Hi all,
I have a theory that I have been meaning to test for some time now with respect to aquagenic pruritis or Xerosis! Maybe those of you who read this forum could help out in an experiment?
I am a 30 year old doctor of chiropractic and have also completed a 3 year biomedical bachelor of science and I too have had this aquagenic pruritis on and off for around 10 years.
For me it is strangely intermittent with differing levels of intensity and I can often go quite long periods without exacerbations that don't appear to have a pattern.
I would suggest reading these two pages from good old wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquagenic_pruritus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_urticaria
These two pages have a good synthesis of what everyone is talking about in terms of symptoms and treatment on this forum. Unfortunately there is significant disparity between people and their presentation/treatment. Overall there is no true etiology (cause) and treatment to date.
The typical features of aquagenic pruritis are as follows:
• Occurs following showering / sweating
• Is an itchiness/ prickling that lasts at least 30min but up to 2 hours
• There is NO overt skin reaction, i.e. no weal, welts, rash (differentiates from urticaria, psoriasis, eczema etc)
• No other signs and symptoms of systemic disease
• Typically does not respond to antihistamines or steroids
• Can respond well to very hot showers, tanning and sunburn.
I am sure you all appreciate that itchiness without rash or skin reaction may in fact be a sign of something more sinister:
Itching can be caused by:
Xerosis. This is the most common cause, frequently seen in winters. Associated with older age, frequent bathing in hot showers or baths, and high temperature and low humidity environments.
Skin conditions (such as psoriasis, eczema, sunburn, athlete's foot, hidradenitis suppurativa and many others). Most are of an inflammatory nature.
Insect bites, such as those from mosquitos or chiggers.
Allergic reactions to contact with specific chemicals, such as Urushiol from Poison Ivy or Poison Oak.
Hodgkin's disease
Jaundice (bilirubin is a skin irritant at high concentrations)
Polycythemia, which can cause generalized itching due to increased histamine
Scabies or infection with lice or worms
Thyroid illness
hyperparathyroidism[12]
Shaving, which may irritate the skin
Mosquito bite, toxins injected in the blood after the mosquito has bitten its victim.
Diabetes Mellitus
Dandruff (an unusually large amount of flaking is associated with this sensation)
Iron deficiency anemia
Parasitic infections
Psychiatric
Medication:
Allergy - (due to reaction of an individual's immune system to certain chemical compounds)
Photodermatitis – (sun)light reacts with chemicals in the skin, leading to the formation of irritant metabolites
Directly (e.g. morphine and other opiates)
Cholestasis
Related to pregnancy:
Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP)
Gestational pemphigoid
so it is advisable to have a medical check to determine if you in fact has such an underlying sinister cause of itching.
I have some questions for you all:
• Do you have dry skin?
• Do you experience regular static electricity shocks, for example, touching something and getting a little shock from it?
• Do you find the itchiness gets worse when the air is less humid and dry?
• Is the itchiness better in moderate moist temperatures?
So what am I thinking??? Come on get to the punch line!!!
Ok here is my theory. The itchiness is not due to histamine release or allergy, but that there is a build up of static electricity that is discharging via the pores and hair follicles!
An article, Invisible Itches: Insect and Non-Insect Causes by M. F. Potter and P. G. Koehler (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG34300.pdf) suggests that static electricity can be a cause of itchiness and is associated with winter itch.
Winter itch is a known phenomenon caused by excessively dry skin with cold and low levels of water in the air, and is associated with static electricity shocks.
This is a nice and simple FAQ on winter itch http://wellness.uwsp.edu/medinfo/handouts/Winter%20Itch.pdf
Here is another study looking at static electricity as a potential cause of itching and ‘bites’ http://oeh.informaworld.com/soeh/content~content=a713608606~db=all~order=page
Another interesting observation is that patting the skin dry rather than wiping helps to reduce the itching – what is this doing? Anybody ever rubbed a cat vigorously and made its hair stand on end? You build an electric charge when you rub a surface that is electrically isolated!
I suspect that there are a number of environmental causes of drying of the skin many of which people have stated.
These are typically: dust particles, fiberglass particles, soaps, lotions, shampoos, detergents, solutes in tap water, too much sun exposure, exposure to wind, not enough water intake and so on.
Remember dry skin is not necessarily due to lack of oils – oils keep the water in, but if the tissue doesn’t have enough water to start with then it won’t matter how much oil you replace on the skin.
I doubt that aquagenic pruritis is due to allergy as antihistamines and steroids have little or no effect in most cases. Also this phenomenon is typically an ‘itch that rashes’, meaning that there is no weal or rash prior to the itch, and the itching itself is what brings on the weal.
