I Have Severe Itchy Skin To The Point I Thought It Was Body Lice Which Its Not But I Do Feel Like I Have Something Crawling In My Skin

Posted on Thu, 13 Aug 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 Answered on

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm 34 yes old I have been pretty healthy until a few yrs back when I got sepsis that seem to be the beginning ...I had to have a blood transfusion an have had to have several since no reason other than I'm anemic an my body don't produce enough blood... Now I an for quite sometime ive just felt unwell...my body hurts all the time I'm always short of breath my legs feet an hands swell so bad my legs are heavy an tired feeling after just a few steps I've gained a lot of weight an I look as though I'm pregnant.I have severe itchy skin to the point I thought it was body lice which its not but I do feel like I have something crawling in my skin..i had very bad teeth which have had to all be pulled an now I have dentures is this all related please help me
feel better

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Severe anemia can affect the heart. Symptoms described likely to be due to anemia

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on 'Ask A Doctor' forum.

Body pain, shortness of breath, and swelling of feet can all be due to anemia.
Thus I suggest you get your hemoglobin checked.
As you have mentioned that your anemia is due to decreased production of Blood, I would like to know your primary diagnosis.

In addition, I would suggest you consult a Cardiologist for clinical assessment and get your cardiovascular system checked.

Long-standing anemia can affect the cardiovascular system.
excessive itching and feeling of crawling on the skin can be due to dry skin, raised bile salts, or even psychological.

I suggest you get liver function tests done and also consult a psychologist if no test results are abnormal.

If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.

Thanks and take care
Dr. Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee