The Itch

By Brooke Pelczynski

Last Updated:

1 min read

Many people in the MS community have described an uncontrollable itch that feels like bugs crawling all over! Brooke's latest comic illustrates just that - and the unexpected silver lining that can come along with scratching.

The Itch - Comic 1

The Itch - Comic 2

The Itch - Comic 3

The Itch - Comic 4

The Itch - Comic 5

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jorja Member

I thought it was just me. I feel it especially in my face and I keep swatting my hair out of my face. I now have a buzz cut but I still feel the bugs.
1. Alina Ahsan Community Admin
 
 Definitely not just you, <inline-mention user-id="4086583" username="jorja" class="bp-suggestions-mention"/> ! A lot of people in the community have shared that they experienced awful itching but never knew that it was related to MS. It can be such a frustrating symptom to deal with! -Alina, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member
mstini2013 Member

loved your blog Matt about lifting us up instead of competing.....great post!!
mstini2013 Member

I have the itch.....I hate it. This cartoon is a great depiction of how it feels or must look to others lol!!😀 At first I thought it was bed bugs fleas?? It happens at night so it interferes with my sleep. My head though, man, i sometimes wonder how it is that I have any hair on my head at all. The thought of having head lice crossed my mind several times too before I figured out it was due to the MS. Might I add that at the time I had school age kids so it wouldn't have surprised me at the time 😀 Needless to say, it was not the case. After an unsuccessful try with benadryl , I finally mentioned the itching problem to my neurologist. He gave me a prescription that really helped with the itching. After years of suffering I finally got relief. Hence the importance of reporting symptoms to your doctor, no matter how trivial they may seem. I hope you all can find relief!!! 😀
1. wanda1950 Member
 
 Would you mind sharing what the prescription was? It about drives me crazy & I have actually scratched till it bled. My doctors tell me it is not MS and it scares me because I find it as a symptom often when reading about MS. How can they not know this symptom?
2. mstini2013 Member
 
 Wanda, I'm so terribly sorry that I didn't get back with you about what I do for the relentless itching. I truly just figured out how to navigate on this site....I'm a little embarrassed. By now, you probably already spoke to your doc about this issue, may even have resolved it. I take Atarax . Its general purpose is for anxiety, but it helps significantly with the MS itching. My neurologist prescribed it 3 times a day, but I only take it at night normally. I have taken it for anxiety on occasion and it works great for that. It does help me sleep better too 😀My itching is usually just at night, the minute that I get comfortable in my bed it starts. A little ticket here, then over there, next thing you know it's full blown every where. My neurologist said that because I stay active during the day my nerves are busy but at night when I'm relaxed, all those unprotected nerves have nothing better to do than play havoc because now I'm laying there totally relaxed. If you've already gotten help for your itching, YAYYY!! But if you haven't, I hope this helps you.
mollyculelove Member

YESSS!!! This is dead on perfect!! Lol!! Before I was diagnosed I thought I had caught fleas of ticks or worms or something scary from my dog because he always slept on my legs and in my bed. My legs were the worst but the rest of my body too and at night my legs they would itch and nothing would make them stop. I would have to layer them in socks and leggings and pants and blankets then get my German Shepherd to lay on them so I could sleep. Now I’m diagnosed a little over a year and get my second Ocrevus Infusion tomorrow actually for pretty aggressive RRMS that developed on my brain mainly. But I often have dreams about spiders when my itching and leg fasciculations get super bad at night...and spiders are up there on my list of things that I’m terrified of! So thanks for this! Made me laugh! Someone who gets it!
1. mollyculelove Member
 
 Oh I definitely found out real quick that, hot showers and heat in general is the enemy of MS..makes you feel like passing out and amplifies everything! But oatmeal sounds kinda nice...especially for itching!
2. mollyculelove Member
 
 I think that’s what is so great about this site!
sukismom2010 Member

I’m so tired of being TIRED
1. staceyr Member
 
 agreed, methylphenidate (Ritalin) sort of helps. It does the opposite of what it does in hyperactive kids, it helps you focus at least so while you have energy during the day you can get things done. Try antidepressants too. They can reduce tiredness.
dbob Member

Anybody else itch in one place but have to scratch in another place to relieve the itch? There's a spot on my left side that itches but I have to scratch an area about 8 inches away on my stomach area in order to to relieve it. I have other areas that do the same thing.
1. fromnwmont Member
 
 Totally! Sometimes it take me several tries to find the right “spot” then it’s heavenly lol..
f01336 Member

My itching occurs only after a shower or bath, lasts 20 to 30 minutes and is very severe. We have installed Berkey water filters on the shower head which have cut down on the number of episodes.
1. Shelby Comito Community Admin
 
