I posted this message on the "liver conditions" forum yesterday - have had several views but no responses - maybe someone who follows this page could help?
We are desperately searching for relief for scratching due to what we believe is an immune system or liver problem.

My boyfriend has been a heavy drinker for over 30 years, and it has now taken its toll on his immune system.
He has been prescribed valium to assist with giving up alcohol, but prefers to cut back on his own - he only takes the valium on days when he has not been drinking.
He has cut back on the alcohol, but is finding it very difficult to stop completely.
He has also been advised that he is pre-diabetic and that this could also be a cause of the scratching.

His skin is raw from the constant scratching which gets worse when he gets into bed at night.

His whole body is now affected, and he has red, raw areas which bleed. Creams do not help as the itch comes from under the surface of the skin. He does use a cortisone based cream which I believe will eventually do more harm than good and which only offers short term relief (if any).

Hope someone can offer some advice.
PS : We would prefer a natural remedy.


Does he have any type of breakout - red bumps, nodules, etc.,?
Did it start in one area and seem to spread via the lymphatic system?
Did he work in the yard, in soil, in marine water or with dead tree limbs?
Some bacterial conditions/infections can attack those that are immuno-compromised, ie., those that are diabetic or pre-diabetic, and he seemingly has a lymphatic spread, per your description.
Without knowing all of his symptoms, I can't say if I experienced the same thing, but last year I was infected from bacteria in the soil that manifested itself as nodular lymphangitis - I believe the bacteria may have been Nocardia Brasiliensis, but this was never officially diagnosed. It started with what seemed like red bumps, then cysts, then sores that were itchy and crusted. My skin did itch, but it was an irritable itch, not like a chicken pox or poison ivy itch. Hard to describe really, but most irritating just the same.
I went from looking like I had hives to a AIDS patient with many open sores to a burn victim (the burn actually came from washing with soap, as the bacteria was a "philolipid" and the soap would concentrate the bacteria in areas that it literally burned my skin).
There are several types of bacteria that can cause nodular lymphangitis, with different treatments, depending on the bacteria.
Are there any other symptoms besides itchy skin?
Cheryl
cmyers@jones.edu


Dear Cheryl
No - he doesn't have any red bumps etc. just raw areas because he is so frustrated with the itch that he now scratches himself with a rough brush :mad:.

Yes - it started on his legs and spread to his chest, arms, stomach and eventually (for about the past 18 months) all over his body.

The only thing we can think that is linked is a drip he was given in hospital ± 2 1/2 years ago. He was admitted to hospital for a colon examination and the itching started very soon (maybe immediately) after that.

He has been tested for allergies which turned out to be a bit of a waste as his immune system is so bad that he is mildly allergic to almost everything. None of the allergies seem bad enough to cause the itching tho.

Hennie's itch is under his skin - he describes it as "something trying to get out".

He showers with a special liquid soap "sanex" I'm not sure if that is a South African product, but is is a mild antiseptic soap which a dermatologist recommended.

The only other problem he has is sore feet - he had to have a piece of bone removed from his middle toe as his toes are a bit curled and the bone was pressing on the nerve ends.

His feet get very tired from standing and walking (or it could be that he's just lazy :rolleyes:). Seriously tho I can't think that this is related at all.

I really feel sorry for him as the itch sometimes drives him crazy and he can't sleep for scratching. Luckily he manages to hide the problem when out in public, and up to now his face is not affected.

Thanks for response and hope you or someone can offer some insight and help him.

Kind regards
Mandy


I dont think this is gonna be it, but u deserve a response. Give "psoriasis" a look on the net. Maybe its progressive?
Maybe even MS (Multiple Sclerosis) as that can trigger a wide variety of symptoms due.
Water Allergy? Ive heard of it!!
Anyways, please let us know


His drinking is going to kill him so it doesn't matter. Diabetes is a killer combined with booze. He has choices to make.