itching arm

[Tannin]

About two weeks ago, my right arm started itching.  I have had this flare up in the past and it usually affects one arm or the other but never at the same time and the itching seems to be in one area of my arm anywhere from my upper arm to my wrist.  I did go to the dr. and he prescribed Zyrtec and told me to use Benedryl cream.  I have been taking the Zyrtec and using the cream, but it is not helping at all.  My arm is itching pretty much all day, but it seems to get worse at night when I go to bed which is now causing me to lose sleep.  I have been feeling stressed for the last six to eight months and I'm pretty sure the itching is due to that, but why did it just come on out of the blue and what can I do to make it go away.  

[CatsPJamas]

I had the same itching problem with my right arm a few years ago when I was going through a divorce after a 32 year marriage. I thought I was losing my mind. I caught myself scratching my arm with anything I could find to relieve it but it only made it worse. I scratched til my arm had sores and bled.  I went to a dermatologist who found nothing wrong, told me it was probably stress, gave me creams, and told me to use benadryl. Then it suddenly went away. I chalked it up to stress. Now seven years later it is back in full. Itching so badly, mainly at night, that I can't sleep. I feel like folks don't believe me. I try not to scratch but it is unbearable and the more I scratch the more it itches. I get the bumps too. Mine is from my wrist to my elbow on my right arm. I too am wondering if it has anything to do with nerves. My sister has Shingles and tells me that it affects her nerve endings. I plan to check back here to see if anyone else has any "cures".

[rita_zac]

i have the same severe itching on my arms as these other people on this forum.  can high prolactin levels cause such an itch

[snickers501]

I too have the itching of my arms and found that summitting the body part in real hot water will give some relief, thank God.

[crazygirl87]

I have been going crazy with arm and back of neck itch, especially at night...The constant itching causes me to feel anxious....I instinctively feel that it is related to the immune system....Do I see an allergist or a dermatologist?

[Marjie777]

I can't believe so many have what I have. Mine starts at my right shoulder and goes down arm with two very sensitive areas. It pinches and burns and itches like crazy. Nightime it gets severe.  I find relief by putting icepacks over it.  That really calms it down, but I would like to know what it is.  Marjie777

[gabmacc]

I put up a blog. A doctor answered me, but unfortunately NOT to my question.
I have this itch on my left arm. It gets worse at night and when I scratch. An ice pack seems to help. Then it goes away for months and I think,,,, well, thank goodness. BUT it comes back without warning. There are no bumps or anything. Not even redness. Just VERY itchy skin.