It appears that the reason that application of high heat works to reduce the symptoms is because itching and pain share the same nerve pathway to the brain – this being the spinothalamic tract. In experimental studies it was discovered that application of noxious (tissue damaging or burning temperature) stimulus like heat it would stop the itching for up to 30 minutes! This is a familiar time frame isn’t it? Interestingly if the temperature was less than burning levels it would only stop the itch for 20-30 seconds! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itch)
This phenomena is called neurological gating – most of you will have experienced it when you have hurt yourself and you rub the area – what happens?? The pain reduces! So perhaps you can try slapping yourself all over to stop the itch!! :-P
So basically I believe that the basis of it is excessively dry skin from various environmental factors, that is exacerbated by water and heat opening up the pores in the skin, plus soaps that remove the oils from the skin which hold the water in, then rubbing or wiping with towels (particularly synthetic ones) that generate an electrical charge in the skin and hair leading to the prickling/itching sensation! PHEW!
- Don’t try this unless you are a mad scientist like myself -
I am yet to try it but I know you can get anti-static sprays for synthetic pants that get stuck to your legs – either during an episode or prior to, I will apply the spray on one leg to see if the itching reduces, if the itching stops – hey presto – static is the cause.
Obviously this has floors – the antistatic spray is most likely hazardous to you so its probably not a good idea to do this more than a few times! But at least it will help figure out what is happening.
The other option that I am thinking about is shaving one leg and using an excoriation mitt to remove as much of the dead dry keratinized skin as possible and apply a moisturizer. The theory being that the skin is no longer acting as such an efficient electrical barrier and so won’t build up an electrical charge and thus cause the itchiness.
My wife thinks that I have finally gone mad. Maybe I have ;-)
Your thoughts and results from experiments are greatly appreciated!
I have a theory that I have been meaning to test for some time now with respect to aquagenic pruritis or Xerosis! Maybe those of you who read this forum could help out in an experiment?
I am a 30 year old doctor of chiropractic and have also completed a 3 year biomedical bachelor of science and I too have had this aquagenic pruritis on and off for around 10 years.
For me it is strangely intermittent with differing levels of intensity and I can often go quite long periods without exacerbations that don't appear to have a pattern.
I would suggest reading these two pages from good old wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquagenic_pruritus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_urticaria
These two pages have a good synthesis of what everyone is talking about in terms of symptoms and treatment on this forum. Unfortunately there is significant disparity between people and their presentation/treatment. Overall there is no true etiology (cause) and treatment to date.
The typical features of aquagenic pruritis are as follows:
• Occurs following showering / sweating
• Is an itchiness/ prickling that lasts at least 30min but up to 2 hours
• There is NO overt skin reaction, i.e. no weal, welts, rash (differentiates from urticaria, psoriasis, eczema etc)
• No other signs and symptoms of systemic disease
• Typically does not respond to antihistamines or steroids
• Can respond well to very hot showers, tanning and sunburn.
I am sure you all appreciate that itchiness without rash or skin reaction may in fact be a sign of something more sinister:
Itching can be caused by:
Xerosis. This is the most common cause, frequently seen in winters. Associated with older age, frequent bathing in hot showers or baths, and high temperature and low humidity environments.
Skin conditions (such as psoriasis, eczema, sunburn, athlete's foot, hidradenitis suppurativa and many others). Most are of an inflammatory nature.
Insect bites, such as those from mosquitos or chiggers.
Allergic reactions to contact with specific chemicals, such as Urushiol from Poison Ivy or Poison Oak.
Hodgkin's disease
Jaundice (bilirubin is a skin irritant at high concentrations)
Polycythemia, which can cause generalized itching due to increased histamine
Scabies or infection with lice or worms
Thyroid illness
hyperparathyroidism[12]
Shaving, which may irritate the skin
Mosquito bite, toxins injected in the blood after the mosquito has bitten its victim.
Diabetes Mellitus
Dandruff (an unusually large amount of flaking is associated with this sensation)
Iron deficiency anemia
Parasitic infections
Psychiatric
Medication:
Allergy - (due to reaction of an individual's immune system to certain chemical compounds)
Photodermatitis – (sun)light reacts with chemicals in the skin, leading to the formation of irritant metabolites
Directly (e.g. morphine and other opiates)
Cholestasis
Related to pregnancy:
Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP)
Gestational pemphigoid
so it is advisable to have a medical check to determine if you in fact has such an underlying sinister cause of itching.
I have some questions for you all:
• Do you have dry skin?
• Do you experience regular static electricity shocks, for example, touching something and getting a little shock from it?
• Do you find the itchiness gets worse when the air is less humid and dry?
• Is the itchiness better in moderate moist temperatures?
So what am I thinking??? Come on get to the punch line!!!
Ok here is my theory. The itchiness is not due to histamine release or allergy, but that there is a build up of static electricity that is discharging via the pores and hair follicles!
An article, Invisible Itches: Insect and Non-Insect Causes by M. F. Potter and P. G. Koehler (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG34300.pdf) suggests that static electricity can be a cause of itchiness and is associated with winter itch.
Winter itch is a known phenomenon caused by excessively dry skin with cold and low levels of water in the air, and is associated with static electricity shocks.
This is a nice and simple FAQ on winter itch http://wellness.uwsp.edu/medinfo/handouts/Winter%20Itch.pdf
Here is another study looking at static electricity as a potential cause of itching and ‘bites’ http://oeh.informaworld.com/soeh/content~content=a713608606~db=all~order=page
Another interesting observation is that patting the skin dry rather than wiping helps to reduce the itching – what is this doing? Anybody ever rubbed a cat vigorously and made its hair stand on end? You build an electric charge when you rub a surface that is electrically isolated!
I suspect that there are a number of environmental causes of drying of the skin many of which people have stated.
These are typically: dust particles, fiberglass particles, soaps, lotions, shampoos, detergents, solutes in tap water, too much sun exposure, exposure to wind, not enough water intake and so on.
Remember dry skin is not necessarily due to lack of oils – oils keep the water in, but if the tissue doesn’t have enough water to start with then it won’t matter how much oil you replace on the skin.
I doubt that aquagenic pruritis is due to allergy as antihistamines and steroids have little or no effect in most cases. Also this phenomenon is typically an ‘itch that rashes’, meaning that there is no weal or rash prior to the itch, and the itching itself is what brings on the weal.
It appears that the reason that application of high heat works to reduce the symptoms is because itching and pain share the same nerve pathway to the brain – this being the spinothalamic tract. In experimental studies it was discovered that application of noxious (tissue damaging or burning temperature) stimulus like heat it would stop the itching for up to 30 minutes! This is a familiar time frame isn’t it? Interestingly if the temperature was less than burning levels it would only stop the itch for 20-30 seconds! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itch)
This phenomena is called neurological gating – most of you will have experienced it when you have hurt yourself and you rub the area – what happens?? The pain reduces! So perhaps you can try slapping yourself all over to stop the itch!! :-P
So basically I believe that the basis of it is excessively dry skin from various environmental factors, that is exacerbated by water and heat opening up the pores in the skin, plus soaps that remove the oils from the skin which hold the water in, then rubbing or wiping with towels (particularly synthetic ones) that generate an electrical charge in the skin and hair leading to the prickling/itching sensation! PHEW!
- Don’t try this unless you are a mad scientist like myself -
I am yet to try it but I know you can get anti-static sprays for synthetic pants that get stuck to your legs – either during an episode or prior to, I will apply the spray on one leg to see if the itching reduces, if the itching stops – hey presto – static is the cause.
Obviously this has floors – the antistatic spray is most likely hazardous to you so its probably not a good idea to do this more than a few times! But at least it will help figure out what is happening.
The other option that I am thinking about is shaving one leg and using an excoriation mitt to remove as much of the dead dry keratinized skin as possible and apply a moisturizer. The theory being that the skin is no longer acting as such an efficient electrical barrier and so won’t build up an electrical charge and thus cause the itchiness.
My wife thinks that I have finally gone mad. Maybe I have ;-)
Your thoughts and results from experiments are greatly appreciated!
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hi everybody, I also have this disease, I'm only 16 years old I've had it for like 3 years I think. My mom also has it and she almost can't take a shower. Me while I'm showering I feel the itching already coming and when I'm out of the shower it gets very worse. I really need somthing that can help me get rid or help control the the itching. I get it all over my body mostly my legs and arms but also stomach and back allot. I've never been to a doctor because of that. but what could really help? I don;t want to use a cream orso because then I'll have to do my whole body...
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ok I did a little experiment this morning:
I vigorously rubbed my left leg to dry it and purely patted dry my right.
My left leg itched terribly, and the right was fine.
Once my left leg was itchy, I slapped the leg on the outside but not the inside and the itching stopped on the outside and not the inside which backs up the idea that creating pain in the region of the itch stops the itch signal getting to the brain. The lack of itching lasted until the rest of the leg settled down too.
I also suspect that it is related to stress levels - if this is indeed hypersensitive nerve endings reacting to a build up of electrical charge then stress will amplify this. This is a neurological phenomena called peripheral sensitisation - that is the nerves in the periphery become sensitised.
I vigorously rubbed my left leg to dry it and purely patted dry my right.
My left leg itched terribly, and the right was fine.
Once my left leg was itchy, I slapped the leg on the outside but not the inside and the itching stopped on the outside and not the inside which backs up the idea that creating pain in the region of the itch stops the itch signal getting to the brain. The lack of itching lasted until the rest of the leg settled down too.
I also suspect that it is related to stress levels - if this is indeed hypersensitive nerve endings reacting to a build up of electrical charge then stress will amplify this. This is a neurological phenomena called peripheral sensitisation - that is the nerves in the periphery become sensitised.
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Ok last night I had such a bad "attack" I had to research again this condition... I have itch bad before and this time was at the top of the list. I've read every post and identified with allot of people, some don't seem to be the aquagenic pruritis.
