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Sudden itching

Posted , 3 users are following.

tavidu
tavidu

Have been on preds (25mgs) since May and have recently reduced to 20mgs as my 1st step down, however I have found that the top half of my body has suddenly started to itch, has anyone experienced this or have any idea if this is a side effect of steroids. Hope someone can help.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH tavidu

    Posted

    Both itching and skin rashes are named side effects of pred. Paradoxically, pred is often used to treat both! Do you know if the source of your pred tablets changed at the time the itching started? Often people are allergic to other ingredients in the tablets - what are called the carriers and they are different for different manufacturers.

    Another cause of itching is the drying of the skin that pred can cause. Diprobase or Doublebase are both emollients that can be prescribed by your GP. They are used in eczema to relieve the itching and are very effective when used properly. Don't use soap products of any sort in the bath or shower - they strip the natural oils from the skin wahtever they claim in the advertising. The products I've suggested can be used in the shower - and then after your shower you apply them all over to retain the moisture in the skin so it isn't as dry.

    • tavidu
      tavidu EileenH

      Posted

      Many thanks Eileen. I suffered from something similar 7 or 8 years ago as I had been on prescribed Diclofenic for a frozen shoulder but my doctor kept me on them for over 5 months. This resulted (I believe) in me spending 5 days in hospital with accute liver and kidney problems. This latest bout seems to have started at the same time that I reduced my preds from 25mg to 20mg but probably has nothing to do with it. I will speak to my doctor regarding the cream and hopefully this will help. Funny it is only the top half of my body that itches. Many thanks again.
    • EileenH
      EileenH tavidu

      Posted

      I reacted to an ACE inhibitor and the itch was only down to my waist - but it was spreading outwards! That was just as far as it had got when I stopped taking it!

      Are you on anything else started at the same time as the PMR? The higher dose of pred may have masked a reaction to something else. Or have you been wearing something washed in a new product?

      Five MONTHS of diclofenac? For goodness sake!

    • tavidu
      tavidu EileenH

      Posted

      No, preds are the only medication I have been on and we have'nt changed our washing powder for years. I started preds at 20 mg, doc suggested upping them to 25 as I still had slight pain at the back of my legs, and since then I reduced down to 20 mg at the start of this month and hope to drop a further 2mg next month. Will see if the itching gets worse.
    • mrsmop
      mrsmop tavidu

      Posted

      Apropos the washing powder [or whatever you use], just because you haven't changed what you use, doesn't mean that the manufacturer hasn't messed around with the ingredients!
    • tavidu
      tavidu mrsmop

      Posted

      Thanks mrsmop, will check to see if anything has changed.

    • EileenH
      EileenH tavidu

      Posted

      I forgot to mention that aspect - thank you very much mrsmop!

      Or are there any new clothes? Long shot but possible - dyes or materials...

    • tavidu
      tavidu EileenH

      Posted

      You may have triggered something there. My son tends to offer me his out of date tee shirts (even though he has probably only had them a couple of months), will ask what powder etc they use. thanks again ladies, what would we do without you.
    • mrsmop
      mrsmop tavidu

      Posted

      Manufacturers tend to use formaldehyde in the manufacturing process but by the time it reaches the consumer, it is supposed to have been removed from the garments.  I am allergic to it and always know when it is still in the garments.  It is also used in cheap washing powder etc..

      [They also use formaldehyde releasers, also found in everything under the sun.  There are alternatives]

  • bedilia
    bedilia tavidu

    Posted

    Tavidu, are you sure you don't have shingles?  I would talk to your MD about this.  
    • tavidu
      tavidu bedilia

      Posted

      Hi Bedilia, this is something I did'nt even consider, thank you for suggesting it and i will ask when I see her next week.
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