I Itch!!!

Updated on August 23, 2007
D.N. asks from McKinney, TX
18 answers

What's the deal?? For the past week, I have been itching like crazy! It is mostly all over my arms, shoulders and neck. I don't have any noticible rash or bumps of any kind (at least not that I can see). My skin has always been a little dry but nothing chronic at all. I just seem to be constantly scratching and it is driving me crazy. I have no idea what to do. I put on some cortizone 10 cream and that helps a little but the itching keeps coming back. Any over the counter creams or lotions that really help?? What is wrong with me?

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R.H.

answers from Dallas on

I had this problem before, and I was not allergic to anything and it wasn't detergent. It was anxiety and I didn't even know it. Are you worried about anything subconsciously.

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M.W.

answers from Dallas on

Sounds systemic. Have you started any type of new meds, RX or OTC? If not, have you tried or switched a type of food or switched your soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, etc... Lastly, it could just be stress, I do that sometimes when I am stressed. If it doesn't stop then I would say make an appt. with your doctor. Good luck.
M.

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A.L.

answers from Dallas on

Have you recently opened a new thing of soap or laundry detergent, even maybe perfumes or lotions? Even if they are the same kind you have used before, sometimes companies change their formulas. I had this problem with a shampoo that I had used for a long time. I opened a newly purchased bottle, and my head started itching so bad that I looked for lice (there were none) and thought I was going crazy. My husband suggested that the formula may have been changed, and as soon as I switched shampoos, the itching was instantly gone.

Good Luck

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B.S.

answers from Dallas on

2 things that have happend in the last few weeks:
I heard on TV that there's a return of the Oak mites that causes unceasing itching.
My 86 yr old mother went through a hellish 2 weeks, took her to the doctor and he said it was an allergic reaction to an allery she has. Put her on a round of steroids. Seem to go away and then the next week afterwards it came back for a week. Take an oat meal bath if you can. Was always a remedy for poison ivy, chicken pox, etc. when I was growing up. Doesn't cure but makes you feel better.
Good luck!

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S.

answers from Dallas on

are you pregnant? during pregnancy, hormonal changes can make you itch. If that's not it, could be all kinds of things. Could be allergies as someone noted (detergent, etc.) could be bed bugs - hope not, because that's hard to get rid of. Try taking some benadryl and if that stops the itching then good chance it was allergy instead of eczema. do a google search on bed bugs to learn all about it. Anyone in your house recently stay at a hotel?

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

Are you pregnant?????? If you are, call your doctor. I had cholestasis of pregnancy and makes you itch like crazy. It's very serious.

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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

I have that on my legs and it is eczema (sp?). My dermotologist prescribed me a cream that works. I tried every over the counter cream and oatmeal bath and nothing seemed to work. I hope you are able to find relief. I know how miserable it can be.

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D.J.

answers from Dallas on

My mom had the same problem and found out that it's allergies. She was prescribed Zyrtec and it went away. You can get allergies later in life that you might not have had in the past.
Right now allergies are really bad. Try making an appt w/ your doctor.
I'm willing to bet it's allergies.
Good Luck!

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S.R.

answers from Dallas on

I had this happen to me before just like you described. I eventualy found out it was my laundry detergent. I had recently switched.

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K.

answers from Dallas on

could you have shingles?

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

Have your liver enzymes checked by your doctor.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

Have you changed your laundry detergent recently? Or perfume or body lotion? Are you on any new medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter? Have you changed your diet? If none of these questions sparks an answer, you may want to see a dermatologist.

Good luck!

M.
"My son eats all his veggies now. Even the green ones."
www.M..networkmarketingcentral.com

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S.M.

answers from Dallas on

Don't rule out basic dehydration! Tanking up on water couldn't hurt!

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G.A.

answers from Dallas on

It could be your laundry detergent. I changed then it quit then went back and itched again. So I know it was the detergent. G. W May try vinegar in the rinse cycle.

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D.L.

answers from Dallas on

might want to see a Dermatologist... could be dermatitis or ezcema... which i have both! so i understand! nothing contagious or really gross if it is under control... but i'd go see someone about it... if not... really might be just dry skin... and i beleive oil would help that rather than lotions... you'll have to put it on when you get out of the shower and your pores are open.

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D.K.

answers from Dallas on

Hi D., I live in Grapevine and I sometimes have the same problem. Ever since I moved here, there are a couple of times a year that I experience this. I, personally, think that they are putting extra chemicals in the city water supply, but I've called and they assure me they are not. I've also been told that the lake turns over twice a year, which is why our water sometimes smells like dirt.....hence, the reason I think they put extra chemicals in the water. This may all be a hoax, but something is definitely going on and I think it is related to the water. I find that rinsing off in cool water and then patting dry with a towel helps, and then I use Aveeno lotion with lidocaine. It helps best of all the things I've tried.

It could also be a new allergy that you've developed. I, for instance, am allergic to something in Tide and Wisk. If I bathe and dry off with a towel that's been washed in either, I will literally scratch my skin off.

Good luck.

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T.T.

answers from Dallas on

Hi D.!! I know exactly what you can do! Switch to all natural products...that'll help with the eczema (Sp?) to where eventually it should be gone! I represent a company that manufactures these types of products. All natural, no toxins, no harsh chemicals...they work great and they have everything you can think of. Shoot me an email and we can talk about it...I'll give you all the information and you can make a decision from there.

I look forward to hearing from you!

T.
____@____.com

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T.C.

answers from Dallas on

Unfortunately it could be bed bugs! I know you probably wouldn't want to hear that but... I think that's what we had and I was evidently able to clean well enough, we probably caught it early enough, that it went away.

If you sleep alone that might be the case. If you have a significant other its possible that they leave him alone and focus on you. His skin is probably tougher or something. I know it didn't effect my husband at all. I don't remember having a rash or anything either.

If you look up bed bugs online you can read all about them. There are also things you can do to avoid them. That's what we did... Pam on the bed posts. Soaked our sheets, vaccumed the mattress, every day bug spray around the room and under the bed. It all went away within the week.

There is also stuff online you can buy that treats it and gets rid of them. Its expensive but... You can't always see them either... But sometimes you can. You might look at your mattress very closely and see...

Good luck! Sorry to hear!! ~T.~

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