subsiding a bit.  
Any help on this would be great.

by peepot, Jan 23, 2004 12:00AM
help!!!  FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD AN ITCHY RASH ON MY FOREARMS. ONLY ON FOREARMS.  IT BEGINS AS AN INTENSE STINGING AND BURNING ITCH ALMOST AS IF SOMETHING IS DEEP DOWN UNDER SKIN AND IS EATING OR STINGING ME.  IT JUMPS BACK AND FORTH FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ARM OFF AND ON.  NO CREAMS OR OINTMENTS RELIEVE ITCH. THE ONLY THING THAT ARRESTS THE ITCH IS AN ICE PACK.  THE ITCH IS ALMOST ALWAYS WORSE LATE IN THE DAY AND AT NIGHT. I WORK FOR A PHYSICIAN AND SOMETIMES (no joke) A DIFFICULT PATIENT  OR STRESSFULL SITUATION WILL START THE BURNING ITCH. I HAVE A SCABBY FOREARM RIGHT NOW FROM SCRATCHING SEVERELY 2 DAYS AGO DURING THE EXAMINATION OF A VERY DIFFICULT PATIENT.  I HAVE BEEN TO A DERMATOLOGIST AND TRIED VARIOUS OINTMENTS AND CREAMS.  IS THIS A FORM OF ECZEMA OR SOMETHING PSYCHOLOGICAL?? i NEED HELP, I AM SCARRING UP MY FOREARMS.  PLEASE SOMEONE RESPOND.



This discussion is related to Burning and painful skin.

[Andy_Davie]

Patients with brachioradial pruritus need time, sympathy, and understanding. They appreciate being told that they have a defined entity and that treatment options are available. Ice packs are helpful for immediate symptomatic relief, and other treatments can be tried in an outpatient setting. Frequent follow-up is often helpful emotionally for patients. Most cases remit in weeks to months.

Cervical nerve blocks have been reported to be unhelpful,[7] but cervical spine manipulation is effective in some patients.[1, 23] Cutaneous field stimulation has also been used. In one study, patients receiving 20 minutes of this treatment to affected areas once daily reported significant symptomatic improvement after 5 weeks.[33]

Acupuncture may be helpful for symptomatic relief. Stellon[34] performed a retrospective case series of 16 patients with brachioradial pruritus using deep intramuscular stimulation acupuncture to the paravertebral muscles in the dermatomal segments of the body affected by the pruritus. Treatment was also given to other segments of the body not affected by the pruritus if paravertebral spasm and tenderness was detected. After a median of 4 treatments, 12 of 16 patients reported complete resolution of symptoms and 4 patients reported partial resolution. Relapse occurred in 6 patients within 1-12 months of cessation of acupuncture.

One report describes dramatic improvement after injections with botulinum toxin A (100 IU/3 mL saline) in a 59-year-old white woman with longstanding brachioradial pruritus.[35] This patient received 4 series of injections and experienced significant improvement for 6 months following each series of injections. The authors point out that acetylcholine has been shown to be a mediator of itch in patients with atopic dermatitis, and they suggest that reduction in acetylcholine release mediated by botulinum toxin A may explain its helpfulness in the setting of brachioradial pruritus. They also postulate that botulinum toxin A may reduce histamine-mediated itch.

A compounded mixture of amitriptyline hydrochloride 1.0%, ketamine hydrochloride 0.5%, and Vanicream applied 2-3 times daily was reported to provide complete relief to an adult patient with a 5-year history of brachioradial pruritus unresponsive to conventional treatments.[36]

Aprepitant, a neurokinin-1 receptor inhibitor, led to symptomatic improvement in a patient with a 6-year history of bilateral brachioradial pruritus refractory to conventional treatments.[37]

[rolerud]

Exactly the same itch I have. Only on my arms and only upper arm or lower arm, never at the same time. I have always used ice but sometimes I would even end up with blisters.I found a pain pen called Flex 24. This really works for me. It is for sale online for about $9.00.

[rolerud]

I have had this itch also. It is like having a thousand fire ants under my skin.
I found something that does work for me. It is call Flex 24 pain pen. I rub it on and it takes the itching away. Not sure if it will work for everyone but it for sale online for about $9.00.

[Rondajo27]

This has been happening to me a few years ago I had this and it was the summer, that fall it went away and I didn't have it for years and now it's back. I think it's stress,  my Dad  has been in poor health and needed more this past year. He just recently passed and the itch has returned to both arms.  Thank you all for you insight . I am glad they leave these post  up they are very helpful.

[Rondajo27]

Not sure why the comment put numbers lol

[Maverickthegoldenretriever]

I'm in my mid 50's and just over the last couple of years started to develop the same symptom. My dermatologist recommended Capzasin HD, (an arthritis cream with cayene pepper) as well, and it does seem to do the trick, but only temporarily. Just don't rub your eyes, or let your dog lick your arms - he'll start gacking. Sometimes I wonder if the cream will be harmful to my skin as well - It's powerful stuff.

