Weird itching around exam time

[Crake]

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Ok, here's the deal:

This started during my freshman year of college, and has continued until the present (6 years)

Whenever I'm under a lot of stress, the backs of my ankles and calves itch-- unbelievably so. The itch is so bad that I literally scratch until I bleed, even though there's no rash or anything. I even scratch after I start to bleed, because there is absolutely nothing that can stop the itching. Any ideas? What is this? Nothing works to relieve it, and it lasts all the time. By now I've mostly gotten used to it, but still I'd like to know what it is. Any ideas?

 

[typeB-md]

this is very odd. sorry to hear this, b/c it sounds like this sucks. but give an update if you find out as this is very interesting as well.

maybe there is a biological "switch" that your anxiety turns on? very odd, though.

 

[fun8stuff]

it does not get red? because i have seen people who get nervous during a speech that get red, itchy "blotches" on their arms, neck, and/or face. I just always thought it was one of those odd sympathetic responses that increase blood flow and histamine release in the skin. If this was the case, you would think benedryl or some antihistamine would work... benedryl probably wouldnt be best though, cuz it would make u sleepy. Should consult with a doctor though....

 

[Winged Scapula]

Stress/anxiety is a well known trigger for localized itching, especially that caused by hives, eczema and psoriasis. Basically atopy - do you or anyone else in your family have asthma or seasonal allergies?

Another consideration is to think about whether or not you do anything different than usual when you study.

Do you sit on the floor a lot? Maybe your skin is sensitive to the carpet fibers, or the carpet has fleas/other insect. Do you wear heavy, tight clothes which might make you sweat, especially behind the knees? Consider contact dermatitis or insect bites.

Do you anticipate the itching, and start scratching, even when it doesn't really itch? This will only end up being a vicious cycle.

Does your skin get really dry either because you shower more, use lotion less?

At any rate, its probably stress induced.

As noted above, the following is the best treatment:
- Avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy areas (easier said than done)
- Keep fingernails short to avoid skin damage from any inadvertent scratching.
- Wear cool, light, loose bedclothes. Avoid wearing rough clothing, particularly wool, over an itchy area.
- Take lukewarm baths using little soap and rinsing thoroughly. Try a skin-soothing oatmeal or cornstarch bath. Hot baths will exacerbate dry skin and make it itchier.
- Apply a soothing lotion after bathing to soften and cool the skin.
- Apply cold compresses to an itchy area.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity.
- Try over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl
- Try over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on localized itchy areas. This can thin the skin, so use sparingly.

 

[Blade28]

OK, so if we've ruled out allergens, etc.:

(1) Are you female?
(2) Do you take the Pill?

If you've answered "yes" to both these questions, I have a good guess. Kimberli may know what I'm hinting at.

 

[Blade28]

Ooops, just saw from your profile that you're male. Whoops. 🙂

 

[Giving My .02]

Ok, here's the deal:

This started during my freshman year of college, and has continued until the present (6 years)

Whenever I'm under a lot of stress, the backs of my ankles and calves itch-- unbelievably so. The itch is so bad that I literally scratch until I bleed, even though there's no rash or anything. I even scratch after I start to bleed, because there is absolutely nothing that can stop the itching. Any ideas? What is this? Nothing works to relieve it, and it lasts all the time. By now I've mostly gotten used to it, but still I'd like to know what it is. Any ideas?

