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Is Itchy Skin A Sign Of Lymphoma?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Feb 2016
Question: For the past couple of nights I have had really itchy skin, mainly on my legs but I do notice it in my arms and back sometimes. I know winter dry air can cause this but I tend to think of the worst and I've read online that itchy skin with no known cause can be a sign of lymphoma. Should I be concerned? I did have my physical in April and all was clear and blood work was good.
doctor
Answered by Dr. VINAY KUMAR (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Causes could be varied

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam

Welcome with your query!
I am Dr V XXXXXXX a Sr Dermatologist.

I have gone through and alaysed your concerns.I will try to help resolve it as early and as best as possible.

I would like to know whether the itching is only at nights, and it has been going on with increasing intensity since it started.

The symptoms could be due to dryness, some parasitic infection, or allergy.

I would suggest the following measures to my clinic patients having similar profile

1 make sure that your night dresses are non irritating and adequately cleaned and washed

2 Apply Crotamiton containing cream as this is an effective anti-itching preparation that is safe too.

3 One tab of Levocetrizine 5mg preferably at night. This is an antiallergic that has longer duration of action

4 If there are any rashes or dots, please click a picture or two and upload with your reply.

5 Ensure that no one else in the family has similar problem.


Lymphomas present a very different set of changes that may be detected by suitable examination and investigations which essentially include blood picture, lymph node or another biopsy, systemic examination and usually the symptoms are more of a generalized nature with fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, poor appetite etc. rather than confined to one region of body. Skin lymphomas are likelier to present as visible plaques or nodules which seem to be absent as per your details.However, approaching a GP can be considered to rule out any such possibility.

I hope you will send me the required information so that we can work towards a durable solution to the concerns.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. VINAY KUMAR (26 minutes later)
The itchiness seems to be only at night right when I go to bed. My middle daughter had the same kind of thing a few weeks back. I don't seem to have any red dots, just my skin gets red when I itch it. We are running the heater at night so I know that can dry out the air. The one thing I have notice is I have cherry aginomas that are increasing on my chest and stomach region.
doctor
Answered by Dr. VINAY KUMAR (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Scabies seems to be the reason

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam

Thanks for clarifying the picture. This most likely represents scabies. It is highly recommended for anyone in this situation to:

1 Treat family members simultaneously while disinfecting bed linen and clothing in boiling water/ steam iron

2 GBHC lostion applications: First and Second day, bath followed by application neck downward for rest of the body areas with massage for 15 mts, followed by two more coats at 12 hrly intervals without any bath between the first and later coats. A bath 12 hrs after the third coat. Repeat same way for 5 weeks with a gap of 5 days in between sets of three applications

3 antiallergic like 5mg Levocetrizine a day

4 Allow few weeks before itching starts subsiding.

If at all heater is to be used, pl keep some water in an open vessel or tray in the room. Cherry angiomas increase with age but sudden appearance of large numbers requires in person examination by a GP.

Please let me know if further help be needed. I will gladly respond to your queries

Best wishes
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. VINAY KUMAR

Dermatologist

Practicing since :1980

Answered : 480 Questions

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Is Itchy Skin A Sign Of Lymphoma?

Brief Answer: Causes could be varied Detailed Answer: Dear Madam Welcome with your query! I am Dr V XXXXXXX a Sr Dermatologist. I have gone through and alaysed your concerns.I will try to help resolve it as early and as best as possible. I would like to know whether the itching is only at nights, and it has been going on with increasing intensity since it started. The symptoms could be due to dryness, some parasitic infection, or allergy. I would suggest the following measures to my clinic patients having similar profile 1 make sure that your night dresses are non irritating and adequately cleaned and washed 2 Apply Crotamiton containing cream as this is an effective anti-itching preparation that is safe too. 3 One tab of Levocetrizine 5mg preferably at night. This is an antiallergic that has longer duration of action 4 If there are any rashes or dots, please click a picture or two and upload with your reply. 5 Ensure that no one else in the family has similar problem. Lymphomas present a very different set of changes that may be detected by suitable examination and investigations which essentially include blood picture, lymph node or another biopsy, systemic examination and usually the symptoms are more of a generalized nature with fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, poor appetite etc. rather than confined to one region of body. Skin lymphomas are likelier to present as visible plaques or nodules which seem to be absent as per your details.However, approaching a GP can be considered to rule out any such possibility. I hope you will send me the required information so that we can work towards a durable solution to the concerns. Best wishes.