Hi, My 16-month-old daughter has been having a strange recurring issue and I’m wondering if anyone has come across anything similar. For several months she has had intermittent episodes where she suddenly becomes very distressed and starts intensely scratching the same area of her right hand. It is mainly on the top/back of her hand near the little finger side. Sometimes it lasts a minute or two, but she recently had a much longer episode (around 10 minutes) where she scratched so much she broke the skin. During these episodes, the affected arm develops goosebumps (sometimes it looks like the whole arm), even though she isn’t cold. Once the episode passes, she is completely back to normal. A few details: She is 16 months old and otherwise very healthy and happy. She is meeting all her milestones and continues to gain skills. She uses both hands equally and doesn’t seem weak or bothered by the arm outside of episodes. She is responsive during episodes (just very distressed and focused on the sensation). There is no obvious rash or eczema when this happens. An antihistamine (Piriton) seemed to help during one particularly bad episode. We are waiting for a paediatric assessment, but I’m curious whether anyone has seen anything similar — especially the combination of a very localised itch/strange sensation and goosebumps on one arm. Did anyone’s child have something like this, and did you ever find out what was causing it?
Itchy palms are often allergies or eczema. In worst cases it’s liver issues, but likely not that in your kiddo if they’re otherwise healthy.
That’s what I thought at first but there’s nothing visible on her skin and it’s just on one hand (top of the hand as opposed to the palm) very strange!
Any injuries? My first thought was CRPS.
Just looked it up as I didn’t know what crps was - no injuries so not sure it’d be that but interesting for sure. Thank you!
Have you looked for dyshidrotic eczema? It isn't as apparent as other types of eczema and it looks like tiny little flesh colored blisters that are almost under the skin. I get it on my hands and no one would ever be able to tell it is eczema or if anything is wrong at all until I scratch all my skin off.