Itchy Arms No Rash: Brachioradial Pruritus

This post led me to some relief! I have had this itchy arm problem for years, but this is the first time I have been able to put a name to it. For me, it has been sporadic; it seems to come and go with no discernible pattern. I thought at first that it was an allergic reaction, so I tried changing things like my laundry detergent. Only once did I have a doctor–a dermatologist–suggest that it might be nerve related, but that did not seem to help much. I have tried various topical treatments such as Benadryl and Calamine lotion with little effect.

This was the first time I heard about trying topical capsaicin cream. After reading the post, I went out and found some cream with 1% capsaicin and tried it out. It worked! However; let me give a few tips to anyone who wants to try this as well so you don’t make my mistakes:

Tip # 1: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST!

Tip # 2: Only use capsaicin if there is a nearby sink to wash your hands. I ran out to the nearest CVS and picked up the capsaicin cream and then popped the tube open in my car and applied a liberal amount to each arm. Only afterward did I notice that the instructions on the tube said to “wash hands thoroughly after application.” Since I was in my car, running errands, I did not have access to a place to wash my hands right away. Big mistake! Capsaicin–as I learned later–is a component that is found in chili peppers. It is a skin irritant. You don’t want it on your hands because your hands will inevitably come in contact with your eyes, nose or mouth. Ouch! In my case, the cream got under my wedding ring and started burning like heck!

Tip # 3: Be prepared for some discomfort. As mentioned above, capsaicin is a skin irritant. It seems counter-intuitive, but that is why it works to relive the itching. The area where you put the capsaicin cream is going to feel hot! If you go out in the sun, the effect is magnified. Use it sparingly at first to gauge your tolerance for it. The burning sensation lessens (at least for me) after a couple of days use. In my case, I applied it once a day and on the second day noticed a marked reduction in the itching.

Tip # 4: For goodness sake; if it is on your forearm, don’t wipe sweat out of your eyes with your forearm!

After weeks of itching I saw this online, called my Orthopeadic back Dr. For an spot. He had never heard of this. Neck ex Rays showed severe arthritis and compression of discs in C5,6,7. He recommended dry needling(similar to acupuncture) at the PT clinic. Tah-Dah! NO MORE ITCHING. It’s been 2 weeks. PS ice packs were the only thing that worked instantly prior to needling. Creams, lotions, medications do NOTHING so don’t waste your $

I have very similar symptoms to this. It only seems to happen in late fall and winter though. Is this consistent with any particular cause?

Thanks! I think this is what I have. Itchyleft forearm, no rash –unless I go at it too much. Sarna anti-itch lotion helps a lot as does shaving my forearm so no ‘hair triggers’ for itch.
The link to disc problem was startling and confirming! I have just started PT for a disc problem bulging likely caused by repeated back strain in moving house, manifests as severe nerve pain in hip-back of butt but docs say is really a back problem. The hurt disc sends pain out along its nerves.
Wouldn’t have thought a skin problem had any connection! But there you go. Thanks. I will share with my PT person.

I also have these same symptoms! Which I only get in early fall through early winter. The itch keeps me awake at night (or wakes me up) and drives me absolutely crazy at times! I’ve tried all the lotions and creams but never heard of capsaicin cream. I have looked for it but cannot find. Can you only get it with a perscription from your doctor?

I just started having the insane itching of my upper left arm. Did a round of prednisone, capsaicin cream, benadryl, oral Atarax, every other OTC topical cream, lotion, and spray. Running extremely hot water over my arm helps as well as placing an ice pack directly on my skin. I’ve had a few chiropractic adjustments, saw a dermatologist and had a skin biopsy done, and now I have an appointment with a neurologist this week. I’m now getting scars on my arm from scratching so much. I’m going to see about the gabapentin!

The itching on upper arm was so intense…..and yes, I’ve been in the sun a lot for the last few days (with sunscreen). Anyway, always had a “hotspot” on left arm. Itching so bad that I tried Everything, even anti-itch med., and oregano oil.
Desperate, I finally tried Miconazole – the cream for yeast infections. Thanking God right now that it worked! It was the worst Ever.

I have had this fir several years and never thought of it being linked to cervical issues, but wow does that make sense. I’ve had cervical protheses placed in 3, ya 3, locationsto include C5-6…but it is likely I am pinching the mobi-c disc and the nerves ate hindeted, hence the itch. Better the itch than the pain, .. some consolationi guess

I have one word for all of you sufferers to get rid of the itching BIOFREEZE
I tried applying the gel wherever and when ever my arms began to itch and the gel sooths and cools the itch. Just keep applying every time.
I suffered for 15 years off and on. It wasn’t a pinched nerve in my neck as I did see a chiropractor.
It could be food and seasonal allergies but even the allergy meds. I took from an allergist did not work. Keep applying Biofreeze. It has helped me and I hope it can help you

I have itched since 1988, I begged a new Dr in 2000, she prescribed hydroxzine, does this work. Of course drs along the way kept cutting back the dose. Also lyrica for right arm. My whole back is compression fracturs, narrowing of vertebrae. I have also been prescribed triamcinolone cream, works & finally a dr suggested anti pain cream, which is aspercreme, numbs the area. Anti itch makes it 100 times worse. Thank you, finally a name!

Equate (Walmart) has a product called Bacitracin Zinc Ointment. Applied once and no itching for over 24 hours. Applied second time and no itching for over 48 hours and still counting hours. This has been the only thing to help. Hope it works for you if you try it. Not expensive either. Good luck to those who have not found a solution whether temporary or permanent.

