Itching all over the body

What medications are you on, querty? Usually all-over itching like that is caused by a medication, whether it be a sensitivity or an allergic reaction.

I usually take generic Benadryl to stop the itching. It's cheap and easy on my tummy. Just make sure you get the kind that has ONLY the antihistimine in it... not all the decongestand/allergy stuff.

I'd take benadryl to stop and get to the doctor and get some blood taken. Do you have any hives or swelling around the itching areas? Are you currently flaring? Do you have any upper right side pain?

What is your history with chrons?

Does it help to scratch, at least temporarily? I ask because 'under the skin' itching all over can be a symptom of liver problems.

In the mean-time, some aloe vera gel might help you. Just smear it on the parts of you that itch, and see if it helps.

I have all kinds of skin "issues" that arose after my diagnosis of Crohns. This time of year is the worse for me when humidity levels drop. I have to take cool showers and drown myself in baby oil BEFORE toweling off to control the itch. Otherwise I have to turn to the steriod creams & benedryl myself. I with the others, it warrants getting it checked out. Sometimes I itch so bad it makes me nauseous! Hope you feel better soon...call your dr. tomorrow.

Qwerty, I've experienced the exact same thing. It started while I was pregnant and off all of my meds. We tried to blame it on being pregnant, but it has returned after the baby. I was the same way about scratching too. Once I started I needed to keep scratching and scratched my whole body until I was covered in red raised streaks (I learned to try really hard no to scratch).

We never figured out what caused it. Taking benadryl helped but it put me to sleep. Aveeno oatmeal baths helped too. Mine was bad last winter/spring, went away, and is now back. My GI, OB and PCP are still all stumped. I was tested for liver problems (used to be on 6mp) but that was normal. If you figure it out keep us posted. Until then, I hope you get some relief soon.

HJ

I REALLY feel for you. I had this on and off for the past 2 years and it was awful. Mine felt like it was itching under my skin - like no matter what I did or how hard I scratched, I could not make the itching stop. I was on Remicade at the time, but the itching would come weeks after the treatments so they didn't think they were related. Although I did get hives from Remicade from time to time.

Either way, I would suggest that you take as much benadryl as possible (I mean don't overdose but just plan on sleeping) You can take cold oatmeal aveeno baths (as cold as you can tolerate) or you could try using epson salt. Aloe vera smoothing is all over the skin or actually there is a lotion I would use...I can't think of what it's called but there is commercials on TV for it all the time. It's an anti-itch lotion and that actually helped the most if I would get out of the cold tub and lather that on.

Also you might want to try taking Zyrtec every day (that's what I do). Again just the antihistamine not all the other stuff. I have hay fever so that might contribute but who knows. My GI gave me steroids to help during the bad itching and they did somewhat but you have to wean on and off those - u could try prednisone though see if it helps that is prolly what the doc will do. Otherwise I would def. try zyrtec everyday its over the counter now. Also you should get bloodwork done to check for liver problems because that is a sign of liver problems. They checked my blood and ruled that out though.

thank you all, saw my GI today, he says its most likely a reaction to my medicines( i was on pentasa and azothioprine). although the symptoms seem to come a week after i went off the medication. He told me to use betnovate on my body and hydrocortisone 1% on my face. and also told me to think about going on prednisone, something which i dont want to do unless desperate. i also got some blood tests done to check for liver problems, although he seemed very keen to rule out anything wrong with the liver. ive got awful red blotchy patches on my face that dont itch, these seem to put me down, as there is no way to cover it, i just hope the hydrocortisone works!!