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So....kind of a weird question but i'm trying to rule things out.

Anyways I've been on HRT for a little over three weeks and in the past couple of days my skin has been itching like crazy. Not all over but in patches or specific areas. Sometimes it just the palms of my hands and sometimes just a patch on my leg. Occasionally the area breaks out in itchy bumps or hives.

I think it might be allergies to something but since I've never experienced something like this before I wanted to check and see if anyone else has had these kind of side effects being on hormones. I don't have any other symptoms its just these damn itchy rashes that are driving me nuts.   >:(

As a life long sufferer of excema i'll ask what my doctor or dermatologist would ask first.

Have you changed soap products recently?
Have you changed brand of washing powder?
Have you tried a new deoderant or perfume?

If anything has changed along these lines recently then make a list of what products have changed & remove them from your routine.
Give your skin a few days to settle & re-introduce one product for a week & check if you get a reaction.
I've had to do this elimination process many times in my life.

Also think about your diet, has it changed?
Even one new food being added to your diet can cause a reaction, for example I cannot eat tomatoes, I never noticed a major effect until I ate several cherry tomatoes in a row & within minutes my skin was changing colour & getting very, very itchy.

If none of this applies to you then make an appointment to speak to your gp, they may be able to advise via a phone consultation but I find it's better to see the doctor in person as they can tell alot from seeing the rash/dry patches.

If you can't get to see a GP soon then speak to a pharmasist, they will be able to recommend the best moisturiser/cream to reduce the itching & dryness

This happened to me about a month and a half ago...for a few days I thought I had shingles (karma for having chicken pox 4 times as a kid). Rash on the forearms, and just above the knees.

During the itchy & scratchy phase (which was really bad at night), the skin was scratched to the point of bleeding..and in spite of keeping everything clean, I got a major infection in both arms, they swelled up bigger than a roll of TP.

Doc rules out shingles, gives me antibiotics, swelling and infection goes down, but suddenly I get large welts all over. Turns out I am allergic to the antibiotics!

It's been slowly healing up, doc recommended antihystemines to reduce the allergy effects (just over the counter stuff they sell for runny noses etc).

I think it was (in my case) the laundry soap...I'd changed formulas (same company), but was probably over-using the amount needed. I cut down the serving size of the soap by half, and it has been s l o w l y recovering.

Thanks for the replies.

Well, I've narrowed it down to two possible things based on your responses.

Either its the new body wash I've been using or something I ate.

I'm starting to think it was this new brand of potato salad I tried. The rashes/itching started the night I had it with dinner and were gone in the morning. I went the whole day without any issues then I had some again after I got home and almost immediately the itching flared up again and has been slowly dying down since last night and i'm right now at the point where it has almost completely stopped. I think i'm going to try to avoid it and see what happens.

If you still have the suspect potato salad then keep the container so when you but your normal brand you can cross check the ingredients.
I'd have saved myself alot of hassle if i'd done that years ago.

Pop into a chemist & ask about Oilatum bath oil (it may have a different name in your country), it's great for moisturising & helps to prevent the dry patches from itching, in the UK you can buy it without a prescription

Best of luck

Quote from: Jayne on October 18, 2012, 06:02:07 PM
If you still have the suspect potato salad then keep the container so when you but your normal brand you can cross check the ingredients.
I'd have saved myself alot of hassle if i'd done that years ago.

Pop into a chemist & ask about Oilatum bath oil (it may have a different name in your country), it's great for moisturising & helps to prevent the dry patches from itching, in the UK you can buy it without a prescription

Best of luck

Well I ruled out the potato salad because I didn't eat any and i'm still having the hives.

I'm starting to think it may have something to do with the skin changes from HRT and the hair follicles since most of the areas that are itching are ones that were recently shaved and hair is growing back through. I took a picture of the back of my thigh to show what it looks like though its not that bad looking


Dead link

I would definately see a pharmasist or GP for that, I often get bumps like that but they are always redder than the rest of the skin, it may be the picture quality but I can't see much colour change on the bumps.
Virtualy every non-prescription medicine I know & use is aimed at reducing the redness, once the redness is gone the itching dies down.

As i'm not on HRT yet I can't say if that's the cause

I'm starting to think it may be the premarin i'm taking for HRT. One of the known side effects is hives/rashes.

I might give my Endo a call and see what he says.

