OK, back to my doctor's office: intense palm and sole itching not gone.

[CTyankee]

I went to my doc last summer and he examined me and ordered blood tests to determine any organic disease situation. Nothing, all normal functioning. He prescribed hydroxyzine hcl 25 mg. It works temporarily.I chalked it up to stress (hubby recovering from spinal surgery and I was primary caregiver).

Got mostly over it as hubby got better.Now it is back again but not a lot.

This is ridiculous. I have to go back to see him for another go round or for a referral to a specialist...

What a game this is.

[KatyaR]

1. I had a horrible rash a year ago last summer,

started on my butt, moved to my legs and then up my torso to my chest. The itching was horrid, I couldn't help scratching until I bled. I had it SIX MONTHS, because I lost my job and had no insurance to go to the doctor, so I never did figure out what it was, probably stress like you have.

Unfortunately, I think it's coming back again. I have insurance now, but now I'm afraid to go to the doctor for fear it won't be covered. So it's back to anti-itch steroid cream for me.

I hope you feel better soon, rashes are no fun at all!

[cry baby]

2. wierd...that happens to me after I get out of the bathtub.

It's truly miserable but it facilitates a foot rub from hubby, which helps. While he does that, I take a hair brush to my palms.

[CTyankee]

6. ice cubes work best. Just rub them in your hands or on feet. That'll stop itching

for a nice long time. DUer Warpy told me it might be bath soap, so I've tried hypoallergenic soap. It does but sometimes doesn't work, so I'm a little suspicious of regular soap now.

I'm now trying hypoallergenic laundry detergent, hoping it will be the cure...I'll let you guys know...

[uppityperson]

8. I've a problem that ice/cold causes a histamine reaction on my skin (hives)

Makes me cautious when swimming in the summer, making sure that I'm ok. I think it is related to stress as has been worse during high stress times.

The body is very interesting, skin is very interesting.

[cry baby]

10. Ok, I'll try that! Thank you CT! nt

[CTyankee]

12. Problem is, you can't always have access to ice cubes! At a house is fine.

But what if you are travelling? I took a pill every night that I was away in Italy for 8 days last September, just because I couldn't control the itching if it started in the middle of the night (hotels in Italy are not like a Motel 6 -- no ice machine at the end of the hall!). Kinda crazy...

[Autumn Colors]

3. Allergy?

Have you tried taking some Benadryl to see if that helps? If it does (even a little), I'd go to an allergist.

[CTyankee]

7. My prescription is essentially what that is and it does help...treats the symptom...

[Duer 157099]

4. That sounds horrible.

Those are not good places to have itch, it seems they can never be satisfied.

The other worst place is beneath a scar, where there are no (or very limited) nerve receptors working, yet the sensation of itchiness is still there.

Have you tried OTC antihistamines, like diphenhydramine, for relief?

I'll be curious to hear what causes this. All I can think of is histamines, although I suppose there can be all sorts of causes for histamine release.

:shrug:

[CTyankee]

9. I think that is what my meds are for...they DO work, I just prefer not to take pills (they make me

sleepy)but to find out what the damn cause is! If I knew it was dish detergent, for example, I could just stop using it and get on with life...not knowing is crazy...

[uppityperson]

5. That's too bad. Dermatologists have a captive audience, long term patients

I am sorry for you as that sounds really uncomfortable. Good luck figuring it out.

[postulater]

11. I up my B-Vitamin intake. That helps.

Good for the stress too.

[blue neen]

13. I got some relief from itching after taking Vitamin D-3.

Maybe your doctor could do a blood test to see if you're deficient.

[CTyankee]

14. Good idea. I don't know if that was one he tested for...what food has D-3 in it?

[blue neen]

15. Fish has a lot of D-3.

Sometimes doctors make a mistake and test for D-2 instead.

[CTyankee]

16. We do eat some cod and salmon every week, because we are in New England.

Prolly some every week. I'm wondering now...

[mzteris]

17. Are you taking any Vit B supplements?

If so - stop.

[mzteris]

18. also, have the considered Reynaud's? n/t

[CTyankee]

19. I occasionallyhave Reynaud's. I didn't know it could be linked...I've had the

Reynaud's for a few years, long before the itching started...