No sleep!

Hi Millidance. You sound as if you are in exactly the same situation as me. I haven't slept properly for months and like you I may get an hour here and there but the itching and burning keeps me awake most of the night and the only way I can ever get to sleep is if I scratch until I bleed and then I find it easier to sleep if it hurts rather than itches. I have been waiting for three months for an appointment with a Dermatologist and I have now idea how much longer it will be before I get one so it has been a case of just trying out different treatments which I have bought and it has cost me a fortunate but nothing works. Up until last week I had been pretty desperate and have spent night after night crying in bed but I was looking for something in the bathroom drawers when I came across a tub of ointment tucked right at the back of one of the drawers. The seal hadn't been broken off and it said Coal Tar 5% in Betamethazone. It was just under a year out of date and I couldn't remember ever using it or anything like it I then remembered that I had been given it when I was in a similar situation to the one now, waiting for treatment to start and at least a week before I would get my prescription. I seem to remember that one of the nurses at the hospital gave me two jars of this and said to use it to stop the itching until my light treatment started. I remember opening a jar and didn't like the smell so I think I threw it away. I must have kept one jar and it and put it away. Anyway as desperate as I was I decided to try it and what a difference it has made. It hasn't stopped the itching completely but it has taken the dryness and inflamation away which in turn has calmed things down a lot. There is something similar which you can buy on Amazon called Exorex which is a coal tar lotion and you can put that on and dilute it with emollient. The only emollient I have found that doesn't sting is Apr0derm Coloidal Oat Cream. I hope that may be a help to you. Get back to me if you need to ask me any questions. xxxxx

Hi Vanessa, still awake here. Thank you for the suggestions, I will certainly have a look on Amazon 👍 The sheer exhaustion makes it all so much worse 🥺 I'll let you know how I get on. By the way, I waited 7 months to see a Consultant but no doubt it depends on the area where you live. Good luck ♥️

Have you tried Axisbiotix? Worked for me, check out Trustpilot for comments regarding the product.

Thank you Teflon, I will look into it

I bought Epimax Isomol gel online (it is a white soft cream) a few weeks ago. Epimax has various cream options to choose from. When I put it on my scalp, it feels very moist and calming. It washes off easily. I use it at night and wash my hair in the morning or when I need to go to work. It will definitely help with dryness. Best of luck!

Thank you LaughingFlea. My scalp drives me nuts 24/7 so I'll give this a try. The foam I was prescribed is impossible to get onto my scalp as I have long hair; it sounds as if the Epimax is easier to rub in.

Hi have you tried antihistamine tablets been a suffer for many years I take one a day keeps it manageable plus other meds from the brilliant Salford royal dermatology department

Thanks Vinny for your suggestion. I've been taking an antihistamine daily for years as I also have asthma.

Thank you Laughing Flea for your advice. I bought some of the Epimax gel and it's been a real help, better than anything I've tried so far. It's so effective 😊