Itch Remedies

[Eve]

Further to my post yesterday (http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Health-and-Fitness/Question1250828.html), the irritation of the rash, which is spreading (on back and front, arms and legs, arms the worst) is driving me a bit doolally.

Any recommendations for something which could soothe it during the day while I'm at work or otherwise out of the house? Tried an Aloe Vera gel today which was nice and cooling but didn't help the itch much.

I spoke to a pharmacist yesterday and he said aqueous cream is better used more as a soap and washed up as a lot of use can irritate the skin. I'm not sure if anything very chemical is a good idea as the rash can apparently last for weeks or months.

I looked for calamine lotion earlier but neither Boots of Superdrug had any (is there a chickenpox epidemic on or something???) but I think I can remember someone posting about something which is better to use than calamine lotion as less messy which would be great for out of the house? I might be imagining it but can anyone else remember or recommend anything?

[cupid04]

Have you thought of trying an antihistamine?

[ubasses]

Have you tried E45 anti itch. Haven't used it but hear it is good.

[Eve]

Hi cupid. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm on daily antihistamines (cetirizine) anyhow, my GP prescribed them for hayfever like symptoms as my eyes were really suffering and are very dry so not washing out the irritant, soothing themselves etc...

[Eve]

Ooh I haven't. I had some a while back I think (long enough that any left over would have been chucked). I didn't see it in the pharmacies strangely though - maybe an over the counter job?

I was looking at the Lanacane and Eurax stuff too though I'm not sure if they are suitable for large areas with lots of applications.

[Eve]

Haven't??? May have even. Sorry, sleepy head on. Didn't get much sleep last night with feeling all irritable and work alarm goes off at 4.30am, it's been a long day!

[murraymints]

You can get large bottles of e45 with pump....doc can write it up on prescription ..May be cheaper that way......free if you're in Scotland and I think Wales ?

[Eve]

Ooh, that sounds good! I have one of those monthly direct debit over a year things.

The size and price of stuff like Eurax was a bit scary as well as the chemical question, 100mg cost over £5 and not sure it'd last that long due to the large areas it'd need to cover.

[RATTER15]

Lanacane is still available, we've bought it in Sainsburys, excellent stuff.

[Eve]

Is that the powder stuff Ratter? Can you get it in a more work friendly format?

[murraymints]

I used industrial amounts of E45 stuff on FIL...would have been very costly over counter..!

[RATTER15]

The stuff we got was a cream in a small tube.

[RATTER15]

Here you go Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[Eve]

Thanks all for your answers. I've been using my aloe vera gel which has been lovely and cooling as the rash is pretty warm and picked up some E45 anti-itch cream, seemed gentler than some of the other products.

Fingers crossed!

[murraymints]

Hope you're better sooooooon eve ..xx