Help Stop the Itching!

you have tons of answers, but here's one more to add... my son gets patches of dry skin that he will itch until they bleed, and we use Shea butter on them in a matter of a few applications it is completly gone and there are no scars to show that anything was even there... you have to get 100% Shea butter though. nothing that has fragrance or added to lotions. you can find it in health food stores.

My son gets really itchy too, and I make him soak in Aveeno oatmeal bath, then put on some babyoil afterward then more aveeno lotion, unscented. That works for him, if not for you I would see a Dr.

I had the same thing too. It was the worst at night. I have never been that itchy that bad before,so on going. so I finally went to my Dr. and she just had me take Claritin once aday and it take care of it completely. If I forget to take it I start itching again so I take my Claritin and it goes away. Might not be the same thing but I would try it at least 1 time. I got to the point where I would try ANYTHING to get rid of this.Hope it goes away and you start feeling better!

sounds like u r allergic to something , i would check with ur doctor first , but i take a pill for the samething i take equate allergy medication , it may also be nerves , good lucky , E.

Have you asked your doctor about scabies? My daughter had it and it really didn't show itself everywhere. We had to do a treatment and the itching stopped. My best friend's son had them too. Check with your doctor or a dermatologist. Good luck and God Bless.

This will sound odd, but try eating lots of plain yogurt.

Could be an excess of yeast in your system (candida). Try cutting out all sugar and bread from your diet and see if that works. You can find more info about this at a health food store.

I know this may be taking things to the extreme but if you try all of the suggestions and nothing seems to be helping, you may want to have your kidneys checked out. My Mother-in-law had kidney disease and was itchy all of the time. After she got it under control with dialysis (sp) her itching was gone. I am not trying to say that you have kidney disease but the Dr. said that the toxins that were building up inside of her due to the kidneys not performing well lead to her all over itchyness. If your condition continues on long term and you still cant figure it out, it may be something to look into.

I'm not sure if this will help but it sounds similar. Each time I was pregnant I had this happen. It was excess bile salts being released from my liver. The bile salts travel through your blood and find a place to escape. That is why your hand and feet are the worse. I know exactly what you are going through. The itching is unbearable. I would call your doctor and see when they have to say. I know you arn't pregnant now but it could still be your bile salts.

Hi K. O,
I know that this may sound crazy, but I work in a pharmacy that deals with hormones. One of the symptoms of an imbalance is severe skin dryness all over. The legs, arms, ribs, back, & face & breasts. We customize prescriptions. In other words, we make things up from scratch just like the old time pharmacies. I don't know if you could possibly be having any other symptoms but you can definitely check out the symptom list. A little over the counter progesterone would help to relieve the itching. If you would like other suggestions, please email me at: ____@____.com or check out our website & women's symptom list at www.myhormonesonline.com
-C.

First of all you need to go to the dermatologist. Second you may need to visit with an allergist. Some allergies come up later in life. I am now allergic to benzoyl peroxide and also honeydew, cantoloupe, and somewhat to watermelon. We could give you tips that are equally irritating to your body. You may need to switch over to oatmeal soap like aveda, unscented detergents, lotions,shampoos (The body shop sells them & I am an independent rep also), deodorants. And see how your body reacts for a while while you are waiting on results from doctors tests. Depending on your age it could be hormonally or menopausal motivated, too.

Have you recently switched laundry detergent, dryer sheets, soap, lotions, etc? It's possible you have an allergy. Or, if you haven't had anything new introduced, it's possible you've developed an allergy.

Contact your doctor, if it's not an allergy it might be something else that can be treated with medicine.

Hi K.

I have family in Garden City and visit there on occasion. Have you ever thought or heard of Arbonne? It's an all natural product line and I've had many, many satisfied clients with very itchy skin, eczema (sp), etc. It has a 45 money back guarantee so if it doesn't work you're not out anything. If you would like more info or would like a free sample, just let me know. You can even get a 35% discount. Hope you find something very soon that helps you with your dilema...doesn't sound like much fun.

