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Health

itching

(42 Posts)
jeanie99 Sun 17-May-15 11:02:33

Started on Wed with a itch on my stomach.
Thursdays I had a rash all over my stomach went to see
GP who said I had an allergic re action to something and gave me antihistime tablets to take and suggested using cold E45 for the itching.
Saturday I was covered all over in a rash, legs, arms, even palms of hands so went to see another GP who again said the same but couldn't offer any advice for the itching.
The itching is totally driving me insane, does anyone have any suggestion.
Had cold showers and have used an insect bite cream.
The spots are now large lumps some are blisters.
I had thought I had chicken pox but doc said not.
HELP

jeanie99 Thu 11-Jun-15 07:27:54

Hi everyone thanks so much for your comments,

The itching did stop eventually after all signs of the rash had gone but took about 3 weeks.

I guess I'll never know what caused it but next time I start clearing out the garage I'll be wearing a face mask just in case.

jamummy Wed 10-Jun-15 21:37:59

sorry that should have read cured the itching lol

jamummy Wed 10-Jun-15 21:37:11

hi there, I know you have been given antihistamines but try some PIRITON, my dr gave me these when I was itching although I didn't have a rash but they cured the bitching if not I would say you've got a viral infection and that word viral covers a multitude of things, hope you feel better soon.

jeanie99 Sat 23-May-15 23:55:54

Update

My condition didn't improve even with a change of medication so GP put me on Steroids for 5 days, finished the course on Friday.
I saw the difference within the first 24 hours the inflammation had decreased was like magic.
I was very worried about side effects of this drug but I have been alright.
I am still getting the itch but it's not anything like it was and most of the rash as gone and my hands are not swollen now.
So fingers crossed over time this will get sorted.

whenim64 Tue 19-May-15 10:11:39

My daughter had similar symptoms when she returned from Mexico. Along with the itching and rash, she lost weight and then I noticed she looked slightly jaundiced. She had picked up Hep A, which took a few weeks to recover from. The GP missed it first time, but it was a matter of days before she felt worse and then was quickly diagnosed. Hope yours goes soon, jeannie.

AshTree Tue 19-May-15 09:33:53

I'm glad to see your GP has finally given you something for this jeanie, and really hope the steroids sort it quickly. x

Eloethan Tue 19-May-15 00:40:03

I hope you soon feel better jeanie.

J52 Tue 19-May-15 00:10:47

The steroids should do the trick. They did for me and I did not have the rash again. Hope you are better soon. x

jeanie99 Mon 18-May-15 23:24:41

I ment to say thanks everyone for your input I have tried a couple of the things you have mentioned.

Cannot think of anything really that I have changed, we did go walking on Sunday can't remember if I touched any leaves or plants.

I was cleaning the garage out during the day didn't open any bottles or cans it was just very dusty. It's the sort of thing I have done many times.

jeanie99 Mon 18-May-15 23:17:56

I have had to go to see the doc again today the rash is getting worse it's now traveled to below my knees and up my neck onto my face.
The strange think is I am not ill but my hands and the palms especially are very painful and sore and the itching is a nightmare, it's slow torture.

We arrived back from Egypt a month ago and I began thinking I may have brought back a parasite in my skin but doc had checked for this before I mentioned it. He said he would see the tunneling lines on the skin it's a give away so I am thankful for that.

He's put me on steroids for 5 days said that should do the trick if not, go back.

rubylady Mon 18-May-15 04:02:03

My brother suffered with something like this over Christmas. He had tests and they all came back clear so the docs didn't know what it was. He has had to just sit it out but he was in a lot of pain, off work as he is a teacher and not known if contagious, and it looked awful. He is a lot better now though. He said about not sleeping too, and had them all, over his body. I thought it might be stress related?

Ana Sun 17-May-15 22:23:05

You don't get shingles all over your body and the palms of your hands.

It does seem strange that the rash/itching isn't on your face jeanie, it does sound as though it could be a washing powder-type allergic reaction.

Eloethan Sun 17-May-15 22:15:05

I had shingles a couple of years ago. It was very itchy at first - we were in Portugal and I thought the spots were mosquito bites. But I suppose as jeannie 's rash is not yet painful it probably isn't shingles.

JessM Sun 17-May-15 22:11:59

Shingles is painful I believe rather than itchy (chicken pox is itchy - it's not that is it? blistery spots ?)
I once had terrible iitchy mosquito bites - lots of them. A dose of my husband's hay fever stuff - i.e. over the counter antihistamine - helped a lot.

Eloethan Sun 17-May-15 21:37:01

I suppose shingles has been ruled out?

hildajenniJ Sun 17-May-15 19:44:55

Just recently I was awfully itchy, and I had very dry red skin around my neck, almost like eczema. I discovered that the shampoo I was using was the cause. I stopped using the shampoo and the itchiness stopped almost overnight. It took a bit longer for the dry skin around my neck to recover. I applied hydromol ointment to that. I won't ever buy Tesco's own shampoo again.

Eloethan Sun 17-May-15 19:32:11

I think if very severe itching doesn't subside then it should definitely be investigated further.

pompa Sun 17-May-15 14:07:48

I get chronic itch on my fore arms every summer (sun damage ?) I use Boot anti-itch cream, works perfectly.

AshTree Sun 17-May-15 13:43:56

jeannie Sudocrem is what virtually all mums use on their babies' bottoms! But it is also recommended for eczema and other skin complaints. You'll find it easily in any chemists or supermarket - it's a round pot, pale grey with red writing.

loopylou Sun 17-May-15 13:33:23

Were you wearing latex gloves? They can cause contact dermatitis but it would be unusual to start on your tummy.

soontobe Sun 17-May-15 13:27:09

Were there chemicals in the garage?

Coolgran65 Sun 17-May-15 13:23:56

Calamine lotion, also perhaps an old fashioned paste of baking soda and water.

When I had a (not as extreme) itch reaction I bouoght super sensitive non bio washing powder and washed every item of clothing and towels starting with my underwear.
I also was prescribed Cortisone Cream (also available in Asda) but don't know that you could use that if you have blisters.
Sudocream is in a little grey pot with red/white label and is found in the baby aisle - I also used that when I had the itch, before using the cortisone cream.

Lanacane (for intimate itching but could use it anywhere) might help.

Wouldn't be without cortisone cream and sudocream in my bathroom cabinet.

A cool/cold shower/bath might give temporary relief.

Could you have used a new perfume - or even a very old one ??
Or just one that you haven't used for ages.
An allergy can appear practically overnight.

annodomini Sun 17-May-15 13:23:09

I had a similar rash at a time of stress (house moving with two small children) and nothing seemed to work until I was bed-bound with viral meningitis. But I don't recommend that as a solution.

Atqui Sun 17-May-15 13:19:20

Someone I know had similar and turned out to be from eating kiwi fruit.

J52 Sun 17-May-15 13:17:06

This sounds really awful for you, sympathies.

Some years ago I had an allergic reaction to something and the rash was confined to my face, v sore and itchy. It made me cry, the salt from my tears made it worse!

The Dr gave me a short course of steroids, which cleared it up like magic and it never came back. I hope yours goes soon. x