To itch or not to itch

[jwbigg]

When I find time to sit and read post after post, I am always amazed at what I read. We all face the same disease. But the effect it has on each of us, the way it is treated, the reaction we each have to treatments, what is working and not working, is always different. It is as though this disease customizes itself for each of us. One example is that I read again and again about the severe itching. In the 23+ years of this, thankfully, I have never itched. My grandmother would bring herself to tears scratching. But if you were to compare my P to her P, I look MUCH worse. I am more covered, more red, more scaly. I have no reason in posting this, except to say that I find this "personalized" aspect of this disease somewhat interesting.

[cereal]

I totally agree!!! We are all in the same boat but we all totally different. I feel for your grandmother, as I have the itchys. It drives me nuts.

[MeghanBannister]

I am with you on this one, I dont experience any itching. Then again, I've only known I've had P for about 3 days now. Who knows if itching will be a problem for me....let's hope not!

meghan

[Zanshin]

It's unbearable at times. I've had P now for about 12 year's and am currently at about 25-30% coverage. I as well as most of us know it's not good to scratch but I would sometime's end up in the hiding in the basement scratching my legs with a knife or in the shower sanding with a pumice stone :o . Now when I itch I just take a shower and gently (if needed) brush the itchy spots with a rag or soft cloth to get the scales off. Then I put on my meds or lotion.

[wildflowerAnn]

Maybe I read it at one time and I've forgotten. Does anyone know what part of the immune system response triggers the severe itch; and what part triggers the severe "my skin's on fire" burning?

[Zanshin]

Not sure on the burning part but I think the itching has to do with the constant healing process. Kinda like a burn or scab itching while it's healing.

[wildflowerAnn]

That makes sense. I see my dermatologist today. I'll ask him about it too and post what he tells me.
Ann

[ct69646]

I have a constant itch.

I've had allegra, hydroxyzine, and clarinex. And I still ITCH! So I was wondering if it EVER goes away. If these medicines work for other people? My itch nevvvver ends. So I was wondering if other people had the same experience or ever found comfort.

[tantev]

I am constantly itchy and I have found some relief with taking Aveeno baths. It doesn't always last for long, but atleast while I'm soaking the itching stops. Hope this helps.

[bamachickl2008]

Hey I think it definetely varies by person. But what about your outbreaks? I have been clear for 4 years and now am broken out with about 4-5% on my body. Last time, I never itched ever..Now I itch all the time. My arms and calves and stomach itch all the time. The psoraisis on my thighs just hurts it doesnt itch...its tight and hurts to the touch. Its just weird the way my body reacts to this stuff. The derm told me that mine might be a mixture of excema and psoriasis, and i thought that too until a couple weeks ago, i looked at the pictures yall have up here and mine looks the same.
Meg