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Embarrassing Bodies, 2:05am Tuesday 7th February 2012 on Channel 4. Catch up for free on 4oD »

Conditions

Pruritis

All over itching is all over irritating and could have any one of a number of explanations. It might be caused by an allergy to food, cosmetics, metals or fabric dyes, or it could be down to an infection like thrush, athlete’s foot or chickenpox or possibly even an insect bite like that from head lice. A skin disease can sometimes explain the itching, such as dry skin, eczema or hives – or it might be caused by a hormonal change such as pregnancy or the menopause. Failing all else it could be a symptom of an underlying systematic disease like diabetes, Hodgkin’s disease or anemia. To put it plainly, whatever the cause, it might be a while before you are able to diagnose it and find the exact treatment you need. Working with your doctor to eliminate possible culprits and to experiment with different creams and ointments should hopefully lead you towards a solution, until then get someone to tape some boxing gloves to your hand – scratching never helps!

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Iv had severe itchy hands 4 over a week now, it comes and goes through out the day. And its unbearable. Iv not changed anything ie my soaps washin pawder ect. Should I be worried and go see my GP?





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Ive always suffered with itchy legs, particularly when im going through a stressful time in my life. They also bruise easily. For the past 6 months my thighs have been so itchy and sore. Its keeping me awake now. I get little scabs all over my thighs and i sometimes get a strange rash under my arms or on my inner thighs but they arent itchy and usually go after about 2 days. I hadnt changed any products but i am now using non coloured or perfumed products and it hasnt helpes. Ive also tries anti histemines and steriod creams also been no help. Does anybody know what it might be?





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i have suffered with itchy skin for years,i get red lumps on myskin everyday,i itch allover my legs and a lot round my ankles,doctors have just said its urticaria ,ive tried creams,ontments and allergy tablets they all stop the itching but make the rash worse.sometimes a get swelled lips and eyes. my skin is very sensitive for eg if i hold heavy carry bags on my arms they swell or if ive walked for a long time my feet swell for a couple of days. the last two week my scalp has started itching to. anyone recommend anything :/





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i have it aswell hun it is urticaria its actually called DPU delayed pressure urticaria my dealy is 6 hours so when i go bed i was waking up with rash like hives on the side i slept on and if i rolled onto my face in the night would wake up with swelled lips and mouth sometimes looking like elephant man,i have been on fexofenadine for 4 years now and they work fine i dont get anything while on them but the doctors say it can go anytime just as it came out of nowhere but im scared to stop the tablets incase i do still have it x

HI i am getting hair loss my head is itching my face is red and neck they feel hot, I have a rash on my chest which is red itching it is also on my back.I have been feeling tiered help.





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i have a patch of lumps on my upper torso that i cannot stop scratching therefore knocking the tops off and causing them to scab. they are very itchy and only in that area on my tummy. they seem to start off looking like brown freckles. driving me mad and very sore. what could this be





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I have a really itchy scalp with dandruff, it's really irritating and painful, I have swooped shampoos and tried shampoos like head and shoulders itchy scalp but it made no difference. I wash my hair every other day and it seems to be getting oily on the second day but I scratch a lot, please help I don't know what to do. Many thanks Karin





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I get really itchy shoulder blades, ear lobes, shins and ankles. it annoys me especcialy when im about to go to bed as i will be sitting there scratching my ankle.I have no skin conditions, not allergic to any cleaning or drying substances and i havn't been biten by any bugs. i use sudocream on my ankle when i scratch to much but then that gets itchy again after.





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My problem started in feb 2009 when i had an evacuation after a miscarriage, when i am in my period, i start getting itchy all over my body and it keeps me awake all night, i have seen my GP about it and was given antihistamenes and body cream to use, nothing works and now it comes on at other times as well apart from my monthly. i have done some blood tests as well which is all clear.Help!!!!!!!!, what else can i do





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I have unexplained itchy skin and this has been ongoing for months. There is no obvious trigger, no rash / spots / marks etc. I've changed my bathing routine using emollients now. I've changed my detergent and anything that comes near my skin. Nothing helps and it is constant, 24/7 all over body itching which is, quite literally, driving me insane. Most nights I am driven to tears by the severity.. I am currently awaiting blood results but the docs so far have been of no help...





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It might be aquagenis pruritis. Try putting that into google and there is a forum for sufferers

Hi i have exactly the same thing! i get itchy everywhere and its worse at night. I went to my GP and was prescribed betnovate cream which does help but hasn't cured the itching. I have also been taking piriton allergy tablets which seem to help too. but im going to wait a few days and if the itching persists then im going back to my GP who told me i will have to have tests done. Its very frightening because i have done research on google and have been told that the itching could be linked to anaemia and systematic diabetes. i know google can be rubbish but it's still frightening to see. I hope your condition gets better, maybee go to your GP and ask him about having tests done ore evn about the cream. tc :)

After months of suffering, I was prescribed iron tablets as the doc said my blood count was low. It took a while, but the itching has finally subsided!! The relief is unbelievable! I've suffered from mild anaemia my whole life but never had this as a symptom before...

hi,i have skin iching all over my body i get this for more then 10 years some one says, this is hot ring ,a can't sleep at night because of iching , the start of iching red ring appear on my skin after the small ring get biger and biger the wors one is on my palm and foot any one get this please help me.





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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