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What Causes Random Itching All Over The Body?

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Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Question: I am a female age 73, I fell last Feb at school ,and fractured my shoulder, until then I had no itch issues, I did not need surgery,, but after healing for about 3 weeks, I developed a itch all over my body in different places specially on my hands -feet-under my arms. seen a dr. and a skin dermatilist, they said I was allergic to glutin. I have gone glutin free and still have the itch. They prescribed prednisone which helps some. Can this itch be due to nerves, I have a husband who has a start of demencia, and has very bad mood swings, if this is possible what can you prescribe for me. PLEASE HELP. I am a very active person and do not deal well with stress, right now I am itching on my right wrist awful It always seems to start on my right side, the same side of my injury.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
rule out fungal infection or allergy

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

The most common things which come to mind with these symptoms are fungal infections or allergy. it may not be gluten allergy but some other allergy. Have you tried antihistaminic medicines? They can help in allergy.

If fungal infection is suspected then antifungal creams or tablets may be useful.

The probability of this thing being caused entirely due to stress and anxiety is low. But stress can certainly exacerbate the symptoms. Anti-anxiety drugs may help alleviate partly. But these are available only on prescription by doctor. Please contact with your GP or specialist regarding these.

Hope this helps.
Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (21 hours later)
what is a fungal infection? I have tried Benadril,cant take--different allergy over the counter and they do not help. What anti-anxiety drugs do you refer to? Why does this itch seem to bounce from location to location, this morning it was my right foot and now it is my upper right arm, and itching very bad.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please refer below

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow-up.

Sometimes fungus can infect superficial skin and cause lot of itch. A dermatologist should be able to identify that by looking at it.

If anti-allergic drugs are not helping and no visible skin lesion, you can take anti-anxiety drugs like clonazepam. They can help sometimes. If still no improvement, you should consult both dermatologist and internal medicine expert to rule out any systemic disorder manifesting as itching. They can manifest as migratory itch unexplained by other reasons.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (2 hours later)
Please explain systemic disorder. Is clonazepam a prescription drug?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
yes clonazepam is a prescription drug

Detailed Answer:
By systemic disorder I mean disease of any other organ system (not skin) causing itching as a secondary manifestation. The list is very long but includes kidney problems, jaundice or liver problems, hormonal disorders like thyroid problem, blood disorders, etc. But fortunately most of them can be ruled out by comprehensive blood tests at a single go.

hence I had advised internal medicine consult.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Indranil Ghosh

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 1712 Questions

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What Causes Random Itching All Over The Body?

Brief Answer: rule out fungal infection or allergy Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for your query. The most common things which come to mind with these symptoms are fungal infections or allergy. it may not be gluten allergy but some other allergy. Have you tried antihistaminic medicines? They can help in allergy. If fungal infection is suspected then antifungal creams or tablets may be useful. The probability of this thing being caused entirely due to stress and anxiety is low. But stress can certainly exacerbate the symptoms. Anti-anxiety drugs may help alleviate partly. But these are available only on prescription by doctor. Please contact with your GP or specialist regarding these. Hope this helps. Regards