I have no rash and no interactions w/medications/vitamins I take (have taken the same for approx 1 yr). This started 4 - 6 wks ago (no dry skin or sun damage). So far, I have tried Cortizone-10, Lamisil, Tinactin, Benedryl cream, Medline Skin Repair cream, Cetaphil, even Selsun Blue (known to clear up skin rashes when nothing else has(it's true, I've seen it)). To date I have had no change or relief. It has kept me awake at night which is extremely frustrating. I've even scratched my arms with a hairbrush (it was so itchy it was the only thing I could think of). Has anyone out there suffered with the same? Is there an OTC cream that works? I can go to my GP but my hours/days of research has shown that docs really don't know the answer and blame "stress". I have been through that before only to find sometime later that I did have something medical and was quickly treated and resolved, that was a bad experience and I don't want to go through that again... that in itself is very stressful! I am under no stress. I have not changed laundry soap, bath soap, perfume, lotions or eating habits. This came on sudden and has NOT gone away. If anyone has had these symptoms, any thoughts you may have is greatly appreciated! (FYI, I am a healthy, 49 yr old female, athletic w/healthy eating) Thank you
Has anyone experienced itchy forearms, from elbow to wrist, no reason?
Question posted by jcpayne04 on 21 July 2012
Last updated on 7 December 2021 by MariaMI
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
53 Answers Page 2
It is Brachioradial Pruritus. Icing the area seems to be the only relief. Try not to scratch as it only make it more itchy. It's worse at night when the area becomes warm. I have it in my forearm and upper arm. Not sure what is cause as medical prof.'s haven't determined that yet. If anyone knows more about cause I would love to hear. Two possible causes I hear of are sun damage and cervical spinal injury. I wonder if people who've had the shingles in the area are sufferers? or people with desk jobs?
Hi I suffer from a hot itchy itch on my left arm. Have had this for months. Appears suddenly from nowhere and gets very hot. I could scratch the skin off my arm. I have found if you scratch it gets worse and nippy. Researched everywhere ( that’s how found this site). I take anti histamines Galpharm one a day loratadine. I also use E45 itch relief cream. Seems to have numbing effect. Only way I get relief from itch. Hope this helps.
I experienced this 9 years ago and was finally sent for an MRI of my cervical spine... I was rear ended badly 20 + years ago and developed degenerative disc disease in c5, c6, c7... began physical therapy and was given an at home traction mechanism to use regularly to help with the nerves being pinched, was told I was a candidate for surgery. Surgery was not an option for me and was determined to get well through diet (eating right for my blood type) which reduced inflammation immensely, supplements and routine posture exercises. I’ve done really well for 9 years but in the last few weeks the unbearable stinging and itching has returned with a vengeance. I own a Health Food store so I had several choices of CBD oil to try so I did. So far it is definitely releaving the symptoms along with getting back to using my traction mechanism and resting as much as possible.
I do have an appointment with the spine doc who I saw for this problem 9 years ago and I think it’s time for another MRI and perhaps surgery this time. I’m concerned I might develope perminant damage and THAT would be awful... 9 years ago it got so bad I even planned to take my life ... so thankful for divine intervention! I hope this helps someone.
I had this condition for 2 years - it drove me mad as aswell, usually only at night. Onset early evening and felt like pin pricks,
Very itchy around elbow usually on one side - no rash. I found the issue by changing my diet - I found I had a LACTOSE INTOLERANCE.
I stopped all diary products for a week and for me at least this was the cause. It’s worth a try. I’m dairy and itch free now and take lactase tablets when I want banoffee pie or deserts!
Hello I appreciated this blog so I figured I'd add my two cents. Increasingly in the past year my forearms itch like crazy!!! I scratch them so hard it's like dust from dry skin comes up and mixes with blood, seriously it's awful. I use skin lotions but they don't seem effective enough.
I've tried to narrow down what could cause it. I saw some on the blog mention back problems, which I do have. Also I'm suspicious that after years and years of over washing my hands with antibacterial soaps and strong dishwashing liquid, I wonder if that has an effect. But in any case many also mentioned the best relief was Ice. I discovered that too. Though is a little awkward to find out in public, I have found having a very cold bottle of water, I can rub it along my arm and that offers immediate temporary relief. But the best relief I have found is with true aloe vera, the plant itself. Slice the outer green off and rub the juicy part on your skin.
I can't tell you how good it feels especially if you keep it cool in the refrigerator! It might sound a little hillbilly-ish, but I tell you, this works and has a much longer effect. And it certainly is safe. Hope this was helpful.
Mine definitely has to do with the levels of Histamine in my body. I’ve been tested and diagnosed with Histamine intolerance (HIT) - there are a few supportive groups on Facebook to learn more. When my “bucket is full” antihistamines barely work, and the best relief I’ve found is using bio freeze spray and sleeping with icepacks on my arms. When I follow a low-Histamine diet (which is tough), it completely disappears.
Good luck everyone. I literally feel your pain.
I also recently had a spell of itchy skin between my elbow and wrist on my right arm, mostly near the elbow. Nothing seemed to help and it just seemed to get worst, especially at night. My partner suggested I try taking an antihistamine, and so I took 1 Polaramine tablet. It really seemed to help and I managed to get to sleep quite quickly with no more major itchiness.