Here is what happened:
I exercised last night for about 45 min. (haven't been exercising regularly) but after I was done I got the itch not to bad...not worse than what happens regularly. I believe it was from the sweating. But then later I took a shower before I went to bed and during the shower I started itching and I knew it would be bad (that’s when its the worst if I start the itch in the shower) and sure enough before I couldn’t even start drying my legs (arms and legs are always what itch) I was having to bite my lip it was so bad. I even put lotion on before I got in the shower (which helps sometimes). So I patted dry, jumped in bed, and ferociously put on hypoallergenic lotion and covered up with the blanket (which always helps…when I get out of the shower I always cover my legs with a blanket). I had to sit there and rub on my legs for 20 min. not itch... just rubbing them is soothing enough that I don’t have to get the cheese grater out While I sat and rubbed I did a search: severe itching and water contact. This page came up and I began reading. I think the two main types of conditions in the thread is dry skin and itching associated with water, and solely itching assciociated with water. I believe I have aquagenic pruritis...because I have tried every hypoallergenic soap there is, bar or liquid, currently I am using some all-natural stuff my wife bought from the health food store because we thought it was some chemical that can be found even in some hypo-bar soaps.
It doesn’t matter if it’s hot, cold, short, long, shower... I need only the contact with the water.
Treatment quoted from wikipedia:
Treatments can include applying capsaicin cream on the affected areas, and filtered Ultraviolet-B Phototherapy in a hospital or health clinic, often using a vertical light cubicle in which the patient stands for the exposure duration. Some people utilize tanning beds to accomplish such treatment, but skin cancer can become a concern for frequent tanning due to the broader UV spectrum of the beds.
Liberal applications of baby oil before or after bathing, or lanolin-free Aqueous cream, an emollient, immediately after drying off from a bath or shower can help to reduce the symptoms of the condition.
Since pruritus is sometimes believed to be a result of histamine, H1 and H2 blockers such as Claritin or Cimetidine may be helpful.
The symptoms may recur after each water exposure for years. Some sufferers control the itch by turning the shower water to hot for the last 5 minutes, and/or using heat pads or hairdryers on their skin immediately after showering. However, others find that excessive heat during bathing can actually worsen the pruritus, and limit the water temperature to tepid. The use of cotton clothes and bedding can prevent itch or provide relief to some sufferers.
I have tried to draw the lines of what could cause this:
Last year I lost like 112 lbs. and during the last half of that I think I had stopped itching in the water because I was using some skin scrubs and body wash that wasn’t hypo at all. I gained back like 50lbs and I'm back to the itchy frequently after water contact (i.e. swimming, showering, and sweating). But I don’t know if its eating healthy or just being overweight in general that is the cause
Diet: I started dieting this week again...The day of the attack I had two cups of coffee (which I don’t normally drink) and 2-3 bottles of water. Maybe the caffeine, *shrug
Some other people have had very similar symptoms and I have been able to draw a similar solution from a few treatments:
Tanning: I tanned for like 2 months for my honeymoon...during which me and wife can remember no itching, as much as I thought there would be from the dryness. But I lotioned with hemp everyday, BUT as I said even the same lotion doesn’t help some times and I was about 30lbs over weight then.
I believe this is a sign that I have the real aquagenic pruritis because of the aforementioned relief from the UV treatment
One person said that they had a bright bathroom light (I assume one of those heat ones) and they said that helped...another said tanning helped or sunburn (can’t attest to the sunburn). However one girl was a lifeguard, and every time she got out of the water her itching was severe. The doctor said she would have to quit in case it restricted her breathing ( it doesn’t really fit the normal symptoms...but he said just in case... she wasn’t actually experiencing that, just the itching) but I would have thought that being a lifeguard she would have got plenty of sun. My only guesses are: 1.) she doesn’t have the authentic aquagenic pruritis, 2.) she lifeguards at an indoor pool, 3.) she was very liberal with her sun screen which blocks the helpful rays (when it applies to the itching...not the cancer part).
Some other person said: “If I shower after eating (or drinking) carbs I will get a severe itch. Showering before breakfast is not a problem, and if I wait several hours after my last meal, or alcoholic drink, I'm also ok to shower”
I’m gonna test this…but I have itched terribly before on the way to work in the morning after a shower…but after breakfast as well and I don’t drink alcohol. I’m going to test this theory to.
Some last thoughts. When I get the itch usually lotion doesn’t help, I just have to wait it out. However, one lotion does relieve my itching quicker. That is Gold Bond ultra healing, it’s freaking expensive and I’ve only used it at my mother-in-law’s house. I’m going to check the label and see what the difference is in all the others…maybe lanolin.
I wanted you to have all the information and all the known factors maybe it would help find some over lying cause…Again I don’t think its my dry skin, I don’t think that helps but every lotion and body wash I’ve tried doesn’t make a difference. Nor the intake of more water.
One more thing, I was reading the chiropractor’s thoughts about static electricity in the skin and I would have to agree (with him) he is a little crazy…I believe chiropractor’s are quacks…BUT if I spray my pants with the wrinkle release stuff it never causes any itching or irritation (as much as I thought all those chemicals would be an irritant)… I must be crazy but I’m going to try this too. Whatever works!
Here is what happened:
I exercised last night for about 45 min. (haven't been exercising regularly) but after I was done I got the itch not to bad...not worse than what happens regularly. I believe it was from the sweating. But then later I took a shower before I went to bed and during the shower I started itching and I knew it would be bad (that’s when its the worst if I start the itch in the shower) and sure enough before I couldn’t even start drying my legs (arms and legs are always what itch) I was having to bite my lip it was so bad. I even put lotion on before I got in the shower (which helps sometimes). So I patted dry, jumped in bed, and ferociously put on hypoallergenic lotion and covered up with the blanket (which always helps…when I get out of the shower I always cover my legs with a blanket). I had to sit there and rub on my legs for 20 min. not itch... just rubbing them is soothing enough that I don’t have to get the cheese grater out While I sat and rubbed I did a search: severe itching and water contact. This page came up and I began reading. I think the two main types of conditions in the thread is dry skin and itching associated with water, and solely itching assciociated with water. I believe I have aquagenic pruritis...because I have tried every hypoallergenic soap there is, bar or liquid, currently I am using some all-natural stuff my wife bought from the health food store because we thought it was some chemical that can be found even in some hypo-bar soaps.
It doesn’t matter if it’s hot, cold, short, long, shower... I need only the contact with the water.
Treatment quoted from wikipedia:
Treatments can include applying capsaicin cream on the affected areas, and filtered Ultraviolet-B Phototherapy in a hospital or health clinic, often using a vertical light cubicle in which the patient stands for the exposure duration. Some people utilize tanning beds to accomplish such treatment, but skin cancer can become a concern for frequent tanning due to the broader UV spectrum of the beds.
Liberal applications of baby oil before or after bathing, or lanolin-free Aqueous cream, an emollient, immediately after drying off from a bath or shower can help to reduce the symptoms of the condition.
Since pruritus is sometimes believed to be a result of histamine, H1 and H2 blockers such as Claritin or Cimetidine may be helpful.
The symptoms may recur after each water exposure for years. Some sufferers control the itch by turning the shower water to hot for the last 5 minutes, and/or using heat pads or hairdryers on their skin immediately after showering. However, others find that excessive heat during bathing can actually worsen the pruritus, and limit the water temperature to tepid. The use of cotton clothes and bedding can prevent itch or provide relief to some sufferers.
I have tried to draw the lines of what could cause this:
Last year I lost like 112 lbs. and during the last half of that I think I had stopped itching in the water because I was using some skin scrubs and body wash that wasn’t hypo at all. I gained back like 50lbs and I'm back to the itchy frequently after water contact (i.e. swimming, showering, and sweating). But I don’t know if its eating healthy or just being overweight in general that is the cause
Diet: I started dieting this week again...The day of the attack I had two cups of coffee (which I don’t normally drink) and 2-3 bottles of water. Maybe the caffeine, *shrug
Some other people have had very similar symptoms and I have been able to draw a similar solution from a few treatments:
Tanning: I tanned for like 2 months for my honeymoon...during which me and wife can remember no itching, as much as I thought there would be from the dryness. But I lotioned with hemp everyday, BUT as I said even the same lotion doesn’t help some times and I was about 30lbs over weight then.
I believe this is a sign that I have the real aquagenic pruritis because of the aforementioned relief from the UV treatment
One person said that they had a bright bathroom light (I assume one of those heat ones) and they said that helped...another said tanning helped or sunburn (can’t attest to the sunburn). However one girl was a lifeguard, and every time she got out of the water her itching was severe. The doctor said she would have to quit in case it restricted her breathing ( it doesn’t really fit the normal symptoms...but he said just in case... she wasn’t actually experiencing that, just the itching) but I would have thought that being a lifeguard she would have got plenty of sun. My only guesses are: 1.) she doesn’t have the authentic aquagenic pruritis, 2.) she lifeguards at an indoor pool, 3.) she was very liberal with her sun screen which blocks the helpful rays (when it applies to the itching...not the cancer part).
Some other person said: “If I shower after eating (or drinking) carbs I will get a severe itch. Showering before breakfast is not a problem, and if I wait several hours after my last meal, or alcoholic drink, I'm also ok to shower”
I’m gonna test this…but I have itched terribly before on the way to work in the morning after a shower…but after breakfast as well and I don’t drink alcohol. I’m going to test this theory to.
Some last thoughts. When I get the itch usually lotion doesn’t help, I just have to wait it out. However, one lotion does relieve my itching quicker. That is Gold Bond ultra healing, it’s freaking expensive and I’ve only used it at my mother-in-law’s house. I’m going to check the label and see what the difference is in all the others…maybe lanolin.
I wanted you to have all the information and all the known factors maybe it would help find some over lying cause…Again I don’t think its my dry skin, I don’t think that helps but every lotion and body wash I’ve tried doesn’t make a difference. Nor the intake of more water.
