Itching to point of insanity. Advice needed.

[user1480097724]

Antihistamines, aloe vera, E45, Steam Cream, hydrocortisone, olive oil, calamine - they don't do anything. I've got some dry skin, some bumps and some large itchy patches (like heat rash) everywhere but my hands, feet and bikini area. Not ringworm, scabies or impetigo. Doctor's advice is to moisturise and take antihistamines. He thinks it's eczema. I am slowly going insane. I'm 45. Has anyone taken oestrogen and got relied from the itching? I'm wondering if this is a delightful sign of menopause.

Hand foot and mouth???

How long?

My dd's papular eczema looked like heat rash.

Itchy skin, bumps and rashes are very, very common occurrences during peri-menopause, and at 45, you are most certainly peri-menopausal. Get HRT. It can help enormously.

If it is eczema, the advice to moisturise is correct but it goes beyond that. My dd has to avoid soaps and shower gels, use Dermol 500 lotion to shower, and follow up with emollients. She was also offered short term topical steroids and other specialist remedies.

Not surprised that a male GP didn’t think to suggest you may be menopausal/pre menopausal. I itched so much I made myself bleed , it truly was awful. Patches have been magical. I still get flare ups of itchy skin but it’s manageable. Good luck, hope you find something that works

The antihistamine in Allevia is much more effective than the usual loratadine/cetirizine ones, try that. Begins with F, there are cheaper unbranded versions, Fexofentadine or something.

Pine tar soap may help for short term relief

Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap 92 g amzn.eu/d/4dXoemx

I know a very young (20s) lady who got the same- she’s been through allergy tests and blood tests but nothing found so just throwing it out there that it may not be a menopause thing. Best of luck op

I get this and I think it’s a sign of perimenopause. A daily piriteze stops the itching.

I recently reacted to something and it seemed to be washing liquid with Aloe Vera. Also had terrible rash some summers which seemed to be heat rash/high factor sun cream combination. It was more localised than you are talking about but is there anything you have changed or could've developed an allergy to?

I do not know much a but menopause yet but I did have this crazy itching while I was pregnant and they told me it was hormonal. Pine tar soap made wonders for me. I used it on my whole body twice a day and it relieved the itch for 8-10 hours.

How long have you used steroids for. Have you researched topical steroid withdrawal?

I had this and 18 months later found out I have lymphoma. Look up the other symptoms and ask for a full blood count if you have any

To add, I didn't have visible red patches but they could be from the scratching if you've just had general itching?

Unless it’s an illness / infection etc…

Have you tried Cerave body cream? It’s not the same as E45, takes about 3 days of moisturising at least twice a day to soothe my dry flaky skin. It’s pricey but worth in the long run - when I get skin under control, I use it once a day PM and something cheaper AM.