Itchy Skin!

[Niels Bohr 72]

This is literal. My Rose has been here in Chicago for two weeks, and since the first night she has been a scratching. I can rule out fleas, bed bugs, lice, dust mites and all of that. Then I though it may be allergies, but theres no symptoms of hay fever. so that leads to thinking it may be the dryness in that air with a change in altitude living.

So I want to know if any fiance/spouse comming from a low lying area (e.g. HongKong, Philippines, or islands) near sea-level moving to Chicago or anyother higher altitude places in America and experienced itchy-ness

Also how long had it lasted and can be taken to soothe it.

Have you checked the detergent you're using? Your spouse may be suffering from a skin allergic reaction to the detergent.

[caybee 21]

If Benadryl doesn't work, Claritin might. The name-brand is expensive, but the generic store brand (Loratadine) is cheaper; a bottle of 60 is about $12 here. I had a lot of trouble with this when I went through a sudden stressor a few years ago, and it hasn't stopped completely. Allergy tests were all negative, and moisturizers didn't help in this case. The Claritin was the only thing that took care of it. I took one a day until things calmed down, and I don't take it most days anymore. Check any new chemicals, laundry detergents, etc she's exposed to, and use a lot of moisturizer, as others have said. Also, check what she's eating -- anything very new to her? What about preservatives in the food? We use so many more of those here. If she doesn't get any relief, you might consider the allergy test and some blood work. The itching can be a symptom of so many things. If she gets any hives (raised places) near her mouth, best to see an allergist since you don't want that happening inside her throat. Good luck.

This is literal. My Rose has been here in Chicago for two weeks, and since the first night she has been a scratching. I can rule out fleas, bed bugs, lice, dust mites and all of that. Then I though it may be allergies, but theres no symptoms of hay fever. so that leads to thinking it may be the dryness in that air with a change in altitude living.

So I want to know if any fiance/spouse comming from a low lying area (e.g. HongKong, Philippines, or islands) near sea-level moving to Chicago or anyother higher altitude places in America and experienced itchy-ness

Also how long had it lasted and can be taken to soothe it.

Have you checked the detergent you're using? Your spouse may be suffering from a skin allergic reaction to the detergent.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I'd second the idea of Claritin, if for no other reason, it won't make you drowsy so long as you follow the directions. Most medications of its type will make you drowsy -- and that's fine if it's late at night and you're about to go to bed, but not if if you need to do stuff that day.

I don't mean to worry some of you, but constant itching can also be a sign of internal disorders. This is especially true if there are no outward signs (such as hives, a rash, etc). If you're itching all the time, I'd recommend getting at least your hepatic enzymes checked out. You see, constant itching can be an early sign of liver disease/failure and/or hepatitis, or (less commonly) kidney disease/failure.

So do go see your physician if the itching keeps up. The tests are easy and relatively painless (if I recall correctly, they only need to take some blood) and then you can most likely rule out a few serious conditions.

[metta 0]

It is dry skin and what you need is a good body lotion. I recall vividly, though it was twenty some years ago, that the first thing I noticed after the first night in Chicago after flying in from Asia was my skin itching all over. My sister in law who was from Hong kong told me it was the dry air ( was smack in the winter in CHicago). So she gace me Vaseline lotion which worked real well.

[Mags 112]

It is dry skin and what you need is a good body lotion. I recall vividly, though it was twenty some years ago, that the first thing I noticed after the first night in Chicago after flying in from Asia was my skin itching all over. My sister in law who was from Hong kong told me it was the dry air ( was smack in the winter in CHicago). So she gace me Vaseline lotion which worked real well.

Well, mine isn't dry skin, I moisturise my whole body twice a day and STILL get chronic irritation. Everyone is different, so it doesn't necessarily mean that the OP's problem is the same as yours.

[Jenn! 918]

I went through a period where my skin was unbearably itchy. Moisturizing helped little. I finally went to the doctor who diagnosed me with pruritis (itchiness - yeah gee thanks). He basically said there was not much I could do. I think he prescribed me some allergy medicine and told me to keep hydrated inside and out. Nothing really relieved the symptoms. About three months later, my symptoms disappeared as quickly as they showed up.

[Anna C. 4]

For me it is the water - too much chlorine. It dries out hair and skin. I use Eucerin body lotion, it really helps. Also try to avoid bubble baths, it's better to take a shower. Also the hair should be treated with an extra moisturizing conditioner once a week. It helps me, though of course my skin is still very dry and itchy. But it's better than in France where the amount of chlorine was at least 3 times higher than here, I had allergy rashes all over!

I think if you own a house you can install a water filter - it helps a lot!!!!!

[metta 0]

It is dry skin and what you need is a good body lotion. I recall vividly, though it was twenty some years ago, that the first thing I noticed after the first night in Chicago after flying in from Asia was my skin itching all over. My sister in law who was from Hong kong told me it was the dry air ( was smack in the winter in CHicago). So she gace me Vaseline lotion which worked real well.

Well, mine isn't dry skin, I moisturise my whole body twice a day and STILL get chronic irritation. Everyone is different, so it doesn't necessarily mean that the OP's problem is the same as yours.

Good point! In medical terminology, itchiness is pruritis. It is a symptom and there may be many causes:

Your iitchiness may be of something else other than dry skin or maybe one of those or this:

http://www.skin-disorders-guide.com/pruritis.htm

As for the OP's case, I feel that it is closer to what I experienced.

1. A common migratory pattern (from Hong Kong to Chicago though mine originated from burma)

2. Symptommatically close: first night in Chicago

3. No signs or history of other allergies (like hay fever or uticaria, sneezing etc)

4. The OP asked if others in her(?) situation have experienced the same. And, I presume mine has a higher index of similarity

5. My old professors always used to say : 'in making your diagnosis, always bear in mind that common things are common." (I am not a practising doc but one with a few years of clinical experience many many moons ago. So my medical knowledge is very very very rusty)

6. Normally, I'd pass your comment but, hey, today I'm in a combative mood

Now with germans (in reference to Anna .C) it is totally different. Everytime I take a shower, Susanne gets on my case. She thinks I stay too long in the shower exposing myself to water, chlorine and soap which are the ultimate destroyers of smooth skin.

[jodee 30]

Im glad Anna. C mentioned water. I live in Germany, and have have severely itchy dry skin since being here. They did install a water filter in the building finally, but its still not good. Lots of lime in the water here. At home in Australia, never had a problem, ahrdly ever needed lotion either. And when we were in California, the water didnt dry out my skin, but my hair suffered.

Definately could be the water!!

Jodee

[Cassie 8]

I notice a big difference in my skin when I go home for any length of time -- there's a definite difference between well water and treated city water. And I have psoriasis, so the added itchy does not help at all.

[KEN's ROSE 0]

Thank you alla for your input. Rose was a little farm girl who then moved way high up in the big city. Now she is experiencing inner-city suburban life.

Rose did have itchyness when located at the sea sides of HK but then it went away after about a month, So I'm hoping it will die-down shortly.

Rose despite being a farm girl early on has like flawless skin - she won beauty pageants recently. Chicago was once voted as having the best water for a big city; it comes from the fresh water of Lake michigan.

So I guess in a little time as the body adjust to the climate that episode shall past.