I have had the strangest symptoms for
about 6 months now, they haven't gotten
worse or better and I have no health
insurance so I cant go see a doctor. The
first symptom is the worst, I don't know
what causes it, but I randomly start
itching, it can last anywhere from an hour
to an entire day. It is the most intense
itch I have ever felt and scratching
doesn't make it go away. The itching also
seems to migrate across my body slowly, it
may start on my chest, work down to the
thighs, back up to my shoulder, then
further up to my scalp. Its maddening.
Sometimes the area that itches has lots of
very small bumps on my skin, almost like
goosebumps, other times the area is just a
bit red, and even other times the area
looks perfectly normal.
After the itching goes away, the other
symptom is that my thighs get random bb
sized purple spots, almost like bruises.
Some are larger than others, some are
grouped very tightly together, and the
bruising has been getting more severe as
time progresses.
I have quit smoking, I bathe thoroughly
twice a day, I have tried shaving all of
my the hair from my pelvic area, nothing
helps.
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rooted
Supporter
Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1685
Thanks: 64
Thanked:7
Posted: 09-29-08 06:57am
Even without medical insurance, you need
to see a dermatologist. I'd suggest that
you seek our free medical clinics or
sliding scale clinics, because the only
way to diagnose skin conditions is via a
visual exam of the affected areas.
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itchynscratchy
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Posts: 1
severe itching Posted: 10-01-08 15:24pm
More sympathitic, I could not be. I have
suffered from this affliction now for more
than 25 years. The purple spots are most
likely bruising caused by the frenetic
itching. The problem you will have when
being seen by a doctor is that there will
be no evidence of a skin disorder, just
the damage you are doing by scratching.
There is nothing over the counter that
will help with the itch, and most likely
moisturizers will just make it worse. It
isn't a dry skin problem,.
One thing that will help a little is to
get some aloe, (in a gel form is best),
and keep in in your freezer. The more you
scratch, the more sensitive your skin will
become, and the icy cold aloe will help
with that aspect, though will do almost
nothing for the itch.
This is one of the most frustrating things
because dermatologists will tell you to
use some colloidal oatmeal, or take some
benadryl. It is impossible to make them
understand how life altering this problem
is. I have gone weeks without a decent
nights sleep, or drugged myself
sufficiently to get a little sleep, only
to find myself dysfunctional the next day.
I have gone so far as to use sandpaper on
the itching, and then once it started to
bleed, (my skin bleeds almost constatntly
because of all the scratching), i poured
gasoline on it. The sting and pain it
caused was preferable to the itch.
I don't recommend this howvever.
Two things I have found give some relief.
First, ice, or ice packs. If you cover
the itchy areas with ice packs, (the
flexible ones are best), it will generally
settle the itch down long enough to get a
couple of hours sleep at nightl. I have
started to keep a cooler packed with these
next to my bed, so that when the
effectiveness of one wears off, i just
grab another. Yes, it's cold, but it's
better than itching. I also have a
swimimng pool in my backyard, and when
it's cold like it is now, I find that
taking a swim before bed helps also. I
use ace bandages to hold the ice packs in
place while I sleep.
Second, I found a doctor that diagnosed
the problem as neuropathic, which would
explain why there is generally no real
rash or visible defect on the skin itself.
He prescirbed neurontin for it, which I
take every day. At first its a bit of a
knockout punch, but I have found over the
years that with the medication, the bouts
are less frequent, and a little more
controlable.
sorry for the long answer, and I wish I
had an easy answer for you. I hope for
your sake it's temporary, and just goes
away.
Good luck
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ylansing
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 1
Itchy skin Posted: 10-12-08 16:12pm
For the past 5 years, I have suffered from
this itchy skin after exposure to
water--hot, cold, salt, pool--any water.
But, it also itches other times as well.
I do not have dry skin and there are no
rashes associated with it. I have tried
all kinds of lotions, changed soaps,
detergents, taken several different
medications to no avail. It is a
miserable condition that usually goes away
after an hour or so, but will leave me
with terrible bruises from the scratching.
No matter how hard I try to remain calm,
it makes me very anxious. I ven took an
anti-anxiety drug but that did not stop
the itching. Any ideas? Oh, and I've had
all the blood work to rule out kidney and
liver issues.