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Suggest Treatment For Severe Itching All Over The Body

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Posted on Sat, 31 Jan 2015
Question: I am having extremely severe itching all over my body. Have used much lotion. Already tried cutting out Lisinopril at doctor's suggestion. No help. Have used ice with some relief. Have some benedryl salve with some temporary relief. It gets much worse in evening and throughout night.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
need some details to guide you better

Detailed Answer:
Hello

My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. I'm sorry that you are suffering that much. There could be a number of causes for your complaint. I would be in a better position to guide you if you answer following questions please:
1. since when are you having this problem?
2. did it start after taking some particular food or after going to bed?
3. are you allergic to some food?
4. did such problem occur in past?
5. do you have diabetes, hypertension or any other illness?
6. are you on any medication?
7. is there appearance of rash as well?
8. does itch specifically occur between fingers digits & groin area?
9. is anyone else in the family also having similar complaint?

I will be looking forward for the answers to conclude the discussion in the best interest of yours.
Thank You
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (30 minutes later)
1. I has been getting worse for the last couple of months
2.3. I have not been able to identify a food, and am not elergic to any that I know.
4. Yes, in very small places, many times, for years.
5. Elevated blood pressure and take lisinopril 20 mg. The Dr. suggested I stop for a week. But that has not helped.
6. The other medication is synthroid 88 mg.
7. No rash
8. No. In fact not between fingers or groin. But one nipple area, back, in arm pits.
9.I live alone. Lost my husband of 63 years last March. He used to itch.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Most probably allergy from insect bite

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank you for getting back with the answers. I have gone through them. There could be two possibilities for chronic itch. First, allergy from insect bite, dust, etc. Second, liver pathology. If i were your treating doctor then i would have advised following things:

- levocetirizine one at night for 5 days
- change your bed-sheets & clean the area thoroughly for insects.
- its unlikely for lisinopril to cause itching so you can take it for maintenance of BP

-> If condition does not improve in 5-7 days then i would suggest you to get Liver function Tests(LFTs) done to rule our liver pathology. You can discuss the treatment with your local doctor as well.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (3 hours later)
Thank you for your suggestions. I will ask my doctor to write me a presscription. I did want to add that today the itching is happening all day as well. Does that change what you would do?

The above is what is happening today. I wondered if that changes the picture.
I had to keep an appointment earlier. Can I still expect an answer, or is it too late?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Follow above mentioned treatment

Detailed Answer:
hello

you are most welcome. I'll be available 24/7 for your help. as mentioned earlier , take levocitrizine and go for LFTs. hopefully you will recover soon. your itch should improve within few hours after starting antihistamine (levocitrizine).
wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (4 hours later)
Can I get that antihistamine over the counter or do I need a prescription?
I had people look at my back and there is nothing that looks like bites.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it (levocitrizine) is an OTC medicine

Detailed Answer:
hello

yes it is an OTC medicine. our first priority is to facilitate patient with OTC drugs. hopefully it will help you resolve the complaint and no further treatment would be required. don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.

wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (9 hours later)
Dr. Rauf:

Just want to inform you that the medication, levocitrizine, is only available in prescription form here. Zyrtac makes citrizine. My doctor is writing me a prescription. It is probably also good to add that it is important not to take any other form of antihystimine. I have a cold as well and was taking some like Niquil. My Dr. daughter warned me of this.

Thank you,
Ingelore Weinberg
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Continue cetrizine

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank you very much for the followup.

Levocetirizine & cetirizine both are 2nd generation antihistamines. Cetirizine is OTC everywhere but levocetirizine is not in some areas. Sorry for the trouble. Yes it is recommended not to take two such allergy medicines because they contain sedative effect and that may potentiate. As I asked in my first reply that "are you on any kind of medication?" and you replied "synthyroid" only so i advised you antihistamine.
Nilquil contains a combination of cough suppressant, analgesic & sedative. You can continue cetrizine as prescribed by your doctor.
Hopefully you will improve soon.

If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Thank You & wishing you very good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (48 minutes later)
And the niquil also? Thank you so much.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Avoid niquil; advise regarding flu mentioned below

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank you for the followup query. If i were your treating doctor then i would have advised following(instead of niquil) for itching and flu:

- cetirizine one at night for 5 days
- dextromethorphan/diphenhydramine suspension for cough
- take hot water in a cup and add one table spoon salt in it. Perform gargles with it thrice a day for 5 days. it will give soothinge effect.
- acetaminophen for fever (if occurs)

AVOID:
- Spicy food
- carbonated drinks
- Smoking/alcohol (if you do)
- chilled water

Hope i have answered your query. Feel free to get back with the followup query.
Wishing you good health. Thank You !
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. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 1312 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Itching All Over The Body

Brief Answer: need some details to guide you better Detailed Answer: Hello My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem. I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. I'm sorry that you are suffering that much. There could be a number of causes for your complaint. I would be in a better position to guide you if you answer following questions please: 1. since when are you having this problem? 2. did it start after taking some particular food or after going to bed? 3. are you allergic to some food? 4. did such problem occur in past? 5. do you have diabetes, hypertension or any other illness? 6. are you on any medication? 7. is there appearance of rash as well? 8. does itch specifically occur between fingers digits & groin area? 9. is anyone else in the family also having similar complaint? I will be looking forward for the answers to conclude the discussion in the best interest of yours. Thank You