One more thing, I was reading the chiropractor’s thoughts about static electricity in the skin and I would have to agree (with him) he is a little crazy…I believe chiropractor’s are quacks…BUT if I spray my pants with the wrinkle release stuff it never causes any itching or irritation (as much as I thought all those chemicals would be an irritant)… I must be crazy but I’m going to try this too. Whatever works!
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O yah, a couple other things...
I had jaundice as a baby. Just the kind where you have to get a little extra sun. My mother said all she had to do was sit with me in front of a window and it went away in a couple weeks or months (can't remember).
I thought that was and interesting correlation between the Ultraviolet-B treatment.
And my mother has very sensitive skin. I don’t know if it is associated with water contact, she would probably argue that its just dry skin. I used the same soap she does with no relief. Aquagenic pruritis is supposed to hereditary...
I had jaundice as a baby. Just the kind where you have to get a little extra sun. My mother said all she had to do was sit with me in front of a window and it went away in a couple weeks or months (can't remember).
I thought that was and interesting correlation between the Ultraviolet-B treatment.
And my mother has very sensitive skin. I don’t know if it is associated with water contact, she would probably argue that its just dry skin. I used the same soap she does with no relief. Aquagenic pruritis is supposed to hereditary...
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*quack* :-)
hey billy-jay! thanks for adding to the forum. When the itching was worse were you more stressed?
You mentioned that it got worse when you had coffee - caffeine and stress overstimulate the nervous system via the adrenal system, cortisol etc.
Coffee can also dehydrate you quite badly which may add to the skin dryness.
I just have a feeling that its a combination of things:
Overactive nervous system - stress or stress physiology sensitising nerve endings in the skin
low humidity in the air
dry skin - naturally low oils, soaps and solutes in the water striping the oils away and possibly dehydration
Static electricity
Oh yeah, i just asked my mum and she used to get it too. Its strange that she doesn't get it now, which i think someone else said their mum used to get it. So perhaps ageing plays a role.
Billy-jay - the jaundice you are talking about as a baby is very common and is a form that is not pathological (not from disease) rather its due to the baby's liver being too small to filter the blood properly and is called physiological neonatal jaundice. Products from the breakdown of the blood cells (unconjugated bilirubin) deposits in the body and cause yellowing of the skin and tissues. Sun exposure can help accelerate the breakdown of the excess bilirubin.
But yes, sun exposure and reduction of itchiness is definately interesting!
*Quack* :-P
hey billy-jay! thanks for adding to the forum. When the itching was worse were you more stressed?
You mentioned that it got worse when you had coffee - caffeine and stress overstimulate the nervous system via the adrenal system, cortisol etc.
Coffee can also dehydrate you quite badly which may add to the skin dryness.
I just have a feeling that its a combination of things:
Overactive nervous system - stress or stress physiology sensitising nerve endings in the skin
low humidity in the air
dry skin - naturally low oils, soaps and solutes in the water striping the oils away and possibly dehydration
Static electricity
Oh yeah, i just asked my mum and she used to get it too. Its strange that she doesn't get it now, which i think someone else said their mum used to get it. So perhaps ageing plays a role.
Billy-jay - the jaundice you are talking about as a baby is very common and is a form that is not pathological (not from disease) rather its due to the baby's liver being too small to filter the blood properly and is called physiological neonatal jaundice. Products from the breakdown of the blood cells (unconjugated bilirubin) deposits in the body and cause yellowing of the skin and tissues. Sun exposure can help accelerate the breakdown of the excess bilirubin.
But yes, sun exposure and reduction of itchiness is definately interesting!
*Quack* :-P
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Here is my take on the subject.
I have been suffering with this abnormallity for about 30 years. With me it's more like pins and needles. It happens right after a shower and lasts for about 20 minutes. It can start IN the shower if I stay in too long. BUT I ONLY GET IT IN THE SUMMER. Usually late summer, like now. I will get it mildly if I sweat a lot but usually only the severe times are after a shower.
I did not get it last year at all. I was however, following the ATKINS diet which was no or low carbs. Coincidence? Someone mentioned a wheat allergy. Atkins has you staying away from wheat (breads, pasta, etc.).
This summer, I am not following Atkins and have been eating wheat, etc. and the "itch" came back.
Also, if I go to a hotel, I will NOT get the "itch". ?????
I have tried different towels at home. They are 100% cotton and a fresh towel DOES relieve the symptoms a little.
Build-up of soap on the towels? Detergents?
The part that intriques me is why I only get this in late summer? It seems most people get it all year round.
Someone also mentioned alcohol. Last year following the diet I was NOT drinking at all... no itch.
This year I am drinking and....
I have been suffering with this abnormallity for about 30 years. With me it's more like pins and needles. It happens right after a shower and lasts for about 20 minutes. It can start IN the shower if I stay in too long. BUT I ONLY GET IT IN THE SUMMER. Usually late summer, like now. I will get it mildly if I sweat a lot but usually only the severe times are after a shower.
