It’s very cool that journalist Nancy Churnin picked up my itchy back post and wrote an article about it in the Dallas Morning News!
I love understanding how the skin works – or doesn’t – and I love sharing it with my patients and dermatology blog readers. I wrote this itchy back post after attending a seminar on notalgia paresthetica at the 2011 American Academy of Dermatology’s Annual educational meeting. I was excited to see good evidence and a scientifically credible explanation for a common skin problem that I’d treated for years. Jump over to DallasNews.com and see what Nancy had to say.
Notalgia paresthetica is truly a common skin problem and one that I continue to see in my dermatology practice every day. It’s the same thing as brachioradial pruritus (itchy arms) and one of the more common causes of genital and anal pruritus (itchy groin).
These itch conditions are vexing. My favorite skin care fixes for them are:
- My Anti-aging Body Kit to exfoliate and hydrate the skin so that the itch cascade is harder to trigger.
Anti-Aging Body Skin Care Kit
- Using anti-itch remedies like Sarna or Prax for temporary relief and/or prescription cortisone/itch relief creams.
- Slapping on an ice pack when the itch won’t remit.
- Reiterating how important it is not to indulge the itch by scratching!
If you want to read more, click on the post titles below.
A New Explanation for Intensely Itchy Arms
What Causes Itching in the Middle of the Back?
Dermatologist Discusses Genital and Anal Itching
I’m rewarded by journalists like Nancy who find my explanations helpful and share them to their readers. I’m also rewarded by the emails I receive from readers thanking me for providing the information on the web, where they can find it. Here are a few of the emails I’ve received on this topic of vexing itch:
Dr. Bailey,
I would VERY MUCH like to thank you from the bottom of my/our heart(s). I am the husband of a VERY SPECIAL woman that has SUFFERED with arm itching off and on for many, many years. She/we had tried dozen of different remedies to no avail. During her most recent and most severe attacks we Googled “arm itching” and found what we consider, a miracle, YOU!!!!!
After reading and studying your advice, we contacted our Family Doctor for help. We forwarded your wisdom to him and he prescribed Amitriptyline HCL 10mg TAB Qual. THE ITCHING STOPPED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND HAS NOT RETURNED!!!!!!!Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom online.
Sincerely,
Dan MDr. Bailey,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. My arms began itching about three years ago during the summer. The condition seemed to worsen during the following years. My dermatologist prescribed topical lotions and an antihistamine which helped, but I continued to need ice daily to ease the unbearable itching.
A friend recommended your website as a resource. I began using AmLactin after each shower and Zolbar before going outdoors. I’ve only used ice once or twice during the last three months.
I continue to use my prescription for Pramosone 2.5% lotion occasionally when I feel an itch coming on, but I’m now practically itch free!
Linda M. A
Dear Dr. Bailey,
Just wanted to thank you for keeping us updated with the fact that maybe nerve compression in the spine might be the root of our discomfort. All the information seems to be very old and just people like me looking for relief. I have had all the same blood work tests, which doesn’t tell the doc anything new. It would be good if they would admit they really don’t know how to help us. I think I will try the chiropractor and see if it can help. Thank you again for keeping us in the health news, the insurance companies must drive you dermatologists crazy with not wanting to pay for our tests.
You’re the best!Gail L
Thank you all for reading and emailing, I love sharing dermatology with you. Please know that I am sharing my passion with you, and receiving emails that share your stories, are fantastic rewards!
Cheers, Cynthia Bailey MD
Thank you for this post! You clued me in that not only my back itch spot, but the ones on the elbows were reactions to nerves in my neck and back. By changing my focus from the symptom to the cause, great changes have happened. I am so lucky that you are my dermatologist!
Way to Go!!!!!! Always knew you were a special doctor. Still have not seen a Derm doc since we left California. We hope to get back to CA for a visit and to see our special docs down there but it just has not happened yet. You do not know how much I miss you and your office. Your blogs help keep me informed.
Kathy
Dear Dr. Bailey, Thank you so much for all of your news columns. The Back Itch news was just what we needed as my husband suffered every night, all night with back itch which I was obliged to “scratch. No sleep here. In one of your columns you mentioned dandruff as a possible cause as it does not only apply to the scalp. My family doctor concurred and suggested Selsun Blue washes as a possible cure and voila!!!! it worked. I wash it every morning and it was almost an immediate “cure”. Thank you so much for your wisdom and persistence in helping the suffering masses. Jean Panicucci