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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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What Could Cause Itchy, Dry Skin On Limbs Especially In The Night?

I get very itchy all the time, almost like dry skin but it has been going on for over a year. I have scars from scratching and a lot of the marks look almost like pimples or small masquito bites. It is mainly on my calves but also my arms and upper legs. I have tried changing soaps, detergents, lotions, everything and nothing works. The itchyness does not seem to go away and worsens at night, sometimes I even wake myself up from scratching in my sleep.
posted on Sun, 23 Mar 2014
Twitter Tue, 8 Apr 2014 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 8 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
Hi,

You seem to have prurigo simplex. You seem to be atopic. You have dry skin. That might promot itchiness. You have papular lesions which are severely itchy more at night. This might be prurigo. The cause may be either irritant or allergen. However, you consult dermatologist. Some internal or systemic cause may be there. You should undergo for blood tests to rule out anaemia,DM,HIV,renal diseases,thyroid dysfunctions,liver function disturbances, autoimmune diseases..etc. oral antihistaminics like levocetirizine and steroids in tappering doses with short course of antibiotics might improve. Apply mild steroid cream. Avoid soap bath. Dettol liq. may be used for bath. If any irritant or allergen is found, you remove it or take treatment to cure the causative disease. You may be alright. I hope you got my answer.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD
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What Could Cause Itchy, Dry Skin On Limbs Especially In The Night?

Hi, You seem to have prurigo simplex. You seem to be atopic. You have dry skin. That might promot itchiness. You have papular lesions which are severely itchy more at night. This might be prurigo. The cause may be either irritant or allergen. However, you consult dermatologist. Some internal or systemic cause may be there. You should undergo for blood tests to rule out anaemia,DM,HIV,renal diseases,thyroid dysfunctions,liver function disturbances, autoimmune diseases..etc. oral antihistaminics like levocetirizine and steroids in tappering doses with short course of antibiotics might improve. Apply mild steroid cream. Avoid soap bath. Dettol liq. may be used for bath. If any irritant or allergen is found, you remove it or take treatment to cure the causative disease. You may be alright. I hope you got my answer. Thanks. Dr. Ilyas Patel MD