Itchy skin

[27cats]

I think I've read on here that itchy skin is a part of the whole peri thing. Has anyone found a cream or lotion that really helps please?
I've started some supplements, inc EFA's which I'm hoping will also help, but I don't want to waste money on skin stuff which may smell good but which do nothing IYSWIM. TIA [slightly wobbly, I'm too young for all this, smile]

[whatthefook]

The itchy skin thing was the first sign of my peri (at 38! )- sitting on the floor crying, it felt like ants crawling on my skin - awful, thought i was going mad! I started taking 1000mg of evening primrose oil and applying baby oil all over after showering while my skin was still wet. It made a massive difference and now I only suffer from an itchy nose once a month which I use lanacane cream for. HTH

[27cats]

Thanks WTF, that's just what it's like! Will try the baby oil first as that a good cheap and cheerful idea.

[BeckAndCall]

I thought it was just me! I have real problems with my thighs - I just scratch and scratch and can't stop! I will be taking supplements from now on - thanks for the tip!

My doctor called it 'hormonal eczema ' and told me to use only E45 instead of soap but I just can't do that - it doesn't seem to get you clean in the places that need to be clean!

[Bellaciao]

Itchy skin must be really annoying!

Before I went onto HRT I suffered the red itchy spots on my face - called menopausal acne (what a lovely lot of symptoms there are associated with meno!). These disappeared when I started HRT and only came back when I stopped for 3 months until a re-started - now gone.

Here is some info on this from the Menopause Matters website:

"Other later menopause symptoms include effects from changes in collagen production, a protein in skin, hair, nails and tendons. As its production is affected by falling estrogen levels, the skin may become dryer, thinner, less elastic, more prone to bruising and skin itching may occur. Occasionally, a "crawling" sensation may be experienced but it is unclear whether this is due to skin changes or changes in the peripheral nerves. Skin symptoms often respond to estrogen replacement, but some women have developed skin itch when taking HRT. In this situation, a change in type or route of HRT may help."
www.menopausematters.co.uk/symptoms.php

If you have no other symptoms eg flushes and sweats and periods are regular then maybe too early for HRT but hope the skin preparations work for you!

[SnookyPooky]

I moved to Cyprus nine years ago and thought my itchy skin was due to the climate, bugger me! I take an antihistamine when I feel the itchiness coming on. I'm 44, no other symptoms though.