What Causes Itching On Upper Back?

Posted on Thu, 13 Mar 2014

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

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 Answered on

Sat, 29 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Please help me. Why is my left upper back itching so badly/?? It's been this way for at least two years. They gave me Gabapentin and it just keeps me sleepy. I am miserable, please help.The itch never stops.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Need more information Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your concern and I would like to gather some more information from you in order to be able to help you better. -Do you have any skin changes at that site? -Was the itching preceded by some skin lesions? -Can you upload a picture of the affected area for me to be able to have a look at? -Can you describe the sensation better? Is it just itching sensation like it is after a mosquito bite OR is it some sort of weird sensations like tingling, burning sensation, insect crawling sensation etc regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 minutes later)

It doesn't tingle or anything. It just itches and sometimes turns red when I scratch. You can't see anything. But in the last year a little black mole has appeared. No crawling sensation or burning. Just itches. I can hardly send this text for itching.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Pruritus of unknown origin Detailed Answer: Hi. I would label it as Pruritus of unknown origin. For 'Pruritus of unknown origin', As a treating doctor my First line of treatment would be: -Non-sedating antihistamines e.g Fexofenadine 180mg once daily; Loratadine 10mg once daily. The dose can be safely titrated upwards upto 4 times the recommended dose i.e Fexofenadine XXXXXXX upto 720mg in a day in divided doses and loratadine XXXXXXX upto 40mg in a day in divided doses. If this proves ineffective or insufficient then i would like to add a First generation sedating antihistamines once or twice daily preferably at night e.g Hydroxyzine or Pheniramine or doxepin. This much is usually sufficient in most of the patients but if needed gabapentin can be given in addition to these Or may be Pregabalin can be given in place of gabapentin as it has a better tolerability profile as compared to gabapentin in terms of sedation. I hope this information helps you. regards

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