Question for those with persistant hives / itching

[Rajah]

Has anyone else ever scratched themsleves so much and so hard that the next morning you're bruised?

What are your secrets to break the cycle? I've already been to several doctors and am wondering if there's another to try I haven't tried yet (I've done dermatologist, allergist, GP, and endocrinologist and no luck from any of them). My legs have been driving me crazy again, and this morning I've got hand-sized bruises and red splotches from all the itching.

The only thing that even offers temporary relief is baking soda and occasionally a lotion with menthol will help for a few minutes.

 

[Christine]

Rajah,
Have you determined if it is a dry skin issue or is it systemic.

There was a woman on another board I frequent that had horrible itching like you describe. She finally went to a dermatologist and he ran all sorts of blood work to make sure there was no systemic problem and then prescribed her Zyrtec and Prednisone to stop the cycle. Worked like a charm. Just wondering what you've tried and been tested for.

Besides all that, starting last summer, my shins were itching so bad that I was going insane. I was already using a good moisturizer twice a day but it did nothing. I finally bought some of the heavy Cetaphil cream in the green tub. That seems to work and I only get some mild itching here and there.

 

[LVSWL]

My son has itching on his legs, eczema, which was driving him crazy. His doctor prescribed a 2% hydrocordizone creme for the places to help them heal and stop the healing and vaseline petroleum jelly (just use it like a lotion) anywhere he is dry. It has worked like a charm. Good luck!

 

[minkydog]

I'm on my second bout of chronic urticaria--itching with no known cause. I had it a few years ago and took Allegra to control it. I would wake up in the bathroom scratching my back with a hairbrush. Like you,I saw several docs including an allergist who told me it would just go away some day. And it did.

This summer it came back. So I'm on the Allegra again. It's not quite as bad this time, but it's still annoying. I think i need a back scratcher right now

 

[Rajah]

It's a two-part thing, Christine. Part of it is dry skin. I think that's the biggest thing that's been bugging me the past few weeks, especially since it got colder. But I'm already using different extra-strength lotions the dr recommended and apparently my skin is so dry that just an hour after using it, it's dry and itchy again. :/

The other part is something systematic that they can't identify. It's not showing up in any bloodwork, but it's more than just topical allergies or dry skin too. Allergy meds just make the hives worse, believe it or not, and my **** doctors won't prescribe steriods. This is from 3 different doctors. Maybe it'd interfere with one of my other meds or something, I don't know. Sigh.

I've done those hydrocortizone creams, no luck there either.

 

[Rajah]

Part of my concern this morning is waking up to the red splotches and bruises, too. It's happened before when it gets bad, but it still concerns me. It's not *normal*.

 

[Christine]

It's a two-part thing, Christine. Part of it is dry skin. I think that's the biggest thing that's been bugging me the past few weeks, especially since it got colder. But I'm already using different extra-strength lotions the dr recommended and apparently my skin is so dry that just an hour after using it, it's dry and itchy again. :/

The other part is something systematic that they can't identify. It's not showing up in any bloodwork, but it's more than just topical allergies or dry skin too. Allergy meds just make the hives worse, believe it or not, and my **** doctors won't prescribe steriods. This is from 3 different doctors. Maybe it'd interfere with one of my other meds or something, I don't know. Sigh.

I've done those hydrocortizone creams, no luck there either.

Hmmmm....very perplexing. I wonder why they won't give you a short course of prednisone. I know that stuff can be lethal, but sometimes necessary.

 

[Christine]

Part of my concern this morning is waking up to the red splotches and bruises, too. It's happened before when it gets bad, but it still concerns me. It's not *normal*.

Are they actual bruises? And have you had your clotting time checked?

 

[asta]

I have had a lot of experience with persistant itching. In my case it is systemic and is caused by an excess of histamine in my system. Any antihistamine that is typically used to treat sinus problems works like a charm. I take either Zyrtec (prescription) or Claritin (over the counter) depending on which I have on hand. This type of itching is very intense and often is accompanied by welts (my doctor says that these really aren't hives but I think they look like hives). Since you can buy Claritin over the counter why not try it and see if it helps.

 

[TEENEE]

The only time I have had that problem it was due to stress after my grandmother died. I would wake up with welts all over my stomach from scratching in my sleep. I don't remember what the doctor prescribed but I can look when I get home if you would like.

 

[Minnie824]

I'm sorry I can't help OP, but this thread had me interested...my daughter has broken out in hives over 6 times in the last 6 months...most of the time (other than the last 2) she had strep, but the last 2, no strep, but throat was red....I wonder if it is something as one of you mentioned? We have an appt with the allergist next week to hopefully get some info.

 

[piphay]

I went through the same thing (less the dry skin issue). I went to allergists and they could not help me. I went to a new GP (actually an osteopathic doctor who is a GP) and she took blood and found out what I am allergic to. It is about 15 letters long, but she told me that it is airborne and gave me nasilnex (sp?) and clarinex. It works wonderfully. I have been itching for about 20 years. She changed my life. It's like someone constantly shaking you and then they finally stop.

 

[Rajah]

Ummmm.... they aren't painful, but they are discolored in that icky yellow of an old healing bruise. And there's red splotches on top of it and around it.

Ummmm.... not sure on the blood clotting thing, actually