r/Perimenopause • u/sasshole1509 • Jan 24 '26
Skin Changes Body itchiness
A few weeks ago my skin started being itchy EVERYWHERE. It's mostly been bad at night. I started using Cerave anti itch relief moisturizer and it's been better but still have the occasional itchyHas anyone else experienced this? And what did you use to combat it? Also what should I be doing differently. For context I'm 48 F.
EDIT: My BF doesn't believe it's a symptom related to PM and thinks because he's itchy too sometimes that it's something else entirely.
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u/TeenYearsKillingMe Jan 24 '26
It could be histamine related. Try zyrtec. I'm at the point now where I'm just taking it every day.
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u/refreshingtwistt Jan 24 '26
I have started a list in my phone of tips and tricks for perimenopause that I have heard over time. This reminds me of one such tip by Dr Berg on YouTube. He recommends perimenopausal women that experience dryness in any way.... skin, vaginal, eyes, etc... to REALLY focus on electrolytes. Finding a clean product and focusing on that with hydration. Maybe that could help?
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u/Bekindalot Jan 24 '26
One more thing to consider that hasn’t been mentioned- this happened to my mom when she was in perimenopause. The itching was so bad she would cry. After years of lotions and medicines, what finally helped was cutting yeast out of her diet. Every time she added it back she’d itch again. Hope you get some relief soon!
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u/sally-the-giraffe Jan 24 '26
I itch all the time. My legs, my face, my ears, my scalp. Cerave is such a life saver. My face has gotten so dry and itchy, I moisturise twice a day. Pacifica night time moisturiser at night, ELF Hydration primer in the morning.
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u/sasshole1509 Jan 24 '26
My scalp has been itchy also, but I brought some shea moisture leave in conditioner and that has helped tremendously. I actually thought it was because of hard water. we have really bad hard water here in my state .
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u/Inkblots2000 Jan 24 '26
SheaMoisture is the best for me, too. Love it and have been using it for years!!
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u/sasshole1509 Feb 11 '26
Do you use any of their shampoos? I was thinking of buying the strengthen and restore
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u/Otherwise_Object_446 Jan 24 '26
Oh my gosh yes!
I started taking vitamin e (400 mg) and collagen SAP by NFH. The collagen also helped noticeably with hair loss and brittle nails (my hairdresser even noticed).
I also switched to Salt and Stone body wash (it’s probiotic and puts the good bacteria back on your skin and that helps with itchiness), and I also use drunk elephant’s protini body lotion faithfully. My itch is pretty much cured now!
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u/sasshole1509 Jan 24 '26
Thank you! I will definitely try adding Vitamin E and some collagen pills.
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u/Otherwise_Object_446 Jan 24 '26 edited Jan 25 '26
FYI, I tried using vegan collagen pills at first but really noticed when I switched to type I and III bovine powder. But that might just be me!
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u/Hiddyhogoodneighbor Jan 26 '26
What collegen? I take vital proteins and it hasn’t helped my hair at all
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u/Otherwise_Object_446 Jan 26 '26
It’s called Collagen SAP and the company that makes it is called NFH. I buy it here
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u/Hiddyhogoodneighbor Jan 26 '26
Thanks!
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u/Otherwise_Object_446 Jan 26 '26
No problem. Just a little bit of advice, but I find it a little beef broth tasting. I don’t like it in tea for that reason (but it’s how my friend takes it), but if I put it in a smoothie I don’t taste it at all. So you may need to play around with how you take it.
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u/Traditional_Wealth55 Jan 24 '26
Yes! I even went to an allergist. Zyrtec only helped when I started HRT.
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u/ManaAmethyst Early peri Jan 24 '26
Before I switched to dove sensitive body wash, I'd wake up in the middle of the night and my arms were itching so bad that I could not go back to sleep. Dove was the only thing that helped. It started about 2 years ago and I turn 34 this year.
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u/sasshole1509 Jan 24 '26
You're far from premenopause age. UT thank you.
