Uncontrollable. Insatiable. Seemingly brought on for no reason.
The scratching that can accompany an MS diagnosis is one of the most frustrating symptoms to deal with. It’s a neuropathic itch — that is, caused by messed up nerves signals from the brain, which makes the itching sensation impossible to stop. No amount of scratching lessens its intensity.
To learn more about how you cope with this symptom, we reached out on the MultipleSclerosis.net Facebook page, asking, “Have you ever had that uncontrollable itch that feels like bugs crawling all over you?”
More than 300 of you reacted, and more than 70 of you weighed in. Here’s what you had to say.
“I have bruised myself by scratching.”
Because the itching is a signal switched on by the brain, there’s little you can do physically to change what’s happening. But the desire to act is relentless. Several of you mentioned that you can’t help but continue scratching, even when it leads to bleeding or bruises.
“OMG yes, and it’s insane! Sometimes I am positive that a spider is crawling on me and there isn’t. I have bruised myself by scratching.”
“Always, it’s horrible. It won’t stop being itchy till I scratch the hell out of it, then I end up with sores and scratch marks.”
“Yes, for me it started about six years before I was diagnosed with MS.”
For many of you, the itching came on long before you even knew you had MS. For others of you, you didn’t know that the itching was related to MS until you read the Facebook post on MultipleSclerosis.net. Until you have the MS diagnosis and the understanding that this itching is related to the diagnosis, it can seem mysterious — which is more frustrating than anything else. Too often, we can’t even begin to treat that which we can’t categorize and name.
“Yes, three years before I actually had the initial onset of my disease. It was absolutely horrible. Now I get itching on the palms of my hands and fingers. It’s really annoying more than anything.”
“Yes, but I didn’t realize it had anything to do with my MS!”
“Just as you are going to sleep is when it hits hard.”
Although the onset of symptoms can appear random, it can be triggered by stress. For many people, stress worsens after the workday, as that is when the mind no longer has tasks to focus on, and instead, can start spinning with worry. Thus, bedtime can be one of the most challenging times of day as we lie in bed with nothing but our thoughts.
“OMG, I have been having this the past couple days. Feel like my skin is crawling. More so in the evening.”
“Yes, and it’s like fire ants! Just as you are going to sleep is when it hits hard.”
“Yes, very frequently especially at night along with a feeling of electric shock on nerves on my right side.”
“This is the only symptom that seems to be better when I’m taking my Neurontin.”
Several anti-epileptic drugs, including Neurontin, aka Gabapentin, and Lacosamide, aka Vimpat, were developed to treat seizures caused by shingles, but have also been found to provide relief to the nerve-related problem of the MS itching. Several of you named these drugs, citing that they alleviate much of the itching. If this sounds like a solution that might work for you, start with your regular doctor or ask about seeing a neurologist.
“Honestly, this is the only symptom that seems to be better when I’m taking my Neurontin… The random creepy-crawling feeling and the pins-and-needles feeling, which is nice. I used to feel like something was crawling across my face and biting me.”
“Your MS specialist should be able to help you. If it’s something that is out of control, a drug such as Gabapentin can help. Some topical routes can help soothe but because it’s neurological, just know this is coming from the brain. Cool clothing and lowering your stress can help. If needed, talk to your neurologist.”
“I take Vimpat, a seizure med, to control it—because otherwise, I will scratch till I bleed and bruise.”
“My doctor gives me a prescription itch cream.”
For others, a simpler solution may work. Anti-itch creams are easier to get and might be a good choice for a first step in solving the problem. Beyond creams, there are alternative therapies available as well.
“This happens all the time. I used to take pills to stop the itching, but Medicare quit covering them. So now my doctor gives me a prescription itch cream and it helps!”
“I go for light treatment. It works!”
We want to say thank you to everyone who shared their stories and solutions on the MultipleSclerosis.net Facebook page. Check out the comic that inspired these responses here.
Not sure if what I’m feeling is the ms itch, but this is the 5 time it put me in the hospital. The welts are hugh and in burns so mich so that the only relief is to stick my hands and feet in a bucket if ice.
Thank you for reaching out, Judy. I’m sorry to hear the challenges you’re having with this symptom issue, have you talked to your neurologist to see if they think it’s MS related? Have you seen a dermatologist or allergist for evaluation? I hope you’re able to find relief from the itch symptoms and I hope your doctor can develop a plan to help manage this soon. If you have additional questions we can try to help with please feel free to email MSQuestions@mymsaa.org. Take care, Angel, MSAA Client Services Specialist
the itching has become unbearable thanks for the article and comments I don’t feel like I am bringing this on myself. mine is my scalp which I have dug raw and now have sores. has anyone had the burning sensation? I have scratched so hard my fingernails are knobs
Thank you for reaching out Suzanne, I am sorry to hear about the symptom issues you’ve experienced with itching. If you’d like to talk to others living with MS to gain feedback about their experiences, you can do so through MSAA’s online peer support forum called My MSAA Community, https://mymsaa.org/msaa-community/my-msaa-community-forum. Hopefully your doctor can help address the symptom issues and provide some type of treatment to help with this as well. You’re not alone in your experiences with this and I hope you’re able to receive some helpful feedback soon. If you have additional questions please feel free to email MSQuestions@mymsaa.org. Thank you and take care. Angel, MSAA Client Services Specialist
I am itching both day, and night, although usually worse at night. It is a painful, burning itch, and I also have strange sensations like ice water running down my leg, and insects crawling on me, even when they are not (I do have an insect problem though) I have first had severe dizzy spells, some nausea, very high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and balance issues. Brain MRI has shown numerous white matter lesions, and I have been diagnosed with ms many years ago, without any lesions showing up yet, except for a dark spot in the folds of my brain. I understand that white matter disease can also cause all the symptoms of ms. I have been itching like crazy for about two weeks now, and I pray it goes away again.
Hi Deborah, thank you for reaching out to the MSAA. I am very sorry to hear about the symptom issues and itch sensations you are experiencing. That sounds very painful and uncomfortable to manage. Hopefully you’re able to follow up with your doctor about the symptoms, specifically the itching issues. A neurologist may also be able to help determine relation between the symptoms and lesions and hopefully help to recommend treatment that may help. To talk to others living with MS for support, you can connect using MSAA’s My MSAA Community, our online peer support forum, https://mymsaa.org/msaa-community/my-msaa-community-forum. If you have additional questions we can try to help with please email MSQuestions@mymsaa.org. I hope you’re feeling better soon. Thank you again for reaching out and take care. Angel, MSAA Client Services Specialist
I buzzed off my hair cus I was going crazy from my head itching I was losing lots of hair cuz I couldn’t reach the itch now when I have a itching episode I wet a wash cloth & rub my head it’ pretty much helps I don’t regret buzzing my hair I feel comfortable that’s all that matters I wear a hat when I’m in public. Love & hugs.