Pre-HRT I was able to use an epilator with no problem, however after I started HRT I found that as well as reducing body hair it also made it a lot finer. 
The epilator would simply break it off under the skin instead of pulling it out. 
The result was a lot of ingrowns as the follicles couldn't get out through the skin properly and would itch like crazy. It has lessened but still can be annoying at times.

Karen.

I'll second the finer body hair...during my itchy era, I didn't shave for about 5 weeks...normally I'd be "male normal" by then, but now I've much less hair (less than half the density), and it was less than 1/4" (5mm-ish) on the arms, less than 1/8" on the legs.

That being said...after about a week with little to no itching, it's back now.  :(

Quote from: justmeinoz on October 20, 2012, 05:28:37 AM
Pre-HRT I was able to use an epilator with no problem, however after I started HRT I found that as well as reducing body hair it also made it a lot finer. 
The epilator would simply break it off under the skin instead of pulling it out. 
The result was a lot of ingrowns as the follicles couldn't get out through the skin properly and would itch like crazy. It has lessened but still can be annoying at times.

Karen.

This sounds a lot like what is happening. I noticed the hives and rashes tended to correspond with areas that were closely shaven and the hairs were growing back through the skin. Thankfully it has been dying down since this morning (keeps fingers crossed)

I have been having crazy sudden itches all over me - the soles of my feet especially, but i find myself constantly scratching somewhere.

HRT? I dunno. But i don't remember itching like this prior to starting HRT.

Looks like a contact dermatitis.  Lotion or even your Premarin.  Hydrocortisone cream can help with the itching.  Also try BNP ( Neosporine) to keep down and infection and help with healing.

Quote from: riven1 on October 20, 2012, 10:27:22 PM
I have been having crazy sudden itches all over me - the soles of my feet especially, but i find myself constantly scratching somewhere.

HRT? I dunno. But i don't remember itching like this prior to starting HRT.

The soles of my feet were the first to start itching (really bad  >:() I'm starting to think its from skin changes coupled with the weather.

hives can be a reaction/med allergies and 3 week is too short a time to be changes to hair growth..

Quote from: Stephe on October 21, 2012, 01:03:28 AM
3 week is too short a time to be changes to hair growth..

O rly?

It must just be a figment of my imagination.

I would suggest a trip to your doctor. One possible side effect of HRT is thrombocytopenia, a drop in platelets, which can be very itchy, and can be serious. I would get that ruled out to be on the safe side.

Cindy

Spiro can cause hives and rashes. I get hives occasionally but its not brought on by shaving, its usually just completely random.
how long have you been shaving your thighs? it can take the skin a while to get used to it. I only really shave up to just beyond my knees but when I first started doing it the skin would get irritated just like that picture you showed. After a few years my skin just didn't seem to care any more. I've been shaving my legs for about 18 years though.

Quote from: Cindy James on October 21, 2012, 02:31:03 AM
I would suggest a trip to your doctor. One possible side effect of HRT is thrombocytopenia, a drop in platelets, which can be very itchy, and can be serious. I would get that ruled out to be on the safe side.

Cindy

I looked it up and I don't have any of the other symptoms so I seriously doubt that's it. It's been 24 hours since my last rash and I've cut out everything new that I had started within the last week prior to the rashes (foods, lotion, body wash) I'm hoping it was just one of those.

Honestly I don't even have a GP. Last time I was in a GPs office was for a physical four years ago. I haven't even been really sick for over 2 years, I don't drink or smoke and i'm pretty healthy. I have no family history of serious illness or cancer that wasn't brought about by poor choices (smoking). Genetically I think i'm in good shape. I'm pretty confident its just something to do with skin changes from HRT or some new product I used based on what I've heard from you guys.

Thanks everyone for your sharing your experiences and knowledge, ill keep you posted on what happens.

Quote from: Isabelle on October 21, 2012, 04:09:08 AM
Spiro can cause hives and rashes. I get hives occasionally but its not brought on by shaving, its usually just completely random.
how long have you been shaving your thighs? it can take the skin a while to get used to it. I only really shave up to just beyond my knees but when I first started doing it the skin would get irritated just like that picture you showed. After a few years my skin just didn't seem to care any more. I've been shaving my legs for about 18 years though.

OOooohh....if it is, then an orchi should be paid for by the insurance people.... :)

...I might have to set an appt with my endo and GP...