V.
____@____.com
www.vickimartinez.myarbonne.com

I had something like this on the top of my foot once. When I finally got to the dermatologist I found out it was fungus. It itched like crazy too and I made myself bleed. I also have problems with my legs and back from dermatitis. I used to get hives because I have allergic reactions to things so easily. I can't use anything with scent or dyes. The Gold Bond brought some temporary relief. It worked the best out of everything I tried. But I would get to the doctor just to know what you are dealing with, especially if you are itching to the point of bleeding. They can tell you if maybe you are allergic to something by taking some skin tests. Parasites can also cause uncontrollable itching but I think you would have known if that was your culprit. You would see tracks or something and it would have spread pretty quickly to other parts of your body.

O man I am totally feeling you on both of these subjects...
My son is only 14 months old and throws a tantrum every time you try to do anything: change diaper, put clothes on, put in car seat, put in high chair (even when he's hungry! and he doesn't eat anywhere else...). Unfortunately, I have no idea how to solve this, just know that I feel your pain and frustration on that one.
As far as the itching goes... For a little while I had really bad itching UNDER my skin when I first moved here to Missouri a couple months ago. I finally figured out that it was allergies! Do you think this could be whats causing your itchiness? And now that you mention it, it seems like its coming back lately cause the last 3 or 4 days I feel like there are bugs crawling/biting me here and there. I thought it was just pregnancy dry skin, but maybe it's coming back. I took benedryl (sp?) in the evenings and it knocked it out for me. I would definitely go see a doc if you can get in in a reasonable amount of time. I absolutely *hate* how knocked out I feel from benedryl. Do you have bumps where you itch, like a rash? Maybe the topical benedryl or calamine lotion could possibly help?

I would go to the doctor and see if there is something more going on. Try taking Benadrill? I agree with the laundry soap and dryer sheet thing.

My husband had the same itching problem. It turned into hives. His is caused from stress and his medicine that he has been taking for several years. We just put the two together and realized that the itching started several years ago when he started the medicine. You may be algeric to your clothes washing detergent. Good luck. If you can find the cause, you won't have to buy the creams.

See your doctor about the possibility of having scabies. Scabies are itchy and are not always in the medical form. Scabies are especially itchy at night and can wake you from your sleep due to itching!

If you have a water softner, check to make sure it has salt and is working. I also use Aveeno shower oil. After I shower I put the oil on while still wet. Do not rinse, just dry off with towel and then use Lubriderm fragrance free lotion over that.

On the temper tantrum about clothes. We go through it with 5 year old twins. I fight them on the three days a week they have PE at school and the other 4 days of the week I dont' care if they match or what they wear as long as it's weather appropriate. We've tried picking out clothes the night before but that doesn't work.

Please let us know if you come up with a solution for the tantrum!

Hi K.,

You may want to make a doctor's appt. It sounds like you may have eczema which is a dermatitis within the skin. My husband and son have it, a mild atopic type of eczema. They have to get a prescription ointment( triamcinolone) which works so good. We tried creams, lotions and all that and none of it works, it's a waist of money. The ointment we get is a huge jar and cost about $10 and last us over a month at a time. I would definetely contact your primary care doctor and ask for a referral to a dermatologist. Nothing too serious or to be alarmed about but a dermatologist is the doctor you want to see not your regular doctor, they will try to get you to try all the lotions and all that.

Hope this helps! Trust me I do understand!
L.

Firstly, please stop using Lanacaine. You could overdose from using it all over your legs. Also, it will lose effectiveness over time. You are using a lot of different chemicals in the shower and out of it. You may be allergic to one of them or one of them in particular may be causing dryness and itchiness. My sister-in-law is allergic to lanolin. It was very difficult for her to pinpoint what was going on. Have you spoken to your physician or a dermatologist. That might be the best route since you seem to be taking precautions against dryness and they aren't working. Also, the winters around here can be terrible on skin, so it might help to have a profesional helping you before it gets worse.

