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What Causes Itching Sensation On Hands, Feet And Legs?
Question: My hands feet, arms and legs have been itching continuously for 3 days. No changes in soaps, shampoo, etc. also have sinusitis symptoms. Any ideas are appreciated
Brief Answer:
Pictures and history requested
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting on HCM.
I can understand your concern regarding the skin lesions but its difficult to point specific diagnosis in absence of clinical examination.
Therefore, I insist you to post good clinical pictures to me so that I can help you in a better way.
You can mail pictures to YYYY@YYYY
with subject titled ' ATTN Dr Hardik Pitroda'.
Also please mention the additional history like:
1. Is itching there in any other family members/ roomates?
2. Is the itching more at night?
3. Is itching continuous or occasional?
4. Is there any history of swelling over lips or eyelids?
Thanks
Dr Hardik Pitroda
Pictures and history requested
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting on HCM.
I can understand your concern regarding the skin lesions but its difficult to point specific diagnosis in absence of clinical examination.
Therefore, I insist you to post good clinical pictures to me so that I can help you in a better way.
You can mail pictures to YYYY@YYYY
with subject titled ' ATTN Dr Hardik Pitroda'.
Also please mention the additional history like:
1. Is itching there in any other family members/ roomates?
2. Is the itching more at night?
3. Is itching continuous or occasional?
4. Is there any history of swelling over lips or eyelids?
Thanks
Dr Hardik Pitroda
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My skin looks as it always does, I'll send boring photo of my hands
1. Is itching there in any other family members/ roomates?
no
2. Is the itching more at night?
actually gets a little better at home after work (at first I thought it may be something at work, but nah)
If I read or knit I can keep my mind off it. It wakes me up once or twice a night. I've been good at refraining from scratching and it does get better after 15- 30 min before starting someplace else. It helps to use ice or REALLY cold water
3. Is itching continuous or occasional?
to frequent to be occasional but not exactly continuous. Itching moves arms, to legs, to hands or feet in no particular order
4. Is there any history of swelling over lips or eyelids
not over lips, sinus puffiness over eyes
1. Is itching there in any other family members/ roomates?
no
2. Is the itching more at night?
actually gets a little better at home after work (at first I thought it may be something at work, but nah)
If I read or knit I can keep my mind off it. It wakes me up once or twice a night. I've been good at refraining from scratching and it does get better after 15- 30 min before starting someplace else. It helps to use ice or REALLY cold water
3. Is itching continuous or occasional?
to frequent to be occasional but not exactly continuous. Itching moves arms, to legs, to hands or feet in no particular order
4. Is there any history of swelling over lips or eyelids
not over lips, sinus puffiness over eyes
Brief Answer:
Oral antihistamincs, topical moisturiser
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting the history and pictures.
It seems that you are having episodes of Urticaria or hives. Its an allergic manifestation of skin, where an allergen leads to release of certain substances from your blood, leading to itchy skin rash and swelling over soft tissues.
Its proper management requires thorough history, clinical and laboratory work-up.You may have to go for specific tests like patch test, food prick test, IgE antibody levels etc.
As for treatment part, best would be the avoidance of allergen as far as possible. Try to eliminate possible triggering foods from diet. I would also advise you various anti-histaminics for long duration( atleast 3 months) with or without oral corticosteroids. For non- responding cases there are many other drugs like dapsone, cyclosporine, montelukast, omalizumab etc which can be used in certain selected cases.
Also I would advise use of moisturer based bodywash and application of ample amount of moisturiser after bath on daily basis.
Hope this will help you in resolving your query.
Thank you
Dr Hardik Pitroda
Oral antihistamincs, topical moisturiser
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting the history and pictures.
It seems that you are having episodes of Urticaria or hives. Its an allergic manifestation of skin, where an allergen leads to release of certain substances from your blood, leading to itchy skin rash and swelling over soft tissues.
Its proper management requires thorough history, clinical and laboratory work-up.You may have to go for specific tests like patch test, food prick test, IgE antibody levels etc.
As for treatment part, best would be the avoidance of allergen as far as possible. Try to eliminate possible triggering foods from diet. I would also advise you various anti-histaminics for long duration( atleast 3 months) with or without oral corticosteroids. For non- responding cases there are many other drugs like dapsone, cyclosporine, montelukast, omalizumab etc which can be used in certain selected cases.
Also I would advise use of moisturer based bodywash and application of ample amount of moisturiser after bath on daily basis.
Hope this will help you in resolving your query.
Thank you
Dr Hardik Pitroda
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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