I am itching all over, come and diagnose me, please!

[Pippidoeswhatshewants]

Every 3-6 months I get a 3-6 week bout of this: unbearable itching, over my whole body, but not on my face, and no rash.

I don't know how many times I've been to see my GP about this already, and I am slowly losing the will to live.

It is not dry skin. I have dry skin, but know how to manage it and the itch does not coincide with particularly dry periods.
It is not eczema. I used to have eczema when I was younger.
It is not scabies. I've done the treatment, the itching is still there.

I am allergic to pollen, dust and animals. No food allergies afaik.

I have been prescribed dermol, which doesn't make a difference.
Steroid cream helps, but doesn't make the itch disappear completely and is not a long term solution.
I am taking antihistamines, but I am not sure if they make a difference at all.

Any ideas?

Relative of mine had something similar and it turned out to be a sensitivity to shellfish.

I certainly sounds like an allergic reaction, but you would have to have a record of everything you have eaten before an attack.

I wonder if you're deficient in some nutrient or other and it manifests as itching?

Perhaps keeping a food diary from now until your next bout of itching could be the way to go.

Anemia can cause itching...are you really tired and lacking in energy?

I have 2 children, of course I am tired and lack energy

I think I will pester my GP some more to either refer me to a dermatologist or alllergologist or see if he can do some testing.

I had similar issues. Was related to hall bladder. Bile back up can cause itchiness. Hope it's not that xxx

Agree with Tiddles. A friend of mine had itching linked to liver/bile duct issues. Worth pushing for second opinion.

Is it related to something like fabric conditioner on clothes?

And, just a thought – I get itchy when I eat too much sugary food. I need to drink lots of water and it helps. I'm not sure why it is, but it definitely has a connection but I could be a freak of nature.

I have had this for years and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia as I had other typical symptoms. At times it was unbearable and would move around my body. One minute I would be scratching my knee and the next it would be the other leg that was itching like mad!
All of this has stooped since going gluten-free 8 weeks ago after a diagnosis of Coeliac disease!

Gallbladder link or urticaria.

I had this problem once, years ago, and was stuck in bed using wet sheets and calamine lotion for a whole day. I had new painkillers for period pain - sorry, can't remember the name- and the next day, back on usual monthly meds, I was well again. So sorry to hear you're suffering like this

I've got it too. I read it could be a perimenopausal symptom.

Peri menopause? I am young in my head!!

Talked the GP into blood tests, we'll see what they come up with...

I know. So am I. It took me by surprise but I have got other symptoms now as well. I hope the blood tests give you some idea of what's happening.