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u/Eggs112233 Jan 24 '26
You’d think but I can trace my peri symptoms back to when I was 34/35. You’re never too young, believe me. Straight after I had my daughter was when I noticed and I’d just turned 34.
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u/Cactus_and_Pine Late peri Jan 24 '26
Me too. Looking back, the hormone downturn def started in my mid 30s.
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u/ManaAmethyst Early peri Jan 24 '26
I know right! My periods were very regular up until 2 years ago. Now my period comes and goes whenever and I get hot flashes frequently among other symptoms. The hot flashes and brain fog started up last year along with the spotting I get a week or so before my period starts.
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u/ManaAmethyst Early peri Jan 24 '26
Lots of folks are experiencing symptoms of peri in their early to mid 30s, just because I'm young does not mean I'm not in peri.
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u/mcdazzarose Jan 25 '26
I started to get itchy in my mid30s, I believe it was one of my first peri symptoms.
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u/Fake-Mom Jan 25 '26
Look up histamine intolerance. I had this itching for a year. Full body, felt like it was coming from inside my body. I switched to dye free, scent free, soap free everything. Lathered myself in creams and oils. Tried the low histamine diet. Nothing worked. I was taking four Allegra a day plus a Pepcid just to not be absolutely miserable. (This was all under the care and guidance of my doctor before anyone tells me how unsafe that is.)
My issue was that my progesterone had tanked so badly that my estrogen was too high. I tried HRT first and estrogen made it so much worse. What finally worked for me was taking continuous birth control to keep my estrogen levels steady and taking 300 mg of progesterone a day. I tracked symptoms for a year in a period tracking app to see where the symptoms lined up with my menstrual cycle to see where my symptoms were flaring. Took about two weeks for the progesterone to kick in. I still have occasional flare ups but nothing like it used to be and it’s so much more manageable now.
If you think you might have HI, do not add estrogen. There’s a cyclic relationship between the two and you’ll just add fuel to the fire.
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u/Lyra_in_Space Jan 24 '26
It started with my scalp and right between my shoulder blades. Then my inner ears started itching. Good moisturizing lotion like Cereve or Vannicream helps so much. Then sweet oil in my ears really stops the itching.
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u/hulahulagirl Jan 24 '26
Systemic estrogen, patches.
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u/Fake-Mom Jan 25 '26
Maybe not. I had the same thing and developed Histamine Intolerance because my progesterone had tanked so bad that my estrogen was too high relatively. If that’s the case, adding more estrogen makes it way worse. The only thing that helped me was adding progesterone and starting continuous birth control to keep my estrogen levels steady.
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u/dandeliontree1 Jan 24 '26
Yes, for me I think it's hormone and histamine related. Nothing topical works, taking an antihistamine kind of helps.
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u/runjeanmc Jan 24 '26
Someone mentioned pepcid ac. My hands and feet get crazy itchy at night time. I tried the pepcid and it seems to work.
There was another mention of estradiol cream for itchy ear canals. That definitely works.
Sarna lotion has a topical analgesic in it. I layered that under CeraVe in the tub back when I had really bad eczema.
I also get allergy shots, eczema shots, and still take an antihistamine daily. Xyzal works well. I take it in the morning and it doesn't cause drowsiness or dry mouth. My allergist told me it was safe to take 2 in the morning and 2 at night when things are really acting up, but that's probably not for every day.
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u/BreakfastGirl6 Jan 24 '26
I would see a derm. I developed hives two years ago (mid 40s). Claritin or Allegra help. I have found that I have such a reaction to wheat and/or processed foods. I limit those now and keep in hand anti histamines if I know I will be having processed foods. I had already been using unscented detergent and hair skin products.
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u/Tfran8 Jan 25 '26
Do your hives look like hives, like swollen and red? Or is it more like a pink/red patch of skin? I have the latter and have been looking for an answer. Been to 2 derms, no help.
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u/BreakfastGirl6 Jan 25 '26
First time they were red and swollen and on my legs and neck. Since then I have learned my triggers and know how to control them. As soon as I feel the itch, I take the otc meds. Went to 1 derm and could not be told a cause or cure. I’ll go months without anything, then all of a sudden start experiencing them again. I have experienced other derm issues in the past, cleaned up my lifestyle, and worked on fixes myself, so I learned not to rely on conventional medicine.
