itchy arms = BRACHIORADIAL PRURITUS

[pruritus]

all itchy arm sufferers....please look into brachioradial pruritus.  My arms, and only my arms, have itched for 10 years.  no rashes, no psiorias, excema etc.  The creams, allergery pills..my list is extensive as to what I have tried but nothing worked. ---------------The only thing that helps are ice packs. -----------------------
Recently,I had an x-ray to check if I had any nerve impingement in my cervical spine - one of the possible causes but nothing showed so I continue to search for answers.  I did get confirmation of the brachioradial pruritus from a great dermatologist who has only seen 3 cases in his 15 years on the job.  He did a biopsy that he sent to UC Davis for confirmation.  The diagnosis was actually a relief as I have been told that it is so many other things.  
I hope this helps.  I will keep posting if I find anything helpful solutions.  

[kdj461]

This is the second site I've been on and after reading so many comments  from so many people realize what I have. Most doctors unfortunately misdiagnose or even worse ignore what you're telling them. Others assume you're crazy!! What's crazy is the itching!!! I  have bumps that I scratch til they bleed on both arms, my neck, my chest, and my back. The itching also occurs during the day but night time is horrible. I can't sleep because the itching reaches a level of actual pain!! I get a creepy sensation under my skin and I scratch til little tiny bumps almost like goosebumps pop up from under the skin. It feels like your skin is on fire and thousands of sharp pins are being stabbed into your skin!!  Nothing stops it.  But even before I found this site I realized ice packs work best for relieving the itch.  I wrap them in a cloth otherwise the intense cold also hurts. I've been dealing with this for about 10 years and it's a relief to finally know there's actually a medical term for it. Now if there was a cure that would be great!!!!

[LeslieAZ]

Hi, am amazed that I am not the only one.  After all these years, I have finally found an answer.  BPD.  Made a post, but being new here, not sure I put it in the right place.  Can I repost on this list?  Thanks for all the info....
LeslieAZ

[KimCostanzo]

i will give the answer/ conclusion first then explain how I got the answer.  You must stop eating meat, poultry or pork that is not hormone/antibiotic free.  Secondly, although this is the hardest part, you must balance your hormones with bioidental hormones (not pharmaceutical crap).

How I came to find the answer is complicated but bear with me.  Years ago, I was taking bioidentical hormones after going to a doctor who was versed in this. I felt ABSOLUTELY wonderful. ALL of my menopausal symptoms disappeared.  After a couple years I stopped over insurance problems.  Very slowly the problems came back. One new problem emerged. I had this incessant itching on my right forearm.  After realizing it wasn't insect bites I remembered that when Suzanne Somers was first balancing her hormones she had the same incessant itch on her leg.  I went back on the hormones and the itch disappeared.

Now in the last year I reached sixty years old and knew my dosage needed to be increased. So the doctor checked my blood levels and concurred. He put me on a lower dose, but said to take it twice a day. However, I kept forgetting the second pill. So that gave me less hormones than I was taking before.  So I made a point of taking it then as well.  The itch subsided but I still had times of extreme itching. So then I tried eliminating meat from the supermarket. Each day it diminished more and more. Then i reintroduced meat.  It came back.  After a week of no meat, i am itch free.  I ate Perdues chicken last two days which is hormone and steroid free and no itch.   The itch was torturing me and now I sm feeling great.  So my sisters, the answer is clear. Eat only organic, filter your water even though hormones cannot be filtered out and see if this works for you.   Let me know.

[Flyingthefriendlyskies]

Wow... Just stumbled on this after searching for answers for years! I have been to more doctors than I can count and have never been taken seriously.  The doctor would prescribe a pill or a cream and send me on my way.  I haven't read many of the comments but I read enough to know that I am not alone! Like many of you, the ONLY thing that offers relief is an ice pack.

Can't wait to read the comments!

[ElaineSydney]

I have been suffering from this for years and did not realise how many others do too.  Is there an association or club for sufferers?
Elaine

[fiberglassforearms]

I too suffer with this horrible itchy, burning, stinging pain in both of my arms. it started about 6 years ago. At that time it seemed that the sun or heat would trigger it. It comes and goes at random now. Winter, summer, whenever it wants to rear it's ugly head. As of recent I can't get much relief either.  I also discovered the ice /ice pack treatment. I find that the colder you can stand works the best.    Sometimes it will take the pain and sting away but not always.
I finally scheduled an appt. with a dermatologist. My appt. isn't for another 2 wks. After reading all your comments I wonder if she will be able to help me.
My symptoms are usually worse at night. It will wake me up often (that is if I've ever fallen asleep from the pain) All i know to do is get fresh ice in my baggies and apply it to my arms again.

Lately I've noticed a mild itching and tingling on my scalp. I fear this may be it also. Does anyone have theses symptoms anywhere other than your arms?
Thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions. I have been telling my family and friends that it is so bad that I feel like I am going crazy!

Thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions on how to get some relief.