Itching!

[BlueSodaPop]

Im 45 assuming perimenopausal. Periods are regular enough, a few days out here and there. Sore breasts but I take evening primrose oil and starfish which helps lots. But I've started itching. First my foot i thought i had been bitten. Then my legs and now this morning my chest, I feel like i want to rip the skin off. Is this menopausal symptom and what can i do apart from hrt which i can't take?
. Ive also had sore heavy legs and groin pain without even exercising, thats gone today but now im itching instead

I'm having similar issues- I take Antihistamines most days which do really help. Plus lots of water and magnesium.

It can be a menopause symptom as your body produces less oils as your oestrogen levels decrease which can make your skin dry and itchy. It might be worth getting your iron levels checked though as I had the most awful itchy skin which was keeping me awake at night even on HRT. Turns out I had a severe iron deficiency and once my levels were up the itching stopped.

Can be a hypothyroid symptom, which often comes on in middle age. Have you had a blood test and seen the results? You can bump along the edge of subclinical levels for a long time.

Which antihistamines do you take? Piriton makes me fall asleep and feel drowsy all day

Im waiting on the results but thats a good idea ill get a copy of results

Try cetirazine or loratidine.

I used to take a hairbrush to my legs! It’s so awful, I hope you get some relief soon.

Can you recommend one that doesn’t make you sleepy but helps with the itching? Every antihistamine I’ve found that actually works for itching, makes you drowsy

Those are Piriton!

Piriton is chlorphenamine. First generation antihistamine, and a 'drowsy' one.

Loratadine and cetirazine are second gen non-drowsy antihistamines. The latter is available under the Piriteze brand, but generics are cheaper.

Fexofenadene is a third gen antihistamine. Some people find it more effective than first and second gen, but it's still under patent so is a lot more expensive.

Yes it is definitely a symptom, I scratched my legs to pieces the other day. It’s due to dry skin I think.

Agree with the antihistamine suggestion. I also find the Aveeno for very dry skin with the navy blue lettering / bottle top helpful, especially when I can’t stop itching and an antihistamine won’t take effect immediately.

Fexofenadene is the only antihistamine which doesn't make me sleepy. I use copious amount of CeraVe cream too which helps.

Also 45 and presumed peri. It's 3:10am and I'm wide awake because I'm itchy AF. Started in the legs - one or two particular spots - and now feels like it's all over. I had to get up and put on some MooGoo. Only bought it on Friday, we'll see.

It started a while ago but was more of a skin crawl. I'd be sitting and feel it... shake the leg, looking down thinking I was going to see a spider!

On a separate note - 45!! How'd that happen!!

Just don’t @ShesAButterfly. I’m reading the paper in bed and there’s an article on the 30 greatest songs of the 80’s with a link to Spotify with an exert of each one. The nostalgia is overwhelming. It feels so long ago that I was a child and yet also five minute ago!

You can also get anti-itch moisturisers and mentholated moisturiser which can help (try keeping it in the fridge). You should see your GP for persistent itch especially with fatigue as there are a number of different things that can cause this not just menopause.

It’s histamine caused by a drop in progesterone and higher oestrogen. limiting high histamine foods especially before your period can help, eating foods like apples and blueberries or a dao enzyme can work too

I had this terribly, didn't seem to be anything to do with the texture or dryness of my skin, it felt like a deeper itch.
Only thing that cured it was HRT, if youre not already on it you should definitely consider it

Well results show isn't thyroid, b12, iron, vitamin d etc so assuming perimenopause. Ive been taking magnesium so will see if that helps. Also been rubbing castor oil on and thankfully not as itchy but everyday seems to bring a different issue. Couldn't sleep last night... the joys!

My itching was so bad in some areas I was bruising. I changed my laundry liquid and soap and that did help a bit.