Itching all over

[carrottopper]

Has anyone had this? I'm not pregnant. I have had itchy legs for months and months and put it down to dry skin, bad circulation (varicose veins) but I have noticed my scalp was really itchy and now in the last few weeks it is all over.

I'm really scared about seeing the dr. What is it likely to be? I take the pill but nothing else and no other issues. I am 41. No pets. The only thing I've done differently is started dying my own hair due to lockdown but the last time I dyed it was 1st December and I did a patch test before. My back, chest and tummy are constantly itching especially. Has anyone had this?

Urticaria....... I've got allergies to lots of things in last few years. Take an antihistamine every day

It's keeping me awake at night.

Watching with interest. I am menopausal I have dry itchy skin all over. I have used umpteen creams the only thing that really works is antihistamines.

Me too I've put it down to peri menopause

Menopause can happen at 41 can't it? I wonder if it is this? I am on the pill, but the bleeding is lighter recently

Would they still be lighter with the pill or not? I've googled it and frightened myself to death

I have this, but have had it for as long as I can remember. Sorry OP, I know how unbearable it can be. It was eventually diagnosed as a skin condition (aquagenic pruritis), after years of doctors making me feel like I was making it up, or telling me it was just dry skin. I use balneum cream daily which really helps.

I think you need to go and see your GP though really, particularly as it’s something that’s just developed suddenly, as it may be a sign of something underlying. Don’t mean to freak you out, and it’s probably nothing serious, but worth getting it checked out I think.

You really do need to see the doctor I'm afraid.
It could be any number of things but having had both my daughter and my husband with liver issues which can cause widespread itching then you need to speak with a doctor, even just to rule it out.

Really scared. What liver issues was it for your family @LookToTreblesGoingTreblesGone ?

Urticaria.

I've had it many years. It's horrible. I'm being referred to a Dermatologist but not holding out much hope. You need to take 1-2 antihistamine tablets daily or it'll drive you nuts.

It can sometimes develop if you've ever had athlete's foot or similar. A friend developed this itching all over and was found to have an allergy to (London) water. Allergies are so random.

Is there are reason you dont want to speak to your Dr? They will likely just do a skype or phone call initially anyways. Its getting worse, and now not just on your legs. Do you think it will just go away on its own??? If speaking to your Dr is so difficult, have you shown a pharmacist and at least tried anti-histamines?
Could be peri-menopause, could be hormonal, could be a deficiency of some sort, thyroid, allergies etc. Unless you could checked, how will you ever know? You are suffering for no apparent reason.

Please get it checked, as it might be simple fix. best of luck.

My daughter had a reaction to a virus which inflamed her liver. We didn't even know she'd had a virus!

And my husband's gall bladder got blocked which gave him jaundice.

Have you tried an antihistamine OP?

No I've not tried anything antihistamine yet but will go and get some.
I'll phone the drs tomorrow but just so scared. Had a lot of bad news around friends and colleagues recently. Cancer seems to be everywhere at the moment

I know you don't want to see a doctor OP, but I think it's important you do. Liver issues can cause itchiness - it's likely not this but a blood test will help rule it out.

Do you wash your hair in the shower? Try not doing that for a week and only use a baby bath lotion in the shower.
If only to eliminate irritant in your usual products.

Thank you. Yes I will try that.

I had this on my legs a few years ago. I was bleeding and bruising from scratching. I was worried, but it just went away eventually. I have no idea what caused it. I was quite stressed at the time, but have been more stressed previously and not had anything like it. Hope yours goes away!

Dh has had something similar for over a year now. It's been an absolute nightmare. He's seen various doctors (nhs and private) and the only thing that's transpired it may be is anallergy to sodium meta-bisulphates, which are unfortunately in nearly everything! So, no soaps for washing, careful selection of washing detergents, and quite a lot of processed foods.
But, allergies are weird things. It's very difficult identifying them. Dh had a detailed skin patch test.

I've been for blood tests at the hospital this morning. With the bank holiday, it will probably be Monday before I find out anything. Would they call me if there was anything serious?

Well done OP. Good for you for finally getting checked. What tests did they do? Some actually come back within an hour, but others can take longer. And yes, they would call if something serious was found that couldnt wait till Monday. Is there something in particular you are worried about?

I'm not sure which tests. He just took one lot. I'm worried about all the things that have come up on google- leukaemia, diabetes, thyroid. I have no other symptoms apart from tiredness but I have two little girls so put that down to them

I'm 41 and also have this. It started rather oddly on my labia and desire being treated for thrush etc it just carried on and now is awful. It's worse at night and early evening. As soon as I scratch I get big raised red welts all over the scratch side and the urge to itch spreads until it's intolerable. I've broken the skin getting carried away and my OH has to use the scrubber side of a new dish sponge and then suddenly it just stops. I imagine that's when my body finally decides to sort it out.

I am going to go and see the GP in the new year. I am on a whole host of medications and I do have allergies but I also have autoimmune issues and drink more than I should. I am worried I may be diabetic too and have read that can cause itching too.

Is it normal to feel terrified that something is going to show up in the bloods?! 😞

I've had this for ages now, assumed it is allergy related - I also cough and get a bit breathless with it and been going on for a couple of years.

I've never specifically mentioned to the doctor but mentioned the coughing and breathlessness this summer - covid was negative and they said they'ld suspect allergic asthma triggered by thatch and hay and to take anti-histamines. The anti-histamines do improve the breathing and the coughing though need to take 2 each day. Hoovering a lot helps too. Blood tests I've had have always been fine execpt odd one so nothing significant / relevant showing up. I'm mid 40s so peri-menopause could also be possible but I moved to a thatched cottage a couple of years ago though some symptoms started before then and family history of asthma on both sides. Not sure if itching is connected but over similar timescales and think both are allergy related.