Persistent Itching Without Rash (35M)
Greetings, Ask Docs. I'm reaching out in desperation as I'm struggling with an overwhelming issue. Currently residing in Southern California, I'm experiencing the summer heat. Approximately one month ago, I began to feel a persistent itch in my armpits after starting a new job, with the only notable change being my switch to a different deodorant. Over the past week, this discomfort has expanded to encompass my entire torso, including my chest, back, hips, and arms up to the elbows, in addition to sporadic spots on my lower body. While I did observe a significant rash under my armpit, there are no other visible rashes elsewhere. I have sought medical assistance at Urgent Care on three occasions for this issue: 1. At the first visit, I was diagnosed with a yeast infection in my armpit which was spreading, and I was given an antifungal cream. 2. During my second appointment, the physician suggested it might be a general skin infection, prescribing Atarax for relief. 3. On my third visit, I was informed that the condition wasn't indicative of a yeast infection but rather skin irritation possibly due to an allergic response, resulting in a prescription for a low-dose steroid and Lubriderm. Following this, I received a call offering an appointment with a dermatologist. 4. At the dermatologist's office, it was determined that my symptoms didn't align with an allergic reaction, anxiety, or scabies after conducting a skin examination. Unfortunately, the root cause remained unclear, leading to a recommendation for a more potent steroid treatment for two weeks, complemented by a nighttime steroid cream. I have noted some relief from the Lubriderm, which I have continued to use, and was instructed to follow up in two weeks. To be candid, this situation is quite distressing. Despite applying the steroid, soaking in oatmeal baths, and moisturizing four times daily, the itch persists, interfering with my daily life. I am in search of a proper diagnosis or at least a lead on what could be causing these symptoms, as the impact on my life is quite significant. I've done some research and found that early signals of conditions like cancer or diabetes might resemble what I'm experiencing. A close relative of mine was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at an early stage, sparking fears about my own health. While I understand I might be worrying excessively, I thought it would be wise to turn to this community for any insights or potential remedies. Thank you for your assistance!
Answers (1)
8/15/2025, 12:41:23 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’ve been through a lot trying to find relief from your persistent itching, and it's completely understandable to feel distressed given the circumstances. Your situation, while uncomfortable and concerning, is not uncommon, and I’m here to help guide you through further steps.
Overview
The itching you're experiencing may stem from a variety of causes including skin irritation, allergic reactions, or even environmental factors. Given the treatments you’ve tried and the improvements observed, we can focus on practical self-care measures while you await further assessment from the dermatologist.
Explanation
- Skin Irritation and Infection: Changing deodorants or sweating due to heat can lead to irritation or infections, particularly in warm areas like your armpits. The antifungal treatment you received indicates there was concern for yeast overgrowth, which is common in warm, moist conditions.
- Allergic Reactions: Your dermatologist's insights suggest that this may not be strictly allergic, but being in a different environment or using new products could still irritate the skin.
- Underlying Conditions: While it’s natural to be concerned about serious conditions, persistent itching without a rash or significant systemic symptoms is often related to dermatological or irritative factors rather than serious internal diseases.
Next Steps
-
Continue Using Moisturizers: Since you’ve noted some relief with Lubriderm, keep this as your primary moisturizer. Apply it after bathing and whenever your skin feels dry.
-
Monitor and Document Symptoms: Keep a diary of when the itching worsens, including any food intake, products used (like soaps or detergents), and environmental factors. This can help identify potential triggers.
-
Oatmeal Baths: Continue soaking in oatmeal baths as these can provide soothing relief. If you haven’t tried it already, consider colloidal oatmeal for its skin-soothing properties.
-
Stay Hydrated: Ensure you drink plenty of water. Hydration can help maintain skin integrity and may reduce irritative feelings.
-
Consider Dermatology Follow-Up: You mentioned a follow-up appointment already, but if distress persists, discussing further allergy testing or investigational treatments like antihistamines might be beneficial if the itching continues unabated.
-
Avoid Irritants: Refrain from heavily scented body products, harsh soaps, or new detergents while you’re experiencing these symptoms. Minimalist products may help.
-
Manage Stress: It’s understandable to feel anxiety in these situations. Consider stress management techniques such as mindfulness, relaxation exercises, or gentle yoga, which can sometimes reduce the perception of discomfort.
Please remember that while it’s good to consider potential serious conditions, persistent itching without other alarming symptoms typically points to skin-related origins rather than systemic diseases. Stay Patient with the process, and keep communicating your concerns with your healthcare providers. Let me know if you have additional questions or need more assistance!
Related Questions
Discomfort in the Right Lower Back Area
I'm a 27-year-old male, and I've encountered a similar issue in the past—about three years ago, it persisted for several months and eventually resolved itself. Recently, this discomfort resurfaced on Saturday after I exited my car and walked a bit while feeling hungry, having driven for several hours. I notice that if I lean to my left and press on that area, it can be painful, though the intensity is manageable. The discomfort seems to be located beneath my ribcage, just above my hip, and close to my spine. It has a sensation that feels somewhat warm, with a tightening and radiating effect. This pain tends to intensify during physical activities but largely subsides when I'm sitting still. However, when it does flare up, it can persist for nearly an hour, tapering off gradually. At its peak, the pain registers around a 7 to 8 on the scale, and at times it dips to about a 3 or 4 in severity. I’m not experiencing any other noticeable symptoms, leading me to believe it could be a muscle strain or pulled muscle, and possibly linked to a pinched nerve rather than being related to any organ issues. If there isn’t some improvement soon, I may consider consulting a physician. While I think there has been slight progress, I experienced a significant increase in pain this evening after taking a shower and tidying up the dishes.
