How to solve persistent body itching - #20413
I am a Nigerian, I first experience serious body itching when I left my country to India to pursue my bachelor degree, after three months in India I began to have serious body itching every time I walk under the sun or feel heat inside my house, the itching comes serious with goosebumps all over my body which will later disappear after the itching stopped.so I went to see a doctor that later conducted a blood test for me. The test revealed that I am completely fine, so the doctor prescribe a medication that I can't remember the name anymore(it was far back in 2014) so I used the medication and the itching stopped but comes back everytime I stopped using it, so I continue taking the medication for my four years of stying in India. I left India in 2018 and bought the drugs in a lot quantity and took it to my home country Nigeria. But since I got back to Nigeria in 2018 the itching never happened again, I had to dispose the drugs because it expired over time. Fast forward to 2025, I left my country again for Malta, I arrived in Malta in July 2025, and after three months of staying in Malta, the itching comes back again, so I visited a doctor and he prescribed prednisolone for me, i took it every day till I finished the whole pack, the itching stopped while I was using the drugs but later came back stronger after I had finished the pack, so I went back to the doctor and he prescribed an antihistamine for me, I takes the antihistamine (citirizine) daily and no changes at all, by myself I went for a stronger antihistamine (fexofenadine 180) still no changes. I went to the doctor again so he prescribed Atarax but still no changes. So I came here on this platform to share my predicament, so some doctor prescribed neurobion forte and gabapentin, I used the two but still no changes. I visited a bigger hospital in Malta and the doctor said she had no idea of what is wrong with me but also asked me to run some blood best which I have done. Doctors please help me I don't know what next to do because I can't bear the itching anymore. It comes everytime I feel heat or stressed. It's winter in Malta and I can't wear jacket or a thick clothing because of this issue. Even with the light clothings, the itching comes at least two times a day and at nights. Even if it cant't be cured,I want a medication that can maintain it like in India.
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.
Doctors’ responses
Hello Felix, thank you for sharing your concern. Based on your history, this strongly fits a condition called Cholinergic Urticaria / Heat-induced pruritus (sometimes also overlaps with heat-triggered neuropathic itch).
This gets triggered by heat, sweating, warm rooms, stress, exertion.
Start these medications - - Tab. Fexofenadine 180mg ij the morning. × 7 days. - Tab. Levocetirizne+Montelukast at night × 7 days.
Avoid overheating, hot showers. Lukewarm water only. Wear light cotton clothes. Avoid spicy food, alcohol. Reduce sudden temperature changes. Manage stress (stress is a major trigger).
What NOT to do- Repeated steroid courses (prednisolone). Increasing antihistamine dose randomly. Tight or synthetic clothing.
Seek urgent care if you ever get: Breathing difficulty, Lip/tongue swelling, Dizziness/fainting.
Review after 7 days.
Feel free to reach out again. Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, DNB D.Fam.Medicine
Hello
T Fexofenadine 180mg 1-0-0. × 7 days. T.Montelukast 0-0-1 × 7 days.
Follow these: Cold showers (not hot) Avoid sudden heat exposure Keep room cool Cotton, loose clothing only
You are not in danger This is manageable Many people live symptom-free on maintenance treatment
Thank you
Hello Felix Thanks for sharing your journey and what you’ve tried so far. It sounds really frustrating to deal with persistent itching, especially when multiple medications haven’t helped. Since you’ve already tried prednisolone (a steroid), several antihistamines (cetirizine, fexofenadine, Atarax), and even changed environments and clothing, it’s clear this is a tough case.
Possible Causes - Chronic urticaria (hives) or allergic reaction: Sometimes, the cause isn’t obvious and can be triggered by stress, environment, or unknown allergens. - Eczema or other skin conditions: These can flare up with climate changes or stress. - Systemic causes: Liver, kidney, thyroid problems, or even diabetes can cause itching. - Parasitic or fungal infections: Sometimes missed in initial checks. - Medication side effects: Any new medicines or supplements?
Next Steps - Blood Tests: Since you’ve done some, results for liver, kidney, Hemoglobin level, thyroid, and blood sugar are important. If you have the report, you can share it here and I’ll help explain what it means. - Skin Examination: Sometimes a dermatologist needs to look closely or do a skin biopsy. - Allergy Testing: Patch tests or other allergy workups can help.
What You Can Do Now - Moisturize: Use fragrance-free, gentle moisturizers. - Avoid triggers: Hot showers, harsh soaps, and tight clothing can worsen itching. - Keep a diary: Note when itching is worse, what you eat, and any exposures.
Please share me your report so that I can prescribe you Medicine accordingly .
