Constant Itching

[emmie]

across body, back and indeed anywhere, it's become such a problem and been going on for months. I can make a appointment to see doctor, but what on earth do i say, seeing as how it doesn't appear to be detergent based as i am using the same one for years. its scalp, face too, so am at loss of what's going on. No matter how much body cream i use, it seems to soak in but the itching remains.. I can't see any rash either, and never had eczema to the best of my knowledge. It is driving me to distraction too boot..

[Mosaic]

The cold weather gets me like this every winter. It seems to dry me out all over. Only thing that works is something very dense, currently vaseline petroleum jelly. I get greased up like a cross-channel swimmer and slap my clothes on top. Eases the itching and doesn't need doing every single day.
You can buy very expensive stuff that does the same thing, eg elizabeth arden 8-hour cream, but I reckong vaseline gunk does the same job.

[BlueToffee]

Perhaps it's the weather.

A good friend of ours has had an itching forearm for years, it lasts from October through to March, she's had dozens of tests and potions to try to clear it, and still it persists. No rash, eczema or visible signs of anything.

You have my sympathy. Get yourself to the doctor and get referred to a dermatologist as soon as you can, if necessary, pay to go privately.

Good luck.

[Tilly2]

em, have you tried Oilatum shower wash? You shower with it and it stays on your body. It's very soothing.

[emmie]

i use vaseline body cream, it's non greasy so doesn't get on your clothes, however i have the itching on my face, and only use simple soap and oil of ulay moisturiser, once it starts it won't stop. My skin seems to have become over sensitive to hot water as well, so have somewhat lukewarm water shower. I can't use any scented products. No pets in the house either.

[AlwaysConfused]

em - don't use soaps on your face, it'll dry your skin out and make you itch more. Try aqueous on your face, and head and shoulders itchy scalp for your hair

[jno]

bodies change... something that you've been comfortably using for years might have become toxic to you. Try experimenting with different soaps, detergents etc, it might help

[emmie]

could do, i wonder if this is some internal going wrong somewhere problem, as opposed to external irritants. I have used same soap on face for years, it has no scent, as can't use scented or indeed any kind of face wipe, cream as come out in blotches.. i only know that because that's what used to happen, so switched to unscented products, after some trial and error. The oil of ulay is non greasy and puts back the moisture, so face skin not tight. Wonder why all of a sudden, if i had an allergy to any of these products why haven't they shown up before now.

[RATTER15]

Always confused, I'm not if you were sugesting using aqueous as a soap, it is of course an excellent soap, either mix it in the water or apply directly on the skin.

[Sqad]

Difficult ...very ..very difficult.
Once you have excluded all the causes of skin irritations, e.g drugs, allergies etc one is left with this very common condition particularly in elderly females with an unknown cause and no definitive treatment.

Try all the remedies that our ABers suggest, but in my opinion you will be left with an itchy skin which will regress over time.

[Zacs-Master]

I had this on my back a week or so ago. Tea tree oil worked for me.

[emmie]

sqad, elderly ladies, oh dear, still i can try all the different ideas, however i am at a loss as to why it's come on in the last couple of months, started with palms, which ended up red raw through scratching now it's all over... a couple of small patches of skin seem extra dry, slapping on cream like mad, my back however is driving me doolally. Lots of vaseline cream but no relief...... if it was soap powder then why has it affected my face, around the body i would get... agh..

[Mosaic]

Em, the vaseline lotion doesn't work for me. It has to be the gunky yucky petroleum jelly. It's hideous, but left to do its job it is better than anything else. I will scratch holes in my shins if I let the itching progress but this slothered on under the old knee-socks works wonders.
I am also going to experiment with olive oil to test out the results. This of course will wreck any clothes that touch it.

[yogasun]

em10
Not sure of your age but Sqad mentioned elderly ladies!
Just to say I developed an itch on my back after the menopause. It is still there, drives me mad, though not as bad as it used to be. There is no rash or sign of anything. I have put it down (rightly or wrongly) to formication (note the m, not n!!) and just put up with it now!

[emmie]

yoga, i am well past the meno whatsit, and i know the word you mentioned...

[daffy654]

Liver problems can cause itching all over. It is unlikely this is what you have but it may be worth a trip to the doctors for a simple blood test.

[masma]

Although you do need to sort out your dry skin maybe anti histamine tablets might help with the itching.