[ray_ban]

4% "Lidocaine Plus" works for me.  I'm thinking there is some herpes thing going on in there somewhere.  I just treat the symptoms but may take Valtrex next time I feel an episode coming on.

[shellyseats]

That is my story exactly! I have sores on my forearms from digging. I use everything I can to scratch with to try to get relief. I'm so stunned to see that this many people have this. Wow! I can feel bumps under the skin it seems but I can't see.any. there may be some merit to the herpes zoster theory. The day after it happened I have developed sores in my nose and one on my face. I sis not relate the two until now. Thank you for sharing

[John899]

http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/FastFacts/pdfs/monkeypox_F.pdf

They do not tell you the rash burns your skin like a knife.

[John899]

I had a friend that had an affair with a girl that had rashes on her back like sandpaper he said but he did not know it until he touched her back after in the act. Later he developed this same rash on his back and it itched he said but when he itched it the itching felt like knives cutting under his skin. He said literally that it felt like he was slicing his skin off his body as he itched it was so painful. Later, he found out that a condition called "Monkey Pox" was the culprit and was spread by sex and thus it is an STD. Look it up and find someone to verify it if they ever had monkey pox.

[GeorgieGyrl]

Thank you so much for this post.  It at least gave me answers as to what this could be.  

[nonameleft]

Thankyou  I will try this cream

[rolerud]

I have had the same exact thing. The only thing that would help is ice. I have found something that works. It is a pain pen call flex24. I feel even a little twinge and I put that on and it goes away. It goes on as a liquid. I strongly recomment trying it. You can get it online for $9.99.

[bigf7777]

i work in a tile company in glasgow and my arms itch and are burning all the time it might be the chemicals as you say

[iqrasonal]

On my left wrist, i have skin coloured spots that itch so badd! it only happens when im in bed eating sweet items.

this is the second time its happened. Last time i ate nutella and the spots appeared on my left wrist and burned so bad and it was so itchy !

what is this

[Faithjoypeace]

I  sure hope this helps someone, I  had this stinging itching down to my nerves it is torture.
I went to dermatologist several times,  and even had a biopsy, they nothing found

One thing worked to stop the itch fast was Aquaphor  simple  Over the counter Aquaphor, God bless the person who created this because it works. I also took sea salt baths to calm the itching down this seemed to help
,
I'm not a Band-Aid solution person so know there must be cause. I have read that heavy metals, even from dental filling can cause itching, or candida , black mold exposure,  even hormones can cause it  I'm a vegetarian eat all organic food, but I stopped all wheat and sweets too.

I did tons of research. and read something about Vitamin C  being helpful . I started taking high doses of Vitamin C everyday and that seem to stop the itching completely in 3 to 4 days it was gone!!!! NO MORE ITCHING! I was so happy it was amazing! To be on the safe side  I just keep taking high doses of vitamin C daily for a three weeks . I decided to  take probiotics as well just to keep the good flora balanced.  I also did a liver cleanse since the liver is the detoxifier of the body and you need clean it out to give it some help and I started taking selenium and my  ND gave me Intrinsa to take for month . NO MORE ITCHING

[Hot_Springs_man]

I also learned to burn the arms with hot peppers and pepper creams.
The soldering iron works better, I am just trying to spread the word.

[Hot_Springs_man]

My siblings and I have had itchy spot since our twenties. Dad had it also. At different times of the year we will all get 1-5 spots either below or above the area of our arms near our elbows. We live hours away and will report an itch attach at the same time on the same arm! This sounds as if the problem is airborne. Also as many of you have stated, it is worse at night. We will scratch until we bleed. I describe that itch as a twisted fine piece of metal being twisted under my skin that demands scratching. Doctors seem worthless in helping,I did the icepack and creams with limited success. For the past three years I have been using my soldering iron to stop those itchy attacks. I will allow the area to itch until the hives are clearly visible then apply the hot soldering iron to each spot. There is no pain when it hits the flesh, but there is instant relief from the itch. Those spots will not itch again, but as you know, those spots move up and down both arms.
Hope this helps someone else out there.

[catt49]

I found using Raw apple cider vinegar works, I soak gauze pads in it and then place them on my forearm and then wrap it with a wrap. It stung like all get out at first from all the scratching I had been doing but the soothing relief started right away.

[sunitch]

I also have had this for the past 15 or more years from August thru November.  I live in Maryland, and have my entire life. I use Aveeno 24 hour relief lotion or the eczema lotion with ice and that seems to settle my skin...until it gets irritated again. I have also used partial package of aveeno oatmeal in cool shower (wet to make paste coat area of arms and shoulders, let it sit  five or ten minutes and rinse with cool water) I have also searched some journals on Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury and they are studying whether excessive sun exposure has damaged nerve endings, causing the itch, pain/ discomfort.  Nothing has been scientifically determined...but I would bring this up to your derm doctors, they should be up to date on medical journal findings.

