Wellness

[LilacTree]

On 7/26/2014 spookyghost said:

On 7/14/2014 lovestoteach said:

liver disease causes itching as a symptom; so does CA, I believe... not to scare you, but since it may be an indication of something else, thought I'd mention these.

Yes please get it checked out. I too do not want to scare you but one of my moms best friend had chronic itching. It would not go away. And it may have had something to do with her kidneys or liver. I will ask my mom if she remembers what it was. Just keep in mind it may not be just dry skin or something like that. Seriously check in to it.

I am well aware of this and am seriously checking into it. I'm getting a battery of labwork done to rule out anything organic. My dermatologist appt. is Tuesday, 7/29.

I am not scared.

[bells4me]

I notice this when I use my electric blanket in winter. Especially my feet, it seems the heat dries them really bad. My skin just feels dry & tight.

[LilacTree]

Yesterday, the dermatologist took one mole for biopsy, otherwise she said my skin is free from any type of cancer. I have to wait two weeks now for the biopsy, which she thinks is going to be negative.

About the itching, she is attributing it to "senile purpura" (very dry old skin) pending the results of the lab work being done to rule out any organic diseases. I will be using Dove soap exclusively from now on and she told me to keep my showers very short and warm, not hot. She also said not to use any soap on my body except those intimate places. That surprised me very much. She said to get out of the shower and "pat down," then apply a prescription cream (I can't read the name). It is a topical steroid, then an OTC moisturizer "Vanicream" on top of the steroid. She said as the symptoms abate (hopefully), I can use less and less of the steroid, but she wants me to continue to use the Vanicream.

She recommends using "Tide Free," "Cheer Free," or "All Free and Clear" for laundering, and never to use any fabric softener or dryer sheets.

She's young and pretty, and very pregnant (which I did not bring up), and her exam was thorough. I have to go back in four weeks.

I am now waiting for my daughter to pick up the prescription, so I can start this process. I am still itching today.

[lolakimono]

Ford,

I mention this because I suffer myself. Do you happen to have a latex allergy? There are a lot of FOODS that will cause this cross reaction to show up as hives or rashes in skin.

http://latexallergyresources.org/cross-reactive-food

[LilacTree]

On 7/30/2014 lolakimono said:

Ford,

I mention this because I suffer myself. Do you happen to have a latex allergy? There are a lot of FOODS that will cause this cross reaction to show up as hives or rashes in skin.

http://latexallergyresources.org/cross-reactive-food

I don't know. She did not see any hives or rashes. I get red marks when I scratch, but they go away when I'm not scratching, and I try very hard not to scratch. I use latex gloves very rarely. And I haven't changed my diet in a very long time. The lab results should be interesting, but I haven't had the blood drawn yet because the lab is in the same building as where I am scheduled for an MRI on August 11, so I'd like to do both at the same time.

Sorry you are suffering with this also . . . I'd rather have pain.

[LilacTree]

On 7/15/2014 Feline Fine said:

$4-$6, four colors, kitty/doggie PAW (!) telescoping scratcher on Ebay & Amazon, JSS:

(P.S.: my previous post re: this was poofed)

Hiya JSS! My daughter bought me one of these, but it's too strong on bare skin. I have used it when I get really crazy, but only through a couple of layers of clothing.

[ChynnaBlue]

My itchiness is usually caused by allergies and an antihistamine takes care of them.

I'd go see a doctor. For anything chronic, I would always see a doctor.