Brief Answer: Chronology of itch & any suspected cause? Pets? Detailed Answer: Hi there. Thanks for writing in to HCM. I note you said the itch is horrible & sans rash. Also note you say your health is good sans issues. Could you please state since when exactly this itch has surfaced? Is it more at night? Are there any stressors of note that may be contributory? How long have you been on Estradiol? Have you done a Liver Function test (blood test) recently & is all ok? Any Pets around you with an itch or recent visits to the outdoors? Any seasonal flowers/gardening/hobbies ? contributory Please get back to me & we can try work out something to give you symptomatic relief over the weekend & perhaps you can consult your local dermatologist on appointment if it persists. Await your response to give you an appropriate suggestion. Good Luck & Godspeed! Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD

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Brief Answer: Scabicidals eg. Permite & antihistamine eg atarax Detailed Answer: Hi there. Glad you have changed the detergent to a hypoallergenic one. From your description & the nocturnal increase in itch & the fact that there is a pet dog, it leads me to strongly suspect an infection called scabies that in the clean & hygienic does not always manifest with the classical appearance. I would use a cream called 5% Permethrin (Permite from Galderma may be a good option) & apply it from the neck below to the entire body as a single application & leave on for 6-8 hrs. Please do take care of all the fomites: sheets, clothes etc with washing in hot water cycle & drying well in sunlight & ironing it out well. All family members too & the Dog can receive a similar treatment applied on the same day. In addition I would also start you on antihistamine tablet called atarax in a strength of 10mg taken once at night that will help take care of the itch & take this for a 10 day period. This medicine may not be available over the counter. You can ask your doctor about it. It is one of the oldest & safest antihistamines. I do hope this helps alleviate your itch & here's to a clear skin. Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD

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Brief Answer: Antihistamine Atarax 10 mg @ night or may increase Detailed Answer: Hello Again. I have no doubt you have no signs of scabies. The treatment I suggested is empirical & as I mentioned..in the clean & hygienic, scabies does not manifest like its usual self. Always good & certainly does not hurt to try a single 6-8 hr application as suggested. Yes, it could be a nerve or psychogenic condition but this will have to be assessed by a dermatologist & neurologist/psychologist near you. Do use the atarax at night as recommended. It may give you relief irrespective of the primary cause. Good Luck & Godspeed. Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD

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