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Suggest Treatment For Constant Itching And Crawling Feeling Under Skin
Question: I have constant itching. It actually feels like something is crawling under my skin. I have had blood tests and everything has came back negative.
Brief Answer:
need a host of blood tests
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
There are different causes for persistent itching: (1)allergies- blood tests can be done to check for a wide range of allergies.
Tests can check for reactions to foods/drinks, dust and other environmental allergens, medications, chemicals (soaps, cleaning agents etc).
(2)liver disease- tests for liver function
(3) autoimmune diseases- these are conditions where the body is effectively fighting against itself
Eg dermatomyositis, pemphigoid, sjogren's syndrome
(4)infections and infestations- insect bites, scabies, lice, impetigo, dermatophytosis (fungal infection), HIV, parasites
(5)lymphoma and leukemia- these types of cancer is sometimes associated with itching
(6)other inflammatory skin diseases such as lichen planus, lichen simplex chronicus, urticaria etc
(7)there are some genetic diseases that causes itching as well
(8)kidney disease
(9)thyroid disease
(10)iron deficiency
(11) side effects of medication
Not sure which tests you would have done but they should include: (1) TSH (for thyroid disease),
(2) liver and kidney function tests,
(3) complete blood count (for anemia, leukemia, lymphoma),
(4) ESR and c reactive protein ( check for inflammatory diseases but would also go up in autoimmune diseases)
(4) allergy blood tests
You should see a dermatologist, if you have already been followed by a dermatologist, you may need a second opinion from another one.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
need a host of blood tests
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
There are different causes for persistent itching: (1)allergies- blood tests can be done to check for a wide range of allergies.
Tests can check for reactions to foods/drinks, dust and other environmental allergens, medications, chemicals (soaps, cleaning agents etc).
(2)liver disease- tests for liver function
(3) autoimmune diseases- these are conditions where the body is effectively fighting against itself
Eg dermatomyositis, pemphigoid, sjogren's syndrome
(4)infections and infestations- insect bites, scabies, lice, impetigo, dermatophytosis (fungal infection), HIV, parasites
(5)lymphoma and leukemia- these types of cancer is sometimes associated with itching
(6)other inflammatory skin diseases such as lichen planus, lichen simplex chronicus, urticaria etc
(7)there are some genetic diseases that causes itching as well
(8)kidney disease
(9)thyroid disease
(10)iron deficiency
(11) side effects of medication
Not sure which tests you would have done but they should include: (1) TSH (for thyroid disease),
(2) liver and kidney function tests,
(3) complete blood count (for anemia, leukemia, lymphoma),
(4) ESR and c reactive protein ( check for inflammatory diseases but would also go up in autoimmune diseases)
(4) allergy blood tests
You should see a dermatologist, if you have already been followed by a dermatologist, you may need a second opinion from another one.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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