Mumsnet Talk

I started itching a few years ago on my legs, mainly ankles, but when I scratch I cause red hard small lumps. It's especially worse in bed. GP said it was not bedbugs, which I had feared, but did not know what it was. It comes and goes, so I just grit my teeth and bear it. Tried all kinds of itching cream, sometimes they work and sometimes not.

Hints? Things... Stupid iPad!

I had terrible itching in pregnancy which carried on long after, if there is no physical cause (I.e liver or scabies etc) it could be stress-related? I got into a scratch-itch cycle that was really difficult to break. Gp prescribed antihistamines that didn't work, and stronger hints that didn't work but soap substitute (dermal) and stuff for bath and keeping skin really well moisturised helped. I still get bouts from time to time, think it might be partly hormonal for me. Think I had to resort to ice packs at one point, as ice gave temporary relief.

How old are you OP? I have developed hormonal eczema and I itch really badly at times - but I'm over 50.....

i also thought maybe liver - but gp ought to be on the case

i had been abusing sunbeds at the time and they hadnt been cleaned before and had been camping in France the gp suggested i had picked it up from either of the two. id get it checked spreads like wildfire.

are there spots polly?
second vote for scabies here....and as steppyhen said it is nothing to do withn hygine

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/sexual_health/stis_scabies.shtml

scabies? i had it a few years back not to sound awful and dirty but can asure you im very clean,but 3 trips to the gp later they diagnosed it, was itchy all over but even more so when was in the shower !? it was very intens eitching though

Hi Polly - have you had liver function tests done? I had awful itching all over my body recently with blocked bile duct (but I was quite unwell and it doesn't sound like you have other symptoms). It drove me nuts but abated when liver was sorted out!! Good luck.

As you were all so helpful today in advising on DH's health, I thought I'd mention my own problem

I have horrible itching all over my body (not face and head but up to and including my neck) - it's worse after a bath or shower and I could happily scratch layers of skin off if I allowed myself

It's driving me and family crazy, I'm scratching all the time

Sometimes on my back its a tingly itching but everywhere else, legs and arms and neck especially, it's just a normal itch but it's been 3/4 months on and off now

GP gave me drowsy antihistamines that aren't helping

Any ideas? Back to the GP in January when back from our Christmas hols

Thanks in advance from a very very itchy Mum