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What Does Persistent Mild Itching In The Upper Abdominal Area Indicate?
Question: Hi
As of a couple days ago I had this really mild itch, there weren't any rashes of anything but I felt this soreness in my left upper abdomen and below my left rib cage. If I rub or massage it, I feel this internal itching sensation that goes from the side of my rib cage to my back. All this irrational is on my rib cage. I'm not sure if this helps but I ate Chinese food the night before this started and when I took Benadryl this sensation was alleviated for a while so I original thought it was an allergic reaction.
As of a couple days ago I had this really mild itch, there weren't any rashes of anything but I felt this soreness in my left upper abdomen and below my left rib cage. If I rub or massage it, I feel this internal itching sensation that goes from the side of my rib cage to my back. All this irrational is on my rib cage. I'm not sure if this helps but I ate Chinese food the night before this started and when I took Benadryl this sensation was alleviated for a while so I original thought it was an allergic reaction.
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/26 - noted the history of mild itch at the upper left abdomen below rib cage, going through to the back - ate Chinese food the night before this all started - Benadryl alleviated the sensation for a while - so thought of an allergic reaction...
The location and the way the pain is getting referred to the back indicates that the major cause would be related to the affected nerve and can show the appearance after a few more days of the rash classical of Herpes zoster also called Shingles.
Another cause can be slipped disc or so causing compression on the cord/nerve roots.
This can be diagnosed by the following:
Clinical evaluation and examination by a Doctor.
Observation for appearance of rash or any other symptoms or signs.
MRI of the thoracic spine to see for compression and so on.
Repeat of Benadryl if required may help, observe and please give me the feedback.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Male/26 - noted the history of mild itch at the upper left abdomen below rib cage, going through to the back - ate Chinese food the night before this all started - Benadryl alleviated the sensation for a while - so thought of an allergic reaction...
The location and the way the pain is getting referred to the back indicates that the major cause would be related to the affected nerve and can show the appearance after a few more days of the rash classical of Herpes zoster also called Shingles.
Another cause can be slipped disc or so causing compression on the cord/nerve roots.
This can be diagnosed by the following:
Clinical evaluation and examination by a Doctor.
Observation for appearance of rash or any other symptoms or signs.
MRI of the thoracic spine to see for compression and so on.
Repeat of Benadryl if required may help, observe and please give me the feedback.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
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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