What Causes Itching And Burning All Over Body?

Posted on Fri, 3 Oct 2014

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

Fri, 3 Oct 2014 Answered on

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I had "pins and needles" feeling that started in feet and hands, then all over body, turned into itching at times and burning feeling at times - would make it to where feet would hurt from wearing shoes and socks all day - and even rubbing bare feet on carpet at end of day/etc. I went to Dr, they prescribed prednisone for 5 days - it knocked it out - was free of it for 3-4 weeks or more - now it's started back again 3 nights ago. We thought at first it was a reaction to some Naproxin Sodium I took for pain - as we discovered that was a very rare side effec with some folks. What are your thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
neuropathy

Detailed Answer:
What you have just described is what we call as neuropathy . steroid is just a short effect medicine for it. It's a quick fix solution.
The ideal way to go is to find out more about the symptoms. We have to diagnose the cause of the neuropathy.

The most common cause is diabetes. I will suggest that you have the following tests.
Hemoglobin, kit, TSH, ana, XXXXXXX and ncv of all 4 limbs. These tests will be able to suggest a diagnosis.

Best of luck.
Dr Mittal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (4 hours later)

I have had pretty consistent blood tests done, and none have ever said my blood sugar was high. My 3 month base line leading up to this was always below 100 and the day I went in to Dr - after fasting for at least 12 hours, it was under 100 - so they felt confident I don't have diabetes at this time. Any other thoughts? Could it be some kind of allergic reaction?

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Other causes

Detailed Answer:
Good to hear from you that the sugars are well controlled.
But diabetes is just one cause of the neuropathy.
There are other things, and we need to evaluate them.

The fact that you WERE relieved on steroids strongly suggest neuropathy.
Try pregabalin and methycobalamin. The symptoms may reduce with them.
Try to get ANA and XXXXXXX tested as well.

Best of luck.
Dr Mittal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar