Oh my god the itchy skin!

[longtompot]

Anyone have any suggestions on how else to help.
Currently on one pump Oestrogel every night. Was two but started getting leg cramps. Also take two 100mg capsules of Utrogestan day 15 to 28.
I have an antihistamine every night, just switched from Cetirizine to Loratadine based one as I thought the prior one had stopped working, (I usually switch every month or so between them and it used to work) but still as itchy.
I need a renewal of the tablets so will try and speak to my gp but are there any body lotions or moisturisers or better antihistamines that might work better, or is it more the case I need to tweak my doses?

If antihistamine isn’t working then stop using it as it can actually dry things out e.g. causing dry mouth, dry vagina etc. and histamine response might not be your issue.

I get itchy upper arms and use E45 cream (cheap, comes in big pot). It helps to use it consistently as much as you need,. Other moisturisers are available and emollient creams if you have a look at the skin section in chemists
www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/skin-changes-during-menopause-factsheet/

I had a skin rash which was unbelievably itchy, I don’t think it was menopausal.

I tried all sorts of things, but the best thing was cold gel packs. That was the only think that stopped the intense itching long enough to get to sleep.

It's my scalp that itches terribly, after dripping with sweat with the hot flushes. Just increased oestrogel from 4 pumps to 6.

I had itchy skin all over and dr recommended aveeno body wash and moisturisers which has helped a lot.

You need to break the itch scratch cycle:
Step 1. Apply Germolene - it has a local anaesthetic that stops/helps break the itch scratch cycle.

Step 2: start using Epaderm or similar, apply it after shower/washing as it holds in moisturiser. Apply it daily morning, night and as often as required.

HTH

Thank you all. I didn't know that re the antihistamine so will stop it for a while, though I do need it for hayfever symptoms. Might be ok as that's normally worst in spring.

I would need a vat of germolene @Seemslikeaniceday as it's all over. I am not scratching too much, but it stops me sleeping. I've had eczema since I was little so I have tried all the various lotions for that. E45 doesn't help my skin at all.

My current body lotion, which has been absolutely fine for over a year is Nutrogena Visible Results in the pump bottle as someone on here recommended it. I use Sanex purple dermo balancing shower gel, again used it for years with no issue.
I have used Aveeno in the past but I didn't find it enough sadly. I loved their lavender version but can't seem to get it anymore. It was almost like baby talc.

@Zoeslatesttrope that must take a while to all sink in! One pump takes long enough. I will try two pumps again and see if that helps, if not then a chat with my gp is my next step.

Yes it takes bloody ages!
Hope your GP helps you

I'm 50 and perimenopausal. Not taking anything yet. I'd been having itchy skin for the last few years, especially at night. Also a random patch of eczema on one finger . I recently stopped eating gluten and dairy because of stomach symptoms (possible intolerance) and the itchiness I thought was due to perimenopause completely went away. If I go back to eating it, the itching comes back. Maybe worth looking at diet?

@Fairislefandango I'm 50 and only on hrt as was in Zoladex for an ablation, which I didn't have just a d&c and a polyp removed, and took Tibolone (?) hrt whilst having the injections as it puts you into menopause. I still have some symptoms, especially night sweats, not sleeping, anxiety, but the main one was vaginal soreness, so have been put in these to help that which they have to a point.
I don't eat a lot of dairy (milk in coffee and tea and some cheese). I think I do have a gluten intolerance as it can upset my stomach so I do keep thinking about stopping eating it, but the gluten free options have not been great.
My eczema, incidentally, has been really under control and I've not had to use my steroid ointment for a long time! I've said it now, so will no doubt have a massive flare🙄