ITCHING!!! This is TORTURE!

[rlg2182]

Okay, so for the last couple weeks, I've been itching all over. Not just on the balls of my feet (actually, those don't itch at all). My armpits, legs, elbows, wrists, groin, and even the back side of my legs toward my butt ITCH. I have an apt to see the doctor but it's not til the end of the week. My readings aren't great, but they're not horrible. The itching is there even if my sugars are normal, not just if they're high.

It's almost to the point where I can't even sleep. There are no visible but bites, etc, so I ruled out fleas, etc. Has this happened to anyone? If so, what did you do to help? Benedryl doesn't do anything at all. :(

[Daysee]

I had this problem for a year and they (the doctors) told me dry skin, nerves and stress. They finally checked my kidneys and that was the problem. I have lost a lot of kidney function because it took so long to find the problem. This may not be the case with you but it can't hurt to check.
Daysee

[rlg2182]

How did they find that it was the kidneys? It's not even mild itching, it's constant... to the point where sitting down & relaxing is near impossible.

[Daysee]

They did kidney function blood tests and a 24 hour urine test.
Daysee

[rlg2182]

Thanks for the replies daysee... if I may ask, what were the treatments that helped?

[Daysee]

I have been diabetic for about 30 years and have only had good control after I was on insulin. thats about 10 years ago. I was in the hospital with a devere case of gout when they found the problem and after they gave me cortisone for a douple of weeks I am better but the itching stopped in just a couple of days. It can't hurt to check it out
Daysee

[Alice]

I don't know what part of the country you live...but in the Chicago area there has been some kind of "mystery itch" that has sent people to emergency rooms all over the metro area. It has something to do with an oak tree insect that is biting...small, invisible irritations that are driving people crazy.

[rlg2182]

California for me. I live with my fiancee and she has no symptoms. Reading up on kidney disease finds me only having one symptom: itching. Everything else doesn't apply. I hope that's not what I have. I hate wating for doctors apts. :(

[owlyn]

While you are waiting for the doctor, try Gold Bond Medicated Powder. The stuff is amazing.

[whoami]

I'm sorry if this is an obvious question, but any chance you (or your significant other) picked up a new laundry detergent, fabric softener, shower gel, or soap?

[rlg2182]

I wish this were true. Both been using the same things, nothing has changed in our environment. Changed the sheets, washed everything just in case. She's not itching one bit.

[princesslinda]

Sometimes Claritin or Zyrtec is used to help with the itching. Try and keep cool and put cool compresses where the itching is the greatest. Gold Bond has a lotion that may help, and Aveeno has an oatmeal bath wash that might help.

You might want get an appt. to see a dermatologist. I work in a dermatology office and we do see some people who have chronic itching. You could get a steroid injection or dose pack that might help, though this may elevate your blood sugar.

Seems you've ruled out infestation of any kind, as your girlfriend is not exhibiting any symptoms.

[kgm0612]

Definately try the Gold Bond Lotion & Powder. They work great. You might also want to try taking a Benadryl..... this also stops the itching.


Karen

[shockme]

I don't know what part of the country you live...but in the Chicago area there has been some kind of "mystery itch" that has sent people to emergency rooms all over the metro area. It has something to do with an oak tree insect that is biting...small, invisible irritations that are driving people crazy.

do these bugs get in the house? i woke last week with 4 bites on my ankle. finally had to use hubby's steroid cream-the itch was unbearable i'd wake out of a sound sleep scratching! or would skeeters get under the covers?! trish

[peej07]

I also experinced this during a short bout of high potasium. It turned out that 2 of my meds weren't playing well together and made my kidneys go crazy.

[notme]

All of the places you are experiencing itching (from your first post) are warm places on your body. Get epsom salts and pour it in a cool bath and soak. Check and make sure you don't have a rash in any of the itchy spots. Lanicane cream is excellent for the itchies.

What medications are you taking? Anything new?

I am in CA also and have not heard of anything new out there that is causing itches.

[Alice]

I'm sure they can be carried indoors via clothing. Most people were getting them outdoors. My realtor set up a table at a food fair last weekend and came home with her neck swollen. They are saying to stay away from oak trees. You might try googling "Chicago, itch & bites"!!!

[VinceF]

Yes I had incredible itching a few years back, my GP misdiagnosed the problem (fungus)....I went to a dermotologist. The dermotoligist took one look at it and wrote a script for topical steroid gel. He said it was dermatitis. It was a very hot humid summer and that just agrivated the problem. I still have the tub of gel and whenever it comes back I just slather it on. I hadn't changed any products I used either...it just happened. I'd say if it hasn't stopped yet get yourself to a dermatologist.

[Richard157]

The following is a thread from another site involving the itchy topic at hand:

Has anyone had a Mystery Rash?? - Dear Janis Message Board (http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/dearjanis/vpost?id=2134962)

Richard

[SueM]

It could be a simple fungal/yeast infection (candida)due to flutuating blood sugars.

[dgrilli]

Dysbiosis I would Google this term and find the best probiotic. Some are not worth the money or even the time to take them.

[MBelt8402]

I'm sure you already thought about this, but have you had any changes in your meds. Even a name brand to a genaric. My pharmacy changed from one generic brand to another generic. The med was the same, but must have had a different coating or stabilizing agent in it or something, and I itched from head to toe for two weeks. I could not figure it out. I seemed so strange because nothing changed. Same soaps, same meds( or so I thought), same everything. Drove me nuts till we figured it out.