Anyone got any idea about what’s making me so itchy

[itsneilthebaby]

It’s driving me mad! About 2 weeks ago my body started really itching. It’s all over, even my scalp. It’s so painful it feels like my body is on fire and I’ve been scratching it so badly it’s red raw and bleeding in some places. I haven’t used any new products recently. No bedbugs, the dog hasn’t got fleas, no mosquito bites. There’s no bites or bumps, it’s just really itchy.

I’ve tried aloe Vera, eczema creams, moisturiser etc. They all soothe it for a bit but don’t get rid of it completely. Pharmacist recommended a daily antihistamine, but I take one anyway for hay fever. My GP didn’t really have any ideas either. I’ve noticed it seems to be more itchy in the evenings, but not just when I’m in bed so I don’t think it’s something in a certain room that causes it, as it happens when I’m out too. Nobody else in the house is experiencing it, just me. Hoping someone might have some ideas as I really need some relief!

Heat rash? Scabies? Dry skin?

I had a couple of itchy spots on my scull and used tea tree directly on the scalp for a couple of days and then just added teatree to my shampoo/conditioner for a couple of weeks which calmed it down completely.

No idea but your description sounds like my whole life. 26 years of eczema. Itchy constantly. Always. It's hellish. It'd the worst thing in my life and the only thing that's helped is Dupixent. They won't give you that but ask for allergy testing..

I had this couple of years ago. Turned out to be vitamin d deficiency.

Apparently vit d plays a big part in immune system so my usually mild allergies were going crazy. Who knew?

Easy enough to check and sort, op, so get a test or at least get some mega vit d supplements from your local friendly pharmacist.

I went to the doctors about this back in December as I'd been insanely itchy since the summer. Had all my bloods done and came back with nothing flagging up. My GP suggested it could be linked to my covid vaccinations. It hasn't crossed my mind before then but the timing fits. Funnily enough it's not been as bad lately so could be that my booster is wearing off?

I haven’t used any new products recently

Check if any formula have changed

You can become sensitive/allergic to something you've been using for years

Most common culprits :

Scents
Lanolin
Bio detergent
Fabric conditioner
Cocoa butter
Bee products

Have you had COVID or a vaccine recently? I have family members with this.

My DH used to itch terribly. We now know it was haemochromatosis causing it.

This is what I immediately thought of. There's no itchiness like it.

I had this couple of years ago. Turned out to be vitamin d deficiency.

I did too and the cause was the complete opposite. Too much vitamin D. I had been taking supplements to counter SAD.

In case this can help anyone here, I suffer from a condition called aquagenic pruritis ie "water itching"

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquagenic_pruritus

It's an intense itching/prickling/burning sensation, triggered by contact with water/moisture, (particularly after a bath/shower) however, many of us are also triggered by sweating, changes in temperature, textures of clothing, cold air on skin etc. The best source of information/support/treatment advice is the Facebook group "aquagenic pruritis support group"

It's a little known condition that most doctors have never heard of, it can sometimes be a symptom of polycythemia Vera (a blood cancer that can be ruled out by a blood test) but many/most of us have no known cause. There are things that can help, as shown on the support group.

I suffered for years with no diagnosis before stumbling across it online (diagnosis confirmed by neurologist) so I just wanted to put some information here in case anyone else is struggling and recognises these symptoms x

Some people get itching triggered by sun exposure. Have you been outside more than usual. Apart from that you really need blood work done to check on your liver function

first, manufacturers are changing formulations like crazy right now. Covid is causing all sorts of supply issues. Long term products may not be the same as they used to be and they absolutely are not advertising these changes.

second, adult onset allergies are a possibility. I developed them and continue to add more to my list as time goes on. After I went through allergy testing the first time, I had to throw out almost every single personal care and cleaning product in my home and I had always used the hypoallergenic or gentle versions of products whenever they were available but I was allergic to most of those. You just never know when your immune system is going to go haywire.

@itsneilthebaby
Is it actually itching, or are calling it that because you feel the need to scratch..when it is really a burning pain? Does it get worse when you are hot?
It could be nerve pain as you have no rash or bites. I had this for about 10 years. I'm sorry you are suffering!💐

I agree with this things I've used for years with no problems now make me itch the ingredients must have changed I'm finding it with washing powders, perfume, creams etc driving me crazy.

Do you drink much? I do know that Fatty Liver/Alcoholic Liver Disease causes severe itching.

I had a sickness bug and a few days later started itching like this, had hive like bumps all over my skin and constantly bleeding from scratching at night. Skin is so dry and feels really tight when I move mu arms or legs. After 6 weeks I had had enough. Went to the gp who sorted blood tests which have shown I have low vit d and low folic acid. The GP said both can cause itching. Iv been taking the vitamins now for nearly two weeks and still have a rash. GP is going to call me back in two weeks to see if supplements have made a difference. I also have quite a few allergies, which may have triggered this. It’s driving me crazy

Fragrance is a really common skin allergy

I have an autoimmune liver disease, and this causes terrible itching like you've just described. I would recommend you get a liver function blood test done to see if everything is ok. I also don't want to freak you out, but itching excessively can also be a symptom of certain blood cancers so you will want to get this checked out by a doctor. I put off seeing a doctor for ages because I thought itching was a trivial symptom, but it can indicate something going on in the background.

I agree with the suggestion of using anti fungal shampoo for your scalp. With scalp problems there’s only really 3 topical treatments, anti fungals, selenium sulphide/coal tar shampoo and steroids. You can also try a different antihistamine and reduce irritation as much as you can eg stop using fragranced products and try as soon much as you can to stop scratching yourself

I get this from time to time, too - have had it all my life; I used to scratch all the skin off the tops of my feet at night when I was a child.

I was told it gets worse at night because your cortisol levels drop. A daily cetirizine keeps mine manageable most of the time, but I would definitely ask for stronger antihistamines if that didn't work. As a pp mentioned, Eurax cream is excellent for calming the itching.

Totally agree with this.

May I suggest the horror that is tree pollen allergy? Last 2 weeks have been awful.

Anti histamine don't make a dent in mine unless they are prescription strength which my surgery won't give me any more (and I struggle with anyway as even non drowsy ones make me drowsy). No rash but a lot of itching especially in places with thin skin (yes I get an itchy Nancy).

It's a new allergy - last 4/5 years and I'm mid 40s. When it first came on it wasn't obvious and I had blood tests, creams and things. It look my dad basically rubbing my arm with blossom for me to realise what it was.

Yes I'm surprised there aren't more suggestions about iron levels. Although maybe it's weird that it happened so fast here.

Diabetes?