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Having Severe Itching On Forearms, Elbow And Shoulders. Took Benadryl. Allergy?

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Posted on Fri, 19 Jul 2013
Question: Severe itching of the forearms at the elbow and fronts of shoulders. Seasonal starting about 2 weeks ago again and lasts 2 or 3 months. Ice and Benadryl give some relief but it itches so badly that I draw blood. No rash I have no known food or environmental allergies.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (6 hours later)
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Get a prescription for an anti-histamine such as cetrizine or hydroxyzine (Atarax). These would cause less drowsiness than Benadryl (diphenhydramine).

2. Once an allergy develops, a cocktail of substances is released into the blood and body tissues. Anti-histamines counter only histamine, which is one of the many substances responsible for the symptoms of allergy. Other options that may be added by your doctor include anti-leukotrienes (such as montelukast) and steroids. Some of these substance shave no known antidote.

3. Hence is it is better to start these medications a couple of weeks before the onset of a seasonal allergy.

4. It may be difficult to identify the exact cause of sever itching of the forearm at the elbow and front of the shoulders and no where else. Local application of Lacto-Calamine moisturizing lotion may help reduce skin dryness, soothe the skin and help reduce itching.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (6 hours later)
As i thought about this I realized that I do itch other places on my body just not as severe. Head, no dandruff, and middle of my back. As well as other just generalized itching. Would this change your answer at all?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (7 hours later)
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. If this is a generalized problem it is more likely to respond to the oral medication.

2. This would not change the above-mentioned medication.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2685 Questions

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Having Severe Itching On Forearms, Elbow And Shoulders. Took Benadryl. Allergy?

Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Get a prescription for an anti-histamine such as cetrizine or hydroxyzine (Atarax). These would cause less drowsiness than Benadryl (diphenhydramine).

2. Once an allergy develops, a cocktail of substances is released into the blood and body tissues. Anti-histamines counter only histamine, which is one of the many substances responsible for the symptoms of allergy. Other options that may be added by your doctor include anti-leukotrienes (such as montelukast) and steroids. Some of these substance shave no known antidote.

3. Hence is it is better to start these medications a couple of weeks before the onset of a seasonal allergy.

4. It may be difficult to identify the exact cause of sever itching of the forearm at the elbow and front of the shoulders and no where else. Local application of Lacto-Calamine moisturizing lotion may help reduce skin dryness, soothe the skin and help reduce itching.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.