topic Re: Chronic itching in Wellness

Chronic itching

LilacTree — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:16:32 GMT

I have gone through several periods in my older life where I have had chronic itching, mostly on the trunk of my body. not so much my extremities. I believe it's from my heating pad, which I use a lot. I googled it today and indeed that could be the cause. I will have to sacrifice the relief from pain if it turns out to be the heating pad, which I will stop using for a while. The itching is far more debilitating than the pain.

I applied Gold Bond body lotion this morning and it does provide some relief.

Chronic itching is also a symptom of many other conditions, but I will start with the easiest first before I go running to the doctor.

Anyone else have this problem?

Re: Chronic itching

lolakimono — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:25:57 GMT

What is the outside coating on your heating pad? Do you have a barrier between that and your skin?

Re: Chronic itching

LilacTree — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:30:04 GMT

On 7/13/2014 lolakimono said:
What is the outside coating on your heating pad? Do you have a barrier between that and your skin?

It's a Sunbeam 100% polyester, quite thickly padded. It's the one QVC sells. I have always kept it on the lowest heat. The barrier is my nightshirt.

Re: Chronic itching

lolakimono — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:32:40 GMT

http://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/archive/summer2011_p22.shtml

Re: Chronic itching

LilacTree — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:47:02 GMT

Thank you for that very informative article, lolakimono. I sent it to my desktop as a shortcut so I could refer to it. I know itching can be caused by many things, both minor and serious. Thanks again.

Re: Chronic itching

Abby Grace — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:29:17 GMT

Hey Ford, I've read that some folks have skin rashes & itching associated with their RA. I haven't had any experience with those issues (knock on wood), but I thought I'd mention it. It might be worth a discussion with your RA doctor if you don't find a cause. Good luck in your search for relief!

Re: Chronic itching

Tissyanne — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:48:15 GMT

I have itching at different times. I use baby powder, and I take a Benadryl. It is miserable, no rash just intense itching. Long warm showers can dry you out, and cause itching.

Re: Chronic itching

LilacTree — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 00:22:32 GMT

On 7/13/2014 Abby Grace said:
Hey Ford, I've read that some folks have skin rashes & itching associated with their RA. I haven't had any experience with those issues (knock on wood), but I thought I'd mention it. It might be worth a discussion with your RA doctor if you don't find a cause. Good luck in your search for relief!

I thought about that and wouldn't be surprised, since it causes everything else! I kept it quiet for quite a while today and fell asleep. Now it's back again, and it's so hard not to scratch!

As I've said, I have had it before, and RA symptoms always come and go, so it makes sense. Thanks, Abby Grace . . . have a good evening.

Re: Chronic itching

happycat — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 00:43:32 GMT

I have had itching since the weather got warmer in the spring of this year. Many drs visits later, I was dx'd with 5ths disease. The rash I had at first is gone, (for now) but the itching is at times is so intense, I cannot help but scratch. I have a steroid cream to put on it, I am also taking dapsone, which is supposed to help when nothing else does, but my itching is still horrible at times and I am beginning to wonder if I am always gonna have this. I did take prednisone, and that helped, but the itching came back after I quit taking it. My dermatologist wants me to go to a rheumatologist, but I have to be referred, and it will be next week before I am given an appointment for who knows how long.

I truly feel for you, it sounds as if you have had your problem much longer than I have had mine.

Re: Chronic itching

Abrowneyegirl — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 01:07:13 GMT

Eucerin makes a Calming Lotion that was recommended my both my derm and allergist. Gold Bond was discouraged due to some of the ingredients not being beneficial to sensitive itchy skin.

Re: Chronic itching

Tissyanne — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 01:13:16 GMT

5ths disease should subside after a couple of weeks. It is in the measles family, and gives a lacy looking slapped cheek look. My son had this when he was 7.

Re: Chronic itching

Desertdi — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 01:30:19 GMT

Is it accompanied by a rash? L-lysine plus C might help.

Re: Chronic itching

happycat — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 02:24:05 GMT

On 7/13/2014 Tissyanne said: 5ths disease should subside after a couple of weeks. It is in the measles family, and gives a lacy looking slapped cheek look. My son had this when he was 7.

Apparently, it is different with different people. I never had the slapped cheek look. My chiropractors friend had it, and he said he was in bed for a whole week, he was so sick. I was never that sick. This has been going on now for almost 4 months.

My dermatologist said that it could be that I had 5ths, and it brought out something else and that is why she wants me to see a rheumatologist.

Re: Chronic itching

emmysmom — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 03:12:47 GMT

Ford, could you take some benadryl? Sometimes it stops the cycle! I'm so sorry, itching is awful! Is your skin really dry?? I keep alot of lotion on and it keeps the itchies away. I have to apply 2 times a day!

Re: Chronic itching

colliemom4 — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 03:18:56 GMT

My upper back is very dry and I use Aveeno lotion on it daily or it itches and burns. It started doing this about a year ago. It's very annoying but I guess it could be worse.

Re: Chronic itching

okiebug — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 04:35:27 GMT

Have you been checked for shingles?

Re: Chronic itching

hckynut — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 04:59:19 GMT

Could swear I put up a reply to this post because I remember exactly what I said, and for me that is a miracle. It also means my post was very, very short, which for me is miracle number 2.

Beats me why they would have "poofed" it, but I read it here right after I posted it. Hmmm!

Re: Chronic itching

Feline Fine — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 05:05:42 GMT

Have you used the heating pad 'moist' yet? Regular heat can be extra drying.

Body wash and body lotion with oatmeal really helps the dryness and itching. These are both fantastic, and always well-reviewed:

*St. Ives Body Wash with Oatmeal & Shea Butter

*St. Ives Naturally Soothing Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Lotion

HTH

Re: Chronic itching

Feline Fine — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 05:08:47 GMT

On 7/13/2014 hckynut said:
Could swear I put up a reply to this post because I remember exactly what I said, and for me that is a miracle. It also means my post was very, very short, which for me is miracle number 2.

Beats me why they would have "poofed" it, but I read it here right after I posted it. Hmmm!

Me too, Cat Daddy.

Re: Chronic itching

Pianomama — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 05:15:27 GMT

Lately I've had some bad itching and I got Calamine from Walmart today. So far it has helped. I wonder if itching can be brought about by stress.