Have you tired an antihistamine? I only got the itching if I had to be on percocet after surgery. I never had a rash though.

I have itching too. It I also comes and goes. Have you tried an antihistamine? I was on Allegra daily but went off of it ...it was causing a racing heart. Itching is back...sometimes I think it is the Plaquenil but it doesn't happen every day. I have other allergies and I think it may be a combination of things. But then I have been wondering if stress increases the itching? It isn't horrible just annoying. I don't want to go off the Plaquenil I feel so much better on it that the itching is worth it. It doesn't seem to be hives....
It will be interesting to see how many of us experience itching.
Terrilynne

I take Zyrtec and Singulair daily as well as Medrol! AAAUGH. What else is there? Maybe oatmeal baths? Thanks for the suggestions.
Anyone but me and Terrilynne get this?
Mary Ann

Also, I am off the Plaquenil. That seemed to help the rashes. Didnt have any while I was on it.
Mary Ann

went to derm for this and they started me on allegra and axid 2xday and I have no more rashes its part of the MCTD according to the derm I went to who is up on our Disease. Good Luck-Michelle

I was itching horribly after showers (no rash) about 5 weeks ago. Long story short, Benadryl helped me the most and I'm probably allergic to Plaquenil, but I wanted to share something else that is helping.

On the suggestion of a friend who has systemic scleroderma, I stopped using body wash/soap in the shower (except my underarms) and I started slathering on Eucerin Calming Cream right after showers. My skin has never been this good in the winter and I live at high altitude in a dry climate.

If you're a bath person, my friend suggests putting tea tree oil in the water, but I haven't tried that yet.

Good luck!
Cori

P.S. - I've also used a Braun electric shaver for years because regular razors irritate my skin.

I too the itching drives me crazy and then I started to bleed from the scratches Spoke to my heamotoloist last week and she said it's not blood related or from my meds. I am due at the Rheumy on the 16th March I will ask her....if I remember brain here.
I was told that the steroids should help with the itching if that is case then I would hate to think how much I would truly be itching if I was not on them.

Cori- No soap sounds like a good plan along with the lotion. I am a little better with the Dove soap and cortisone cream on after that followed by lotion. But I think I will try soapless. Thanks.
Mary Ann

nno soap, ever anywhere.

when in thailand had too much sun and covered in rash
unlike the odd rash here and there
this was overwhelming. chemist there gave me
Esperson (Desoximetarsone) and it worked well
other than that, i use cortisone cream on my horrid face
don't scratch

I use Dove to wash, then after drying while still all steamy, ammonia lactate lotion. If I miss a spot, I know it! Been that way for over 20 years.

Never hears of ammonia lactate lotion. What brands have that in it?
Mary Ann

The brand I get from the VA is the same as sold at Costco, "Am-Lactin" It really does help me.

I too am itchy all over. It started after a surgery I had. I have tried All Clear for laundry and Dove for the shower. I take zyrtec, but it does not stop it. An allergist I went to gave me a round of cortisone... That has been the only relief I have had. It helped for 6-8 weeks, but it is back now. worse than ever. I have always known I have a nickel allergy, so I am wondering If the nickel in food is now causing me problems. The allergy dr. wanted to start patch testing in Jan. My insurance changed to a high deductable, so now I am insurance poor, I can't afford to use it. How often can prednisone be used without causing problems? My pc thinks the itch is mctd related, but the rheumy did not. Thanks for listening...

I don't know why Rheumy's have such a problem remembering what they diagnose. MCTD mimics sclerderma. Duh! It also mimics Lupus so I don't get how people can have both.

OK, now the MP plug. I have been on it for 5 moths now. I have reduced my itching and burning. Right now I think my D is dropping and therefore my herx is up. I'm itching at ankles and wrists again after months of freedom. Eventually I will be free of all nuisance symptoms.

Remember, herx is a happy pain.