I did not get it last year at all. I was however, following the ATKINS diet which was no or low carbs. Coincidence? Someone mentioned a wheat allergy. Atkins has you staying away from wheat (breads, pasta, etc.).
This summer, I am not following Atkins and have been eating wheat, etc. and the "itch" came back.
Also, if I go to a hotel, I will NOT get the "itch". ?????
I have tried different towels at home. They are 100% cotton and a fresh towel DOES relieve the symptoms a little.
Build-up of soap on the towels? Detergents?
The part that intriques me is why I only get this in late summer? It seems most people get it all year round.
Someone also mentioned alcohol. Last year following the diet I was NOT drinking at all... no itch.
This year I am drinking and....
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very interesting re low carb diet... incidentally i have been reading about candida in the gut, which apparently has been linked to itching after hot showers!
I am going to try the candida diet and see if it changes my itchiness!
I am going to try the candida diet and see if it changes my itchiness!
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Well I'm glad to have a doctor posting on the subject even if he is a quack. I called 2 dermatologists this morning to see if they've ever heard of AP and neither had heard of it. So, since they can't help us it's up to us to help each other.
DrJans, Just wondering if you think restless leg syndrome could have anything to do with this? My legs were so restless last night then this morning I could have stabbed myself rather than deal with the itching after my morning bath. It was the worse I've had in a long time.
I am interested in your theory but what about the itching after a brisk walk or jog? The leg sweat itch? Have you tried spraying the static cling spray on yourself yet?
I've heard others mention Zyrtec but my AP isn't that predictable. I guess that would work (if it does work) for those that KNOW after EVERY bath they are going to itch. Mine isn't that constant.
When I do have a run of AP for a while, here are some things I do to reduce the itch:
-Bath in lukewarm water
-Try to relax in the tub (sometimes even using lavendar bubble bath)
-I have pulled the plug and sat there while the water drained and let my body dry while lying in an empty tub before
-Rub lots of baby oil on my undried skin
-Pat dry
-Put on soft pants and long sleeve shirt (sometimes getting under the covers)
Heat doesn't help me. Usually cold helps me better.
DrJans, Just wondering if you think restless leg syndrome could have anything to do with this? My legs were so restless last night then this morning I could have stabbed myself rather than deal with the itching after my morning bath. It was the worse I've had in a long time.
I am interested in your theory but what about the itching after a brisk walk or jog? The leg sweat itch? Have you tried spraying the static cling spray on yourself yet?
I've heard others mention Zyrtec but my AP isn't that predictable. I guess that would work (if it does work) for those that KNOW after EVERY bath they are going to itch. Mine isn't that constant.
When I do have a run of AP for a while, here are some things I do to reduce the itch:
-Bath in lukewarm water
-Try to relax in the tub (sometimes even using lavendar bubble bath)
-I have pulled the plug and sat there while the water drained and let my body dry while lying in an empty tub before
-Rub lots of baby oil on my undried skin
-Pat dry
-Put on soft pants and long sleeve shirt (sometimes getting under the covers)
Heat doesn't help me. Usually cold helps me better.
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I too suffer from this very severe itch.
It all started when I got in a motorcycle wreck and got really bad road rash on my ankle. It got infected and I got put on 2 antibiotics. Well those didn't work so I had to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics for 2 days. During my first night at the hospital I started having severe itching all over, but it wasn't after a shower. It was the first time I ever felt that kind of itch, and I would rather relive the pain of my accident than have that itch. Well anyway, they gave me some Benadryl and it didn't work but it did but me to sleep. The next night the itch came back again. I took another Benadryl and it didn't work. I stayed up until 5 in the morning itching myself until the doctor finally ordered something called Atorax??? That worked.
After my stay in the hospital I was prescribed the smae antiobiotics from the IV. I didn't want to take them because I figured they were the cause of the itch. My mom realized I dan't been taking them and she made me take one. The itch came back AGAIN. It was so bad I had to go to the ER to get IV steroids and benadryl. That didn't work.
Then a week after my hospital stay I hop in the shower and when I get out the itch is back. Now everytime I shower it comes back, and it only happens when I shower at my house. I showered at my friends' and their showers don't make me itch........
Does anyone else feel it as more of an under the skin itch??
Sorry for the long post..
It all started when I got in a motorcycle wreck and got really bad road rash on my ankle. It got infected and I got put on 2 antibiotics. Well those didn't work so I had to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics for 2 days. During my first night at the hospital I started having severe itching all over, but it wasn't after a shower. It was the first time I ever felt that kind of itch, and I would rather relive the pain of my accident than have that itch. Well anyway, they gave me some Benadryl and it didn't work but it did but me to sleep. The next night the itch came back again. I took another Benadryl and it didn't work. I stayed up until 5 in the morning itching myself until the doctor finally ordered something called Atorax??? That worked.
After my stay in the hospital I was prescribed the smae antiobiotics from the IV. I didn't want to take them because I figured they were the cause of the itch. My mom realized I dan't been taking them and she made me take one. The itch came back AGAIN. It was so bad I had to go to the ER to get IV steroids and benadryl. That didn't work.
