Don't know what I got into but I need a SERIOUS itch relief?. I will try anything. Going batshit.

OTC Benadryl. Steroid creams.

Rx: halobetasol

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
OTC Benadryl. Steroid creams.

Good answers.

I'll add that my wife uses tea-tree oil, and says it works for her.

ZSMICHAEL though, is on the right track, that you're probably dealing with an allergic reaction, and as such should go for treatments of that.

What caused the itch? Insect sting? Some sort of Rash?

Get some Benadryl Cream in a tube (OTC product) and a tube of Hydrocortisone anti itch cream (OTC). I keep these on hand all the time, never letting myself run out.

Depending on what is causing the itch, you can also find relief with Athletes Foot Cream. There are several brands that use a different active ingredient. The cheapest yet still effective is any of those that contain Clotrimazole.

If the store is out of Clotrimazole cream in the athletes foot section, don't be shy or bashful, just mosey over to the Ladies Feminine Stuff and look for the brand Vagisil or the generic, it's the same Clotrimazole. Works just fine for men too.

Good luck to you, best wishes.
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Go see a dermatologist. Most cases they can diagnose what's causing it and prescribe a RX only solution. Well worth the co pay.

I go twice a year to deal with Actinic keratoses I've developed from early excess sun exposure.

Grandpa's pine tar soap

I have had bad itching since I was bitten by chiggers last summer. I didn't see a dermatologist until January of this year. The chigger bites got infected and caused a reaction in my body that created bumps and itching on other parts of my body. I was treated with prednisone and antibiotics. I also was prescribed hydroxyzine which is like Benadryl, but stronger, and clobetasol ointment.

For temporary itch relief, one of my dermatologists recommended Sarna lotion. I have found that Chiggerex works temporarily. Also, take Benadryl.

If the itching persists and keeps you awake, go see a doctor. My father was an immunologist and when I got a poison ivy rash, he would give me a shot and the itching stopped quickly and the rash went away in a few days.

I just scratch! Sometimes till it bleeds, but it feels good.

Yeah, you really can't beat OTC Benadryl gel. I've been using it for years, it works and you can find it just about anywhere.

i have a rash behind my left ear that itches something terrible. On my last dr appt I totally forgot to ask him about it. I put Neosporin on it after I shower, but it doesn't last too long. I want to make it go away permanently, not just treat the itching.

For poison ivy,I like to use hot water. I’ve got one of those shower heads on a hose. I spray the area directly. As I acclimate to the heat I turn down the cold water. I get it as hot as I can take it. It provides relief. I found I have to do it more frequently in the beginning. Not sure if this works on other itches but it’s free, well sort of free!

quote:

In search of a itch relief.

I stopped taking Benadryl because it made it hard to urinate. My internist told me to take Claritin & Zyrtec together. Same relief, no side effects.

Consider treating the cause, not just the itch. What is happening?

Be careful using steroid creams, including OTC products containing hydrocortisone. They are meant for temporary use only. Using them continuously can cause a dependency problem or addiction that is difficult to break. Don’t use any more than a week or ten days max.

Another common problem is a secondary staphylococcus or “staph” infection from scratching an area that is irritated from something like eczema, poison ivy, bug bite, etc. Now you may have to treat two problems with different medications - something for itching and an antibacterial treatment.

If eczema is the initial source of the problem, I’ve found prevention is the best way to handle. Don’t let your skin dry out, go easy on hot water when showering and apply good body lotion to problem areas immediately after showering every time.

It only took me about 45 years to figure this out….

If it’s chiggers, I recommend Gold Bond anti itch ointment. You have to reapply every four hours, but it worked for me. I didn’t sleep for three days after getting a bad case of chiggers. My sister in law told me about Gold Bond. Almost instant relief.

quote:

Originally posted by will347wax:
For poison ivy,I like to use hot water. I’ve got one of those shower heads on a hose. I spray the area directly. As I acclimate to the heat I turn down the cold water. I get it as hot as I can take it. It provides relief. I found I have to do it more frequently in the beginning. Not sure if this works on other itches but it’s free, well sort of free!

Also if it's poison ivy, make sure you've removed the ivy oils from the skin w/ a soapy washcloth. The abrasiveness of the cloth does a better job of removing the oil than just soap and water. Then the skin can start to heal.

Every once in a while I develop pretty intense itching/skin irritation/eye irriation due to allergies/mold/whatever. No amount of scratching/cremes/visine help. I now stock a maintain a small bottle of otc claritin/knock off (loradatine). Usually takes about 30 minutes to take effect, but it works well and lasts about 24hrs.