[bonnie_scotland]

I have read the comments on this site and just had to join in! I also suffer from this itchy arm issue (elbow to wrist).  
Someone described it like a load of red ants biting - I can def relate to that!
It gets really bad late evening and bedtime when I have been driven nuts by the itch and had to get up to apply various creams/potions!
This problem has affected both my arms, but my right forearm seems to be worse affected. I actually have 4 - 5 spots which bled after scratching.

Thing is, this started quite recently (within 3 to 4 months). Due to this, I am pretty much aware of the changes or issues in my life. So fingers crossed  this will help other folks. In no particular order:
a) I stopped smoking cigarettes (yay!). I presently use a vaporiser, low nicotine. 4 months stopped.
b) I started HRT (hormone replacement treatment) in tablet form, daily.
c) I used a sun-bed (24 minutes over a 6 week period). Don't normally do sunbeds
d) I eat mixed grain bread and white bread - more recently, multi/mixed grain
e) I have major stress / anxiety / upset in my life. My 22 year old daughter has turned against me and stopped me from seeing my 2 grandchildren. This has been like a bereavement to me. I am not myself at all at the moment!
There you have it - my potential causes.
I have tried Witch Hazel and TCP  - both separately and together!!
I have also used egg white, chilled in the fridge. Applied with cotton pads or tissue. This can only be kept/used for 3 days.
All seem to help temporarily. If itchy arm persists, doctor next. Will let you know the result.

[Debbie2852]

My arms have itched for one year and finally went to dermatologist and after 2 weeks the itching is GONE. Here is what she did

1.  Gave me a prescription for a steroid called MGP Clobetasol Propionate Topical Solution USP 0.05%     Use this on affected areas once in morning and once at night for TWO weeks only, not longer

2.  Follow up with heavy application of CeraVe cream and then cover creamed area with Aquaphor (got at WalMart) or vasoline to keep moisture in

Can do both creams as many times as you like, I did it at least 3-4 times for the first week

3.  Took 1 Benadryl 25 mg (generic ok) each night for 4 weeks

4.  Take one Zyrtek (generic Ok I have CVS allergy relief pill) every morning
For 4 weeks

I was taken off all pills except prescription pills this included vitamins, flaxseed, fish oil, sleep pills. Etc

Told to stay out of sun or wear shirt on arms.  It's been 2 weeks and my arms no longer itch   I know it was the steroid liquid that did the trick plus the heavy cream/vasoline application that I did 2-3 times a day

[Armburn2014]

Hi every one!
I too have all of the fallowing symptoms, From what I have found on the internet, we may be all suffering from  Varicella Zoster Virus. The Virus in some cases attacks parts of are nervous system, causing us to react this way to our arms. You can read more here in this link http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/varicella.html
sorry I couldn't figure out the hyperlink.

I'm going to talk to my doctor about this and see if i can get vaccinated for it (CHICKEN POX). When i fond out what the verdict is and the outcome from it I will defiantly tell all of you.

[DrBarbnot]

If it is related to Herpes it WILL be helped by hi doses of lysine at the time of 1st feeling of itch. You can take a daialy does to fend off but some think you can get immune to it's helpful affects at outbreak doing that.

[RECraft]

Great Forum!!!  I just turned 56 this week and developed these exact symptoms that you guys are all talking about.  It started about 4 weeks ago.  I was working in my yard and hit a yellow-jacket bee hive under a pile of old leaves and I got stung a few times.  The worse reaction I had was from a sting on my right forearm.  My arm swelled up pretty bad making me look a bit like Popeye.  It took a couple of weeks for the swelling to go down, but ever since that time I have had this same "come and go" burning itch on that forearm.

I do not have a rash or bumps or anything like that, just that unbearable itch.  Mine also seems to get stirred up by things like "wind from a fan," or "working in the sun," but it seems to be the worse in the evening when I get into the bed.  So, before bed I take one Benedryl tablet and that seems to help.....and the ceiling fan that I usually sleep under HAS to be turned off.

I'm thankful for this forum for two reasons.  One, it was great to hear that so many other people are experiencing the exact same thing that I am, and I am not alone (although I hope you have all found ways to deal with it, and I would not wish this on anyone).  Also, you have given me some great remedy ideas to try, and probably saved me a lot of medical co-pays that would have been a waste of time and money.  For that, I thank you.

[Maranatha123]

I still don't know what my irritating, under the skin itch is either, but what works for me anytime during the day or night is to apply liquid witch hazel(bought in a plastic 12 oz. bottle in Dollar General) on a cotton ball and move the wet cotton ball all over the irritated skin. It gives a cooling effect to your skin similar to the ice packs yet no mess. It dries within a minute or so. Can take it with you wherever you go if necessary - just buy a small  bottle somewhere like  Dollar Tree and pour some witch hazel in it and carry a cotton ball with you when going somewhere. Witch hazel is an astringent which makes the irritation literally "suck up" as in poison ivy or poison oak(good applications for these, too. I use this in the summer when I get poison ivy. Cheap and works well) I have had this skin problem on my left forearm from my wrist up to my elbow for about 17 years now. If anyone has any other remedies that are permanent or come across the real cause of this problem, please do post it here.  Thanks and God bless.