Good Luck!

Sounds to me like you have some sort of hives. I suffer from stress and pms related hives. It only took 10 years to figure that out, with countless allergy tests and doctor visits. Take benadryl. It will make you sleepy at first but eventually you'll get past the sleepyness. I once scratched myself so bad in my sleep that I broke a fingernail off in my leg and had to have it removed by a doctor! I really do understand how horrible it can be. And while it's a little pricey, I highly recommend Gold Bond cream! It works really well! Good luck! If you need anymore help feel free to message me.

First I would recommend running, not walking to a Dermatologist. This sounds like the same crud my daughter as...technically, the by-product is eczema but it is a red rash that itches like crazy...IF she will let me do the meds they prescribed for her, she will clear up. When the Dr. prescribes one thing to know is that creams are generally stronger than ointments but MAY burn (especially if you just scratched open a wound)...We had Triamcinolone Acetonide Ointment prescribed for our itches and it was recommended to put on morning and night, let sit and dry for a couple of minutes then slather (and boy do they mean it) on something like Aquaphor (which can cost a fortune) or Vaseline and put on some fitting clothes (I used winter underwear for her but you could probably get away with yoga pants or sweats...but remember you'll probably have grease stains from the ointments.) You'll sure have soft skin by the time it's all said and done!

You should limit your bathing and definitely nothing HOT! Stay lukewarm to cool...if the Aveno doesn't work for you try some epsom salt...only reason why I say this is Gabby's skin cleared up on its own for the first time when we went to the ocean! Hmmmm??? Stay with a neutral soap, Dial, Dove Sensitive or Pure & Natural...NOTHING with perfumes! And a short bath is better than a shower...at least your skin can soak up some of the moisture.

Something like Benadryl will help you with some of the itching until you get in to the Dr. There is another prescription that you should ask about...for my daughter who is 4 it is in liquid form but it's called Atarax (or Hydroxyzine in generic)...It makes her drowsy but boy does it stop the itching! We don't use it all the time, but when things get really bad it's been a lifesaver!

As for the other posting...I'd recommend just reposting it...you'll get far more responses that way. Good luck to you!

You've got a lot of great suggestions.
Here's one more (as if you really need it ... LOL !)
Immediately after your bath (or shower), and before drying off apply baby oil to your skin. Then pat dry, don't rub. It's wonderful ! (And cheap)
Also ..... drink lots of water and other clear fluids during the day.

Oooh, not fun! I would go see a dermatologist. Maybe they can provide some insight. I was having very dry skin problems with my face this summer. I went to get a facial and the lady really tried to put some moisture back into my face. Maybe you just need a doctor's type of lotion. I really had to maintain my face after that. She told me that the lotion I was using was cheap and that I was getting what I paid for. She wasnt exactly nice about it but after following her advice it did help tremendously!! Hope this helps!

Hi K.,
I was wondering if you've ever heard of or tried Arbonne. The products are wonderful and cured my daughter's ezcema. You can see immediate results and if you want to try a sample to see if it works for your condition I'd be happy to mail you one. I would be really happy to see you get some releif.
Thanks,
V. Anderson
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This may sound really strange, but Mary Kay Mint Bliss foot and leg cream really helps relieve itching. I think it may have something to do with the mint part of it but it really helps. My son has excema and it really helps relieve the itching better than the steroid creams. Good luck

well, i have eczema and so feel your pain. mix hydrocortisone in with the eucerin cream, it decreases the inflammation and really conditions the skin. good luck!

I see you've already got answers for your itchies...

But I thought I'd tackle your getting-dressed-without-tantrum issues.

I have one suggestion for tantrums in my posting history that you should check out if this doesn't work. It's a tantrum cure. Guaranteed.

