So today after showering, I had a chronic itching episode in my legs. I had a series of episodes years ago and seems that it was in remission until today. People, it was baaaad. So I googled "morning itch" and miraculously I found an explanation to what I had. Disease is called Aquagenic pruritus and doctors say is a deficiency of vitamin D. May be attached to my thyroid condition( another entry blog).So apparently tanning is good for my skin since the sun provides the best form of this vitamin. Sorry Mom, this means I need to continue to go the beach very weekend.
This is what I found:
Aquagenic pruritus is a skin disease characterized by the development of severe, intense, prickling-like epidermal itching that is without observable skin lesions and that is evoked by contact with water.
Symptoms can be felt immediately after contact with water or humid air and can persist for an hour or longer. Other triggers may be sweat or blowing air.
The disease seems to appear equally in both genders regardless of age and among people with varying skin tones. Aquagenic pruritus is sometimes a symptom of primary polycythemia or polycythemia vera.
This disease is not to be taken lightly since the intensity of the itch impedes normal activities, limits bathing, and very commonly leads to severe depression. People have been known to suffer alone with this condition for years because family members and doctors did not believe there was a physical cause to the invisible symptoms. Upon receiving a diagnosis of aquagenic pruritus, many people express relief that the condition has been validated, and they are not "going crazy."
Symptoms can be felt immediately after contact with water or humid air and can persist for an hour or longer. Other triggers may be sweat or blowing air.
The disease seems to appear equally in both genders regardless of age and among people with varying skin tones. Aquagenic pruritus is sometimes a symptom of primary polycythemia or polycythemia vera.
This disease is not to be taken lightly since the intensity of the itch impedes normal activities, limits bathing, and very commonly leads to severe depression. People have been known to suffer alone with this condition for years because family members and doctors did not believe there was a physical cause to the invisible symptoms. Upon receiving a diagnosis of aquagenic pruritus, many people express relief that the condition has been validated, and they are not "going crazy."
1 comment:
Carla, I'm so glad you found the name Aquagenic Pruritus! As one of the authors of the Wikipedia article from which you quoted (without attribution), I am glad to have helped.
Did you read all the way down to the bottom? It says "Personal experiences of sufferers and helpful suggestions may be found here". To join the online support group of which I am co-moderator, go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/aquagenicskin/. There are over 700 of us.
BTW, there is no medical consensus on the Vitamin D angle. Tanning does help many of us, but medical treatment with UVB is more controlled and safer for the skin.
Marnie
Post a Comment