There is apparently no real known cause for nodular prurigo (NP) although insect bites can trigger it.
Generally it’s just something doctors say you have and which will go away when you stop scratching.
But boy does prurigo itch.
And it bleeds. Man does it bleed. It’s not like normal eczema.
It bleeds profusely, sometimes at the slightest touch and can leave you looking like you’ve just been stabbed… that lovely crisp clean work shirt now covered in blood stains.
Pruritis, which means itching is where the term comes from and basically they are hard, nodules or bumps which form on the skin. They can be very itchy and get thicker and larger when they are scratched.
And they just appear as if by magic from nowhere with no warning. Often in lines like little soldiers marching to battle. Almost like an insect has crawled along your arm and taken nips.
If scratched they get bigger, the skin thickens and they can last for a long time if you don’t control your scratching.
The picture on the right shows one nasty big bit of prurigo which is a little infected, some smaller ones which are healing and if you look really hard, loads of faint white circles, which are the scars left by years of torment from this bumpy itchy skin complaint.
I’ve written about prurigo before in a previous blog post and I have managed to slowly get on top of mine using repeated applications of steroids, loads of moisturiser and by covering them when they’re really bad to seal in moisture.
But what if they keep coming back? It’s a vicious cycle which just continues.
And what is causing it? I’m convinced I’ve noticed certain triggers for mine. Most noticeably eggs or processed foods of any kind. I’m almost guaranteed a cluster after eating either of these.
What causes prurigo?
The British Association of Dermatologists say the following:
It is not known what causes NP, or makes the skin react in this way. However, once the skin has become itchy, scratching and rubbing will cause the skin nerve endings to become thicker and cause more itching; this in turn will make the condition worse.
- NP may start after an insect bite in a few people.
- Patients, under stress, are more likely to scratch. Stress can therefore make NP worse.
- Up to 80% of people with NP are atopic (i.e. have asthma, eczema or hay fever).
- Other conditions can create lesions similar to NP. If this is suspected your doctor may request blood tests to confirm diagnosis.
So if you haven’t been bitten by an insect it’s not that.
If you’re stressed, and lets face it, most of us are these days, it could itch more… and you may scratch more. But stress may not be the cause.
AND if you’re atopic – chances are you might be if you’re reading this… you could get prurigo.
But it’s not really that helpful or conclusive. I don’t know anyone else who gets it. It is thankfully quite rare. I never had this as a child, it’s something which began to happen in my late twenties, early thirties and is now a regular unwelcome visitor.
Mine goes away and stays away when I avoid all processed foods. But maybe I’m just less stressed and it’s just a coincidence that it heals. Perhaps it’s completely random and just something we should learn to live. It could be that I feel happier eating a healthy natural diet and so I am less stressed and scratch less.
And when I am busy and over stressed, those are the times I succumb to the easy, quick processed ready meals or quick foods or freefrom cakes or biscuits. Am I wrongly blaming the processed foods?
But what if, by avoiding certain foods, you could get rid of it for good? I’m not sure yet but I’m keeping a record of what I’ve been eating before it appears. Watch this space.
Prurigo is relatively rare but amazingly there is a company dedicated to supporting people with NP. See the link below. Sadly no doctors have so far been aware of this website. I have only just discovered it today but there is the power of web research.
There is even a Facebook page for people with NP which you need to request to join but I’ve already learnt from other members of this group; it helps just to know you’re not the only one plagued with itchy and unsightly bumps.
Does anyone else get these hard, itchy bumps? Do you think yours is caused by anything in particular? Is it worse when you’re stressed?
Or am I living with a bug which keeps on biting me?
How to treat nodular prurigo naturally
- Cut out processed foods
- Avoid alcohol or reduce at least
- Reduce sugar and stick to natural sugars like honey and maple syrup
- Keep moisturised
- Try to cover so you don’t scratch the tops off them
- Calcipotriol ointment (topical vitamin D3)
- Cryotherapy, which may shrink the nodules and reduce their itch.
- Tea tree oil if they become infected
Thank you for this post Ruth. It is always good to find a growing amount of knowledge about nodular prurigo (NP) on the Internet. The problems faced by people suffering from this chronic, so far incurable skin condition are real and life-changing. There is a great need to improve the education of primary doctors (GP’s) concerning this disease. Their reliance on the “Don’t Scratch” philosophy is just unrealistic. Unless you have experienced it yourself, there is no way that a comparison can be made between a ‘common’ itch and the itchiness of NP. It is an itch like no other, unremitting in its effect. My view is that although there is currently no ‘cure’ for NP, there is a desperate need for more investment in the psychological support of patients so that they can find positive strategies to deal with these distressing symptoms.
Thank you Rebecca, I have only just discovered that I have NP, doctors used to just say it’s eczema, but having had eczema all my life, another itchy problem, I know this is different. It’s so much more itchy and I have to tear off the tops of the lumps, which then don’t heal for months and months. Eczema by comparison is far easier to treat, heal and live with. And when my doctor told me I have prurigo he gave me no other information at all apart from some guidance of how to treat, which is with steroids, which take months to heal them. I am just so glad I found your website. Hidden in google. And the Facebook page which has given me so much insight and it’s always good to know you are ‘not the only one’. I don’t know anyonw else with NP so having some facebook contacts to moan, share and encourage is very positive. There seem to be lots of us out there! Mine appear to abate when I eat a very healthy, no processed foods diet but certain foods do seem to trigger it, althought these foods also cause allergies so it could be a knock on effect of the lowering fighting immune system. Got a new crop this week – lovely little blighters.
You are 100% correct it is something u wish ur enemy Never have this! I was dealing with rashes all my life since 5 years old now they say i have prurigo
And its the worst thing a person can get! I cant eat sleep and the bad part is i am from a country were its always hot the weather and water here make it worst
I’m so sorry to hear this. I had eczema as a child and prurigo now as an adult. Weird how the boy changes. I have found relief by cutting out alchohol and any kind of processed food. Not easy but it’s really helped me. That and epsom salt baths and tea tree oil on the lumps
Hi ruth. Glad to find your articles. I have been battling with PN for 16 years now. What I find interesting is when you literally cut it out of your skin there are these weird little white legs underneath it. It looks like a cluster of little white eggs almost. Or if you rip a scab off you’ll see him underneath the scab. And when you look at the store you’ll see these little white spots and if you grab tweezers and pull those little things out the it stops instantaneously. I have been searching and searching and searching on the web for other people inflicted with this and you’re the second one I have found today. I’m almost beginning to think it’s some kind of parasite just from the way it looks inside. And what’s even more interesting is if you rip the scab off deep enough and get all those little leg things out of there and then you squeeze it a white core pops out. I mean what the heck is that. And as soon as you remove it itching stops. They really need to dump some money into more research on this. It very well may be some kind of parasite that they’re not aware of yet. All I know is it’s miserable. I have given up taking care of myself. I’ve gained a bunch of weight cuz I just don’t care I mean really what’s the point. I can’t wear shorts when it’s hot I have to wear long sleeve shirts or be embarrassed with people staring at me thinking I’ve got the creeping crud. I moved from California out to South Carolina over 6 years ago.. nothing has changed. It’s the same here in the muggy South as it is in the hot dry weather of california. I do know sweating irritates it. I am definitely going to try to cut out the processed foods. I was doing really well there for a while. Eating only whole foods. Even staying away from meat. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables. But it did no good for the skin problem. I’ve tried Epsom salt baths I’ve tried tea tree oil. Unfortunately I have cats and I can’t use tea tree oil because it is toxic to the cat.. the doctors just tell me to stop scratching. That is unrealistic and impossible because the itch is so deep you can scratch and scratch and you’re ripping the skin off and you’re digging holes in your leg and you don’t care because it itches so darn bad. I’ve had scabies before and I have to say it’s just as bad. The itch is just as bad. And unless you’ve had it and experienced it you just don’t know. I’m over these doctors looking at me like I’m crazy like I’m some kind of picker and just like to pick at my skin. If it didn’t itch so deep I wouldn’t be scratching it. I’ll catch myself scratching myself in the middle of the night. I’ve used steroid creams and ointments, I’ve had them frozen, which all that did was irritate the heck out of them. I’ve had steroid injections in them. The first dermatologist that did the steroid injection, it went away pretty quick, left a little divot in my skin but then it filled up. The second doctor who did steroid injections on them didn’t do it enough and it did nothing. I’m not going to keep putting steroids in my body. Now I’ve resorted to taking Ivermectin to see if it’ll kill it if it’s some kind of parasite. Cuz think about it. Anything that is attached to your body that’s causing a problem is some type of parasite. Doesn’t seem to be doing much but I’ve only taken a couple doses. I’m so over this ruth. I just cry out to the Lord to remove it from my body. It’s a living nightmare
I’m not sure if I have these white cores or leg things. Now I’m fascinated, I do rip off the top and sometimes squeeze them to get out the liquid. I think they may be kind of wart related, they have a deep core. Sometimes they eventually dry up and drop off. I also get pomphlox which is itchy liquid filled spots on my hands. I get the two things confused sometimes. Keep being inquisitive, like you say, there has to be a root cause.
