Itchy skin

[macdiv2024]

I have been struggling with itchy skin for several weeks.visited GP twice. He diagnosed urticaria which "usually burns itsel out after a few months". I got antihistamine tablets which worked a bit and various washes which really did not. Getting some relief with hydrocortisone and more recently Eumovate, but relief minimal and shortlived. I am T2DM and well controlled. Lost ~20kg in last 9 months. I wonder if this urticaria is diabetes or weight loss related. Anyone with similar experiences?

 

[harbottle]

I had itchy skin when my blood sugar was high.
It went away when I got it under control.

 

[Leadinglights]

I have been struggling with itchy skin for several weeks.visited GP twice. He diagnosed urticaria which "usually burns itsel out after a few months". I got antihistamine tablets which worked a bit and various washes which really did not. Getting some relief with hydrocortisone and more recently Eumovate, but relief minimal and shortlived. I am T2DM and well controlled. Lost ~20kg in last 9 months. I wonder if this urticaria is diabetes or weight loss related. Anyone with similar experiences?

It might be worth taking a multivitamin as vitamin deficiency can cause itchy skin. If you have been cutting out foods which may be fortified with vitamins like bread and breakfast cereals you may be lacking some in your diet.
it would be worth getting your vitamin B12 checked if you haven't recently.
Is the itchiness all over as it could be a sensitivity to your washing powder.
E45 is usually quite good but keeping your skin hydrated with something like Hydromol

 

[macdiv2024]

Thanks for replies so far. TBH, doing all of these. I am 76 ang doing IF in the hope of getting into remission. Have got HbA1c down to ~50 but a way to go. Good idea about multivitamins. Will do that. Already taking prescribed B12. Changing washing powder.

 

[Hardy]

My niece has urticaria - it certainly hasn't burned out - there is a NICE pathway for treatment- Would definitely be worth looking at that and gong back to GP

 

[ChannelSwimmer]

I have been struggling with itchy skin for several weeks.visited GP twice. He diagnosed urticaria which "usually burns itsel out after a few months". I got antihistamine tablets which worked a bit and various washes which really did not. Getting some relief with hydrocortisone and more recently Eumovate, but relief minimal and shortlived. I am T2DM and well controlled. Lost ~20kg in last 9 months. I wonder if this urticaria is diabetes or weight loss related. Anyone with similar experiences?

I've been having the exact same experience! The itchy skin is driving me up the wall!!! I've seen my GP multiple times, but i've recently been given a new cream which has been helping a bit more. I hope it becomes under control for you soon 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for replies so far. TBH, doing all of these. I am 76 ang doing IF in the hope of getting into remission. Have got HbA1c down to ~50 but a way to go. Good idea about multivitamins. Will do that. Already taking prescribed B12. Changing washing powder.

Looking at your age I think you are perhaps not doing yourself too much good with the I F just to get your HbA1C down a bit. The newer NICE guidelines suggest a more lenient Hb1AC is more appropriate for people of more mature years and people should not be going to extreme measures with diet or medication. This came from some research with found people were being over mediated and a more personal target was more appropriate taking into account their risk factor and other medical conditions.
Following a low carb regime with plenty of protein and healthy fats might be better for you than the IF.

 

[CathyFP]

I logged on to ask a question about skin problems and Type 1 diabetes and found this thread.

I’ve developed sore itchy skin on my eyelids, corners of my lips and around my nostrils. The eye area is worst. My GP has prescribed low dose hydrocortisone but I can only use it for very few days as skin on eyelids is so thin.

I wanted to ask if there is any possible link with my Type 1 diabetes? Do others have similar experiences? How have you improved things?
Thanks

 

[nimberry]

I had the same issue….for last 3 years …Now it’s gone after a long research on my body….Root cause of Urticaria for me is infection in my body and tooth decay….So check all your teeth decay if any

 

[CathyFP]

I had the same issue….for last 3 years …Now it’s gone after a long research on my body….Root cause of Urticaria for me is infection in my body and tooth decay….So check all your teeth decay if any

I’ll do some research

 

[Inka]

I logged on to ask a question about skin problems and Type 1 diabetes and found this thread.

