HOW CAN I STOP SCRATCHING????

[Julietzzz]

Can you guys please help me........
I had a really bad experience with Raptiva. I am back on Enbrel. It has been about 3 months now. My legs are in really bad shape. I put (stuff) on them in the mornings and then use Ace bandgages to wrap them, to keep myself from scracthing and picking and so I dont have to look at them, or let anyone else see. It is almost like I scratch them now without thinking. It is like an involuntary action. I really have problems in the car.
I am beginning to think I am crazy....I dont know what to do.....My legs are getting worse and I know its partly because I cant leave them alone. They bleed and flake everywhere....I AM SO DEPRESSED. Please write me if you have and solutions....I REALLY NEED SOME HELP. I think I am mental.

thanks,
Juliet

P.S. i have tried Benadryl and the Rx (can't remember the name), which made me really sleepy which I dont care...whatever will work.

[grannyfranny]

Hi Juliet,
The med for itching was probably Atarax. I think I would call my doctor. You might have some infection in your legs.
Arl says she soaks in baking soda and olive oil. About 1 cup soda and 1/4 c olive oil.
I have pppp and do not know what else to tell you. Someone else will come along.
But,,,since it is Friday,,,I would call the doctor,,,right now.

[Mybadgenes]

juliet, i went through the same thing you did with raptiva. my legs were the last to get under control. it brings back bad memories and heartache. it was hideous...i can remember spraying them with eucerin anti-itch spray. plus using gobs of triamcinolone. your wrapping does not sound good. let them get air. oh, i feel for you. it will take time.

i am so sorry!
juanita
(on methotrexate)

[MikeK]

Hi Juliet,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems with itch. :(

The prescription medication was probably Atarax (http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/ata1035.shtml.) It also makes me very drowsy, so much so, that I only take it right before I go to bed.

In no particular order, here's a couple to some quick suggestions that I hope will give you some relief: Eucerin Itch-Relief Moisturizing Spray. It's easy to appy because it's a spray and I find that I helps control the itch. Click Here (http://www.eucerinus.com/medicalsite/products/handandbodycare/anti-itch/anti-itch.html) for a link to some additional information; Ice packs, Corn starch; Anti-itch creams, lotions and powders such as Gold Bond. (I usually buy store brands.) Taking a cool shower sometimes helps. Taking a bath with a product like Aveeno Oatmeal Soak sometimes helps. (Cheaper store brands are available.) Here's a link to some additional information: http://www.aveeno.com/detailAction.do?id=3689
When I was at Walgreen's the other day, I noticed that Neutrogena made an anti-itch moisturizer that has lidocane in it. I haven't tried it but it sounds like it might help. Here's a link to some additional information. http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100311&id=prod351453. A lot of sunburn products have lidocane in them. I'm thinking that something with both lidocane and aloe vera gel might give you some relief. I hope this helps.

Good luck.

I hope you feel better soon.

If the problem persists that I agree that you should call your doctor. (Since it's the weekend you may have to go to one of those urgent care centers.)

Keep us posted.

Mike

[SandraJean]

Hi,

I'm so sorry to hear about the terrible itching you have on your legs. You've been given some good advise and if it doesn't go away it sounds like a trip to the urgent care center would be good. One think I have done instead of wrapping my legs is to put on gloves so you can't scratch anywhere. I've even worn them to bed.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Sandy

[cereal]

Hi Juliet,

Welcome to the boards...... I was wondering if the ace bandages could be part of the itching? I remember years ago before I had P that when I had to use an ace bandage for sprains etc, they would itch. Now since I have P When I have to wrap my limbs I've use gauze to hold 4x4s on. I do know never to put gauze directly on your skin... yea learned that little lesson the hard way..... :o Some meds you can't put a dressing on (occusion) hope I spelled that right. What kind of moisturizer are you using?


the doctor gave me doxipin for the itching, I try to only take it at night, and it does help me..... some.... I rely on OTC itch creams, sprays, cold showers, and ice when the itching is bad during the day.

I hope you get some relief. Hang in there!!

[Julietzzz]

if i dont get better this weekend.......

im afraid my legs are infected.....i am going to get medical help.

thank you all for your help.

[jojocat]

My Derm has the pharm mix a moderate level steroid cream with a menthol/minty/cooling ingredient. I get a 2 lb jar for about $35. It improves the itching 60-70%. It gives me control to choose, so I can scratch wisely. Turn a fan on after applying or keep it chilled and it gives a more enhanced effect. I am still on the first jar. It keeps on giving. Just make sure you apply it with perfectly clean hands, so you don't taint the rest of the jar or better yet, use plastic cutlery that has been wrapped in plastic to just scoop out what you need.

[lpagano]

You have gotten good advice, all I can add is my sympathy. When my p flares the itch is almost unbearable.

[grannyfranny]

Juliet,,,you should not wait. Does this seem to be spreading? Red streaks anywhere?
When I got the staph infection, my finger swelled to almost twice it's size in 24 hours. See if you can find an urgent care place or go to emergency. If this gets to the bone,,,,,,it will be bad.
I am worried about you.

[JKNY]

Zonalon cream is also prescribed for itching- I found it to work better than Atarax

[mdgirl]

I have also used Zonolon cream, it works very well.

I pray you get better. I have had those itch attacks and they are nothing pretty. Get better soon.

Take care,

Diane

[alli]

But a technique you might want to try out is visualization. You'll find plenty of links on the net if you just search for visualization and pain.
When my P was at it's worst, the itch was crazy. I would scratch so badly at night that I woke to blood on the sheets. I made an attempt at the ' mind over body' thing, and I think it worked.
You have to come up with your own little 'mind game' that works for you. I used to imagine my itch being bathed in cold buckets of water.
It may take a while to work out your own, but it certainly won't do any harm and best of all it's free with no side effects.
Good luck.

[GitOverIt]

cut your nails as short as possible! that way at night even while you sleep you can't do damage.
soaking in a tub of baking soda helps temporarily...or some get results with oats tied in a nylon stocking....this is one of my favorite spots for help with itching P.



http://biosyntonic.com/psoriasis.html

and here is a good article on helping the P.
no matter what meds you are on! you still need certain supplements! EFA's are important.....

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8123-1604988,00.html

[RichJ]

hi Juliet
you have got alot of great advise. i hope you find some thing that helps you. i hate the itch. i would wake up biting my fingers because they itch so bad. i wish you the best.

try and have a good night all

richard

[Itchineer]

You might try the same diet that people with pruritus ani go on. Pruritus ani is a condition with a tremendous amount of itchiness. You have to cut out the triggers that cause the itch to occur like caffeine, stress, etc. In fact, what causes the itch in Psoriasis for some people is the same mechanism that causes the itch in pruritus ani.

Good luck,
Itchineer

[Sam333]

I used to go in for UVB treatments three times a week. After the first couple of weeks, I'd start
itching after each treatment. Each time it got worse and worse (as they turned up the intensity
and time). I also had some bad spots on my back that would itche just about all the time.

First try was plain old alchole. A couple of martini's would calm things down to a managable
level for me. Obviously not a good choice if you have to go to work after, so my derm gave me
a perscripion for Allegra. Worked ok for a while, but became ineffective (as the intensity and
duration of the UVB treatments was increased). Got a script for Attarax (others have mentioned
above) which is the most effective I've found, but makes me drowsy (which is a good thing at
night).

Good luck, and please keep us informed!

[cbooth]

my derm. suggested i use sarna steroid free anti itch lotion. you can find in the band-aid section at the pharmacy or ask pharmacy assistant about the lotion.

chris

[jameymac]

hi,i think that alli is right.its a mind over matter thing.when i catch myself scratching i tell myself to ""stop it""and then begin to try to.i know it so hard to do ,but you have to or it will make things worse.try and get your mind off of it and think of something else.""happy thoughts,happy thoughts"".my father used to yell at me to stop scatching and picking at my p. or it would get worse and he was right.probibly knew from experience.
sarna is a good anti-itch lotion.i also moisturize with aveeno w/cooling menthol,it helps a little.hope you find something that works,jamey

[forestal]

I also use sarna and aveeno moisturizer both expensive but they seem to work...the steroid creams seem to make the itch worse for 30 minutes after applying

[drochawi]

Hi,

My doctor prescribes a combination cream of Sarna Lotion and Triamcinilone (dont mind the spelling.) It works well for me. I use it at night before bed and put olive oil on in the shower every morning. The regular stuff, not the extra virgin. It has been working for me for a few weeks. Hope this helps.