I have had this condition for nearly a year now. It all started when I was hospitalized for 6 days with sepsis, then the nodules started on my lower legs then eventually my upper legs, chest, back, neck, and arms
Hi Keith, do you still have it? Such an annoying condition. Mine has almost gone, but I’m going through TSW instead, cutting out topical steroids which is a whole nother form of hell. Hope it works in the end. I used to find tea tree oil the nasty bumps helped a bit, and cutting out all processed food.
I got here from looking into “frangrance sensitivity.” I’ve always been severely allergic, but have gone through periods of my life where things were tolerable. Are you sick and tired of hearing people saying YOU should live in a bubble? Let me tell you how frustrating it is for me seeing a doctor. My standard line is, “I’VE NEVER BEEN TO INDIA, BUT I WOULD NEVER BE SO AROGANT AS TO SUGGEST THAT IT DOESN’T EXIST JUST BECAUSE I’VE NEVER SEEN IT!” I find the medical community incompetant when it comes to explaining my circumstances and what it’s like to survive… bleeding exzema, hives, rashes, asthma. They have NO idea but I need to coddle them, I need to plead, I need to explain…. I know ALL there is to know about topical steroids, I know all about prednisone, give me my scripts and get me out of here already! Have you ever been to an allergist (he/she is a “specialist” charging upwards of $350.00 or more for a vistit)…moldy, dusty and dirty office, only to have a nurse/ assistant come at you soaked in perfume trying to tell YOU what’s what??? So tired, so sick… “you have A topical dermatitis” REALLY? REALLY! Oh, so I have inflamed skin? Tell me something I didn’t know because I know A topical dermatits means inflamed skin!!
Here’s my survival techniques: KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS, KNOW THAT YOU LIVE IN A CAPITALISTIC SOCIETY AND WITH DOTORS AND DRUG COMPANIES, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE $$$$. RELIGIOUSLY READ LABELS. For eczema the best thing is plain old vaseline…moisterizes and puts up a barrier against allergens but you must used it with water on skin. It’s best to apply on moist skin after you get out of the shower. (DON’T LET THIS INFO REACH THE DRUG COMPANIES, THEY’LL FIND A WAY TO PACKAGE AND SELL FOR $500.00 a jar!) Noxema was invented by a pharmacist who’s wife suffered with eczema, but now they’ve added SOY bean oil so it sucks. By the way, if you suffer acid reflux, stay away from soy bean oil. It’s not fit for human consumption. Soy bean oil is CHEAP, lots of money to be made, so it’s in just about everything. So, from Noxema to Gold Bond, basically menthol and eucalyptus are key ingredients in fighting the itch of eczema and very affordable. If you are prescribed a topical steroid, mix it with your vaseline…a little goes a long way. Remember, topical steroids don’t CURE eczema. Learn how they work. They shluff off the bad skin (rash) and promote new healthy skin to grow. BUT…that new skin is more vulnerable to allergens, thus the catch 22 in making the eczema come back.
