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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wishingstar on November 8, 2006, at 21:47:45
The last few days, I have been having an absolutely unbearable itching on the palms of my hands.
It began about 4 days ago. At that time, I had just stopped taking wellbutrin, but I had only been on it for a week, and I dont think that is the cause. It seems to be getting worse. The itching is only on the palms of my hands. I use lotion religiously so I know my skin is not dry. It was so bad last night that the itching actually woke me up from sleep.
If you look at my hands, you can sometimes see some red spots (very small dots) on the palms that are not usually there. When I scratch (which I am trying not to do), white bumps appear that seem to be under the skin almost. They are also small - smaller than hives, but noticable. During the times that it isnt itching, I sometimes feel an odd tingling sensation.. almost like the pre-itch. Like I know if I scratched once, it would itch terribly after that. My hands are also very sensitive and touching anything, such as driving when I have to have my hands on the wheel, irritates it.
I havent recently changed anything in my life.. soaps, detergent, anything, so I dont think its an allergic reaction. I have been dealing with some major life stressors and depression, especially recently, so that may have played a role in its development.. but I dont know. My psychiatrist gave me 2.5% hydrocorsitone ointment but it does not seem to help. In fact, I somewhat prefer the 1% creme I bought over the counter, but it doesnt help much either. I have an appointment with a dermatologist for a week from today.
Does anyone have any guess on what this might be? Or any suggestions on how I can get even a little relief from the itching? One week seems like an eternity right now. Thanks everyone.
Posted by MidnightBlue on November 8, 2006, at 22:45:09
In reply to terrible itching on palms of hands, posted by wishingstar on November 8, 2006, at 21:47:45
No clue! Sorry....I would use the cream if it helps any. Take care!
MB
Posted by wishingstar on November 9, 2006, at 6:59:45
In reply to Re: terrible itching on palms of hands » wishingstar, posted by MidnightBlue on November 8, 2006, at 22:45:09
thanks :) I think ive given up on the cream. i realized though that because I havent fully withdrawn from my university yet (I was a grad student) I still have access to the health center. Even though theyre really better with little things like colds and the flu, I'm going to try to get an appt today and get some other cream that will help me make it to next weeks dermatologist appt. Crossing my fingers! (but not literally, because thatd itch too much!)
Posted by zenhussy on November 10, 2006, at 14:26:50
In reply to terrible itching on palms of hands, posted by wishingstar on November 8, 2006, at 21:47:45
>>>It began about 4 days ago. At that time, I had just stopped taking wellbutrin, but I had only been on it for a week, and I dont think that is the cause.
wishingstar,
Which version of Wellbutrin were you on? There is much information in the archives here about allergic reactions to the coatings of certain versions of Wellbutrin. Even after stopping maybe the half life is taking time to exit your system?
Just a guess from another poster. Does taking any antihistamines help? Benadryl (Diphenhydramine is the generic name) can often help with itchiness...but can also lead to drowsiness as well.
HTH
--zh
Posted by karen_kay on November 28, 2006, at 17:06:41
In reply to terrible itching on palms of hands, posted by wishingstar on November 8, 2006, at 21:47:45
i used to have4 the same thing when i was younger (i swear! i would scratch my hands on the headboard at night.) went to a dr and he couldn't figure it out. he seemed to think it was a reaction to something. i haven't had a problem with it in some (gosh, at least 100) years. but, if you find an answer, i'm curious (i even had the white and red bumps... i'm irritateed jsut thinking about it now!)
(((((wstar's itchy hands))))
Posted by wishingstar on November 28, 2006, at 19:16:15
In reply to if you find out let me know » wishingstar, posted by karen_kay on November 28, 2006, at 17:06:41
Thankfully it seems to have gone away for me. I have no idea what caused it! The hydrocortisone cream never helped one bit. I'll tell you what I did though.. I bought the expensive euchrin skin cream.. the thick kind thats often used for eczema and other skin conditions. You're only supposed to need it once a day, but I used it probably every hour for several days, and that seemed to do the trick. I dont understand it because I do NOT have dry skin.. I use lotion at least once daily anyway, even before this happened. But it helped in some way.
I hope that helps for you too. If I learn anything else I'll be sure to pass it on.
This is the end of the thread.
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