I know that self-diagnosing by browsing the internet is often a bad idea. But in this case I think I got it right.
For months, every time after I get out of the shower, my legs would start itching. At times it is almost unbearable, and I sit there scratching away. It peaks about 5 minutes after drying off, and then usually lasts about an hour. It’s mostly in my feet and legs below the knees, though I get a little itchy on my back and other places.
At first I thought maybe I was allergic to the soap, or maybe the detergent or softener used to wash my towel, but switching things didn’t help at all.
Finally a little research on the internet showed that I was not alone: I had Aquagenic Pruritis. Aqua = water, Genic = cause, Pruritis = Itching.
There is no cure, but there are things to do to reduce the symptoms. I have tried three things:
1) Rub Benadryl lotion on my legs after my shower. It helps, but it takes 10-15 minutes to work, and it’s unpleasant waiting for it to take effect.
2) Desensitize the skin by multiple applications each day of a capsaicin lotion. (Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers that make them taste spicy. Be warned not to touch your eyes after applying!) I don’t know if this has helped. Maybe I don’t put it on enough times each day.
3) The thing that helps the most: Rub baby oil over my legs before my shower. Apparently this seals the skin so the water has less contact. It makes my legs a little oily, naturally, but a light layer isn’t bad. And it helps a lot, almost totally eliminating the itch.
I’ll keep up the capsaicin treatment for a while, and hopefully I can reduce my skin sensitivity, but for now I’ll continue going to bed oily. And if I forget both, there’s always the Benadryl with it’s belated help.
Ouchy! That doesn’t sound like any fun. There is a 4th alternative that you didn’t mention. You could always see a Dr.
Comment by Don — August 8, 2010 @ 5:34 pm
Doctor, Shmoctor! I know as much as they do…
OK, you’re right, I guess that is a reasonable alternative. If my self-treatment doesn’t continue to help I’ll think about it.
Comment by Daryl — August 8, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
Or you could quit taking showers…. Nah. Bad idea. All of us would rebel at that.
Strange malady. Do you know what causes it? Is it genetic? Environmental? Psychological? Gynecological? Illogical?
Comment by Richard — August 8, 2010 @ 6:24 pm
I suspect it only happens to Liberals…
running away now…
Comment by Don — August 8, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
Hey, I self diagnosed my Benign Positional Vertigo via research on the web. I’ve heard that if you read it on the internet, it must be true! (I think I read that on the internet).
Another treatment on the wiki page you linked to is UV light, or a tanning bed. Have you considered that? Might be worthwhile in moderation.
Comment by Donna — August 9, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
When I was a kid, I had a period of time that I was allergic to water. In those days, the doctor had me wash in milk! That was before benadryl. Good thing we had lots of cows; I just deprived the pigs of some of their skimmed milk. Ugh! Not pleasant. Now, sometimes I itch, and I take 50 mg. benadryl caplets–that’s two baby pills, It helps more than anything. If I use capsaicin ointment, I do the native dance until I get it washed off, and my body part is bright red. None of that for me; the cure is worse than the condition.
Comment by Mom — August 9, 2010 @ 11:16 pm
Maybe you have been sleeping on a tick mattress:)
Comment by Dale — August 10, 2010 @ 4:04 pm
How are you and water doing? Is it a continuing problem, or was it a short time episode?
Comment by Mom — August 10, 2010 @ 10:36 pm
It’s been bothering me for months, and still does, except when I remember to pre-treat with baby oil.
Comment by Daryl — August 11, 2010 @ 9:40 pm
Any change? Still using just the baby oil?
Comment by Donna — September 30, 2010 @ 6:40 pm
It hasn’t been as bad lately. I’ve stopped using the baby oil, but I keep a spray bottle of Benadryl nearby and use it almost every night on my legs. It takes a few minutes, but then works pretty well.
Comment by Daryl — September 30, 2010 @ 7:36 pm
Do you still have problems with this? I’ve thought about you lately because I had about 6-7 weeks of itching episodes following my surgery. A week of taking Zyrtec every night (at my doctor’s recommendation) finally broke the cycle. How is your Aquagenic Pruritis?
Comment by Donna — July 7, 2011 @ 9:52 am
I still have the problem sometimes, though interestingly it went away while I was in Taiwan. I just spray topical Benadryl, or generic equivalent, and it feels better in a few minutes. Great stuff – it works on insect bites too.
Comment by Daryl Lafferty — July 7, 2011 @ 11:08 am
I got some spray Benedryl, but it’s really sticky. I didn’t like the feel on my legs and back when I was going to bed. I wonder if there is something in our water making you itch? Flouride?
Comment by Donna — July 7, 2011 @ 5:23 pm