Good luck and always feel free to tell a medical “expert” where to go when you know more than he or she about your condition 🙂
Iam demented and going insane with this NP mine was caused through a spider bite 1yr ago it has left my body in a right mess, iam now suffering with a huge phobia of spiders which I can’t sleep and iam constantly thinkin there is insects inside me or crawling all over me, it is that severe it is causing big strain on my marriage and family life, please please help me I have had every steroid, cream, bandages ointments that there is available and nothin has worked or helped, please try to help me anyone I’m goin mad and feel as if I need sectioned at times
Hi Carol, I’ve just torn open a few of mine this evening. The drive you insane and bleed like a geiser, and I don’t have any magic answers I’m afraid. I still have NP, but when I eat a totally non processed diet, so everything natural, fresh and home cooked, it is much, much less itchy. I am paying the price of having some wine now I think. I know how hard it can be. Do you have a good dermatologist? Now mine is not so great about the NP but if you can get to see a specialist it might help. There are solutions and drugs that help some. Did you check out the facebook page link? There is a Nodular Prurigo facebook group which is really helpful. The only things that help me are having a really hot bath, using Epsom salts in the bath and some tea tree oil drops in the water too. I scrub my skin clean and then use a natural oil emollient or ointment like natural coconut oil or Pure Potions skin salvation. This might be insane advice for some people but it helps me. I hope you can find some relief. I find some aloe vera dabbed on can help heal the nodules too. But I
am no expert, apart from being expert and tearing them apart. Drive you crazy. All I can say is you are not alone. Not sure if that helps, but do go to your doctor and try to find out if they can help and join the Nodular prurigo society. Good luck!
Hi Carol.
I am a 27 years old Asian girl based in London and getting my treatment here from Guys and St Thomas hospital which is in world’s top derm clinics.
I can exactly understand how you feel like cause I have been through same trauma from last 13 years.
Heat and uncomfortable synthetic fabric is a big killer for us. Try keeping yourself comfortable in terms of skin feel and temperature.
Unfortunately, there is not any treatment for us and how badly our life is influenced casue of this only we can understand that.
I have been advised for immune suppressants, which are an absolute killer.
You got to deal with this sweetheart. This is no other solution. Try keeping yourself busy and comfortable somewhere else. keep your body moisturized and scratch it the minimum you can.
Good luck to all of us!
Hi Samia, so have you used Immuno suppressants? I’ve just been prescribed Protopic, not for my NP but for facial eczema. Great news that you get treated at Guys and St Thomas hospital though. Is the treatment good there? Does it help your NP?
Hi I’ve been diagnosed with np ive had it for 5 months now absolutely egsausted with it I was in hospital two weeks still pitting on steroid cream and zinc bandages theyRe going away but I’m scared terrible I get light treatment from the hospital but this doesn’t work regards
Hi Jackie, I know, it’s horrible isn’t it? I find that if I cut out all processed foods apart from a few things that are really simple like oat cakes, mine is so much better. The problem is, when your skin is that bad all you want is easy comfort food. I have some at the moment on my legs and I find a hot bath helps, I put in Epsom salts and try to exfoliate the skin a bit. I find some of the nodules disintegrate and heal a little quicker. For me steroids don’t seem to help it heal at all, they just take ages to go and bleed like you wouldn’t believe. Awful lot of blood inside those little blighters. Have you joined the group on facebook for nodular prurigo? People discuss what treatments they are using so it might help you. worth a try. The link should be in the blog somewhere.
Ice packs are my go to when the itching is out of control. So miserable right now in fact.
They really are a lifesaver aren’t they. I have loads in my freezer and rotate.
Hello everyone, I’ve had prurigo for 10 years now but it still won’t clear up. I can tell you that everything that has been said on here, I’ve been there, done that, got all sorts of medicine and nothing worked. So one day I went to a natural healer and all she told me was to enjoy the things I love the most and exercise a lot to destress your body, also keep drinking loads of water, and guess what …it’s starting to work, well my face has improved a lot and I feel better. No dairy products in my diet. Good Luck.????
