HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Problem With Pruritus Of Both Forearms. Prescribed With Steroid Creams And Nothing Helped. Any Ideas?

Posted on Thu, 7 Nov 2013

Question: I have a problem with puritis of both forearms. I have had reoccurrence of this off and on for 5-y yrs. I start itching and when I scratch it forms small bumps. No drainage or anything from these except when I scratch the skin off. I have been seen by PA from dermatology and have been prescribed all types of steroid creams, and none have helped. Also prednisone by mouth helped at first onset, but when reoccurred did not help. I am now seeing a Dermatologist and he has done punch biopsy, shave biopsy, and skin scrapings. None have shown anything except excoriations r/t scratching. He put me on dapsone but I cannot say this has helped. Neither do antihistamines. The best relief I've found is with the use of topical menthol, higher % and ice packs. Any ideas? I also have seen an allergist who did skin test and never really found anything to cause this.

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I feel that you are having NODULAR PRURIGO.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to H C M.

You are having itchy papular lesions on both fore arms.

And you are having Crohn's disease.

I would like to have photo of both fore arms having lesions.

Tentatively I put the diagnosis of NODULAR PRURIGO.

Crohn's disease may be associated with nodular prurigo.

You can continue dapsone.

Take antihistaminics like levocetirizine 10 mg at night.

Apply Tacrolimus 0.1 % oint

And post the photo of the lesions. So that I can give a better advice.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

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. Vaishalee Punj