Yeah, the rash thing only happens in %1 of people though so it's pretty rare but, it is known and does happen. I imagine the trick would be finding a dr willing to tell the insurance company the rash is from the spiro?

Quote from: Isabelle on October 22, 2012, 02:47:15 PM
Yeah, the rash thing only happens in %1 of people though so it's pretty rare but, it is known and does happen. I imagine the trick would be finding a dr willing to tell the insurance company the rash is from the spiro?

Well, I've always wanted to be able to say...



...wait for it...





WAIT FOR IT.....





WAIT FOR IT....





I am the 1%.

;)

Lolololololololol so good.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.antifeministtech.info%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F03%2Fgodzilla_facepalm.jpg&hash=52e7f4330eaba9cff5f773ff65d25345517fd79f)

You know, if you watch the original Godzilla in reverse its about a giant lizard that rebuilds Tokyo then moonwalks into the ocean.

Interesting topic, i've had what seems like the hives pop up on my arm out of no wheres like a week ago with small red blister like bumps that seem to be really itchy at night an they seem to be forming around follicles I had recently shaved an seem to be growing back.

Quote from: Andarta on April 09, 2013, 03:57:03 PM
Interesting topic, i've had what seems like the hives pop up on my arm out of no wheres like a week ago with small red blister like bumps that seem to be really itchy at night an they seem to be forming around follicles I had recently shaved an seem to be growing back.

This happened to me also...at first, just thought it was a rash (even though I'd wake up 2-3 times each night, scratching like CRAZY, to the point of bleeding to get rid of the itch...would rinse with cold water, stay up until the blood (plasma, usually) would coagulate...I suspect it is related to the Spiro = low testosterone = dry skin = itchy skin (the infection that followed was probably due to the constant itching with fingernails).

A couple weeks later when I was at work, my arms decided they'd had enough, and demonstrated how badly they could become infected...they swelled to the size of TP rolls (no kidding, I compared), had to get on antibiotics to clear it up...there are still times when I begin to get The Itchies (rarely, maybe once every other month or so), but a quick application of "Udder Ointment (http://www.udderointment.com/products)" and it's no longer a problem. (I use the 4 oz size, it carries easily in my purse)

That's the only thing that I found that alleviates the itching, and helps heal the rash. (I'd tried several products, lotions, anti-itch medications, etc)

I have no financial interest in the company, just passing on what works for me.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on April 22, 2013, 12:15:21 PM
This happened to me also...at first, just thought it was a rash (even though I'd wake up 2-3 times each night, scratching like CRAZY, to the point of bleeding to get rid of the itch...would rinse with cold water, stay up until the blood (plasma, usually) would coagulate...I suspect it is related to the Spiro = low testosterone = dry skin = itchy skin (the infection that followed was probably due to the constant itching with fingernails).

A couple weeks later when I was at work, my arms decided they'd had enough, and demonstrated how badly they could become infected...they swelled to the size of TP rolls (no kidding, I compared), had to get on antibiotics to clear it up...there are still times when I begin to get The Itchies (rarely, maybe once every other month or so), but a quick application of "Udder Ointment (http://www.udderointment.com/products)" and it's no longer a problem. (I use the 4 oz size, it carries easily in my purse)

That's the only thing that I found that alleviates the itching, and helps heal the rash. (I'd tried several products, lotions, anti-itch medications, etc)

I have no financial interest in the company, just passing on what works for me.

Did it ever clear up entirely for you? I suspect spiro may have had a part in mine too an I still have it to a small degree but not as bad.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's what it was...mine went to epic proportions because I was scratching it so badly and it got infected.

Yes, it cleared up but I still get it, or at least I am very sensitive to any rash that appears in the same general areas (upper arms (outside part, away from torso) and just above the knees (forward side of thighs) appearance/feeling. A quick application of that lotion and I'm good to go. I get it maybe once every 3-4 weeks, I'd guess.

I revisited this topic and wish to add a comment.  Over the last few months, I have had to cycle through all of my medications and supplements, to find the one that was causing me to break out in hives.  This was the suggestion of my dermatologist, who gave me a corticosteroid shot to ease the itching.

My first symptoms were sudden itching of the palms and the soles of my feet.  The doctor said that was often the result of ingesting an allergen - i.e. a food or medication allergy.

