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Re: Intense localized itching on arms

My arms have itched for 50 years! Nights are worst,which makes no sense to me. My arms are so scratched,they bleed all the time. I have years of scratch-scars. I have ankylosing spondilitis, so I have suspected my neck is pinching nerves to my arms, but I’ve gone to chiropractors at least once a week for over 40 yrs, & although chiropractic has greatly helped my overall physicall well-being, it has not stopped the itching arms. (I gave up on rheumatologists). The chiro says he doesn’t think itching is caused by pinched nerves — suggested it might be a virus– but a 50-yr virus? come on! And why only my arms itch & no place else? & only outside of my arms –not inside! He suggested rubbing tea tree oil before going to bed, but it doesn’t help. Neither does oatmeal baths,oatmeal creams or any other creams,lotions, anti-itch med’s,antihistamine pills or any of that. For decades, I’ve also got a full massage once a week- massage has done so much to help my body, I hoped massaging my neck, back & arms would relieve the arm itching. My masseuse is baffled by the itching and offers no explanation either. I am a great believer in careful diet, so if arm-itching is diet-related, it must be caused by salad. I am gluten-intolerant, so I have not touched grains or sugars in years, no dairy, no soda-pops, & I don’t take any prescriptions. I’ve tried various herbal concoctions, and although I have found wonderful herbals for assisting the gall bladder, liver, kidneys, and general inflammation, none seem to stop itching arms. (If you want a good fresh herbal company, look up www.viable-herbal.com. Their “Herbal Ease” anti-inflammatory, “Nature’s Blend” Liver Support, & “Botanical Benefits” Gall Bladder Support are particularly wonderful, as is their carpal-tunnel support blend.) I’ve tried herbals that are supposed to help you sleep, thinking maybe if I slept really soundly, I wouldn’t feel the itch, but that hasn’t worked either. I was curious to hear that ice helps some of you. Cold makes mine worse, and cool water will actually set it off. If I get up in the night and wash my hands before going back to bed, I can expect to scratch and bleed the rest of the night if I run the cool water up my arms. My one tip — I only buy white sheets so I can bleach out the blood stains! I couldn’t believe it when I did an internet search for “itching arms” and you popped right up on top! I am amazed to find you all out there, as I have never before met anyone else who has this problem! Evidently, I’m not the only one, and we can’t all be loony or so bored with nothing else to do with our lives that all we can do is think about scratching our arms! It seems as if, with a database like the internet, we should be able to band together to get some attention for this problem — I for one am tired of being dismissed as if I am some kind of attention-seeking hypochondriac, aren’t you?

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    What can I do for itching arms. I’ve been toallergist and my family doctor. My familydoctor gives me a shot — but it only helps fora couple of days. Help!

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