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Legs and arms
My experience with itchiness has been that 3 years in a row, I have gone to FL on vacation and gotten this horrible itchiness. It takes weeks to go away and keeps me awake at night. I have thought it might be linked to use of sunscreen or to the hot temps because I've had it happen at home once or twice too.
Last time was earlier this month, I went to the beach to play volleyball and put sunscreen on my legs. It wasn't hot out though and my arms weren't affected.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by sallylwess on
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Yes, I get that itchiness and rashes on my upper legs mostly. I don't get it as often as I did a few years ago. I think it goes with the condition.
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Permalink Reply by illustr8r on
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Yes, I am perpetually itchy! I use Clobetasol for my scalp but my Derm also prescribed it for itchy/dry skin. I squeeze about 1/4 to 1/2 of a bottle into a jar of CeraVe cream. I have to save the rest of the Clobetasol for my scalp. Also, I use Sarna too on bad days...and on reeealllly itchy bad days I'll take a Benadryl.
I've lost body hair everywhere. It's not all gone but it's losing the fight. -
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Permalink Reply by Mel on
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Yes no rash but arm itchiness. For me it's only in the left forearm.
I don't know if you have read other posts on here or the studies that suspect a link between FFA and sunscreen but I would NOT use it ...Most types are the nanoparticles suspected of being linked to problems. Check EWG site for information. Use only zinc oxide, non nano. For working out or a lot of exposure I use the Badger stick now. -
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Permalink Reply by Mattsmate on
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Interesting. I'm doing to try to remember to email my new derm about it and see what she suggests. All of your answers suggest that this process has been going on for several years. Crud!
I do use the clobalestrol on the itchiness but it only helps some. I don't use it on my scalp at this point, I use it for my psoriasis (on my elbows).
A couple of years ago, my internist gave me a pill that I cannot remember the name but it really helped me sleep. (Made me drowsy and worked)
I will have to check into the sunscreen thing. -
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Yes, Yes! The itchiness is nightmarishly bad for me- I just had itch episode the other day and still have the scratch marks (from where I've actually drawn blood from itching to make it go away) it is that bad. It is on my forearms, mostly my right arm and it has been happening on and off for about 3 years, thinking back, it was probably about 3 years ago that I noticed my hair was thinning but put it down to menopause. I use tea tree oil and or the clobetasol that I was using on my scalp (that I no longer use on my scalp) on my arms as needed. It almost feels like something is burrowing into my skin when it starts and as you know, it is an intensely bad itch, unlike anything I have felt before. Oh and I have no hair on my arms and barely any on my legs either. The sunscreen I now use is either a sensitive skin one or clear zinc- but to be honest I don't think it makes a difference, but there is no way I am going to stop using sunscreen either!
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I used an all organic one on this last trip and it didn't matter. In the end, it makes a trip to the beach difficult at best and I live where sunscreen is a must. I definitely need to email my doctor about this.
I too have made myself bleed. As I said, my arm hair doesn't seem affected but I am not sure about my legs since I shave when I see stubble. Underarms are unaffected. -
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I don't know if you all saw the information from that conference where the experts are exploring whether sunscreen could be CAUSING FFA? I would think it may not be a cause, but certainly is not helping. Most brands, even sensitive skin options, use octinoxate or oxybenzone or other similar ingredients. Other studies look at Vitamin A. That is also sometimes in these products and should be avoided.
Even if we did not have FFA, after reading more about it you can either use titanium dioxide or the zinc (100%) or wear clothes to cover up.
The nurse told me sunscreen will be the best thing for my neck scar, however I will NOT be putting the nanoparticles on it. I will cover it up or use the types of sunscreens that aren't absorbed into the deep layers of your skin.
You guys know sunscreen is killing the coral reefs, right? It was in TIME magazine and it's been in the news.
Here's a link to some safer products: http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/ -
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I have FFA. I started losing hair in small spots along the hairline in 2010. I noticed that I could not style my hair properly but did not figure out what was happening immediately. Most of my hair loss happened in 2012-2013. However in 2008, I developed itchiness on my face , neck, chest and arms. There was even a patch of skin on my forehead which seemed to thicken. It took years for me to realize that I had developed sun sensitivity and so now I always wear a wide brimmed hat. I also cover up the bottom of my face, neck and chest when I am driving. If I go for a walk in the sun without covering, you can rest assured that I will quickly develop itching. I hate sunscreen so I have to be really careful. Even 5 minutes in the sun can cause me big itchy issues.
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I don't think being sweaty helps the itchiness as all. Before I got on HRT steady (instead of as needed) I had horrible night sweats and hot flashes- followed by just wanting to scratch myself from head to toe. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and put on my Clebetasol/CeraVe cream. Miserable.
Every room in the house has a Bear Claw back scratcher in it!
As this flare began, I notice that the skin on my face- once clear and fair- looked like I had red blotches under surface, broken blood vessels and just an overall weirdness. Has anyone else had this? I have the same red blotches on my arms which my Derm says are just signs of aging. I dunno. I think it's related to this stupid stuff. *sigh*
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The red blotches are on my forearms when I have an itchy spell too, I get smallish red blotches and you are right illustrat8r, the sweating doesn't help- I have sometimes noticed that if my forearms feel " damp" or if say I washed my hands and the cuff of my shirt got wet it would irritate my arms and it would start crazy itching-
and back the sweating, oh the sweat that comes off my head with just the least little reason, I have to dress in layers and the least little exertion or heat/warmth makes my head sweat. It is embarrassing and it is frustrating.
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I'm a 32 year old male who is otherwise fit and healthy until 8 years ago when I started getting the itchiness without rash on my arms and legs after sun exposure. Reading the comments below, I couldn't agree more, it gets so bad that I itch in my sleep and often wake up bleeding from it. - About 4 years later (4 years ago) I started losing the hair on my arms, legs then eyebrows and hairline and beard. FFA was diagnosed following a scalp and eyebrow biopsy. I've taken everything the derm has suggested to no avail, I attended the CARF conference last year in an effort to learn more and meet more doctors. The FFA has continued although not at a fast pace but nothing has arrested that.
The only thing I have found to calm the itchiness on my limbs (i also get it on my torso and chest) is taking 20-30mg Prednisone on day 1 of sun exposure (or as symptoms present themselves) and then tapering down by 5mg each day until nothing. I find that I can go in the sun after that without a problem for a week or 2. Prednisone isn't something you want to take unless you really have to, but given how chronic it can get, it can be a massive relief.
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