Thank you
08-Jan-26 Liver profile Bilirubin (Total) [ 1.72 - 17.1] µmol/l 11.79 Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [ 10 - 50] U/L 23.8 Albumin (serum) [ 33 - 45] Gm/L 46.8 Random Blood Glucose Glucose (random) [ 3.9 - 7.8] mmol/L 4.6 Renal profile Sodium (Serum) [ 135 - 145] mmol/l 140 Chloride (serum) [ 98 - 106] mmol/l 106 Serum potassium [ 3.5 - 5.1] mmol/l 4.5 Creatinine (Serum) [ 62 - 106] µmol/l 89.7 92 estimated GFR [mls/min/1.73m2]
Test Urea (Serum) Thyroid Function Tests Result 4.8 mmol/L Reference Range 2.5 - 7.5 Free Thyroxine (FT4) 13.9 pmol/L Reference Range 12.0 - 22.0 Free Triiodothyronine(FT3) 5.8 pmol/L Reference Range 3.1 - 6.7 Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) 1.8 mIU/L Reference Range 0.3 - 4.2
Hello Doctor, their is no provision here to upload my result, but I showed the doctors in Malta, they all said the result showed no sign of negativity. I only have goosebumps all over my body while the itching is going but gradually disappear as the itching is relieving me. some says its neuro issue, and I used gabapentin for weeks, no changes, I have also tried different antihistamines all to no avail.
Hello Felix By going through your reports, these all reports look normal . But I have doubts regarding Hemoglobin level. I have seen cases where patient have high hemoglobin due to which these symptoms starts . For such patients we generally prescribed blood donation or cupping therapy . If possible get your blood test done which Includes Hemoglobin level. And it doesn’t seems any neuro problem so not to go with any Gabapentin . And antihistamine provide you with only symptomatic treatment only . Most of these are related with blood . Visit your nearest lab and get Complete blood Count test done which Includes Hemoglobin. Afterwards send or text me your report… we will figure out a better and permanent treatment for it .
Thank you
Complete Blood Count
[PARAMETER
[RESULT]
[REFERENCE RANGE]
White Blood Cell Count
3.97
[10^9/L]
[4.5-11]
Red Cell Count
4.94
[10^12/L]
[3.9-5.6]
Haemaglobin
15.0 [g/L]
[14.1-17.2]
Haematocrit
42.5
[%]
[36-48]
Mean Cell Volume (MCV)
86.0
[FL]
[96-95]
Mean Cell Hb
30.4
[pg]
[27-34]
Mean Cell Hb Conc
35.3
[g/dL]
[30-36]
Platelets
173
[10^9/L]
[140-4001
Mean Platelet Vollume
11.5
[fL]
[03-134]
Red Cell Distribution Width (CV)
13.4
[%]
[11.0-14.6)
Neutrophil Aba
1.39
[10^9/L]
[2.5-7.5)
Lymphocytes Abs
2.08
[10^9/L]
[1.6-3.51
Monocytes Abs
0.47
[10^9/L]
[0.2-0.81
Basophils Abs
0.02
[10^9/L]
[0-0.1)
Eosinophils Abs
0.01
[10^9/L]
[0-0.41
Immature Granulocytes
0.00
[10^9/L]
[0-0.09]
8197
Clinical Details:
BLOOD TEST
08-Jan-26 Investigation
Result
Reference Range
Liver profile
Bilirubin (Total)
11.79
[1.72 17.1] µmol/1
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
23.8
[1050] U/L
Albumin (serum)
46.8
[3345] Gm/L
Random Blood Glucose
Glucose (random)
4.6
[3.9 7.8] mmol/L
Renal profile
Sodium (Serum)
[135 145] mmol/l
Chloride (serum)
106
[98106] mmol/l
4.5
Serum potassium
[3.5 5.1] mmol/l
Creatinine (Serum)
140
89.7
[62 106] µmol/l
estimated GFR
[mls/min/1.73m21
Interpretation.
92
Hello Felix Everything looks great . But I am suggesting you some tips and Medicine so kindly follow these for a week or 15 days .
What You Can Do Now - Moisturize: Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer after bathing. - Avoid Hot Showers: Use lukewarm water instead. - Mild Soap: Switch to a gentle, non-irritating soap. - Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water. - Avoid smoking or reduce it if doing . - Avoid stress or anger issues. - Rx- Aspirin (75 mg) + Atorvastatin (20 mg): - take half tablet on alternate days for a week mean half tablet on Monday then another half tablet on Wednesday and then another half tablet on Friday. Mean skip days .
Hope this will help you out soon .
Thank you
Hello dear See as per clinical history it seems urticaria. Iam suggesting some medication and precautions Please follow them for atleast two weeks Fexofenadine 180mg 1-0-0. × 7 days. T.Montelukast 0-0-1 × 7 days. I’m addition Apply Tulsi alovera gel twice a day for 1 month Aquaphor moisturizer twice a day for 1 month You may be required to get following tests done Patch test Blood allergy test Intradermal skin test Esr Cbc Crp. In case of no improvement in symptoms consult dermatologist in person for better clarity and show the result to concerned physician only Regards
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.
