Itchy back - crawling sensation - suggestions

nonnatus

Well, it's when somebody is talking about you of course! Pfft!, Can't believe no-one else thought of it.

Miss_Havisham

A general point, I don't want to scaremonger, just some advice.

Anyone suffering from prolonged and really bad itching to the point that they scratch until they draw blood really should get immediate medical advice. It can be a symptom of quite serious conditions.

Miss H

usignuolo

My itching is not that bad - nothing at all visible on the surface and does not itch to draw blood. (I had bed bugs once on a trip to the USA - now that is some serious itching.)

I suppose I could be allergic to something although I always use non biological washing powders. My hair is short so doubt that it the cause and in any case my head does not itch.

The itching sensation is confined to my back and in particular my shoulder blades. A light scratch, of the type you might get using a hairbrush, seems to settle it for a while. Almost like some false stimulation.

I don't want to take any drugs was thinking more of folk remedies. Been reading a book on herbs and found these which I might try (see below). Also there is a medical herbalists shop locally and I might go in there and ask.

Meanwhile
Basil. Splash your skin with refreshing basil tea. Like cloves, basil contains high amounts of eugenol, a topical anesthetic. Place 1/2 ounce dried basil leaves in a 1-pint jar of boiling water. Keep it covered to prevent the escape of the aromatic eugenol from the tea. Allow to cool. Dip a clean cloth into the tea and apply to itchy skin as often as necessary.
Mint. Chinese folk medicine values mint as a treatment for itchy skin and hives. Mint contains significant amounts of menthol, which has anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically. In general, mint also contains high amounts of the anti-inflammatory rosmarinic acid, which is readily absorbed into the skin. To make a mint tea rinse, place 1 ounce dried mint leaves in 1 pint boiling water. Cover and allow to cool. Strain, dip a clean cloth in the tea, and apply to the itchy area when necessary.
Thyme. There is one more spice on the rack that makes a good anti-itch rinse: thyme. This fragrant herb contains large amounts of the volatile constituent thymol, which has anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties. In other words, it numbs that darn itch while reducing inflammation caused by all your scratching. To make a thyme rinse, place 1/2 ounce dried thyme leaves in a 1-pint jar of boiling water. Cover and allow to cool. Strain and dip a clean cloth into the tea, then apply to affected areas. Note: In Chinese folk medicine, dandelion root, easily plucked from most yards, is added to this rinse. If in season, place 1 ounce dried dandelion root and 1/2 ounce dried thyme leaves into 1 quart boiling water and proceed as directed.