I had it for 5 years now after pregnancy got a lot a lot worse but I think your advice seems very sensible my skn was a lot better when I used to exercise more and eat healthy, I love milk and bread and I know for fact that they trigger my NP, do you use a substitute of Milk. My favorite meal is breakfast and I really struggle to quite milk and bread. Any suggestion will be very welcome.
I have got used to all the plant milks such as oatly, rice milk and coconut milk. They’re great in porridge and with muesli. I also love Nutribrex wither with coconut yogurt of milk with lots of fruit. For bread I find the gluten free breads are good these days but something in them triggers my skin so I try to have very simple breads from the Artisan bread Company ABO. or Rye breads work well for me too.
I was told due to menopause I have this and simplex planctus chroncus I have never had any problems till the latest…and now I am being treated for this 1 dermatologist charged me 634.oo..just to look at me but I found DR.TRAN LIBERTY DERMATOLOGY AND WITH SOME SUCCESS I AM BETTER..HOPE I CAN BE THIS AWFUL DISEASE.. ITCH LIKE NO OTHER…WILL DRIVE YOU NUT BAG CRAZY..SO IF YOU DON’T HAVE STRESS …YOU WILL
Hi Iv’e suffered this condition for the past 12 -15 years and it’s a bummer. Mine started after I was commenced on statins. After 3 weeks I started to itch and haven’t stopped since! I persevered with statins (BIG MISTAKE) for 2and a half years and went through the BNF trying to find one that wouldn’t cause itching. it took years to diagnose and now I go round in endless circles, itching like a demented woman, followed by breakdowns, bleeding +++, very slow healing of sorts and terrible scarring. I do have periods of slight remission, in that I have a little less itching and breakdowns but I don’t think any of my nodules have ever gone away. I use elocan ointment and some sort of aqua menthol that supposidly cools the skin down and stops the itching.When I wake in the night itching I slap it on in a dazed state. However this has begun to lose its effectiveness of late, so now what.? I haven’t identified any triggers apart from I give in to scratching more in the evenings when I’m less busy and this heatwave (UK) is making it a lot worse. Fed up doesn’t even come close. I would love it to go away, who wouldn’t? I find myself watching women in their beautiful summer clothes and envying their beautiful, flawless skin. That and a good nights sleep would be heaven.
I have NP, lm 51 years ago, they started after I had a bad car accident in 2000. They are very itchy and most times I scratch till they bleed. I have them on my arms, back my legs and now on my bottom.
I feel very embarrassed
Don’t ever be embarrassed. it’s not your fault. I hope one day we’ll understand why this itchy problem occurs. So strange that yours started after your car accident. And yes don’t they bleed? I don’t know what advice to give you I’m afraid. I find mine is triggered by any kind of processed foods, alcohol and stress. And also covering them up can help, just to stop you getting to them. How are you treating them at the moment? They can take so long to heal. I’m not getting them at the moment but I’m in topical steroid withdrawal so it’s a whole nother ball game of skin pain!
All of these comments are so useful and helpful. I feel I’m not alone for the first time in ages.
So many people suffering with N.P. I’ve had this condition for two years now. I broke out in painful hot stinging blisters on the back of my hands when returning home from holiday.
My Doctortreated me for eczema with topical creams and antibiotics.my condition just got worse. Red bleeding spots running scans looking like a cat scratch. I ca feel when the blisters are about to appear and actually see my skin blister then bleed. I also have these sore on my scalp behind my ears and on my face.not a pretty sight.
I’ve cut out grains including wheat and gluten free oats. I’m at present enjoying Goats milk products and moved on from dairy about ten days ago. I moisturise wash with emollient cream. I have found that tea tree oil applied and then Vaseline has stopped the itch and sting. Only about four days ago. All was looking like it was healing. Yesterday I added cinnamon to yogurt (I read this spice would help lower blood pressure) Today the running sores are back…….I’ve been off looking for a wall to bag my head on! Thank you for reading.
