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Permalink Reply by dawn on April 21, 2010 at 11:18pm

HI shawn, I think you can ask your derm prescribe antihistamin (phenergen or piriton), which reduce the itchness and make you sleep better. Also, you may wear gloves and cut your nails short. That's what I've been doing since I have DPCP treatment.

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Permalink Reply by Tony on April 22, 2010 at 6:08am

I was going to say benedryl or skin cream until I looked up DNCB as I was unfamiliar with the term. Since the DNCB is topical, skin cream is probably not an option. I wouldn't go the benedryl or any other over the counter med either without checking with your derm or GP first.

Wondering if wearing gloves to bed might be an option. You may still scratch but the softer surface may prevent breaking the skin.

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Permalink Reply by Jade Martinez on April 22, 2010 at 6:33am

I've been scratching my head alot lately as well. I don't know whether it's because of the DCP that I'm on or just general itchy flaky scalp issues.

I've been waking up with grit under my nails (gross, I know), so I know I've been scratching in my sleep. Also, there is hair everywhere on my pillows :( Last night I put socks on my hands and there were not as much hair on my pillows.

Wouldn't the antihistamine counteract the medication..since it's suppose to create an allergic reaction?

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Permalink Reply by dawn on April 22, 2010 at 7:20am

As I know the reaction should not be interfered by antihistamin that my derm prescribed to me. Antihistamine stop the itchyness by stop the binding of certain substance, which cause itchy feeling in an individual, but it won't affect the inflammation reaction.

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Permalink Reply by Reto on April 23, 2010 at 2:42am

Might wear cotton gloves -- perhaps those brown gloves, might even tie your wrists with a lose, thinner diameter rope over the gloves --- i.e. give limited slack in the rope, tying the other end to the bedframe at the bottom of the bed, so your hands don't get enough slack to reach your head.

To alleviate itching , might try 1) making a warm cup of chamomile tea, then 2) soaking a wash cloth in that and putting it over your head for a while relaxing before bedtime. Have had positive experiences with this for another skin condition, and per one web-site "Chamomile tea has been regarded as a medicinal cure-all ... Now, researchers in England have found new evidence that the chamomile tea may actually help relieve a wide range of health ailments".

I haven't tried any contact sensitizers recently, but debated trying diluted Tea Tree oil lately (they don't recommend full strength). Seems to be pretty powerful stuff (and natural).

I just found some interesting information on AA tonight -- please see discussion in the symptoms, treatment and research area titled

"Anyone eat seafood regularly? Some substantial claims regarding seafood and autoimmune diseases, also mineral deficiency findings"

and please provide a datapoint. Let us know how the chamomile tea works if you try it.

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