But, as far as getting dressed is concerned...he's 4 years old. He should be getting dressed on his own and only coming to you for help with shoes. Give him access to his clothes and let him do it himself. Tell him..."okay! Get dressed and then come and get mommy when you need help with your shoes! Then we'll brush teeth/have cereal/whatever you do"...then leave. Even if he gets mad about it, you won't be watching.

Good luck!

Aveeno Oatmeal Bath - found at drug stores, as well as Wal-Mart and Dillon's

It sounds like maybe you could have eczema. I to have it and in the winter it get really bad. You should try and go see your doctor they can prescribe something for it. If you don't want to go you might try a lotion with oatmeal in it and last for 24 hours like aveeno and use it daily in the morning. I find using lotion daily really helps me. They sell other brand that have oatmeal in them. aveeno is rather expensive I have used Suave and had luck with it. I also use a shave gel which seems to help. I also try and use a body wash for dry skin. Also sometimes the laundry soap and fabric softener you use will effect it also. My doctor told me not to use dryer sheets but use the liquid softner. I like Tide with downey already in it, it does not bother me. hope this helps.

Emu oil. You can find it health food stores or all natural stores. One of my daughters has exema and gets a rash all over and it is the only thing that helped her and we tried every thing. Emu oil is all natural so you wont be adding to the problem with chemicals that are found in lotions and creams. It wont clog your pores it is great stuff.

make an apointment with a Dermatologist!

It sounds to me like it may be from dry skin but maybe not! I know that my skin went from just fine to dry and crackled in about 2 secs once the temperature dropped (even with all the humidity - what's up with that?)

I swear by Nivea lotion (blue bottle with pink stripe on label - Essentially Enriched) or even better Nuetrogena Body Oil that you squirt on while you are still wet in the shower. It makes cleaning your shower a pain (or at least it has to be cleaned more often) but it is fantastic and it smells yummy!

Also, remember that Benedryl will help if it's allergy related. It sounds to me like it may be from dry skin but maybe not! I know that my skin went from just fine to dry and crackled in about 2 secs once the temperature dropped (even with all the humidity - what's up with that?)

As far as your 4 year old - give him a choice between 2 different outfits and it'll get better eventually. He'll figure out that he has some control over things in his world and it'll make him feel better.

Have you recently changed any of your laundry products or shower products? You might do an inventory to see if anything like that has changed. You could also try taking an allergy pill. There are some that don't cause drowsiness. Also, lower the temperature of your showers. The hotter the water, the more dry your skin will be. Definitly keep patting dry and immediately put on a lotion or oil after your shower. I would suggest if that doesn't work, to make an appointment with a Dr. to get at the root of the problem.

I have had this same problem...everything had just suddenly started itching. Sorry to tell you this but I don't have many recommendations on how to stop it. I went to the dr. and they suspected it could be scapes, did the treatment for that...nope did nothing. I hadn't changed any shampoos, detergent, or anything of that sort. (I have now switched to a dye free soap at the suggestion of dr., maybe it helped some, not sure) I had almost started suspecting I was allergic to my own sweat or something...I noticed I would itch more when I was hot. Pretty much nothing I did ever worked and it started to go away on its own after 3 or 4 months. It still comes back now and then but nothing like it was...I feel for you, I really do and I wish I had better advice.

It sounds like eczema or some other condition that needs help beyond over the counter. You may need a steroid cream. See your doctor or dermatologist for advice- they may be able to tell by looking at teh type of rash what it is. My son has eczema and scratches a lot at night too.

Hope this helps!

You can try taking an eveeno oatmeal bath. Check with your doctor as well if that dont work.

Have you been to the Dr about this? I have never had any of these and do know much about them but maybe it is shingles, hives, allergic reaction to something, mumps, measles, etc.

I would get to the Dr and have it checked, it might even be ecsema. You don't want it to be contagious and pass it to anyone else in the house!