What type of doctor would you recommend? I saw my dermatologist a few years ago when it first started. Sarnac used to work but now not as much. Bio freeze helps most, but doesn’t last. Aspercreme helped a bit at first this year but also doesn’t last. This year it’s worse. Usually I only have it in late August through early fall which seems odd if it was spinal or sun related. But it seems to be lingering and worse this year. I’m not aware of any spine issues but suppose that there could be. I do run a lot so all the pounding may have impacted my spine. I’ve not noticed a direct correlation to the sun. I don’t have it in summer when at the beach or running. Any advice on type of doctors to see would be appreciated.

Try Doterra peppermint oil. Works great.

CBD oil-based creams are the only thing that has given me some relief! Obviously look for the THC-free kind of product, but this one works. I don’t know how or why….I tried the generic cream with a menthol, lavender blend scent and it is giving me relief, finally. Now i am seeing the skin heal. I truly hope this experience helps someone out there…this was the most uncomfortable, relentless condition I could imagine, negatively impacting my life.

I am so grateful for a name finally of what has been tormenting me all these years. Thank you all.

I’m suffering from this horrible affliction again this summer. First had symptoms in late summer or early fall of 2019. I read these posts or some like it and diagnosed myself with brachioradial pruritis. I used otc anti itch creams without relief and decided to try some topical analgesics because it was mentioned online by so many sufferers as providing relief. Aspercreme worked well at first, but became less effective over time. I tried biofreeze and ice packs both of which provided relief. After about 2 months, this agonizing, debilitating, sleep disrupting itch disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. I didn’t give it another thought…until it returned with a vengeance in early August 2020. The symptoms were mild at onset and the old analgesic creams helped take the edge off initially. Through the first month of anguish the pain and itch was affecting only my left forearm but, as of September 1rst, has spread to the right forearm as well. Now Biofreeze provides slight, temporary relief and the other analgesic creams don’t touch it. Ice packs provide the best relief but I have an active life- working as an RN and caring for three very busy young children, so keeping an ice pack on one or both forearms all day is not feasible.
I tend to avoid doctors and was not seen by my PCP for this when it first occurred last year. I am cynical but as a,nurse I know how difficult it is to get a good diagnosis and treatment for unusual ailments. I didn’t want to mess with months of visits to various specialists batteries of tests and experimental treatments that did nothing. I’m going to schedule an appointment today with my doctor and intend to go in with the extensive collection of notes I’ve taken throughout my research of this condition and treatments. I don’t have much faith that she will listen (in my experience doctors hate beg told how to do their jobs) and worry that I’ll come away with a diagnosis of eczema and a prescription for some ointment. Ugh. Fingers crossed that it doesn’t go that way and I come away feeling pleasantly surprised and hopeful.

Many thanks to everyone who had commented!
I had surgery to remove a spinal stimulator ( previous injury) in 2018. Two months later I began experiencing severe itching, stinging, pain on my upper arms; it resolved in about three months. A year layer I had a new spinal stimulator implanted and the severe itching, burning, and stinging returned with a vengeance! Evenings are the worst. It has been so bad that I now have scars from scratching so much. My dermatologist prescribed Prednisone as well as UVB Light Therapy’ three times each week.- this promoted healing and did decrease the itching some. Now, three weeks later, the stinging, itching, and burning are back! Oh my…
Thanks to this website I think I now have a name for my ailment. Thanks to your comments I also now have hope ? which I really need as well a whole host of ideas that may bring me relief.
I plan on calling a neurologist tomorrow as well.
Again- thank you!!!

I know this might sound too simple to be believed as the problem, but I believe most of this issue comes from a food allergy. Thank you Jesse for your comment on June 9th of 2017. You mentioned your allergy was xanthan gum. I immediately eliminated ALL xanthan gum out of my diet and WALLAH! The extrememe itching on my elbows was all gone within 2 days!! The intense itching had been so bad that I no longer was able to get enough sleep, and my elbows were already bleeding from getting scratched too much, even though I had tried hard to not scratch too hard. I am 58 years old, and my elbows had been itching for a few months. When the intense itching became intolerable I did a search on the internet, found this site, (Thank you!) and found Jesse’s comment, acted on that info, and sure enough, xanthan gum was the problem. So simple to completely fix my itching elbows!!! Thanks again Jesse!

Both main causes make sense to me, and I am now checking food ingredients for Xanthan Gum; found it in one pack of sliced cheese so far.

Here is an effective and helpful treatment for the itching I discovered by trial, not a cure, a method of obtaining relief which works every time for me. Simply wet your arms with cold water and leave it on your skin to air dry. Repeat as needed. Once usually gives me 1 to 3 hours of non-itching, non-scratching relief.

The itching has been on and off for a couple decades. The only relief I’ve found is aloe vera with lidocaine. Slather it on.

I have experienced this crazy chronic itching of my arms for 16 years. It stated while I was pregnant with my 1st child. Ive tried every cream, Ive seen an allergist, had ex-rays and limited my diet. NOTHING has worked.
I’m interested in trying to illuminate xanthan gum (I’m gluten free so this is used In many of the products I eat), if that doesn’t do the trick I’ll go for an MRI then maybe Lyrica?
Here’s the million dollar question! If its related to a spinal issue, etc…why does it seem to come and go seasonally?

My husband just started this itchy burning sensation on his upper right arm he has had no surgeries but does have back pain. Somehow I was brought right to the site thank you everybody for your experiences and some solutions. As we don’t like to take big Pharma medication‘s this is a big help now for me to get to work on making my husband feel better.