Then a week after my hospital stay I hop in the shower and when I get out the itch is back. Now everytime I shower it comes back, and it only happens when I shower at my house. I showered at my friends' and their showers don't make me itch........
Does anyone else feel it as more of an under the skin itch??
Sorry for the long post..
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I am also a victim of this nightmare itch. I am 17 and i've had it for about 3 years now. One thing that bugs me is that i didnt have it before, what could have triggered it? what did i do or touch, smell, eat etc to develope this wierd thing. it is important to find this out, as this may reveal the cause of this and therefore the cure?
NOTHING works, no heat or cold, no creams or lotions, no soap free shower creams, not even cold showers relieve the itch. I get it EVERY SINGLE TIME i shower or sweat excessively. I have tried pat drying to no avail. nothing works! I itch for atleast an hour after showering! its so bad that Im almost afraid of taking a shower now! my mum told me its might be because I dont shower enough, but i dont think so. I am currently studying to become a doctor, an my 1st research will be into this wierd disease. I also have very very bad nails, they grow, but thier texture is terrible, their very rough and have white lines. I am curious to know whether any1 else has this, there may be a link. also, i have very dry skin. i notice that when my skin is drying it becomes quite flaky. The static theory sounds interesting, i might do some more research into that.
Thanks for all the great posts, i thought i was alone in this world :-D hopefully we will find a cure for this %-)
NOTHING works, no heat or cold, no creams or lotions, no soap free shower creams, not even cold showers relieve the itch. I get it EVERY SINGLE TIME i shower or sweat excessively. I have tried pat drying to no avail. nothing works! I itch for atleast an hour after showering! its so bad that Im almost afraid of taking a shower now! my mum told me its might be because I dont shower enough, but i dont think so. I am currently studying to become a doctor, an my 1st research will be into this wierd disease. I also have very very bad nails, they grow, but thier texture is terrible, their very rough and have white lines. I am curious to know whether any1 else has this, there may be a link. also, i have very dry skin. i notice that when my skin is drying it becomes quite flaky. The static theory sounds interesting, i might do some more research into that.
Thanks for all the great posts, i thought i was alone in this world :-D hopefully we will find a cure for this %-)
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I have all the symptoms you folks have. I've had this itch after showering for about 2 months now. A couple weeks ago I went to North Carolina on vacation and I didn't itch once after any shower I took nor after swimming in the ocean. Once I got home the itch came back. Next week I have to travel to NJ for work. I'm excited to take a shower to see if I get the itch. I just wonder if my munincipality has changed something with the water. I'll report back next Friday (10/9).
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This is what was causing my after shower itch. My mother has been giving me wheat supplements to help my acne, but as a result i developed terrible after shower itching. Two weeks later the problem has gone away.
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I used to have this for a year and it was terrible i also had flakey skin which was red and sore and resembled psiriosis, the bane of my life untill i just tried everything and eventually one thing worked.
Don't take showers untill night, it helps alot. Also straight after a shower at 7pm put on Betnovate - http://emc.medicines.org.uk/emc/assets/c/html/DisplayDoc.asp?DocumentID=3833 - It is subscribed by your local doctor, beware i live in Engand so it may be called something else oversea's.
Also get a good moisturiser, mine was prescribed also by my doctor as is a big container, put this on 2 hours after putting on the Betnovate cream.
Hope this helps, it helped me alot.
Don't take showers untill night, it helps alot. Also straight after a shower at 7pm put on Betnovate - http://emc.medicines.org.uk/emc/assets/c/html/DisplayDoc.asp?DocumentID=3833 - It is subscribed by your local doctor, beware i live in Engand so it may be called something else oversea's.
Also get a good moisturiser, mine was prescribed also by my doctor as is a big container, put this on 2 hours after putting on the Betnovate cream.
Hope this helps, it helped me alot.
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I used to have this condition for around a year, i also had severe rashes and psorisis, whenever i got out the shower i was always in extreme pain an agony, i almost attempted to commint suicide because of it. This was the bane of my life, i tried everything and almost gave up hope untill i saw my doctor for the 8th time. the trick that worked for me is;
- have a shower at night and not in the morning.
- Straight after a shower apply Betnovate cream (its a tropical steriod cream prescribed by doctors here in england) emc.medicines.org.uk/emc/assets/c/html/DisplayDoc.asp?DocumentID=3833
- 2 hours after applying Betnovate, just before bed apply a clean moisuturiser, mine was also prescribed by my doctor.
My psirosis and itching has gone away for now.
- have a shower at night and not in the morning.
- Straight after a shower apply Betnovate cream (its a tropical steriod cream prescribed by doctors here in england) emc.medicines.org.uk/emc/assets/c/html/DisplayDoc.asp?DocumentID=3833
- 2 hours after applying Betnovate, just before bed apply a clean moisuturiser, mine was also prescribed by my doctor.
My psirosis and itching has gone away for now.
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