Itching all over driving me insane!!

[sortingmyselfoutslowly]

I think I might have either an autoimmune problem, vitamin deficiency or liver disorder. I've been very very itchy with no rash and exhausted for a few weeks. Had blood tests and awaiting results. I have to rest as I'm so tired but also distract myself from wanting to scratch! Has anyone experience of similar?

Poor you. Does piriton relieve it?

I have but I’m not much help as they still haven’t found the cause of it. It’s mainly my legs but at times it’s all over, no amount of antihistamines or moisturisers make any difference.
It’s drives me mad at times, I even wake up during the night with the itching so I don’t get much sleep then I’m cranky all day.

Hopefully you’ll find out what’s causing yours and get it sorted

Thank you. It flares up every few weeks and is always accompanied by extreme fatigue and dizziness. I fainted yesterday. Need to be in bed a lot but can't relax due to intense itching.

Piriton no good but thanks for the suggestion. No change in washing powder or anything. It's literally all over my body all the time and I'm so irritable I don't want to be around my children much. Argh

I've had this a few times over the years and it always turns out to be low iron levels.

purpleunicorns did you have any tests at all?

You've been checked for diabetes already ?

Thanks Damedaffodils did uoutube grind out through a blood test? Did you get iron tablets on prescription?

Blood test included diabetes, vitamin d and b12, ferritin (iron) , liver and kidney function. I'm not being very patient waiting for results.

Also easy worried that all bloods are normal and I'm stuck feeling like this forever something is definitely not right!

Have any of the products you normally use have changed ingredients? Might be worth checking. I have eczema and have had this happen to me. Several times resulting in red raw skin! I wish laundry detergent and shower gel etc should have to say if they change ingredients..

I stick to same brands but get caught out with 'new and improved' nonsense.

B12 deficiency does this to me, especially my shins, it's horrible!

Graphista that's a good point. I just feel so unwell generally that it seems more than just a topical irritation. I'm also quite agitated and confused eg forgetting words I want to say and not knowing where the spoons are in the house for a moment or two. Forgetting where I'm driving to etc

Sorry for typos I can hardly remember my own name at the moment. Feeling quite confused.

I have! Turns out I have a very rare autoimmune disease. It’s good that you’re having tests done, my GP gave me a 5g tube of steroid cream to treat my legs with and concluded that the itch was “all in my head” and to try E45!

Anyway, this is what helped (a bit) with the itching:
“Old school” antihistamines that make you drowsy can help you sleep, Atarax worked quite well for me
Very short fingernails
Cotton clothes
Cooling (bag of frozen peas in a towel, cool showers)
Using a fiddle toy to keep fingers busy
Slapping instead of scratching

None of the otc anti itch remedies (piriton, eurax) made any difference at all. Codeine will knock you out but can cause more itching.

Topical steroids (creams) might help, but your GP needs to be willing to prescribe quite generously.

High doses of oral steroids did the trick in the end.

Good luck

I get this on my legs after I've had a bath/shower.
Hope you can get to the bottom of it soon.
calamine lotion any good.

Ive had this,tests didn’t show anything. For the last few weeks I have been using soap instead of shower gel and the itchiness is much better. Still get it a bit but not the all over want to rip my skin off itchiness I used to get.

Oddly enough, I have just ordered a batch of kefir from here

They mention the link between gut health and skin problems. Hope you find what works for you.

Yes I found out through blood tests and my GP prescribed iron tablets. All fine now thank goodness, it drove me insane so I really feel for you!

Acopyofacopy what was your diagnosis?
I'm using aloe Vera lotion which helps slightly but I think the itching is a nervous system thing so it's still there. So exhausted and dizzy I'm just stuck in bed.
Thank you for your replies.

Angioedema/urticaria? My dh has urticaria.

Sorry posted to soon. He takes high dose antihistamines & had to see an allergy specialist. But this was about 10 years ago. GP monitor him now.

I'm also itchy all over most of the time so watching with interest!
Antihistamines and moisturizers, changing soap powder etc haven't worked.

Are they testing for coeliac disease? Itchy skin and fatigue are common symptoms.

Not sure about coeliac. What are the other symptoms?