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I've Been Dealing With Itching For Quite Some Time Now.

Posted on Mon, 29 Oct 2018

Question: I've been dealing with itching for quite some time now. I've been to 4 doctors (PCP, 2 Neurologist, Dermatologist), and no one can tell me why I am itching from head to toe. My skin turns red from scratching but no other skin irritation is visible. It feels more like an Internal itch, maybe. I dont know. This is constant mostly during the day at work. I dont really itch alot at home or at night, but there have been times where I've had to take take 2-3 showers within a 3-4 hour time period for relief. This is affecting every part of my life. I often have to leave work b/c it becomes unbearable. PLEASE HELP.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need to go for lab tests, take antihistaminic

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service.

I have gone through your complaints and you seem to be having pruritus.
It is itching without any rash and lesions.

It could be due to multiple systemic reasons like liver, kidney and thyroid disorders, anemia, diabetes, and atopic individuals and sometimes without any specific cause.

I would recommend you to undergo following tests to find out the exact cause: liver and kidney function tests, thyroid function test, complete blood count, fasting blood sugar levels and serum Ig E levels.

I would recommend you to take antihistaminic like tablet Levocetirizine 10 mg once or twice daily depending on the intensity of itching.
This should help in reducing your itching.

I hope to have answered your query.
I would be happy to answer any further queries.

Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (38 minutes later)

This will be an out of pocket expense for me, so can you tell me EXACTLY what I need to request for these blood test? (As if you were writing it to the lab) Its not clear if a complete blood test will include everything you mentioned.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Go for the most important screening tests

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

If you can't get so many tests done just go for important screening tests like haemoglobin, red blood cell count, thyroid stimulating hormone ( TSH), liver function tests and kidney function tests.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (34 hours later)

I have the blood test results. Are you able to read them?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Can’t see any reports, kindly upload them again

Detailed Answer:
I can’t see any reports.
Kindly upload them again under the report section of the site or mail them to YYYY@YYYY as “ Attention Dr Asmeet’.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (7 hours later)

I have the blood test results. Are you able to read them?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Reports are normal

Detailed Answer:
I have reviewed the attached report and it is normal.
You seem to be having urticaria which could be due to allergy or sometimes occurs without a cause.
I would recommend you to take antihistaminic like tablet chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg once daily at bedtime and tablet loratidine 10 mg in the morning.
Also use a moisturising lotion on the entire body twice during the day, stay in cool airy environment, avoid hot water for bath and avoid spicy foods.
This all should help in relieving your problem.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (2 days later)

This is only a short term/temporary solution. Taking over the counter meds will only treat the symptoms and not the cause. What other testing do you recommend in order for me to get to the root cause of the itching?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Serum IgE levels, anti TPO levels and fasting blood sugar levels

Detailed Answer:
I would recommend you get serum IgE levels, antiTPO levels and fasting blood sugar levels checked.
But in one third of the cases there is no cause found .
In such cases you need to take antihistaminics for few months till the time it resolves spontaneously.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad