Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Severe Itching All Over The Body?
Question: I have been experiencing constant itchy skin all the time for about a year, but especially worse at night which keeps me awake. I had skin testing done by an allergist and many blood work tests done with no allergies/conclusion. I am also always cold and seem to have a sensitivity to many foods which I never had before. Back in March I was diangosed with a Staph infection by my OB (skin culture done on genital area) and was on Cipro for 7 days. I did research online and found a place where I could do a stool sample and stool swab culture (paid out of pocket). The results were that I had Escherichia coli, proteus vulgaris, bacteria normal bacilli and Salmonella sp. I am currently taking an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal cleanse (6 weeks now) and I still don't feel any better. Still scratching, not sleeping and always cold. I am also doing an elimination diet-only eating protein, vegetables and some nuts. Still itchy and miserable. Should I see a infectious disease specialist?
Brief Answer:
?Adult atopic dermatits
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I have gone through your history and understand that you are suffering from severe itching all over your body which has been causing significant distress for about a year now.
You have also mentioned that your skin is very dry despite moisturizing and you feel cold.
From your history, the possibilities I would consider include Adult atopic dermatitis and Xerosis secondary to hypothyroidism.
Could you clarify a few questions so we can assess better?
1. Do you have any rashes/ hives associated with the itching?
2. Do you have history of itching among close contacts?
3. Do you have any known thyroid abnormalities?
4. Have you always had dry skin from childhood or is it of recent onset?
5. Are you on any other medications apart from those given for allergy? e.g- cholesterol lowering agents
6. Do you have any history of wheezing/ asthma / sneezing and nasal allergies either at present or in childhood? Any family history of the same?
7. Why was the stool test done? The organisms you have mentioned have no special significance.
8. You have mentioned that you have developed a sensitivity to many foods. Which foods are they and what reaction do you develop when you eat them?
Please clarify these questions so that I can help you better.
This does not seem to be related to an infection. So it would be better if you see a dermatologist.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
?Adult atopic dermatits
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I have gone through your history and understand that you are suffering from severe itching all over your body which has been causing significant distress for about a year now.
You have also mentioned that your skin is very dry despite moisturizing and you feel cold.
From your history, the possibilities I would consider include Adult atopic dermatitis and Xerosis secondary to hypothyroidism.
Could you clarify a few questions so we can assess better?
1. Do you have any rashes/ hives associated with the itching?
2. Do you have history of itching among close contacts?
3. Do you have any known thyroid abnormalities?
4. Have you always had dry skin from childhood or is it of recent onset?
5. Are you on any other medications apart from those given for allergy? e.g- cholesterol lowering agents
6. Do you have any history of wheezing/ asthma / sneezing and nasal allergies either at present or in childhood? Any family history of the same?
7. Why was the stool test done? The organisms you have mentioned have no special significance.
8. You have mentioned that you have developed a sensitivity to many foods. Which foods are they and what reaction do you develop when you eat them?
Please clarify these questions so that I can help you better.
This does not seem to be related to an infection. So it would be better if you see a dermatologist.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response. Here are the answers to your above questions:
1. No hive or rashes. Just extreme itching which produces a rash then sometime I break the skin open.
2. No.
3. The doctor has checked my thyroid and the results are normal.
4. No. The dry skin came the same time as the itching.
5. I was on birth control Lo-Estrin but just stopped about 4 weeks ago.
6. I used to have severe nasal allergies and asthma while growing up and in early adulthood. I went to see a Naturopath about 6 years ago and she told me if I wasn't breastfed as a child, I am probably allergic to dairy. I stopped eating dairy products and my nasal allergies and asthma completely disappeared.
7. I wasn't happy with any of the test results that my doctor ordered since they all came back negative so I paid out of pocket for these tests. When I went to see the Naturopath 6 years ago I was diagnosed with Hookworm. I thought maybe I still had parasites.
8. Right now I am on an elimination diet just eating protein, vegetables and a few nuts (for about 8 weeks). Still itchy. I cheated twice and was more itchy. I seem to be allergic to corn, pork, tomatoes and tomato products, vinegar and all products containing vinegar. But nothing showed on the allergy skin tests. I just seem to be more itchy when I eat these foods.
An help/insight you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
1. No hive or rashes. Just extreme itching which produces a rash then sometime I break the skin open.
2. No.
3. The doctor has checked my thyroid and the results are normal.
4. No. The dry skin came the same time as the itching.
5. I was on birth control Lo-Estrin but just stopped about 4 weeks ago.
6. I used to have severe nasal allergies and asthma while growing up and in early adulthood. I went to see a Naturopath about 6 years ago and she told me if I wasn't breastfed as a child, I am probably allergic to dairy. I stopped eating dairy products and my nasal allergies and asthma completely disappeared.
7. I wasn't happy with any of the test results that my doctor ordered since they all came back negative so I paid out of pocket for these tests. When I went to see the Naturopath 6 years ago I was diagnosed with Hookworm. I thought maybe I still had parasites.
8. Right now I am on an elimination diet just eating protein, vegetables and a few nuts (for about 8 weeks). Still itchy. I cheated twice and was more itchy. I seem to be allergic to corn, pork, tomatoes and tomato products, vinegar and all products containing vinegar. But nothing showed on the allergy skin tests. I just seem to be more itchy when I eat these foods.
An help/insight you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Adult onset atopic dermatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your clarifications.
From the additional history you have provided me, I would definitely consider Adult onset atopic dermatitis as a possibility.
Atopic disorders includes a spectrum of allergic disorders which involve the nose, airways and skin manifesting as nasal allergies ( sneezing, watery nasal discharge, hay fever, polyps,etc), asthma and itchy skin respectively. These could start off together or, as in most of the cases, appear one at a time.
Atopic skin manifestation could start early in infancy or, as in your case like I suspect, the skin could be completely spared in childhood and could could develop itching only in adulthood.
Atopic individuals could have allergy to specific foods. This may or may not be picked up on allergy testing. I do not routinely test my patients as the results are usually inconclusive and sometimes even misleading.
It would be better to eliminate foods based on your experience. If you suspect any food to increase your itching, completely avoid it for 2 weeks, re-introduce it and look for symptoms. If itching reappears, then you are probably allergic to it. I guess that this is what you have been trying and I would advise you to do the same.
Other measures which could help adult onset atopic dermatitis are -
1. Use lukewarm water for bathing. Avoid hot water as this strips the skin off moisture and worsens itching.
2. Use a mild, soap free cleanser like Cetaphil cleanser to bathe. Do not lather too much.
3. Moisturize within 3 minutes after shower on damp skin and repeat moisturizer frequently / whenever you feel itchy. Moisturizing on damp skin traps the moisture in the skin.
4.Use a moisturizer containing colloidal oatmeal ( e.g - Aveeno) or a post bath oil containing coconut oil.
5. You could apply a mild steroid cream containing 1 % hydrocortisone over the itchy areas twice a day for 2 weeks. This will give relief from itching. After 2 weeks, continue only the moisturizer.
6. You could take an anti histamine like Benadryl for 2 weeks at bedtime.
7. Use a humidifier if you are in an air conditioned environment as air conditioner makes the skin extremely dry.
The main treatment for atopic dermatitis is to keep the skin moisturized.
I would also suggest you to get a blood work done including hemoglobin,liver function test and renal function tests. Anaemia, liver and kidney disorders could also cause intractable itching.
Internal malignancy is also a cause of itching.
I am putting this in the end as I do not want to raise unnecessary alarm, but as a dermatologist, I would do basic screening tests if the patient does not respond to the above management.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Adult onset atopic dermatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your clarifications.
From the additional history you have provided me, I would definitely consider Adult onset atopic dermatitis as a possibility.
Atopic disorders includes a spectrum of allergic disorders which involve the nose, airways and skin manifesting as nasal allergies ( sneezing, watery nasal discharge, hay fever, polyps,etc), asthma and itchy skin respectively. These could start off together or, as in most of the cases, appear one at a time.
Atopic skin manifestation could start early in infancy or, as in your case like I suspect, the skin could be completely spared in childhood and could could develop itching only in adulthood.
Atopic individuals could have allergy to specific foods. This may or may not be picked up on allergy testing. I do not routinely test my patients as the results are usually inconclusive and sometimes even misleading.
It would be better to eliminate foods based on your experience. If you suspect any food to increase your itching, completely avoid it for 2 weeks, re-introduce it and look for symptoms. If itching reappears, then you are probably allergic to it. I guess that this is what you have been trying and I would advise you to do the same.
Other measures which could help adult onset atopic dermatitis are -
1. Use lukewarm water for bathing. Avoid hot water as this strips the skin off moisture and worsens itching.
2. Use a mild, soap free cleanser like Cetaphil cleanser to bathe. Do not lather too much.
3. Moisturize within 3 minutes after shower on damp skin and repeat moisturizer frequently / whenever you feel itchy. Moisturizing on damp skin traps the moisture in the skin.
4.Use a moisturizer containing colloidal oatmeal ( e.g - Aveeno) or a post bath oil containing coconut oil.
5. You could apply a mild steroid cream containing 1 % hydrocortisone over the itchy areas twice a day for 2 weeks. This will give relief from itching. After 2 weeks, continue only the moisturizer.
6. You could take an anti histamine like Benadryl for 2 weeks at bedtime.
7. Use a humidifier if you are in an air conditioned environment as air conditioner makes the skin extremely dry.
The main treatment for atopic dermatitis is to keep the skin moisturized.
I would also suggest you to get a blood work done including hemoglobin,liver function test and renal function tests. Anaemia, liver and kidney disorders could also cause intractable itching.
Internal malignancy is also a cause of itching.
I am putting this in the end as I do not want to raise unnecessary alarm, but as a dermatologist, I would do basic screening tests if the patient does not respond to the above management.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for all of the info.
I went to my family doctor this morning and they are concerned as my lymph nodes (neck and groin) are enlarged. They have done some blood tests and I am making an appointment to have a CT done on my neck. I assume this would have something to do with my skin?
I already use Cetaphil for bathing. I am using Eucerin Eczema relief body creme after I put a layer of olive oil on my skin. My skin is still dry and sometimes red like I have a sunburn. Should I use a different moisturizer? Coconut oil didn't seem to help as much as the olive oil.
I tried anti-histamines while under the Allergist's care. Most of them just gave me a full body rash. I used a lot of Steroid cream and hydrocortisone cream that I thinned my skin out. I stopped using those.
Hopefully we can come to some kind of conclusion/resolution after I have these tests done.
Thanks again for your help.
XXXXXXX
I went to my family doctor this morning and they are concerned as my lymph nodes (neck and groin) are enlarged. They have done some blood tests and I am making an appointment to have a CT done on my neck. I assume this would have something to do with my skin?
I already use Cetaphil for bathing. I am using Eucerin Eczema relief body creme after I put a layer of olive oil on my skin. My skin is still dry and sometimes red like I have a sunburn. Should I use a different moisturizer? Coconut oil didn't seem to help as much as the olive oil.
I tried anti-histamines while under the Allergist's care. Most of them just gave me a full body rash. I used a lot of Steroid cream and hydrocortisone cream that I thinned my skin out. I stopped using those.
Hopefully we can come to some kind of conclusion/resolution after I have these tests done.
Thanks again for your help.
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Adult atopic dermatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Itchy skin could be a manifestation of lymphoma, which is associated with enlarged lymph nodes. It is not very common and I would not want you to be anxious about it. Do wait for the results and see how they turn out.
Do continue cetaphil cleanser.
You could try applying Aveeno moisturizer which has colloidal oatmeal.
Continue with olive oil.
I am surprised that antihistamines gave you a rash since they are prescribed to get rid of a rash. You could try mast cell stabilizers like Montelukast after discussing with you doctor.
Since you have already used topical steroids to a point of thinning down your skin, I would suggest that you use only moisturizers/ emollients. You could also use menthol containing lotions which have a soothing effect.
Hope you find this helpful
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Adult atopic dermatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Itchy skin could be a manifestation of lymphoma, which is associated with enlarged lymph nodes. It is not very common and I would not want you to be anxious about it. Do wait for the results and see how they turn out.
Do continue cetaphil cleanser.
You could try applying Aveeno moisturizer which has colloidal oatmeal.
Continue with olive oil.
I am surprised that antihistamines gave you a rash since they are prescribed to get rid of a rash. You could try mast cell stabilizers like Montelukast after discussing with you doctor.
Since you have already used topical steroids to a point of thinning down your skin, I would suggest that you use only moisturizers/ emollients. You could also use menthol containing lotions which have a soothing effect.
Hope you find this helpful
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
