dr.Dan

hey doc i have a pretty annoying problem n i dont want to get any worse. so maybe you could guide me in the right direction.

my problem is my skin itch. i mean literally all over my body. it started i think maybe 2 n a half or 3 months ago. at first i just keep on scratching n it got worse it spread all over my body. i had stopped n it sort of went away but sometimes i just cant help but itch my skin. n now its back, well it never went away in the first place.

i have it on(well you cant see anything on my skin, it just itch n when i scratch it masquto lookalike bumps appear n it bleeds[only my shin]) mainly my legs inclue my shins, ankels, behind my knee, my upper n inner thigh. my pelvic area, around my waste including around my belly button n my lower back, and also on my forearm n the inside of my biceps.

i bought itch relief cream but the thing is even when i stop, say for like a month. once i start scratching again they come right back. i tried google but no luck. n i havent gone to the hospital becasue i have no health insurance.

Hi BC --

Unfortunately it's impossible to diagnose conditions over the Internet. However, I will try to help you as best as I can within this limitation, especially since you lack health insurance.

So to understand your situation, you have severe itching, but no rash or any other visual signs of irritation on your skin... except you scratch your skin so much that the skin gets raw and in some places bleeds?

A few questions:

1. When you scratch, does anything flake off?
2. Is this literally all over your body, or are there areas that are not affected?
3. When this first started, did you change anything in terms of the type of soap or shampoo that you use, detergent that you wash your clothes in, etc.?

One "home remedy" treatment that you may find helpful is a colloidal oatmeal bath. It can be very soothing to the skin and may provide you with some relief. A number of commercial brands are available, e.g. Aveeno.

Another problem with chronic scratching is that it is possible to develop a secondary bacterial infection. If you are scratching areas to the point that they're bleeding, those areas should be cleaned and dressed just like any other abrasion.

Obviously if this doesn't resolve, you're going to need to see a health care provider.

- Dan