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unbearably itchy hands and wrists

Posted , 6 users are following.

all_the_kings_horses
all_the_kings_horses

Just recently I have started suffering with chronic itching on the back of my hands and inside wrists.  This is stopping me from sleeping and I have to wait until Thursday to see a doctor.  Can this be related to LS, which I have only had up until now in my undercarriage?   In desperation I have rubbed dermovate onto the affected parts, which has only slightly calmed things down!  Very worried about fingers, which haven't been washed thoroughly, as this would just wash off the dermovate.  Any advice would be very welcome.

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • lyn4668
    lyn4668 all_the_kings_horses

    Posted

    That sounds like lichen planus, which can romp around the body and then go into remission but be very troublesome. .  100 percent aloe vera, purchased in liquid or ointment forms, used twice a day relieves itchiness and has been found to kick both LS and planus into remission in credible

     government studies.  At  a minimum it is a safe topical natural remedy.    I believe coconut oil is also good for all areas affected by either.  Washing with only an emolient cleanser like Cetaphil helps also.

    • all_the_kings_horses
      all_the_kings_horses lyn4668

      Posted

      I saw the doctor this afternoon and he thinks it may be LS or LP.  I asked him if he could put me in touch with a Lichen Sclerosis specialist or doctor and he has advised me to get in touch with my dermatologist, who might be able to find someone in her area and they could work in conjunction with each other.  I have sent her an email and am now waiting for her reply.  I am never very clear of the difference between LS and LP, but know that I have them both!!

      I have aloe vera so will try that to start with, but hope it won't be too sticky on the hands!!  Thank you for your comments!

  • mary_58782
    mary_58782 all_the_kings_horses

    Posted

    My LS is all over my back, buttocks  and my abdominal/ chest area. I know I am getting a new spot when the itching is maddening and the silver-ish irregular  circles appear. After that it usually calms down.
    • all_the_kings_horses
      all_the_kings_horses mary_58782

      Posted

      Hi Mary,

      I have a very itchy back and admit that I have a very efficient back scrubber, which keeps me sane!!!  I can't possibly put cream on my back and my husband is away most of the time, as he works overseas.  Hope you are itch-free!

  • hanny32508
    hanny32508 all_the_kings_horses

    Posted

    Do you know how well your liver is doing?  Perhaps liver cleansing?

    What may help is sitting in a baking soda bath for a while. (1/3 cup)

    • all_the_kings_horses
      all_the_kings_horses hanny32508

      Posted

      Hi Hanny,

      I love the idea of sitting in a baking soda bath but there are two things against this for me!  One, I don't have a bath, only shower and two, I would never be able to get out of a bath once I got into it!  I have back problems as I had a slipped disc in my forties and it has left a weakness.  Sometimes I feel such a wreck!!  No idea how my liver is doing, but I am being very careful what I eat, as this definitely affects LS in my case.   Absolutely nothing sweet for the moment, no flour if possible and only milk as far as dairy is concerned.  I am so influenced by what women say on this forum, so I am not taking any chances!!

      How are you, Hanny? xxxx

    • helen99763
      helen99763 all_the_kings_horses

      Posted

      Re the baking soda bath - I have a plastic 'sitz bath' which I bought at the drug store.  You place it on the toilet and this works quite well for me.   I add maybe a tsp of baking soda to warm water and sit in that for a few minutes, then dry the LS area and apply the clob or coconut oil.  Could you do that, ATKH? 
    • helen99763
      helen99763

      Posted

      Sorry - just realized that your irritation is on areas other than mine.  So my advice was not at all helpful to you!

      Hope you are feeling some better by now.

    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 all_the_kings_horses

      Posted

      Hi kings horses,

      I was unable to get in the forum somehow.  Had to renew my password several times, still no access.  But today it works again and was able to respond with my usual 'advise'.  Which does not always help of course.

      It's sad enough that one has LS, and then to have back problems on top of that.  The advise I read on having a sitzbath is a good one as well.  I bring a sitz bath with me in the travel trailer/caravan.  And then also  - I keep giving the rest of the body a sponge bath with baking soda water.  

      And I stay strict with my diet as well.  No sugar, no alcohol, no caffeine, no gluten, no cheeses (sure trigger for LS with me)  Due to other health issues I was already on a diet.  So it was an easy thing to do.  Can't tolerate milk, can eat a good quality yoghurt. 

      And so I 'plug along' in reasonable comfort.

    • wendy14679
      wendy14679 helen99763

      Posted

      I have been having problems getting into this forum and have only just read my new messages.  Thank you for the information on sitz bath, which I am now going to try to buy online!   Many thanks for your help!
    • wendy14679
      wendy14679 hanny32508

      Posted

      Hi Hanny.  Good to hear from you and know that you are plugging along ok!  I eventually saw my GP, who prescribed a stronger steroid than dermovate, which I am putting on my hands at night.  Bit awkward on hands, as I am obsessed about washing steroids off my hands, once applied!!  However, I seem to be keeping it under control but am worried about thinning skin on my hands!  All very stressful, which doesn't help matters.  I wish I could be stricter with my diet, I often have lapses and then immediate flare-ups!

      Take care and thank you once again for all your helpful advice.

    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 wendy14679

      Posted

      Hi Wendy,

      I have come to another thought regarding hands.  It's your hands that go into soapy water of all kinds when for instance cleaning house.  So now I wear those yellow gloves when doing stuff like that.  It has made that the hands start to look a bit better.  I also no longer use any handsoap for washing my hands, but baking soda water.  Hands have already improved.  

      I hope this helps you too somehow. 

    • wendy14679
      wendy14679 hanny32508

      Posted

      Hi Hanny,

      I have had to wear yellow gloves for many years now.  My husband even suggested recently that I might be allergic to them, but this is not very likely.  However, I will try washing my hands with baking soda and see if this helps.  They are still itchy and keep flaring up.  It is very hard not to scratch and just rubbing on the steroid cream seems to aggravate the condition.  Seems like a vicious circle.  Thank you, Hanny!

  • hanny32508
    hanny32508 all_the_kings_horses

    Posted

    I have had periods of itching skin, but baking soda baths do wonders for me.  Sometimes I do Epsom salt baths.  Somehow I have the feeling that my whole body needs this special cleaning on a very regular basis. I was away on a camping trip for a while and experienced itchy legs, even though I sponge washed myself with bakings soda water.  Apparently not sufficient.  Back home I immediately enjoyed a baking soda bath with some Tea Tree oil - problem solved, I'm back to normal.  

    Me too - I think that LS goes through a person's entire system.  A mystery disease it remains. 

  • lyn4668
    lyn4668 all_the_kings_horses

    Posted

    Hanny, are you referring to lichen sclerous or lichen planus?  Is sclerous limited mostly to the vulvar area and planus throughout the body?  I get confused between the two.
    • hanny32508
      hanny32508 lyn4668

      Posted

      I find that hard to tell.  I had/have Lichen Planus in my mouth.  At the time that LS was at its worsest I also had spots under my arms.  Thank god that is over. 

      I know of a young boy who had LS on his back.  Poor man.  For him also the baking soda rinses and bath were very helpful.  

      For the Lichen Planus in my mouth I brush with baking soda and do 'rinses' with coconut oil.  

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