 Thanks so much for sharing your experience, <inline-mention user-id="3958646" username="f01336" class="bp-suggestions-mention"/> . I'm so glad to hear that you've found something to help alleviate some of the discomfort. Thank you for sharing here! Best, Shelby, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member
dzypny Member

My so called itch , turned out it to be vitiligo.as if M.S. was a good choice. I wish all the itchers ..... Pease!
dccrane1952 Member

I have had " the itch" a couple of times. Drove me crazy! I found what really worked was to put ice-paks or gel-pacs (cooled in the fridge) on the itchy areas.
doublebreve Member

I got a tip it get a long handled brush & brush skin upwards towards heart. It helps circulation & bonus...polishes off dry skin. I find it helps calm my nerves endings... always ‘acting up’ like they ..Thx for cool gel pack tip too!
caninemom6142 Member

It hits my back, shoulders and rib cage but mostly at night. After a good scratch session with a wooden back scratcher, it's okay for awhile.
1. flbrown Member
 
 Have you tried a body scrub? I takes the dead skin off. Maybe it will help a lil’
lyssaann Member

Hi, I just had to weigh in this one. I had this uncontrollable itching, started in my early 40s, took me over 10 years to figure out it went with my MS, which I have been diagnosed with since I was 15. I finally found that oatmeal based products work wonders. Aveeno body wash, shampoo, lotions, and antiperspirant. really helps keep the itch down, I thought I was going crazy, none of my doctors could find anything. Then i found an article on line about it being a hidden symptom of the MS. Made feel so much better and it was something I was able to pass on to my MS support group a little later that year. Love the comic.
1. Brooke Pelczynski Member
 
 Omg heading to wallgreens now to buy all these goodies!
dsqtib Member

You mentioned that your neuro gave you a script that helped to stop the itch. Do you mind sharing what it was, please?
torrescarolyn Member

The itch is real. For me it is like bugs are inside my skin eating me up. I just want to RIP off my skin. It has always happened on my hands though and it can last up to an hour. Sometimes I scratch so hard I end up bruising really bad. What has helped me alleviate my itch is using a rag or a fork for scratching. Ice nor lotions has worked out for me.
mstini2013 Member

Wanda, I'm so terribly sorry that I didn't get back with you about what I do for the relentless itching. I truly just figured out how to navigate on this site....I'm a little embarrassed. By now, you probably already spoke to your doc about this issue, may even have resolved it. I take Atarax . Its general purpose is for anxiety, but it helps significantly with the MS itching. My neurologist prescribed it 3 times a day, but I only take it at night normally. I have taken it for anxiety on occasion and it works great for that. It does help me sleep better too 😀My itching is usually just at night, the minute that I get comfortable in my bed it starts. A little ticket here, then over there, next thing you know it's full blown every where. My neurologist said that because I stay active during the day my nerves are busy but at night when I'm relaxed, all those unprotected nerves have nothing better to do than play havoc because now I'm laying there totally relaxed. If you've already gotten help for your itching, YAYYY!! But if you haven't, I hope this helps you.
nessinha Member

Well, I’ve had this for a while and I only recently realized I wasn’t crazy and it was related to my MS. I’ve had it even before I found out I had MS, I just never really acknowledged it. Now it’s driving me crazy! It’s been happening almost every night and the worst part is, it doesn’t matter where I scratch, because it happens all over my body and as soon as I go to scratch somewhere it starts somewhere else. Feels like I’m covered in tiny Flash bugs moving around my body, even on my face. The whole experience is horrible!
maggie210 Member

I had a trimalleolar fracture which involves breaks in 3 bones in the ankle. Even though the scars from the surgery are over two years old they start itching every night. I sometimes scratch so hard that I make the area bleed.
1. Janus Galante Moderator
 
 This was difficult to read Maggie210. First the fractures in your ankle, and then the itching after the breaks are healed! Just curious if you have reached out to your doctor about this lately to see if there is some way to manage the scar tissue itching for you? I sure hate to see you go through this...please keep us posted! Janus
staceyr Member

I get creepy crawlies on my legs, arms and head all the time. I just thought everyone did. Now with Covid19 trying & not to touch our faces, OMG. If I think about not touching my face, the crawlies get stronger & stronger like if you're trying not to cough or sneeze. I'll look at my body to see where the fly is, but nothing's there. I still have to scratch though.
1. Janus Galante Moderator
 
 Thank you for your comment on Brooke's cartoon, staceyR. This has to be so frustrating! Not just the itching and creepy crawly sensation, but you are SO right... now with the Covid 19, trying to remember not to touch your face, or rub your eyes etc.! You're definitely not alone! Janus
joycee Member

After 40 years post diagnosis, I've come2 make allowances 4people & their crazy mindset. You don't get it until you get it!