It looks like my allergies were caused by my Omega 3 & Omega 6 fish oil capsules.

 Mine is exclusive to my arms an it seems to be a case of dermatitis an when I shaved it irritated the area an infected the hair follicles causing folliculitis, I ended up going to the ER an was open about my transition an the medications I was taking an questioned whether the spiro or estrofem were to blame an she was certain it wasn't any sort of allergic reaction. I did trial a slightly higher dose of spiro than what I had been taking a month or two back an I believe it may have dried my skin out to the point where it laid the ground work for these issues to pop up. So I was prescribed prednisone an told to get benedryl for the itching an everything subsided until I shaved my arms again an it returned, albeit not the outrageous itchy bitch it had been. So i'm ruling it out as an allergic reaction to the hormones. I have had a history of psoriasis so perhaps this is the problem...

Quote from: Jamie D on May 14, 2013, 02:32:21 AM
I revisited this topic and wish to add a comment.  Over the last few months, I have had to cycle through all of my medications and supplements, to find the one that was causing me to break out in hives.  This was the suggestion of my dermatologist, who gave me a corticosteroid shot to ease the itching.

My first symptoms were sudden itching of the palms and the soles of my feet.  The doctor said that was often the result of ingesting an allergen - i.e. a food or medication allergy.

It looks like my allergies were caused by my Omega 3 & Omega 6 fish oil capsules.

That's interesting an maybe that's what caused the original flare for me, I do recall being on an all fish diet when things first occurred. Hmmm...

Quote from: Andarta on May 14, 2013, 09:33:25 PM
That's interesting an maybe that's what caused the original flare for me, I do recall being on an all fish diet when things first occurred. Hmmm...

You were on an all fish diet? Were there ant worthwhile benefits. I've been thinking about going vegan, but I like meat too much.

Quote from: Joanna Dark on May 14, 2013, 10:20:11 PM
You were on an all fish diet? Were there ant worthwhile benefits. I've been thinking about going vegan, but I like meat too much.

I was doing it for the high protein content which I hear is supposed to be good along with hrt for development. :)

Just a warning itching skin or hives all over your body is a common symptom of very high elevated liver enzymes.

Your liver is being overloaded and not filtering out toxins (biliruben) which makes your skin itch. Keep yourselves "checked".

Quote from: MaidofOrleans on October 19, 2012, 10:18:56 PM
I'm starting to think it may be the premarin i'm taking for HRT. One of the known side effects is hives/rashes.

And one of the other known side-effects is increased risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism, more so with this form of estrogen than bio-identical estrogen. Why are you taking Premarin?

From http://www.babycenter.com/0_itchy-skin-during-pregnancy_9450.bc

"It's not uncommon to feel itchy, particularly around your growing belly and breasts as your skin stretches to accommodate them. Hormonal changes may also be partly to blame.

Some pregnant women find that their palms and the soles of their feet get red and sometimes itchy. This condition may be caused by an increase in estrogen."

"You may also find that things that normally make you itchy, such as dry skin, make you even itchier when you're pregnant. Eczema often worsens during pregnancy, though some women find that their condition actually improves. With psoriasis the situation is reversed: Many women report less severe symptoms during pregnancy, while a few find that being pregnant makes their psoriasis worse.
Finally, there are certain conditions unique to pregnancy that may cause you to develop very itchy rashes or to itch all over without a rash (see below)."

"Severe itchiness in the second or, more commonly, the third trimester can be a sign of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a liver problem that affects up to 1 percent of pregnant women in the United States.

When bile doesn't flow normally in the small ducts of your liver, bile salts accumulate in your skin, which makes you itchy. The itching may affect your soles and palms first, but it can occur anywhere, and many women with ICP feel itchy all over. The itchiness can be extremely intense and is typically worse at night.

Itching is the only symptom at first. The condition itself doesn't cause a rash, but you may end up with red, irritated skin with little cuts in areas where you're scratching a lot. Some women have other symptoms, too, such as loss of appetite, mild nausea, and malaise. A minority of women develop mild jaundice."

Just realized it was an old post...but I'll leave the info anyways...good to know! Indeed liver problems could cause itchiness. I had lots of hives after my SRS and for the next couple of years but liver was fine. Years later, my gallbladder was full of stones, had an operation to remove it and feel better since. Rarely get hives these days...but still the occasional one here and there.