I scratch until I bleed sometimes. I’ve had at least 7 years of fibro and this is a rather new side effect. It could be from one of my psych meds, but wondered if it could be a fibro thing I just haven’t experienced yet
Does anyone else experience all over body itching randomly? Usually happens in the evening?
Question posted by ABBA GIRL on 18 March 2018
Last updated on 29 April 2018 by Auntjan
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8 Answers
Auntjan
30 April 2018
I have the itching. I am sorry to say i just put hot water on the area. When my fibromyalgia is the worst.
blazin420advocate247
23 March 2018
i would suggest going to your primary care provider. i would ask him if he thinks Vistaril, or also known as hydroxyzine would be beneficial to the itchiness. Vistaril is an antihistamine that helps with anxiety, itchiness, and if you've been taking opiates they cause itchiness and Vistaril is a great potentiater towards opiates. to my belief i would suggest Vistaril to your doctor and see what they think
Windchimes123
23 March 2018
I just want to add my 2 cents to people with Fibro and other auto-immune disorders.
It’s not fair that we have to deal with all the crazy new symptoms but we are susceptible to everyone else because of our compromised immune systems.
This can also include contagious parasites like lice, scabies etc.
The skin is the body’s first line of defense. When it’s broken by scratching we are prone to other problems.
Skin dryness is the #1 reason for intense itching (especially in the winter) but don’t take it for granted.
If you have itching to the point of it interfering with life... go see the doctor.
The itching sets up a cycle of coming and going if left untreated.
We also visit more doctors so who knows what we will pick up in the waiting rooms.
Remember...
Itching is a form of pain.
Best wishes
:-)
DancnDar
21 March 2018
I have fibromyalgia and also get very itchy, mostly in the evening. When it is bad I take Benadryl and this usually helps.
Windchimes123
21 March 2018
Hi ABBA,
I understand what you are going through because I had it for a year and now 1-2 x year lasting months.
Itching is a form of pain.
The longer it goes on without a diagnosis, the harder it is to go away.
Reasons for itching :
Inflammation
Allergies
Insects
Underlying conditions
Medication side effect
Dry skin especially can itch
There are reasons why it increases at night and getting a diagnosis will help explain it.
A person’s circadian rhythm changes at night time when your body is trying to sleep.
Insects have their own cycles of worsening at night.
Mine started off as scabies. I caught it from a non-diagnosed dementia patient. It would go away and return. No one else in my family got it.
I am left with this weird symptom. I also have Fibro and CFS which causes neuropathy in many patients. Any time with nerve involvement the numbness & tingling can cause itching too.
My doctors thought I was crazy because it does make you crazy!
Two years ago, started with a new doctor so he had an open mind to my various symptoms.
I can predict when I’m going to end up in the hospital all with different illnesses. The itching starts with a feeling of a mosquito landing or moving the hair on my arms. Weeks later the itch starts and if I look very closely there are brown spots where it itches. 4-6 weeks later I end up with a fever resulting from a UTI, pneumonia, diverticulitis, etc. of course, no one believed me. I started mentioning to the doc that the itch started and I will be sick in a month or two. Lol... sure !
Until it happens every time !
I would get to a dermatologist. They may want to do a nerve biopsy for small nerve fiber symptoms or insect.
Treatments :
First thing I do is cut my nails very short. I try to get involved in something that makes me use my hands so I avoid itching like crochet.
If it’s generalized, antihistamines help.
Since Fibro usually affects sleep, Benadryl is good because it causes drowsiness. There is also Claritin or Zyrtec.
You can try NSAIDs because it’s a form of pain.
Cool moist compresses to the area when it’s bad.
Taking an oatmeal or baking soda bath at night.
Do not make it too warm because it may increase the itching and also causes increased dryness.
Regularly use a good protection barrier. Sarna is good or other moisturizer daily to your body.
Fish oil helps to hydrate the body.
I would gag just thinking about it until I found gummy bears with no taste of fish oil! I got the CVS brand.
I noticed my eyes are not as dry since using it.
I’m sure other people have good homemade lotions so hopefully someone else can help.
Best wishes and see a derm because it does make you feel crazy after months of intense itching.
Don’t forget ... finger nails or wear thin cotton white gloves.
:-)
ABBA GIRL
22 March 2018
Thanks to everyone who has answered my question! Dermatologist said, You have dry skin. Put Vaseline or coconut oil on your entire body after dinner, I can even use the Vaseline on my face as it doesn’t clog my pores. It has worked like a charm! I never realized how much my meds dry out my skin.
Windchimes123
22 March 2018
Excellent!!!
I learned a trick with Vaseline from a nursing assistant.
Fill the sink up with hot water and let the jar soak for a few minutes.
It liquefies and is much easier and smoother to apply.
Don’t forget the gummy bears with Fish Oil... Lol
:-)
Fragilexmom
19 March 2018
My podiatrist told me to use rub on Benadryl or oral. I use the oral and wait about 30 minutes and go to sleep. He said dryness is the problem.
ABBA GIRL
18 March 2018
Thanks for the answers. I have tried hydrocortisone cream. I slather it on and my husband gets my back where I can’t reach. It helps about half of the time. It’s just so strange that it always starts around 7:00 pm. I think it’s a side effect of one of the many meds I’m on for bi polar issues. I was just wondering if it was common with fibro as well.
Yuki50
18 March 2018
Dear ABBA girl, yes. You might want to go to a dermatologist , so they can prescribe hydrocodone for your skin . That’s what I’m on. I have what is called Photo sensitivity to the sun . I’m a letter carrier, I’m outside all day. As you age your skin gets more sensitive to the to the sun . I’ve been out in it for 35 years. It’s a cream you use, but only for 14 days then you stop. What I do is cut in half with Sarna lotion and Desoximetasone. 0.25 use 2 times a day for only 14 days, then continue with just Sarna lotion. That is over the counter . Good luck
audgirlnatown
18 March 2018
My feet an ankles itch horribly at night. I have scratches an bleeding to. It drives me crazy! Esp between toes. Im on Tramadol(again unfortunately but at lowe dose this time an its only thing helping a little with my depression) an Clonazepam for anxiety. I've tried 11 antidepressants an none are for me. So looking into hormones. Im in menopause to unfortunately. But one thing I've noticed is that if my feet get hot, they itch. So I dip into ice cold water for 5 min or go to bed with ice pack, like those clay ones that mold. Cold seems to stop or slow the itching. I wonder if a cooling rub would help?? Wierd. Hope you figure out yours!
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