I did the same again the following evening at bedtime, as I was feeling a little itchy but not as bad as the previous evenings. Once again, I got another really good nights sleep and I haven't had to take any more antihistamine tablets since. There's been a little bit of itchiness, but at least it hasn't been keeping me awake at night and I'd rather not take the antihistamine tablets unless I feel that I really need them.
With any luck, that may also work for you. It also may have been a coincidence, as I was trying eumovate ointment and Carol Priest's organic 'Blue Chamomile Skin Salve' for problem and sensitive skin, which has definitely helped in the past, as it's so soothing.
Best of luck.
Kind regards,
Harry
My forearm suddenly started to itch about two months ago and scratching gave no relief whatsoever. It was really bizarre! I tried some of the suggested solutions but to no avail. When I saw my doctor, he prescribed Triamcinolone Acetonide cream (applied 3 times daily) then rub in ordinary coconut oil. It took about a month but it finally, and totally, disappeared!
Hi - I found this trail at 3am the other day when I was googling for some help for my itchy arms... and eventually found some comfort with the toothpaste suggestion. I tried all the other suggestions. Aloe vera (some comfort, but not enough), blue chamomile essential oil, (mmm not great, and terribly smelly), tea tree oil (pretty bad smell too) Vaseline (not particularly great) then toothpaste gave me most comfort, but very messy and left me with messy arms. I’ve just come across a tube of ‘Biofreeze’ gel, hiding in my medicine stash. Used it a couple of times today and has proved really really good in the anti itch process- and it’s invisible ! Biofreeze will take some beating, but I’m not supposed to use more than 3/4 times daily !!! So I’m going to try some peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils next.
I’ve had what I always called ‘mysterious itchy arms’ because there never seems to be a reason for the itch but it is so intense that absolutely nothing helps but ice. I’ve invested in some pretty nice ice packs because no medicine or cream has ever really helped except steroids which is something you don’t want to be on. But I have figured out a few things after so many years of itching. Artificial sweetener always seems to make me itch but even drinking to much regular coke makes me itch I just have to drink more of it. I was told by neurologist 4 years ago to go gluten free and that cut out most of my itching but also my migraines and chronic fatigue. About a year ago my itching was back with a vengeance for no apparent reason. I finally was diagnosed with Graves’ disease. After I had my thyroid treated with radiation to basically get it to stop producing too much thyroid hormone, the itching stopped.
There are probably many different reasons that cause different people to itch and it really is hard figuring out but elimination diets are probably the best way to try to narrow it down. Good luck. I’ve had itchy skin for years and feel your pain. Trust me, buy some good reusable ice packs.
Im so glad that I'm not the only one with this problem, Ive had it for years, doctors could never diagnose it. Id scratch to a point of bleeding and thats at night when I'm sleeping. Id wake up with blood on my arms ,pillow and sheets. It itches and burns at times. I do notice when my stress level is up its worse. Its been weeks i haven't been able to sleep properly due to being waken up from the itch. It was only on both arms, wrist to elbow, its spead to my shoulders now the last few years. I am going to try some things Ive read on here, hoping to get some relief !!!
I wanted to put my two cents in because I saw a lot of people wondering how the solutions turned out. So this has been bothering me for about 3 weeks - and also driving me insane. I just wanted to say I tried the wetting my arms and dumping baking soda on them thing, rubbing it in and waiting however long it took me to load the dishwasher. It worked. Immediately. BUT. It did come back not too soon afterwards (albeit way, way less). Then I took a Claritin (antihistamine) and that did the trick. I'll keep doing the baking soda just so I'm tackling this from a topical standpoint too. Doctor and chiropractor appointment isn't until next week, but at least there's immediate relief! I do have a pinched nerve in my neck so it very well could be related to that. The body does weird things when a nerve is stressed. - 37 years old.
Hi
I did have this for years goes and comes . I found that tooth paste helped me Colgate the white paste one, I washed skin dry and put it on and let it dry . Keep adding it . I also used Tea Tree oil
My brother got this for me and used it off and on and now that itch has been gone for 3 months so far. I will tell you the name Jason Purifying Tea Tree First aid soothing Gel He ordered online from Jet.com and under 10 bucks . This really does work . It use to keep me up. or I be out in a store and that itch comes on man I know the feeling. Hope it works for you
Ask you dr to do a MRI of your neck. I had this for 2 years most of the time at night. I would lay awake with ice packs on them. Finally had a MRI of my neck and had a bulging disc that was pressing on the radial nerve in my arms. 2 steroid injections later to take the swelling down and my itching is gone!!!
I am a new sufferer of itchy forearms. I am a 62 yr old female and the itching started about two weeks ago. The itch is making me claw my arms until they bleed. I saw the nurse at my local surgery last week and she prescribed Audvate RR 0.025% w/w ointment (Betamethasone Valerate) which I have been using twice daily but it hasn’t really improved the rash or itching yet. I was also prescribed Fexofenadine 180mg tablets which are antihistamines.
It sounds like this is quite a common problem and most of you are saying that it is ongoing. My nurse said she thought my rash looked a bit like eczema, and as I am already a psoriasis sufferer I was not happy hearing that :(
If the ointment works I will keep you all informed.
I too have had this for over 15 months with doctor prescribing creams antihistimines and sleeping tablets, all of no help. Saw another doctor today and told her I thought it was rna,BRP and she agreed that it could well be and has prescribed Endep, which is an antidepressant that will hopefully block the nerve that is causing the problem.
I will update in a week or so to let you know. Currently the only short term relied I get is by freezing a wet tea towel and wrapping it around my arms!
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