Ideas for my itchy friend? (allergy, kidney, thyroid, skin)
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I have a older friend who is itching constantly, all over, for months. She's been to a handful of doctors, including an allergist and a dermatologist, and no one can figure it out. She is having kidney issues, among other things, but that doctor says its not the problem. They've tried just about everything, including taking her off all medication to see if that would help.
Have any of you ever experienced anything like this?
Could be food allergies. When I had the same itchy symptoms a doctor that was familiar with food allergies tested me and had me cut out certain foods like wheat products, corn, and cow's milk. Made a big difference in relieving my itch problems. I went through 6 different supposedly allergy doctors before I found this last one.
And this last one was a holistic doctor of all means.
Anything happened few months ago? Any changes in her normal habits? Stress? Sleepless nights? Mental issues?
New house pets? Scented candles? Air freshener?
Laundry detergents, shower soaps? Dryer sheets? New towels? New beds/bed sheets?
Any dermatitis on her skin? Rash? Dry skin? Sweating too much? Sleeping under/over polyester/mattress foam?
New food, new seasonings?
Some people who suffer itching with no clear cause may have previously unrecognized immune system defects or sudden problems with neurotransmitters.
Dermatographia? I have this problem sometimes. My first allergist was the head of the allergy department at a med school and told me it can be hard to treat. I take multiple allergy meds and use lotions (unscented) and it still comes from time to time. I don’t think there is a lot of information about what causes it. It is probably some autoimmune issue.
How's her hemoglobin level? DH had polycythemia- his bone marrow was making too many red blood cells- and it took a few doctors to figure out the source of his itching attacks and night sweats, but that was it. They loved his high hemoglobin level at the blood bank but that was why it was so high.
Chronic pruritus, particularly among the elderly, is a very common problem, and we usually attribute it to "dry skin" without any real proof except that it occurs more conspicuously in winter months when humidity is low.
When associated with allergies, it's usually accompanied by rash. Without the rash, it's a tough call.
Uremia (high BUN & creatinine) from renal failure is a common cause, as is liver problems, sometimes before jaundice appears. Occasionally it's the symptom that leads to the dx of anemia or thyroid problems. Simple, routine blood tests should clarify those.
Unexplained itching can also be associated with occult malignancy.
I have a older friend who is itching constantly, all over, for months. She's been to a handful of doctors, including an allergist and a dermatologist, and no one can figure it out. She is having kidney issues, among other things, but that doctor says its not the problem. They've tried just about everything, including taking her off all medication to see if that would help.
Have any of you ever experienced anything like this?
"Older" people dry up. Her skin is just dry. Lotion might help. (Pre) diabetic?
Does she have "dry eye" also?
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