AIBU to ask about itchy skin?

[Browntile]

Apologies for asking for advice on here but I am going mad this evening. My skin is itching all over. Legs, back, chest, boobs, arms, hands and even right ear!! This has been going on for about 2 weeks now. Thought it was getting better but it’s really not. Have been woken in the night for the last 2 nights by it and just have to sit and scratch until it hurts, therefore feels less itchy and go back to sleep. Have been away from home for the last 3 days hence why I haven’t sort any medical advice yet but I think I’m going to have to? No rash or barely even a mark (well until I’ve finished tearing at my skin!). Anyone else ever had anything similar? Also haven’t changed any products. Thanks x

Could it be scabies?
Pruritis ?

Thanks for replying. A quick google ales me think not scabies as no rash and it appears to be highly contagious and no one else in the family is suffering.
Unless I’m reading it wrong pruritis just seems to be a general term for itchy skin which I guess is exactly what I’ve got!

Have you tried taking an antihistamine to see of it helps?

Actually I haven’t Tadda. Thanks. I’ll try that now!

I had this with the start of the menopause, you aren't that age are you?

Errr...I suspect I may be Geoffrey the Cat 😫. I’m 43

I get this in the winter because of colder temperatures, heating on etc really dries out my skin. I wake up sometimes and I've scratched my skin red raw. I have to moisturise daily and use emollient cream and antihistamines when it's really bad.

As someone said, changes in hormones can aggravate it too.

The older I get the more things irritate my skin.

I have eczema though.

The soap powder I used must have changed an ingredient as I can no longer use it without being itchy all over .

I have to really watch my sugar intake as that makes me itchy as hell.

It is winter , maybe you just need to moisturize more.

I had this a few months ago, and it was when our water softener had run out. We live in a really hard water area, and 2 showers a day was making my skin unbearably itchy, yet with no rash. All medical causes were ruled out by the GP. It's awful though because you become more aware of it and end up itching more!

Quarter teaspoon of Breadsoda in a large glass of water should help until you find out what is causing it.

I react badly to chlorine in the water. Do you shower or bathe before bed? I now have a shower that filters out the chlorine.

I have dreadfully itchy skin. Maybe menopausal I suspect but a daily antihistamine has really really helped.

I get really dry skin now (late 40s) but use lots of moisturiser on a daily basis which stops the itching.

Omg this is exactly me! It's driving me insane. I scratch one itch and another crops up somewhere else. It's a deep prickly feeling which is difficult to ignore. Nothing to see on the surface.

Thanks all. Some good tips here. I’ve just taken an antihistamine and am literally chewing my lips waiting for it to start working.
I do generally have drier skin in winter but I’ve always moisturised fairly well and got away with it.

Take an antihistamine and take a soak in a milk bath. I had this before and after a few days of tearing at my skin tried this and went straight away. Hope it helps

Yes!! Cheeseomlette You are me!!! I am going insane this evening. I am slathered in Aveeno and I’m basically just sat here scratching it off.

If it continues get your liver bloods checked as liver issues can cause itching.

Hope it helps @Browntile !

Mine is uriticaria caused by hormones/menopause (I had it as a teen too) and triggered by certain foods. Have you eaten anything high histamine (seafood, aged or cured foods, leftovers, red wine, citrus...) Taking Cetirazine and Ranitadine sorts it for me (they are recommended in combination for some allergies).

Be honest - do you drink a lot? This happens to me if I’ve had a bit too much. I actually went to the doctor because it was driving me mad, goes away with an anti histamine. He mentioned drink and to be honest it was worse in December!! He did bloods and nothing came up but I do think I have a slight allergy to alcohol 🙄

I am the same as you @TimeMarchesOnNeverEnding every January/February without fail it’s murder. OP I only ever use Fairy washing powder and I was using homemade olive oil soap and I try to pat myself dry with a towel when I’m not in too much of a rush. If it’s not too bad Aveeno for itchy skin (blue) sometimes helps. I think it’s just warm showers and the change in temperature colder outside and warm inside. OP try Piriton or similar and an anti itch cream from chemist. If no joy you may need to see your GP as it can send you mad especially at night time and when in bed. It could be a fungal infection or something. Take care

I’ve had this for 10+ years. No rash, starts in my hands and then spreads all over my body. I take a daily antihistamine (cetirizine) and it more or less keeps it in check.

I developed adult onset allergies at your age. Products I had used for years were suddenly making me itch and eventually it progressed to awful rashes.

Are you by any chance staying in a hotel or other commercial accommodation. The soaps they tend to use to wash the sheets and towels can cause horrible allergic reactions.

Some otc anti-histamines are unlikely to hurt and might help.

I hope your itching is brief and unrepetitive.

Hmmm I don’t drink a lot @Duvetdweller. The odd glass here and there generally and actually probably less than normal in the last few weeks when this started. If it had started in December you might have been onto something . MAYBE it’s the opposite and I need MORE gin which I might resort to tonight if I don’t STOP BLOODY ITCHING!!!