[pooh3465]

Has anyone with diabetes ever had uncontrolable itching? I mean this is so bad in the middle of the night in a dead sleep i reach down and scratch my leg so hard it burns and of course wakes me right up. I am on the pump and my stomach is doing it too. I have many scars from past car accidents and infentigo when i was a child and all these seem to be reoccuring and they all itch so bad I can't stand it. My doctor told me to take attarax but it knocks me out. I don't think he is quite understanding how bad it is getting the old scars are now fresh sores. so has anyone ever had something like this happen to them. Or do you have any suggestions on what to do I am going in sane even my head itches, and no its not lice or body lice already checked that out first thing, seemslike the neices are always bringing that home from school.

[cheric]

I have recently noticed that I tend to itch a whole lot more than usual. I mainly have the problem with my elbows and legs. It's funny that you mention scratching yourself so much in your sleep that you wake up because of the burning. That actually happened to me last night! I looked at the back of my leg and I seemed to have clawed myself at some point in the night. It made the shower this morning less than comfortable! I am not sure if this has anything to do with my diabetes. It is something on my list of things to bring up to my doctor when I go next month that's for sure!

[Subby]

How is your control at the moment? What kind of BGs. I ask because I tend to get itchy skin when high. Apart from a general affect, I believe there is some connection between high glucose in the blood and exacerbating any skin conditions, although I'm afraid I don't have more info on that at hand.

[andypoo]

I swear, I have been having this problem ,too. I really think its winter itch,though. I also have static cling,lol. My pajamas cling to me,when I walk through the house and when I touch something it pops. My scalp is also very itchy,and no,it is not lice,eeeew! I do not have dandruff,either. I do have intensely dry skin,however,so I think its affecting my scalp.too. But, I've heard,and I don't know how true it is,but I heard that symptoms of having kidney problems cause extreme skin itching, has anyone ever heard this? As my kidneys are not 100%. I'm going to be having that checked soon,too. along with my diabetes.

[pooh3465]

I am not really sure what they are but I can bet they are in the 2 or 3 hundreds, I need to start checking I have to get to the doctor this month I think. but I am metformin when i remember to take it my sugars are so great I can't believe it, you would think that alone would make me remember but I have so much going on with family my brain doesn't work half the time.

[pooh3465]

I have never heard that and i pray its not the case but I'll tell ya what i just went and got my kit my sugars are 281 yuc.

[notme]

There seems to be a rash of scabies going around lately and it is something you should check out. Scabies is NOT a disease caused by uncleanliness.

Scabies causes small bumps a bit like a chicken pox bug and sometimes you can see small lines from the spot. Sometimes it is just a bump. Itching is intense and is usually more intense at night. It gets so bad, it can make sleep impossible. The areas that are most affected are warm spots on your body like armpits, elbows, knees, groin and waistband area. It can affect any place on your body though.

Scabies are microscopic and can't be seen without a microscope. A dermatologist can do a skin scrape and check for scabies, but usually the rash is telltale.

It is easily fixed with a cream that is put on your body for an 8 -14 hour period and then washed off. Clothes and linens need to be washed. Beds, carpets and couches should be vacuumed.

Please get checked out pooh. The people who are most susceptible are residents of dorms, nursing homes and school children. If this is the cause, don't feel like you have done something wrong. It is more common than most people know.

[dodo]

It happened to me when I was using Humulin and Humalog! My endo thought I was allergic but we were not able to have an appointment with the allergist. Anyway I switched to Novorapid and Novolog and my problem was solved!

So if you are able to I suggest you book an appointment with an allergist just to make sure you are not allergic to the insulin you are taking at the moment!

[Amelie]

Yes, I've been having really intense itching on my belly. It's covered in scratches from scratching myself during the night. I sometimes wake myself up scratching. There are no bumps or anything. But the skin has gotten loose from all the weight I've lost, and it's been since I've been losing weight that this has been happening, and it's been in the back of my mind that it's somehow related, although I'm not sure how logical that is.

By the way, my blood sugar is not high. I never have highs anymore.

[Mich]

I've noticed itching in two instances. One is when I am running high blood sugars and my peripheral neuropathy begins acting up. Insides of my lower legs are good spots for this. When sugar is normal, these areas are itchy because of nerve regrowth.

Also, dry skin can be a problem. We are prone to this, especially on our feet. A good hand creme will help this. Just a touch of cortisone creme rubbed into the area well witll solve the immediate problem. I use about 1/2 inch of cortisone out of the tube and rub it in with the hand creme.

As for allergies, I've had something like them for years. I had an evaluation by one of the top allergists in northern California. Lots of little skin tests (about a hundred) on my back. All results came back negativefor molds, pollens, danders as I sat there sneezing in his office with my ears plugged and eyes watering.

He said that Hay Fever was the only diagnosis he could offer me, but that he too saw there must be more to the situation. He said there was still more to learn about the original auto-immune response that causes type 1 diabetes.

So, maybe someday we'll understand how the whole thing fits together. Not much help now though, is it? I use generic Zirtec for relief of sinus problems when they flare.

Mich

[princesslinda]

Zyrtec may help with the itching as well, w/o the drowsiness of Benadryl or Atarax.

Aveeno has a good anti-itch lotion. Mixing it 1:1 with hydrocortisone cream is a good idea as well.

[Scarlett]

every opinion counts here...right? i believe that diet is key...there may be someting you're eating causing the immunities in your system to react...i used to have a lot of itching when i was first diagnosed...
now, after 35 years as a T1, i notice age more than anything else...and i'm still a baby!