I appear to be having an allergic reaction to…nothing. Please help!

[spaghettijunction98]

About three weeks ago I suddenly became VERY itchy - in different places, my legs, my back, the palms of my hands, soles of my feet etc. I went to the pharmacist who recommended taking Benadryl which I did and it helped but as soon as it wore off the itching returned. I went to the GP who prescribed a very strong antihistamine but also suggested it could be dry skin (I don’t have a problem with dry skin). So now, three weeks on, I’m coming to the end of the antihistamines, I forgot to take it this morning and lo and behold the itching has returned in full force. I haven’t changed my washing powder or any skin care products. I don’t know what to do next. The GP was nice enough but I got the impression she thought I was a time waster but the itching really is unbearable. I don’t have any rash.

Any suggestions on what might be causing it?

Thanks

Have you any other symptoms like fatigue, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes?

Have you brought any new furniture recently?

It is possible to have an idiopathic allergic reaction. How old are you? People can develop a problem with histamines. I think it might be linked to peri.

Gas central heating? Im miserable and itchy since I put it on

I have developed an intolerance to dairy recently which manifests as very itchy skin.

Is it under your clothes or on exposed areas

If its underneath, washing powder is a good call, as is shower gel or something you are eating

Exposed could me mushroom spores or there are plants that flower now; plus fireworks have been going off round here for weeks adding chemicals into the air

That’s my main peri symptom- no sweats or any of the more traditional symptoms, just itching everywhere.

Could it be caused by something you eat or drink, perhaps?

And edit, being itchy horrible! I hope you find out why soon, and a cure.

Has your liver function been tested?

https://onlinemenopausecentre.com/itchy-skin-menopause/

Have you changed any of the following?

• pillows, duvets, cushions

-Cleaning products

• new foods, herbs, spices
• shampoo, shower gel, bubble bath
• air freshener, candles, wax melts

Go back to your GP. Doctors often underestimate the impact of any skin condition or symptoms.

Itching all over constantly is miserable and can be as bad as chronic pain, sometimes worse.

They should examine your skin for any subtle rash and mites, as scabies is very itchy. (Don't panic, it is easily treated!)
They may also do routine blood tests to check your kidney and liver function, thyroid and for anaemia. Again don't panic, just sensible checks.

This said, skin does get more dry as we age, even if we're not aware of it.
I would suggest using a moisturiser liberally and regularly too. A proper emollient like E45 or similar, rather than a cosmetic type which may be perfumed. Aveeno can be quite pleasant to use.

Good luck!

Did the gp check your liver function?

You can become allergic to something that you've not had a problem with previously.

Also check for the dreaded 'new improved formula' label 😡

As pp have said, this can be an early sign of liver disease. I'd get that checked.

Just to say fexofenadine can be bought off the shelf everywhere now and it’s the next level up from Benadryl. Worth getting so you’re not suffering!
https://www.boots.com/boots-fexofenadine-hydrochloride-film-coated-tablets-120mg-30s-10357319?srsltid=AfmBOooe8q7pj3r9rZHTuchx7yMhIvRaeSO-kBtYVgSWS8rXsXIlkhLG

Since our central heating came on, my eyes have been running and itchy.

Even if I wash all the radiators, I can't get underneath them to hoover the dust up so it circulates with warm air. I absolutely hate central heating!

Every year is the same.

Entirely possible to have too much histamine in response to nothing at all.

I have a bunch of proper allergies that trigger my asthma.

And then I have just being alive, which triggers my urticaria.

Have taken an antihistamine everyday for years now, buy them in bulk on Amazon.

So many replies - thank you all so much! To answer some questions: am peri/menopausal, I take daily antihistamines to keep eczema at bay (this itching js not eczema related).
No changes to environmental things like soaps/candles/food etc. I had a bunch of blood tests over the summer for something unrelated but nothing came up for liver issues but that was a few months ago.
I’ll see what happens when I run out of these strong antihistamines. I will try and moisturise more in the meantime too to make sure that’s not the issue.