My itching is driving me mad

[Mycatiskillingme]

I suppose the AIBU part is that my husband says I should just stop scratching similar to his idea on weight-loss- just eat less, which makes sense but makes me want to wallop him with the fork Ih am using to scratch the hard to reach places.

Anyway Its a bank holiday weekend so of course I have caught something - no idea what though. I thought I was coming down with a slight cold for the last few days as I have had a runny nose, watery eyes and a sore throat. Yesterday I started to itch and its on every part of my body, the itchiest I have ever been and its all over the worst place being on the sole of my hands but my nose, arms, legs, toes,bottom everything itches like crazy. my husband does not itch and deserves too especially for laughing at me for rubbing my back against the door when the fork could not reach!

I have no allergies bites not have I changed my diet, laundry detergent , soap or shower gel. Yesterday I had no rash yesterday. but today I have one on my chest and stomach (the least itchy places I have and where I did not scratch). Its a reddish )not too bright) blotchy rash that even covers my breasts.

I have had all the childhood illnesses so no idea what tis could be but the itchiness... oh my gosh its just awful. Any guesses what it could be and remedies to stop the itching (its hard to hold a fork and type)?

No idea, OP, but I feel for you as I have bad eczema - and when it kills it is horendous!

An antihistamine straight away. Piriton is the best. Calamine lotion will cool the itch.
Might be an obvious question - but have you showered and washed your hair to get rid of any allergen if it's an external irritant? If you do, rinse yourself completely clean and apply moisturiser.

Piriton is chlorphenamine I think if you want the generic one.

Can you post a pic.

Thank you. I have showered and washed my hair but will get some piriton thanks . Apologies for any unintended spelling mistakes as I keep on stop typing to scratch my fingers on the laptop edge, very satisfying.

Don’t waste money on piriton. Poundland sell a box of 30 tablets. Piriton are £6 for 7 tablets. Exactly the same ingredients, you are just paying for the name and the advertising budget.

I tried but not coming up in pictures really, perhaps because its so dark and dreary and my camera (phone is not the best). I will try again later,

Maybe you could show the pharmacist your rash, have you been in contact with anyone whose been unwell with similar symptoms recently,

You need antihistamines. Bare in mind piriton might make you sleepy. Look for one with loratadine as the active ingredient.

Are you on any medication?

This could indicate can illness so if it continues go to the doctors. Could be a problem with your liver. Any signs of jaundice?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pityriasis-rosea/

I had this once. I wanted to rip off my skin it was SO itchy. Prescribed lots of antihistamine. Went after a couple of weeks maximum.

I've had very itchy skin the last few days. I put it down to the change in weather waking up some allergen. Antihistamines are great!

@LazyDoll me too! My doctor said whilst you can take antihistamines it won't make much difference, it can take anywhere between two to six weeks to go completely, I have had it twice, both times with the accompanying sore throat a few days before. Doctors said it's viral but not contagious, I was quite run down with work, no sleep etc both times. The two things that soothed it were head and shoulders anti itch, must be that one but any of the others, use it as shower gel other than in initiate areas, it's tingly, and aveeno cream. Also have cool showers not hot and avoid baths or anything that makes you warm it will make it itchier. It will have started with a herald patch often on your arm or torso

This one

I discovered I was allergic to penicillin when I came out in an itchy rash all over my body. Started as a couple of spots on my arms, would up covering me within a few days.

Definitely agree with the antihistamines, see a pharmacist if you can, stick to cool showers and try not to itch if you can as it inflames the skin and in the long run makes itching worse. At the time of my allergy rash, I was working at a hospital and a friendly dermatologist recommended tapping/gently slapping your skin rather than scratching to avoid the itch/scratch cycle as it still replaces the itch sensation with another signal for the nerves like scratching does but without inflaming your skin like scratching can (if that makes sense).

This thread has made me itch but not as much as you must be, OP. Hope it sorts soon, it's horrible!

Sounds like an allergic reaction rather than eczema or infection.
I once had exactly the same after eating a plum.
Anti histamines will help and probably chlorphenamine or cinnarizine which you have to ask the pharmacist for.

I was going to suggest pityriasis also. I had it following a virus in may. It covers chest and stomach- red botches. Intensely itchy and lasts about 6 weeks. Not contagious

I've had an itchy skin complaint once and it drove me absolutely insane. Couldn't sleep for about a week and was just awful. I would have never realised how insane it could make me until it happened. Can you douse yourself in steroid cream?

I get total body itching with a rash after some viral infections. One doctor told me
It was an allergic reaction to the virus.

Antihistamines help. I buy mine in Wilko - very cheap.

I thought the PR was a washing powder allergy at the start or a food allergy as it was all over and so itchy it was like nothing else. We were on holiday and I couldn't sleep and borrowed all my sisters clothes incase of washing powder but nothing worked. Definitely agree with the poster who said stress linked and also the rash lingered like a bruise for a good while across my back.

Thank you all for the advice, I have taken antihistamine but while waiting for it to work still feel like a human mosquito bite. Yes, it's a very irritating and won't let up, even walking ( shoes or not) sets it off as the soles of my feet are itchy. I will go to the doc on Tuesday if it's not better and let's you know what it is. The weird thing is the fading rash which is really faint on my stomach and chest but is starting to develop on my arm.

I really did not how those with eczema must suffer.