ITCH

Pruritus is a chronic itching lasting six weeks or longer, caused by various factors; currently, treatment only provides short-term relief of symptoms.

Chronic Pruritus

Also known as Inflammatory Itch, it is a primary symptom of many chronic inflammatory conditions, including C.A.R.P.A.

An increased understanding of the neuroimmunology of pruritus provides support for MRGPRX2 as a key receptor driving the release of a wide variety of itch-causing cytokines that are highly deregulated in inflammatory conditions.

My challenging struggle with chronic pruritus began in 2014 as a minor irritation on my leg, which I initially thought was an insect bite. Within a few weeks, it developed into persistent, widespread, and painful itching that covered my entire body.

This was before my C.A.R.P.A. diagnosis; I later discovered that this was the first sign of it.

The relentless and constant itching caused sleep deprivation, a loss of appetite, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and scratching that left my skin raw, bleeding, and inflamed, leading to intense pain and distress.

Despite the doctor's best efforts, my whole body itched nonstop day and night for over a year.

Many specialists evaluated my condition, which resulted in moving me between different hospital wards for various diagnostic tests, including multiple MRI scans, lumbar punctures, biopsies, and blood tests. I spent more time in hospitals and doctors' offices than at home.

I was prescribed various topical, oral, and injectable forms of medications;

Among many medications like steroids and antihistamines, I was also prescribed Nozinan, which not only failed to relieve my symptoms but also caused a life-threatening reaction.

Since I was neither psychotic nor hallucinating, the reason for prescribing levomepromazine for pruritus and the allergies remains unclear today.

Before 2014, I had never experienced allergies, and I wasn't diagnosed with Carpa until later, so I was completely unaware that, instead of helping, certain medications, chemicals in foods, and tap water could cause allergies and inflammation.

Ultimately, after numerous trials with various medications, Tavegil emerged as the sole antihistamine capable of alleviating the itching.

Initially, I took it as a pill, but I had an adverse reaction, so it had to be given in liquid form by injection, which proved effective.

I had to learn how to administer the medication through intramuscular injection along with steroids, so I could do it at home.

Nonetheless, all of these medications caused side effects: my hair started falling out in large clumps, I gained 40 kilos, and continued experiencing other symptoms, including severe stomach pain, fatigue, blurred vision, respiratory issues, and rashes. So, I decided to stop taking all these medications.

The itching eventually improved, but as of 2025, although no longer constant, it still remains present on my feet, legs, and back, particularly at night.

It wasn't until I received the diagnosis of C.A.R.P.A. that I finally understood why, after being prescribed new medications, on top of itching, I began experiencing other allergies, inflammations, and side effects.

Realizing that my allergic reactions were actually caused by the same medications used to treat my previously undiagnosed conditions created a catch-22: medicines meant to cure my condition unintentionally worsened the very issues they aimed to treat, which limited my available treatments and pharmaceuticals, further lowering my quality of life.

Considering that I have been prescribed several medications that prompted even life-threatening reactions, I am now exceptionally cautious regarding new pharmaceuticals and other chemicals that I am exposed to or consume, especially after enduring years of Carpa triggers.

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Formication

Puritus feels like having small insects crawling under and on top of the skin; this is called formication, which is a physically and mentally exhausting experience, significantly affecting sleep, eating habits, and overall quality of life. Certain medications, including steroids, ciprofloxacin, ketoconazole, amantadine, and atypical antipsychotics, can cause formication.

These persistent symptoms require a thorough investigation into their underlying causes, which might extend beyond C.A.R.P.A.

Without assistance from the healthcare system, my symptoms will remain an agonizing mystery that I must continue to endure.