ITCHY!

[bloodless]

I keep getting itchy all over. It's not dry skin either. I've been moisturizing. I get itchy on the palms of my hands and the bottom of my feet too. Weird. Anybody else get this?

[newhorizons]

Peripheral Neuropathy...for starters!

[Bobbie]

Hi Bloodless,

I am scratching all over!  I scratch and then I bruise where I scratched?!?!

Bobbie

[Daisy1234]

Hi Bloodless:

Itchiness might be related to autoimmunity, but you didn't mention whether you are also getting any red marks, scaly skin, hives, or bumps etc...  

I am a pretty itchy person as well, but I did see a dermatologist as well to make sure it wasn't scabies, eczema, contact or atopic dermatitis,  or anything else that is treatable.  If its Xerosis or psoriasis, there is treatment for that as well.  You may wish to get this looked at if it continues just to be sure.  There are tons of things that can make a person itch!

Daisy

[Gerty]

yes it was itchy and hives that I first got on my hands that was the trigger for retesting me and found out I had lupus and not RA I have to be on permanent antihistamines for the rest of my life I also have to be careful as to what I touch or touches me any new clothing/shampoos/soaps/anything that touches me can make my body respond and make me itch. even warm blowing air heaters IE air con or any heat really bar heaters as well some times even if I sit to close to the fire I can itch and scratch I find I have to take an extra antihistamines. this itchiness can get so bad I have in the past used a sharp knife to try and relive it, it can get so bad and causes a lot of pain as well. I bruise from scratching myself until the tabs kick in sometimes I have to take around 4 if that don't settle it down I have to go to the hospital for cortisone injections.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

'itchy' is worth checking out with a doctor. It could be autoimmune, it could be medications or it could be the liver.

Take care - Scottie 

[Prairie Gal]

I currently have a light rash (from sunlight I think) on the back of my neck and it itched noticeably for a few days, as did my scalp.  It's much better now, so I think it's just part of having SjS. 

Various things come and go (sharp, short-lived pains anywhere in the body, for example) and as long as they go away, I don't do anything about them.  I've never remembered to mention these pains to my rheumy because they're long gone when I see him.  Guess I should keep a journal.

I found out from a Rheumatologist at the UCSF Medical Center (as a participant in the SjS study) that other Sjoggies have these pains, too.  They appear for a while and then disappear for several weeks.  They really grab me for 5-7 seconds when they hit -- momentarily take my breath away.   

[cmclien]

Bloodless,
You didn't mention if you started a new med recently but itchy hands and feet, especially the bottom can be an allergic reaction too.

[bloodless]

Thanks for the responses. I haven't started new meds. I'm already being treated for perepheral neuropathy that started with numbness in fingers and toes and feeling like I was being bitten by ants all over. I suppose the itching could be it breaking through the meds again. It's not the rash kind of itch. I get purpura from time to time and rashes, but this is an overwhelming itch anywhere on my body, but usually arms, legs, palms and bottom of my feet. I can't ignore this itch. It sometimes makes me jump it's so sudden and strong.

[quilt4fun]

I was itchy too, especially upper arms and thighs .The skin wasn't dry and no bumps(like hives) just a little red and intensely itchy.  Dr. told me it could be a pseudo-allergic reaction to tartrazine dyes and related substances.  I eliminated all foods with yellow dye #5,  all tomato products, all peppers, almonds,cucumbers, grapes, raisins, wines, mints, all smoked meats, all liquors(except vodka), and aspirin and aspirin-like compounds.  I  don't drink, so some of these were not a problem.  It made me a label reader--I was surprised how many things had yellow #5! But it worked!!!  I have been doing this for 3 months.   Every now and then I miss something in prepared foods (especially at a restaurant) and the itching will  begin in about 4 hours.  Even 1 small piece of pizza--I was so hungry for pizza!!- and the itching began. Lesson learned.
Jan