Sounds like atopic dermatitis. Just a first year so take my advice like a grain of salt. It shows up during stressful times, and is a chronic condition. Does anyone in your family have it? Scratching MAKES it worse!!!! Scratching causes even more inflammation. As of right now, I think hydrocortizone cream will help alleviate any of the symptoms caused by the scratching. Maybe a over the counter anti-histamine might help to. (I am not sure though on the last suggestion). Benadryl is a first generation anti-histamine and crosses the blood-brain barrier and affects the serotonin neurons. Serotonin helps with awakefulness, etc. so taking these might make you sleepier, causing you to get less stuff done, and thus increasing your stress. I would look for a second generation which has less side affects. Claritin is a second generation over-the-counter and should not cause drowsiness and might help alleviate symptoms from the scratching without the side effects. However, the itching part, I don't believe there is something you can do to alleviate this symptom. I would do a search on the internet about atopic dermatitis. I think that is what you have. I don't think there is a treatment for the initial itching, except to avoid what causes the flare ups. That might even include talking to someone on how to approach stressful situations better if that seems to be the problem, or what triggers it. Do an internet search, and it should help you see if there is anything else triggering it also. I would definetly see a physician. Despite being in medical school, I hated going to the doctor also. If I am right, or even if I am wrong, this is a chronic problem, that will not resolve on its own. So, it is good to see someone who might help either diagnose it, and help you try to prevent future flare-ups in the future. Hope that helps.

 

[worriedwell]

Ok, here's the deal:

This started during my freshman year of college, and has continued until the present (6 years)

Whenever I'm under a lot of stress, the backs of my ankles and calves itch-- unbelievably so. The itch is so bad that I literally scratch until I bleed, even though there's no rash or anything. I even scratch after I start to bleed, because there is absolutely nothing that can stop the itching. Any ideas? What is this? Nothing works to relieve it, and it lasts all the time. By now I've mostly gotten used to it, but still I'd like to know what it is. Any ideas?

I'd like to make this very clear that I am not diagnosing you, but something popped into my head...its called neurodermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus. This may be something relevant to you...or it may be something to keep in mind if what you are doing continues. See the below link or just google it...

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/umskin18.htm

 

[Crake]

hmm, good advice everyone, thank you!

Basically, I suspected dermatitis as well, however there's no rash or anything--the skin looks the same as where it doesn't itch. I went to the dermatologist, but he was rather baffled; he said he thought maybe it was shingles, but said there was no treatment. Nothing OTC works, because there is no rash to treat, and benedryl has obvious side-effects that preclude it's use, particularly during exam periods. Could it just be psychological?

 

[lightnk102]

i get itchy (and sometimes even hives) when i'm stressed or anxious. if you're anything like me, hydrocortisone isn't going to cut it. my dermatologist prescribed me a tube of elidel that i put on any itchy spots, and it automatically soothes it (and if its hive-ish, the raised red area disappears). my mom also gets itchy spots - like you, she scratches till she bleeds, and even wakes up at night to scratch. The elidel helped her as well. Strangely enough - it also helps any sprouting pimples. You know, that sensitive-fresh-bug-bite-swelling feeling you get when a zit is coming up to the surface. The doctor my mom works with said its anti-inflammatory, which might be waht's helping.

I have no idea what this cream is usually prescribed for, so you might want to look into that first. It's also a bit on the expensive side (even with health insurance) because there's no generic counterpart, so you'll have to buy brand name.

 

[Winged Scapula]

hmm, good advice everyone, thank you!

Basically, I suspected dermatitis as well, however there's no rash or anything--the skin looks the same as where it doesn't itch. I went to the dermatologist, but he was rather baffled; he said he thought maybe it was shingles, but said there was no treatment. Nothing OTC works, because there is no rash to treat, and benedryl has obvious side-effects that preclude it's use, particularly during exam periods. Could it just be psychological?

Shingles? You would be in excrutiating pain; nerve burning type of pain. It doesn't sound like that to me.

It can definitely be psychological in that it seems to be exacerbated by stress. Elidel (pimecromilus) is typically prescribed for eczema. Just ask Lee Ann Rimes...it eases the pain of atopic dermatitis (she does a commercial for it).

 

[heldicus]

Shingles? You would be in excrutiating pain; nerve burning type of pain. It doesn't sound like that to me.

It can definitely be psychological in that it seems to be exacerbated by stress. Elidel (pimecromilus) is typically prescribed for eczema. Just ask Lee Ann Rimes...it eases the pain of atopic dermatitis (she does a commercial for it).

Yeah I would have to agree that shingles is a pretty lousy diagnosis. For one thing, shingles never crosses the midline...and you did say ankleS (pl.). Not to mention all the nasty bursting crusty blisters that would be forming.