I just also wanted to say , I cook from scratch eat as healthy as possible, wheat free sourdough too.
Happy to be the wall you need to bang your head on! It’s an awful itchy condition. Mine has gone now I’m going through topical steroid withdrawal. It was triggered by lots of things but tea tree was great for me too. Keep on being that detective for your skin.
My Name is Jonathan Barker.
In 2015 i developed PN. I didnt have a diagnososis. It was pretty obvious. My sister had recently had a diagnosis. My Father. Mother. And a number of loal Neighbours also had the condition.
As i started to research. I realised. Prurigo Nodularis. Isnt a condition. Pruritis (Latin -itching) Nodular (latin – lump) simply meant,…” I have itchy lumps. I was like ” no s#it sherlock. And they took a medical deg for that. I mean i just lay bricks and things. So i saw some pretty narly pictures of people in far off places who have no help. And being as my father had suffered it all his life. I decided to spend a few years living with it and studying it.
I feel i have really learnt and gained insight into this condition of the skin and want to share my own observations.I feel confident that my condition isnt Lichen Planus, or any of the other possible conditions.
Case:
Male:50 at incept
10st 8lb, 5ft 8.
42 chest 30 waist.
No previous skin conditions. (Ever)
No allergy history
Present state: Chronic static Nodular formation on lower shins . Facial sites that are transient.
Theoretical background issues; Possible Kindney imbalance.(mild mitigated previous kindney issues)
Theoretical causality: Insect bite.+Enviromental Mico Bacterium/Mycielium/Bacterium.
Theoretical cure: None: Presently experimenting with a combination of Benzoic+Salasylic acid in the form of whitfields ointment.+ Crotamiton
Succesful cure so far: surgery: This is not as simpleor as succesful as it sounds.
Succesful itch reduction: Whitfields oinment.
Supplementary treatment: “Eurax ” in the uk Containing Crotamiton.
Right straight off the bat. If you use too much crotamiton it makes you feel like your legs are suffocating in the morning.Because it thickens as it dries.(if you use it on your legs) I dont get that using it on my face, Eurax will also stain your sheets untill washed.
Also whitfields ointment and home surgery both sting like hell. So dont do it if your reading this,..im not suggesting you jump on my surf.
Ok. So. Being as im just a builder bloke. Ill try to keep it simple. But i can garantee ill fail. Just as sure as a builders deadline.And also being a bloke.
So what do i thinks happened here.? I mean,..its just a guess. But seeing what im seeing and lerning what i have. heres the Bottom Line ( in my case) In my Opinion;
In 2015 i worked in an enviroment exposed to Pidgeon and Bat feceas 100s of thousand of times beyond any Health and safety guidlines anywhere on the globe.
The exposure was over a prolonged period.
During that period i was Bitten by a brown widow spider.
Within 7 days of that Bite. I stood on a rusty nail that had been covered in feceas, It pierced my foot to a depth of 1.5cm. The Bite turn my toe Black. And some tissue damage occurred on the oposite toe. As it healed. Thick white hard skin formed around the bite. Whilst a hard lump started to form at the site of the nail injury causing a Mortens Nuroma ( loss of feeling in the toes)
Within 6 months nodules started to form on my Legs arms and face.
Arms reduced completely over 2 yrs.
Face continues, But it seems im winning with the present treatment.
Legs, Oh boy. I started with 28 sites each leg.
I have about 12 per leg at this point. Its taken 2 years so far. That gives me a horizon of around 5 yrs?
I cant say if learnt anything i can pass on because it literally taken tearing out prob hundreds of thousands nodules individullly at this point. Which. If done at the right point. in the right way. Works. But involves pain levels well beyond anything i imagine most people would stand.I have succefully removed some by self surgury. But cutaneous anestetics arent available in the uk. And success relies on depth. This isnt safe and is incredibly demanding and exhausting i would even say traumatising to attemt oneself.
My personal belief is that PN manifests to some as allergy because there is indeed a link.
But not what many think.
whats the link?
Enzymes.++1 Carbon molecule= kerytolitics
Look im not a phd.
so sorry if my info is complete guff
But from what i learnt.
