Help! Severe itching and brusing!

[Satori]

I have been itching like mad for almost a week. First thought maybe it was some kinda allergic reaction but I haven't changed anything and taking antihistamines up the wazoo hasn't helped. Thought maybe dry skin so I've been slathering on good thick lotion after a warm bath. Been scratching hard enough to leave bruises but tonight I got a huge shock, I knew I had a small bruise on each hip about 2-3 inches from scratching but when I went to the bathroom I found a lot more so I stripped down and looked in the mirror, I look like someone beat the crap out of me from the waist down. These were not there a few hours ago. I have no one that can take the kids tonight so I can't even go to the ER to get checked out. Any idea what the heck is going on? Checked my eyes and while a bit blood shot there not yellow as my first thought was liver issues.

ideas?

[hedgehogs4]

Liver? bloodwork will tell...

[mbravebird]

Liver. If the bloodwork confirms it, consider acupuncture in addition to whatever the docs recommend. Consider acupuncture anyway, no matter what the bloodwork says.

Hope you're OK this AM.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by mbravebird

Liver. If the bloodwork confirms it, consider acupuncture in addition to whatever the docs recommend. Consider acupuncture anyway, no matter what the bloodwork says.

Hope you're OK this AM.

I'm ok, had a horrid night with itching and at one point about half my body broke out in hives. A med I take has a risk of liver issues Anyway I have an appt to see my Dr in an hour and a half. This itching is driving me crazy! I thought PUP was bad, that has nothing on this!

[KatWrangler]

I am wondering if it is a delayed reaction to your meds. Let us know what the Doc says.

Yeah these meds have weird things to look out for.

[Satori]

ok, saw the Dr, it appears I'm not the only one with this complaint this winter, she's sure its dry skin but its gotten so bad she ordered Prednisone to help with the itching. My poor legs are covered in bruises and I've been drawling blood on my arms. She ordered some lotion but the insurance doesn't cover it, I ended up picking up some Eucerin Itch stuff then Eucerin calming cream since I couldn't afford the burts bee's stuff I really wanted but I am sooo tempted to just cover my body in the burts bees coconut foot cream stuff, that stuff works wonders on my feet when there so dry there cracking.

Anyway she ran a liver panel just to make sure but is treating as if its dry skin. I already put the itch stuff on, going to give it a bit then put on the calming cream. I still feel twitchy but don't feel the need to claw at my poor skin for relief.

[Satori]

Mystery solved and its not dry skin like the Dr thought. The itching started in my lower legs and slowly worked its way up my body which was a bit baffling. I kept getting hives all over but the worst of it was my lower legs, we kinda assumed it was caused by the scratching. I've had a couple of asthma attacks this week and needed a lot of Benadryl when I very rarely need it before. I've taken more this week then I have in the past year. I felt like it was an allergic reaction but I hadn't changed anything, or so I thought.

I bought new socks a week ago and it wasn't until I got out of the shower and saw the red burn marks around my legs in the exact spot of the ribbing at the top that it hit me. Went and checked the package and totally missed the latex warning! I react to latex with severe itching and burning for hours after very brief contact (think gloves from a blood draw brief). That's why the itching started in my legs and moved up my body as the week went on from the continued contact.

Well now I gotta get new socks, just glad I figured it out!

[jocelyndale]

Oh, ouch. I hope it subsides soon!

I really wish textile/clothing manufacturers were required to list latex content. It can hide in "other materials" and trim and "elastic" . . . UGH.

I've had that sock phenomenon. Complete with the bruises from scratching on my upper thighs.

[La Sombra]

Glad you figured it out, Satori!

Just wanted to add that the *exact thing* was going on with me about a month ago, from the itching myself till I was covered in scabs right down to the alarming bruises. A very matter-of-fact doctor told me to stop taking hot showers, to drink lots of water and to use lotion. I wasn't totally satisfied with that explanation because it made no sense to me why this would suddenly and so dramatically start (it's not like I just started taking hot showers!) but a month later and it's pretty much over.

In my case, I'm convinced it was a combination of the cold winter weather, incredible stress as well as being pregnant--which the doc mentioned can lead to bruising more easily. You're not pregnant, too, are you?

[Satori]

Originally Posted by La Sombra

You're not pregnant, too, are you?

GOD NO!!!!!!!!!!