Severely itchy skin

[MimsyBorogroves]

For the last 12 years I have lived with unbearably itchy skin. It's usually isolated to one area of my body at a time. There is no rash, no lumps or bumps - the only evidence are the huge leisions on my skin from literally scratching myself open.

I've been in and out of dermatology clinics. I've been treated for everything from eczema to psoriasis to scabies to shingles. Nothing works. Moisturisers, cortisone creams, antihistamines, vitamins - no success. I gave up seeing doctors a few years ago when I was told by a dermatological consultant that the whole thing was in my head.

My back is a mess of open wounds and scans which never heal. Some I scratch off - others just never seem to get better. My skin is painful to the touch (yet I can carry on scratching!) and I can't wear anything that isn't black because clothes are ruined with blood stains.

I've done allergy tests, food monitoring. Everything. And still I have no idea what it is. There are no triggers - it is just there. And today I can't touch my back, move my neck or brush my hair because I've caused so many wounds.

I'm in agony. Has anyone else ever had anything similar? I'm grasping at straws here.

Two things occurred to me on reading your post.

The first was whether or not you've ever been tested for candida albicans? An overgrowth can cause many problems, including thrush and IBS - but also dry, itchy skin. The scratching of the itchy skin causes infections/irritations which makes the whole thing worse.

The second thing maybe completely wrong, but what about bullous pemphigoid?

I know it talks about blisters - and also that it's more common amongst the over 70s - but my dad has it, and he suffers terribly from the itching - and the blisters only appear later. It's actually quite rare, which is why I'm suggesting it, because your doctors may not have thought about it, especially given that you're not (presumably!) over 70.

Either of these may be hopelessly wrong, but I couldn't not post!

Is it worse at different times of the year??

Thanks for replying.

I'm going to take a list of possibilities to the gp because I went to a new one today, told them all of the above...and came out with antihistamines. Again. I've got to have blood tests done in a couple of weeks too, but it's at a point where I don't think I can last another 2 weeks.

Time of year doesn't affect it much. The open sores are worse when I am over warm - so very hot sunny days, or if we have the heating on full - but in terms of the itch, no difference.

It's also frustrating because my skin is never dry, except for my face (which, thankfully, has never been badly affected)

Tried Dermol? Eczema cream that has anti microbial agent to
Kill the itch?
Wishing you a diagnosis and an end to what sounds like agony. (umm. Your skin isn't in your head. Idiot DR!) Wear cotton gloves at night. (I used to wake to find I'd caused awful injuries.( Or wet bandage?

How much of your diet is based on carbohydrates? And how much water do you drink?

I had a big thing with itchy legs last year, horrible!
I apologised about ugly scratches to my very expensive osteopath
said osteopath happened also to be a naturopath and he suggested that I drink bottle of supermalt a day

this worked miracles for me, might be a long shot but given that it's cheap and readily available (at least it's in all the corner shops in London) might be worth a try?

do you eat lots of spicy food btw?

op what you describe sounds awful btw.
let us know if you find anything that helps