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What Causes Severe Itching In The Arms, Torso And Buttocks?
Question: I have severe body itches. Mainly arms, torso area and buttocks. I have been to the skin doctor and put on medicated ointment for the skin. Taking Zyrtec during the day and Benadryl at night. Soaking in oatmeal baths. Not getting any better. I'm wondering if the itching is caused from something inside my body...coming from the inside out. Sometimes I have a pins and needles sensation in parts of my skin. No apparent rashes or hives.
Brief Answer:
If no skin rash or scaling than causes outside of skin might be possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at Healthcaremagic.
I carefully went through your question and understand your concern.
If you have itchiness without a visible skin rash or scaling on the skin than probably it would be good to consider causes outside of skin as the possible reasons.
The fact that you have not improved with the treatments for common skin causes of itchiness enforces the idea that other causes outside of the skin might be the possible.
I do not see in your history if you have had common blood tests done like sugar levels in blood, tests for the thyroid or anemia, tests for kidney function or liver function. These might be good to be checked in case we have itchiness without apparent skin disorder.
So what I would recommend you is to see your family doctor and possibly have the following tests done:
1. CBC (for anemia)
2. TSH (thyroid fundciton)
3. Fasting blood sugar and lipids
4. Creatinine and electrolytes in blood (kidney function)
5. ALT, AST, Bilirubiine and alkaline phosphatase (liver tests)
This is the basic metabolic pannel check we do and i would highly recommend them to you.
I hope this is helpful to you and answers to your question but please feel free to write back if anymore clarifications are needed.
I wish you quick improvement.
Kind regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
If no skin rash or scaling than causes outside of skin might be possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at Healthcaremagic.
I carefully went through your question and understand your concern.
If you have itchiness without a visible skin rash or scaling on the skin than probably it would be good to consider causes outside of skin as the possible reasons.
The fact that you have not improved with the treatments for common skin causes of itchiness enforces the idea that other causes outside of the skin might be the possible.
I do not see in your history if you have had common blood tests done like sugar levels in blood, tests for the thyroid or anemia, tests for kidney function or liver function. These might be good to be checked in case we have itchiness without apparent skin disorder.
So what I would recommend you is to see your family doctor and possibly have the following tests done:
1. CBC (for anemia)
2. TSH (thyroid fundciton)
3. Fasting blood sugar and lipids
4. Creatinine and electrolytes in blood (kidney function)
5. ALT, AST, Bilirubiine and alkaline phosphatase (liver tests)
This is the basic metabolic pannel check we do and i would highly recommend them to you.
I hope this is helpful to you and answers to your question but please feel free to write back if anymore clarifications are needed.
I wish you quick improvement.
Kind regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
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. Prasad
Answered by
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