Experiencing Chest Discomfort and Occasional Eye Irregularities
Hello everyone, To begin with, I want to apologize for my English; I don’t use it frequently, so there may be some errors here. (I didn’t use the em dash because, well, I’m ChatGPT, and it feels a bit showy to me, haha.) For approximately the past year or two, I’ve been struggling with a persistent cough that refuses to subside. A few months ago, I consulted a physician about it. Despite undergoing several tests—lung capacity checks, heart evaluations, listening to my breath—the results returned normal. Consequently, the physician's conclusion was a bit of a mystery: they suggested it might be GERD and prescribed some proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for me to try. I used them for about two weeks, but after a brief period where they seemed to work (likely due to wishful thinking), they failed to alleviate the cough at all. Recently, I’ve been feeling increasingly sore and fatigued after minor activities, like getting out of bed or unloading the dishwasher. This discomfort sometimes comes with a sensation of my chest and lungs feeling weary, almost as if they had been overexerted. I should mention that stress from college projects and job hunting has significantly diminished my physical activity. I’ve never been particularly athletic, but in recent months, my lifestyle has become exceptionally sedentary even by my own relaxed standards. This also includes bouts of stress-induced eating, which I acknowledge is unhealthy and something I need to address. Another aspect that concerns me is the odd occurrence of my right pupil becoming larger than my left one at random times throughout the night. The moment I catch it in the mirror, it usually corrects itself. However, I have observed that when I look downward while tilting my head toward the side of the enlarged pupil, it stays larger for a bit until I adjust my position back to normal. I also feel added pressure in my head in such moments, which I attribute to blood pooling when I look down, and quite honestly, my neck isn’t in the best condition due to my lack of activity. Apologies if this comes off as just a stream of consciousness; it’s quite late, and I’ve never been recognized for my clarity in communication (thanks for reading this far, if you made it!).
Limited Finger Mobility After Weightlifting
Background information about me: - I am a 17-year-old male. - I began weightlifting just a few days ago. - I am prescribed Vyvanse for ADHD. Today, I tackled deadlifts, including straight bar deadlifts. After my workout, I noticed my fingers were somewhat difficult to open, but I did some stretching to relieve that. Even though some time has passed since the workout, I’ve observed that my fingers don’t curl back fully like they should; especially with my left hand. When I flex my wrist on my right side toward the outer elbow and curl my fingers, I can nearly touch my wrist effortlessly and without discomfort. In contrast, when I attempt the same motion with my left hand, both the middle and ring fingers feel as if they are tethered, limiting their movement to about a 45-degree angle. I’m also experiencing a tingly sensation in those fingers. I’m feeling quite anxious about this situation. In summary, my fingers feel stiff, tingly on the side with the palm, and I'm quite worried about what’s going on.
Understanding Thunderclap Headaches
Subject: Thunderclap Headache Episode Hello all, A brief overview of my medical background: I am an 18-year-old male, standing at 6’4” and weighing 75kg. I don’t have any known health issues; however, I am currently on a waiting list for a sleep assessment due to severe sleep inertia and moderate daytime drowsiness. Generally, I do not take any medications regularly, although I've recently used Nurofen Plus (which consists of 200mg ibuprofen and 12.8mg codeine) for three days due to complications with my wisdom teeth, with my last intake being two days ago. On a daily basis, I also take valerian root extract (385mg), L-theanine (200mg), and various vitamins and minerals. I vape, but I do not smoke, consume alcohol sparingly, and haven't engaged with recreational drugs lately. Earlier today, I experienced a thunderclap headache, which was the most intense headache I have ever encountered. The pain struck right after sexual activity, reaching its peak within 5 to 10 seconds during and following orgasm. After consulting with NHS 111, I was advised to head to the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. Upon arrival, I underwent triage, where my vital signs and temperature were assessed, and everything appeared normal. I then spoke to a physician in urgent care about 5-6 hours post-headache, at which point the pain had diminished significantly, aided by some paracetamol provided during triage. The doctor asked a few questions and even googled some information relevant to my case—she remarked, "Let me look this up"—before ultimately sending me home with instructions to call emergency services if the headache recurred. I have since researched the situation and learned that the likelihood of experiencing a subarachnoid hemorrhage with a thunderclap headache is roughly 10-25%. This statistic raises concerns for me, as I believe a CT scan may have been warranted to rule out any possible sentinel bleed. Consequently, I’m contemplating whether I should contact my GP in the morning or if they will simply adhere to A&E's recommendations. Thank you for any guidance you can provide.
Discomfort in the Nostrils
For quite some time now, I have been grappling with severe fissures within my nostrils. Occasionally, they show signs of healing, but more often than not, they remain persistent. Currently, the sensation is nearly intolerable. Unlike previous instances, there are no cracks this time; instead, both nostrils appear inflamed and feel extremely sensitive to the touch, akin to a rawness. Additionally, my cheeks have a warm sensation, and I have begun to experience discomfort in my lymph nodes as well.