Newfound sympathy for scruffy indie bands

October 8, 2007 6:07 AM

Beard itch, except I don't have a beard. Help!

My face has been itching for the past 10 days or so. It's not red, peeling, bumpy or any other kind of rash symptom, just incessant ithcing. I itch on my jawline, cheeks, chin, neck, and ears- basically everywhere a beard would grow (well besides the ears). BUT I'm a chick, and I have no beard. It's worst at night and first thing in the morning when I'm laying down with my face on my pillow or sheets.

I haven't recently changed my laundry detergent, shampoo, soap, lotion, medication, or eating habits. I've been popping Benadryl and slathering on hydrocortisone lotion. What is going on and how do I fix it before I claw my face off?

posted by kidsleepy to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

I itch due to allergies though mine is more on my hands and legs and feet. I have found that over the counter Claritin is a better than benadryl because it lasts 24 hours instead of 4 as benadryl does. My allergies are seasonal (spring and fall). Have you turned on your heat at night? That might have stirred up something in the allergy dept. I never had allergies til I hit my thirties. IANAD
My sympathies to you...the itchies suck!
posted by meeshell at 8:01 AM on October 8, 2007

Maybe you should see a dermatologist. Or a doctor.

My neck and arms started itching like crazy when I moved to my current apartment three years ago, which I figured out eventually (it was a change in humidity that did it) but that in no way makes me any kind of expert to diagnose your problem. Hence, sentences #1 and #2.
posted by lou at 8:04 AM on October 8, 2007

Possibly dryness due to the changing of the season and the humidity draining from the air. This is possible even if you've never experienced it in prior seasonal changes.

Drink lots of water and use a facial moisturizer after you wash your face, see if that helps.
posted by hermitosis at 8:26 AM on October 8, 2007

Response by poster: it's not cold enough here to turn on the heat (north carolina = still hitting mid-eighties), though it has been a bit dry lately. drinking more water is a good suggestion- i'm off to the water cooler!
posted by kidsleepy at 8:42 AM on October 8, 2007

My neck, chin and jawline always get really itchy during allergy season. It's the weirdest feeling, and it's beyond frustrating. However, if the antihistamines that you're using aren't helping you, it might be worth going to a doctor to check out other possibilities.
posted by bassjump at 8:48 AM on October 8, 2007

A family friend had odd, unexplained itching, though it was whole body. It turned out to be something like a blocked bile duct due to stomach cancer.

Not to be an alarmist but it might be worth a visit to the doctor if it persists.
posted by 6550 at 9:50 AM on October 8, 2007

Response by poster: Something that (may) be related- I bought a new bra, one of those gel things from Victoria's Secret, about a month ago. After wearing it a few times, my chest itched, and I didn't connect it until a friend of mine mentioned she was allergic and they made her itch too.

Anyways, I will make a doctor's appointment. While I wait, does anyone have any good short-term anti-itch remedies?
posted by kidsleepy at 11:20 AM on October 8, 2007

good to see a doctor. show up with a list of symptoms in hand, with times noted and things that haven't worked, exactly as you have above. make sure the doctor knows this.

you might try taking an anti-inflammatory like advil....
posted by thinkingwoman at 11:57 AM on October 8, 2007

Maybe you've gotten a new pillow recently?

Maybe your pillow/bed is infested with some kind of insect that you're allergic to?

Maybe pollen or something else airborne that you're allergic to is settling on your pillow during the day?

I think vacuuming your pillow/bed right before you fall asleep would be an interesting place to start.
posted by anaelith at 1:49 PM on October 8, 2007

Response by poster: follow-up: i never did go to the doctor's, b/c the itching mysteriously disappeared on its own. oh well.
posted by kidsleepy at 9:41 AM on January 10, 2008