Mico bacteria utilise enzymes and carbon to produce a protien tissue that is simliar to cartilaige ligament. Which is why nodules become so tough. The bacteria utilise any and all structures, Nerves/ hair.
There they colonise and mature.
The genesis point is the layer between the upper skinn layer where the finest corpasules feed the various sensory elements.
My theory is that when a spider bites. The venom allows Micobacterium to enter the macrophage cells which become dispursed around the body and on the whole are metabolised. However. certain areas. Partiularly where there are higher levels of keretin production. ie pubic (legs/facial/arms) hair)
For some reason. I think infected Macrophage cells become trapped with a kerotlytic island within the skin.
The cells are pretty inpenitralble. Trauma to site only reases more infected macrophages thus continueing the cycle.
The itching isnt the cause.
The cause is the heamoraging just under the skin. which causes a red spot. As an anti body resonse is caused. The person itches. Then the skin dies. This causes itch and opening of the wound which allows free Carbon. At this point. Any processed foods. Any Steak, Eggs. Milk Soya. Will all give allergy positive result. Due to the bacteria capitalising on the enzymes. I brought my NP to an abrupt halt after 2yrs of diet reduction led to a 7 day water fast.
Mico bacteria when predominant will easily populate old scar tissue.
Unfortunately. I have plenty.
NP seems to lose its potency.
But not its resilience in Mature sites.
When you look at groups of biopsi nodules. You realise. They look just like Varuccas caused by Human Papaloma virus. Which still remains a hard 2nd suspect in this equation as around the time of my infection i also started dating someone after a 15 yr abscence from dating. ( it didnt work out- they didnt like my legs)
Im trying to fing somthing that will dissolve kerytin type cells, Im investigating enxzymes that can dissolve silicone. But the problem remains that if disfuntional macrophage cells are trapped at the capilliray level in surrounding kerotolytic tissue, Well. Then we stil got problems. Because that means surgury is the bet possible relief. But is only %? succesful. And if it is done in the early stages of an infection (if my theory is right) Can lead to more nodules. Just by wound trauma.
Ive seen nodules form within an unbroken blood blister. Which defeats somwhat the carbon theory. but hey. Its late. I drank alot of medicinal rum.
Once NP pemeates the lower dermis. The whole lower dermis need to be be romoved if surgury is the path.
Will herbs work. ( there are no known topical treatments that can penetrate a mico bacterium cell. Im using crotamiton to soften them and salycilic to cauterise them in a 3 forward two back process.
Will Medicine work.
Ive never tried steroids. Or Thalidomide.
If i could get the anestetics id do the surgury myself.
Anyway. Just some random musings from builder bloke.
Stinging as always.
Will get to a dermatologist this summer because im winning, but way too slow.
sorry for any typos
i have alot more info and some likns to science that backs up my claims but im just tooo lock down drunk on Rum to be tellin ya,
bfn
x.all
Well that was honest.
I’m lookin for all the info I can find !
It is consuming my life.
There must be some relief available, some research groups that are helping advance the awareness and remedies for those suffering from this painful, embarrassing disease!!
Hi my name is Aracelis Pabey I’m (6 year old, and I was dinose with modular prurigo about 3 month ago, but I said that I have it for longer than that. In October off lass year I was Dinose with colom cancer. My question is if the np is the cost off the cancer. And the np it doesn’t itch , can’t you pleace help me
Hello I’m recently diagnosed with NP. I’ve had it for 9 months. It started on one leg and has spread to all my limbs, back and stomach. It’s so debilitating and has left me so depressed. The itching so intense it’s unbearable.
I saw a sympathetic dermatologist a few days ago privately. During Covid you can’t just request a dr appointment unless it’s life or death. Anyway he arranged a steroid injection there and then and put me on a very high dose of antibiotics as one lesion was badly infected. He thinks I have 2 different conditions going on – 1 being NP and the other being Lichen Simplex. Then I was hit with shingles. That almost finished me off. However the steroid injection has mostly stopped the itching… thank the Lord and the antibiotics have reduced the large, unsightly infected lesion.
