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Itching after shower: I think I figured it out

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/21/2015 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
It's called Aquagenic Puritus. Here's an article that perfectly captures my personal hell: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health/common-symptom-uncommon-cause/2011/04/22/AFHzQA5G_story.html. I tried the hair dryer but I found the hot hair dryer isn't help -- though the cool setting did. And it was like a light switch. Even areas that weren't under the cool air calmed down. So I think it's nerve related (for me). It's like I have to distract part of the reaction and then the whole reaction gets distracted just enough to calm down completely. I wanted to share this with you in case you get it too.

I'm not kidding, I was bawling this morning. Such a terrible thing. I sincerely considered that someone put itching powder into the piping.

Anyway, off to work. Hope everyone is well.
Posted 5/21/2015 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Also, found a bunch of entries on experience project: http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Have-Aquagenic-Pruritus/89261
Posted 5/21/2015 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so glad you figured it out. It must have been driving you crazy. I have dermatographic urticaria (lightly scratching my skin will give me hives), and it drove me nuts until I went to the dermatologist and figured it out. Sometimes just knowing what is wrong can help, but I'm glad you also figured out how to calm it down.

Out of curiosity, I was reading about Aquagenic Pruritus, and I read that some believe Substance P may play a role. There are studies that have indicated Substance P may play a role in fibromyalgia, too. Just food for thought.
Posted 5/21/2015 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
That's exactly what I was thinking too. In my reading online it was shared that low thyroid wasn't uncommon with the ladies of AP, and low thyroid is common for fibro ladies too. It points to a major mast cell reaction which I have to assume is fibro related -- but is it thyroid related?

I also found some advice online to stay away from mangoes if you have AP (although any skin condition might benefit from that), and I eat mango every morning in my smoothie. But have for years and this started a few months ago along with my weight gain and insomnia. So it looks like my fibro is still developing, after two years! When does it end??

I called my rheumie and had the receptionist add it to my file and we can discuss next time in in.

Yay, one more thing that fibro gifts me (grrr).
Posted 5/21/2015 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry for the double post, but I did want to ask the difference between mast cell reaction and supstance P. Anybody know how these two interact?

Post Edited (AnnaBananna) : 5/21/2015 5:32:18 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/11/2016 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
I used to have this problem with itching after showers. I figured out what was causing it. If I lightly pat dry my skin (especially on back and sides), I never have this problem. Ever since I started doing this, about a year ago, I have not had one instance of the problem. Also, I don't use really hot water.
Posted 6/19/2016 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Wow Rockon. I just found out Dr. Afrin is about an hour away from me. After looking at the symptoms list yet another time I think I may need to look into getting an appointment.
Posted 6/19/2016 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting on the Benzos. For me Benzos affect me quite negatively, not sure how that is realated. I can't stop crying when I take ativan and feel really depressed for weeks.
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