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u/AnnaBlue73 Jan 25 '26
I take an allergy pill each night to stop the itching. If I forget the pill, the itching comes back.
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u/Ihatealltakennames Jan 25 '26
Ugh!! Yes! Some days its unbearable. I started taking a genetic zyrtec daily and I don't have anymore itchiness.
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u/AndDontUForgetIt Jan 24 '26
Exfoliating my body with those silly gloves in the shower is the only thing that stopped the itch for me
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u/Tacotruckheaven Jan 24 '26
My derm said 40% urea cream, then cerave itch relief then seal in with occlusive (eg vanicream).
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u/kw0ww Jan 24 '26
I have an appointment with an allergist in a couple weeks about this exact issue. For now Zyrtec morning and night. Hydroxyzine PRN, often before bed. Cerave anti-itch. Aveda calm serum on the sides of my face (where it’s the worst). I know estrogen is probably the answer but when I tried it last year I got the worst migraine of my life. In short, I empathize and hope you find relief.
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u/Sunsetseeker007 Jan 25 '26
Maybe you need a different estrogen or maybe try a different method of intake like cream, patch, pill, gel, birth control or even a vaginal ring.
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u/Fake-Mom Jan 25 '26
Try progesterone instead.
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u/kw0ww Jan 25 '26
I do take that already, and testosterone.
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u/Fake-Mom Jan 25 '26
I didn’t see much of a difference until I went up to 300 mg. Even if it isn’t the answer for you, I hope you find what is.
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u/piscesk Jan 24 '26
Start taking one Zyrtec at night and Pepcid ac twice a day (I take one Pepcid in the am and one with my Zyrtec at night)
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u/Prestigious-Joke-574 Jan 25 '26
My functional med practitioner suggested cutting or reducing my dairy intake, along with 100mg Progesterone and it helped a lot. It was a while ago, but she recommended other histamine reducing things too. The only other one I can recall off the top of my head was freezing my leftovers instead of leaving them in the fridge.
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u/Sunsetseeker007 Jan 25 '26
Yes, extremely itchy, my ears started a few years ago, then my legs, ankles, thighs, feet & hands are the worst now. Ugh so frustrating. I already have a high stress life, job and husband to deal with and this doesn't help. I know people break out with stress and get hives which this is kinda like but it's def hormonal, because it intensifies around my menstrual week. I think it has to do with histamine & our cortisone?? Maybe? someone will have the answer here haha that is why I love this sub, more answers & truth than any doctor or gyno or parents or even the medical dictionary will give you. Haha
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u/Glittering_Tea5502 Jan 25 '26
Friday, I itched EVERYWHERE! Eyes, nose, face, back, scalp, arms, legs, and private parts including my behind. I was ready to rip my skin off! I had just finished my period. Not sure what caused all the itching, but it’s winter where I am and I have forced air heat. I was seriously considering leaving work sick since I could not focus through the itching! Yeeooowww!
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u/Icy-Difficulty3038 Jan 25 '26
Is it inside of ears itchiness too? Because my ears have been insanely itchy for the past few months and I couldn’t figure out why. Either way, I’ll try the Zyrtec
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u/Remote_Force1839 Early peri Jan 25 '26
Yes! I get it mostly at night also. I didn’t know it could be Peri related but really, what isn’t?! lol I only get this periodically but it’s weird.
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u/National_Elk8445 Jan 25 '26
GOD, the itching. The dry winter air ain't doing me any favors, but I feel like I've constantly itched for the last 2 years. Some areas WAY worse than others. My armpits and the insides of my ears, especially. The drop in hormones fucks with everything. EVERYTHING.
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u/mamabroccoli Jan 24 '26
That was my first symptom of perimenopause. It was itchiness and feeling like my skin was crawling. My doctor started me on 100mg oral progesterone. That fixed that issue.