After persistent anal itching for 39 years have now had my first 4 nights without any scratching

I picked-up threadworm whilst staying at a friend's house when aged 16. This started an initial cycle of itching, scratching and re-infection. I discovered the cause of the problem when I was 22 after actually seeing one of the worms and how it disgorged its eggs. It took a further 5 years to completely clear myself of the infection despite cleaning my home, washing clothes and taking regular medication as the eggs are microscopic and get everywhere so re-infection continued on a reducing basis.

By this time the problem had become a habit and appeared somewhat linked to my psychological state as it was worse when I was anxious and better when not anxious. That said, I was never without itching for longer than 1 or 2 nights.

Doctors only prescribed topical creams such as corticosteroid which stated not to apply to inflamed skin. If it wasn't inflamed, I wouldn't have had to use it in the first place but using it brought no relief anyway. I resigned myself to living with it and tried all the usual advice on gentle cleaning, keeping it dry, keeping it naturally moist by not using soaps etc.

I have used antihistamines for insect bites but this did not touch the anal itching until I tried doubling the over the counter dosage, out of curiosity (to 20mg). The result has been my first 4 nights free of itching in 39 years. I think you can understand my wanting to share this despite it being a bit early to claim full success but at the moment I could cry in relief! It still itches in the day but this is easy to bear as it's no different to before and mild. I am hoping it will all disappear with time as the skin fully heals and the cycle of itch-scratch-itch is broken. Check with your own doctor first but none have ever suggested antihistamines to me and upping the dose may well work for others. Good luck fellow sufferers!

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