Hello K.,
I had problems with my legs itching severely for most of my life. I never found a lotion that didn't make my legs feel like they were on fire. I found Melaleuca about 3 years ago and could never live without there products. The one that helps me the most is the Renew Intensive Care Lotion. It is amazing. All of there products are all natural. It's scary how many products in stores contain horrible chemicals. The other thing I have had to remove from my laundry is fabric softener. I would imagine if you are itching all over you should look closer at your laundry products. Hopefully this helps you.

I feel your pain! I have the same thing!!! I have gone to the doctor and the dermotologist and they have given me Rx cream, which helped a little. The dermotologist said it was eczema, even though there ws no sign of a rash, just scabs! I have noticed that this summer I haven't a lot of itching. I don't know if it has to do with the weather, the water(we have hard water), or my activities(circulation?). I spend most the summer camping and we are constantly moving. I would definatly check with your doctor and see if a Rx cream will help you out. I have tried EVERYTHING myself. Just try to keep your legs moisturised. My younger girls love that job! I feel like I'm at the spa! :-)
In reguards to your 4yr old. When does he get dressed? First thing in the morning or after breakfast? Maybe ask him what he wants to do first eat breakfast or get dressed? Do you let him pick out his outfit? If not that might help get him excited about putting it on. Give him a choice between 2 outfits you approve of for the day. Giving choices make children feel more in control. If choices don't work, then I would move to a reward system. Let him know for everyday he gets dressed without a fit he will get a star and then if he gets stars for the whole week he will get a prize. Good Luck!

a temporary help might be taking an oatmeal bath, aveno has a good product for this. Also, switching to a detergent like Tide Free might help if you're having issues with deoderants. I had a similar problem a few years ago and switching all my skin products and detergents to the kind without any added perfumes or dyes helped ALOT. I use Dove Sensitive for body wash and Bounce free for fabric softener. Aveno is also a great hypo-allergenic brand. If this continues, seeing a general practitioner or allergy specialist might not be a bad idea. Good luck!

I think the first thing you probably need to do is see your doctor...to rule out a host fo things that could be causing it. Until you get to the doctor....I would suggest going to your pharmacy and asking for "Sarna"...it is a lotion that is used in lots and lots of compounds that dermatologists prescribe for itching conditions. You can buy it without a prescription and I can tell you from personal experience that it really does help on a short term basis. But...DO make an appt with your Doctor..find out what is causing this..no need for you to be so miserable!!
Good luck
R. Ann

Sorry, this is late and I don't have time to read everyone's responses:
Sounds like you need to see your dermatologist. It may be ecxema...
Check out this discription @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eczema

Other than that, I would bathe with a soothing baby wash or oatmeal based soap and try Dreft or frangrace free detergents and NO fabric softeners for all of your laundry including sheets and towels. The fabric softeners leave a residue in the clothes which may be causing the problem. Never use OxyClean if you have sensitive skin.

Since it is MOSTLY on your legs....Do you wear nylons or long socks? You may have an allergy to your hoisery, ie. laytex, etc.
#2
How to get my four-year-old son to get dressed each day without a temper tantrum.

Lay his clothes out for him and tell him to get dressed and come to breakfast. If you make him dress before he gets to eat, he will dress. ;)

Good luck!

About your itchiness, two suggestions:
1. Gold Bond medicated lotion (never tried it, but heard it's great).
2. Homemade lotion (1 large bottle Johnson's baby or similar lotion, 1 large tub petroleum jelly, 1 large tub vitamin E cream; mix with a hand mixer) (this always works for me)
About getting your son dressed:
Choose two outfits and let him choose between them. Make it clear that he cannot have anything else from the closet or the dresser. Be firm. It may be that he is overwhelmed with options so can't decide and expresses it through a tantrum. Give him those two options, including socks and shoes, and see what happens. It may take a few days or up to a week for him to get used to the new system, but it should help.
Good luck!