Chronic Itch? You Could Have a Skin Disease

It was maddening. In the winter I had to pull up the sleeves on my sweaters because my arms would itch too bad to leave them down yet I would freeze.

In the summer sweating would aggravate the rash on my arms even more.

The cream I used cost me $50 ore more out of pocket when I had no insurance. Only a little dab was needed but the tube was so dang small!

Then I had to be careful about what I touched or brushed up against. And with my legs, which were also broken out in the rash, I had the same problems with pants that I had with sweaters and the same aggravation in the summer with sweat.

Having a cat on top of all that was no laughing matter.

At livingwithitch.org there are practical approaches to relieving itch in Psoriasis, something I developed later.

On the site there are breakdowns of current treatments for chronic itch along with practical guidelines for reducing the sensation of the itch.

Chronic itch can be extremely uncomfortable and affects people’s lives in many ways.

There are four major types of itch: itch that originates from the skin, itch related to damaged nerve fibers or internal diseases such as chronic renal failure or liver disease causing itch, and itch based on psychiatric reasons.

A major concern doctors have with the condition regards the constant scratching on the area or areas.

Low ph cleansers and moisturizers help along with creams. For instance, I had to switch to Aveeno bath soap and bathe with Aveeno Oatmeal Bath Powder. Cooling agents can also assist in relieving the chronic itch. Topical anesthetics such as Pramoxine and EMLA cream affect both pain and itch receptors.

Some suggestions for relieving itch include taking shorter baths or showers and using lukewarm water, using a humidifier, staying away from tight-fitting clothes or wool, keeping your home cool, trying not to eat spicy foods, and minimizing alcohol intake.

Currently, Wake Forest University, who started the Living With Itch website, is conducting a study to see if sleeping on silk bed sheets reduces itch in persons two years old or older.

Steve Feldman knows all about the effects of chronic itch because he’s a doctor who sees patients suffering from these conditions and has a son who also has the problem.

“The most concrete effect is the missed sleep when he’s itching and wakes us up,” he said. “There is the parental sadness of seeing your child suffer.”