Thanks to whoever set up this group as it’s so hard to find information on this awful condition. I hope my story can help someone
Hello I’m recently diagnosed with NP. I’ve had it for 9 months. It started on one leg and has spread to all my limbs, back and stomach. It’s so debilitating and has left me so depressed. The itching so intense it’s unbearable.
I saw a sympathetic dermatologist a few days ago privately. During Covid you can’t just request a dr appointment unless it’s life or death. Anyway he arranged a steroid injection there and then and put me on a very high dose of antibiotics as one lesion was badly infected. He thinks I have 2 different conditions going on – 1 being NP and the other being Lichen Simplex. Then I was hit with shingles. That almost finished me off. However the steroid injection has mostly stopped the itching… thank the Lord and the antibiotics have reduced the large, unsightly infected lesion.
Thanks to whoever set up this group as it’s so hard to find information on this awful condition. I hope my story can help someone
How good to read real stories from sufferers. I have had PN for ten years now. It started in a summer holiday when we were drinking red wine every night with extended family and I wet my beach towel every night before covering my back with it for relief of the dreadful itch. Now I have UVB light therapy three times a week (invaluable for the itching) and use a topical steroid twice a day as well as moisturising. Sometimes I just can’t face all of the routine and have a day off and then cope with the consequences!
In summer we go to the beach (40 minute trip) every warm enough day and watch my skin change in front of our eyes. I stay in the sea water for twenty minutes each swim and don’t shower till the next morning. Baths in Flare Up Oil and Alpha Keri also help.
I’m so pleased to have read peoples comments not knowing anyone else with this condition it’s been driving me in sane and found it helpful.
Hi Denise, it’s so hard isn’t it? Mine has completely gone now and I’m pretty sure it is because I’ve cut out topical steroid creams and processed foods. Who knows though. Be careful if you cut out steroids as it can cause withdrawal which is awful. I’m 2.5 years into withdrawal and it’s been so hard. But no NP anymore.
Hi Ruth ,
I have just seen your site on here .
My Husband is 78 and six years ago he had the Shingles Vaccine abut two weeks after he came out in These awful weeping or bleeding itchy spots .
The Dermotolagist diagnosed NP she explained that it was as a result of the Shingles Vaccine giving his Immunne System a shock ,it could be an insect bite etc but she thinks it was the Vaccine . He has had flare up on and of for six years .He uses Steroid Creams and Moisturiser’s he has had his Covid Vaccines and no problem and then in Oct his Flu jab and two weeks after his Covid Booster .A few days after he came out in fed blotches and then spots ,it is finally calmed down after six weeks .I am sure it was again the shock of having perhaps two vaccines two weeks apart on his Immune system ,he also has Rheumatoid Arthritis which affects his Immune System ,I have not noticed any special food causing .
Thank you for this site
Recently diagnosed with PN. First doctor prescribed steroids but said it would slow the healing of the biopsy cut.
I got a second opinion last week. This Dr. suggested to surgically remove. I only have one spot but it’s on my bottom, so very uncomfortable to sit down.
The Dr. is prescribing 2 weeks of antibiotics in advance, topical antibiotics/steroid for a month in advance, and antibiotics for 2 weeks following surgery.
Any advice from folks on surgery?
I’ve not had surgery for mine, they seemed to heal in time. I found the only thing that helped me was to avoid all processed foods. It seems some ingredient in processed foods triggers them but I’ve no idea which one. Would be amazing to be able to work it out categorically. I know how painful they can be and how much of a pain, with the bleeding etc. I hope someone can help you with advice. I guess all you could do is look into how to boost and aid healing after the op, things to support the skin as it heals. Not sure otherwise.
Mine started on my arms approximately a year ago.
I am making peanuts my enemy at the moment, as I believe, after much denial, they could be a source of one of the triggers. Just chucked a kg into the bin.
Almonds I have also eaten more of over the past month and I have chucked them also.
How much cheaper it would be for the NHS to do proper allergy tests, in Wales, than just keep throwing creams, specialists, etc, at you.