OK, I've noticed my hands have swelled more the past few days, to the point I've had to take off my rings. But the one thing that is driving me batty is the tops of my hands ITCH!!! Does this happen to anyone else? I have heard that skin irritations and problems can be part of the symptoms. My RD searched me for rashes and skin problems so that I wasn't diagnosed with another disease. I guess other AI diseases have a lot of skin issues with them. Let us know what you find out. Yes, sometimes. I think the itching has to do with the infection of the swell, vs. dryness. get a good collegen hand creme, I did and it seems to help with the tightnessand softens the skin and allows for stretching. Sometims I think the itching comes with warmer weather and dryness.
Dryness will cause that horrible itching to the back of your hands. A few really good hand lotions are Palmers shea butter or Camilla brand lotions (if you wash your hand alot or have them in water frequently), Eucerine is good for scaly patches and rashes (like eczema), and if you want a great splurge item try the Mary Kay Satin Hands kit. A really good thing that you can do is to get a lotion warmer (or wrap a baby wipe warmer around your lotion) and massage in the warm lotion onto your hands at bedtime. Put on a pair of cotton glove and sleep like that. Your joints stay warm and your skin will be silky the next day.
Avoid lotions with alot of perfumes that can irritate, it your skin is very sensitive stick with the Eucerine or try Aveeno lotion with oatmeal in it.
ps also try drinking more water and keep away from caffine while having a flare up it may help with the dryness of the skin if you keep yourself hydrated Teri, I also have itchy skin and hives all over. I have had it for almost 4 years now and have never had any doctor be able to get answers. I have had thyroid tests done but they were okay. I have taken different meds, most of which were making me really sleepy. I started on chlorphenermine about 3 yrs ago and it works well. Some times I only have to take it once a day, other times I have to take it 2 or more times a day (rarely). Chlorphenermine is the generic of Chlortrimiton. I get 90 in a bottle for .00 at Wal-mart. I did notice a big decrease in the ammt. of times I had problems or needed to take the medicine while I was on Pred. but now that I am off the Pred. the itchiness is back. I have found certain soaps and detergents to make it much worse. I stick with Dove or Johnson and Johnson body washes, and I always moisturize after I get out of the shower. It doesnt stop it, but it does help reduce it.
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