I’ve developed sore itchy skin on my eyelids, corners of my lips and around my nostrils. The eye area is worst. My GP has prescribed low dose hydrocortisone but I can only use it for very few days as skin on eyelids is so thin.

I wanted to ask if there is any possible link with my Type 1 diabetes? Do others have similar experiences? How have you improved things?
Thanks

A deficiency in B vitamins can cause similar @CathyFP - certainly around the mouth and nose. If your eyelids are itchy all over then it could be a reaction to a product. I suddenly developed a reaction to a mascara I’d used for years. It took a while to go away, but it gradually improved with the use of a gentle emollient and avoiding any irritants.

 

[macdiv2024]

Thank you everyone for your ideas and comments. Really appreciated, and many commiserations to others with the same issue.

I don't believe this will burn out until the cause is identified.

I have looked at possible antigens - coffee, wine, chocolate, some fabrics, washing powder but nothing stands out. I also thought about heat rash. After I lost a ton of weight I found I was feeling very cold. I put on a few extra "layers" and ended up getting too hot! I found that applying a cold sponge to the (many) lesions helped cool them down and "dowse" the itch at least for a while. I also thought about doing some allergy tests from online suppliers, but I don't trust them at all, and suspect that the results would be very non-specific.

I have used body washes (QV), menthol cream and simple soap but to no avail. Hydrocortisone cream (1%) and Eumovate ( help very little. Antihistamines help also very little (tried cetirizine and currently fexafenidine) but again tbh no great results.

I started taking calciferol (already on B12) which seemed like a good idea.

After doing a bit of research, I came to the conclusion that the cause of the irritation might in fact be fungal (candidiasis) because the itch and rash have spread to front (through constant scratching!). So GP put me on an oral anti-fungal (Terbinifine) yesterday. Very early days but there just might be a tiny improvement. Couldn't use fluconazole because I am on clopidogrel and contra-indicated.

This is a very debilitating afflction! Good luck to everyone who is trying to get rid of this, and if anyone has successfully dealt with this, pray tell!!

 

[silver minion]

Hope you see some improvement soon. It must be he'll to live with. You have my sympathy

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you everyone for your ideas and comments. Really appreciated, and many commiserations to others with the same issue.

I don't believe this will burn out until the cause is identified.

I have looked at possible antigens - coffee, wine, chocolate, some fabrics, washing powder but nothing stands out. I also thought about heat rash. After I lost a ton of weight I found I was feeling very cold. I put on a few extra "layers" and ended up getting too hot! I found that applying a cold sponge to the (many) lesions helped cool them down and "dowse" the itch at least for a while. I also thought about doing some allergy tests from online suppliers, but I don't trust them at all, and suspect that the results would be very non-specific.

I have used body washes (QV), menthol cream and simple soap but to no avail. Hydrocortisone cream (1%) and Eumovate ( help very little. Antihistamines help also very little (tried cetirizine and currently fexafenidine) but again tbh no great results.

I started taking calciferol (already on B12) which seemed like a good idea.

After doing a bit of research, I came to the conclusion that the cause of the irritation might in fact be fungal (candidiasis) because the itch and rash have spread to front (through constant scratching!). So GP put me on an oral anti-fungal (Terbinifine) yesterday. Very early days but there just might be a tiny improvement. Couldn't use fluconazole because I am on clopidogrel and contra-indicated.

This is a very debilitating afflction! Good luck to everyone who is trying to get rid of this, and if anyone has successfully dealt with this, pray tell!!

You could ask to be referred to a specialist dermatologist though the wait may be long. You could go privately for a consultation as that would usually be very quick and worth the money to get some relief. It usually costs about £250 for a consultation but if they deem tests to be needed will often then order them to be done on NHS when the wait is usually short.