How To Treat Persistent and Uncontrollable Itching
By: Francisco C. Tang,MD a.k.a. Huang Nung Yang,MD
As a layman with this persistent and uncontrollable itching problem, the first thing one does is to see a Dermatologist for the relief of the itching, right? What if that didn't help? How does one go about it? Try other home remedies like taking cold shower or apply cold compress, apply moistuerizer, anti-pruritic cream or prickly heat powder and the itch will go away? When I was stricken with TERMINAL STAGE 4b non-Hodgkin's beta-cell Follicular Lymphoma, my main symptoms, aside from unexplainable weight loss, night sweats, blushing and flushing, were severe, persistent, uncontrollable itching, and that was the time I learned the true meaning of severe itching. DO NOT SCRATCH! That's the last thing the doctor should say to his patients because until he puts himself into that situation he will never understand the meaning of persistent and uncontrollable itching means. Yes, I repeat! Not until one puts himself in to that situation just like what happen to me, does one truly understand the meaning of it. As a Dermatologist, I used to prescribe steroidal and non-steroidal anti-pruritic cream or ointment and oral antihistamine and steroids to patients. I tried cold shower, cold compress, various steroidal and non-steroidal cream, ointment, medicated shampoo, medical body wash and oral steroidal and non-streoidal medications, TO NO AVAIL! I had to take sleeping pills to calm me down. One day, out of desperation, I, ACCIDENTALLY, discovered a very unprofessional , non-traditional way of relieving my itch. (who cares as long as I find relief) This is what I did: I used a hair dryer/blower to, literally, burn my skin. I placed the dryer close to the itchy area and turn it to high gear. I could feel, starting from a very itchy sensation gradually transforming into burning sensation before switching to another area. Itching around the area gets instant relief. The burning sensation which is more tolerable from itching will last for hours. Just repeat the procedure as needed. After burning, apply moistuerizing cream or Benjamin's Jamaican Healing Oil or anti-pruritic cream.
It worked in me, so I hope it will also work in you. I know what it meant to have sleepless nights, miserable life, embarrassment in front of love ones, friends, and relatives from uncontrollable scratching. I HAD BEEN THERE! If it worked in you, please share to others so that others may have a better life. Others are welcome to share their experience or comment on how to relieve the itch.
