The itch I can’t scratch is the MS symptom most people can’t see
I have had to learn new ways to cope with this strange challenge
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Living with multiple sclerosis has taught me that some of the hardest symptoms to explain are the ones no one else can see.
For me, one of those is itchiness. Not the kind that comes from dry skin or a mosquito bite, but something deeper, more unsettling. It feels like it starts beneath my skin, like a signal my body is sending that doesn’t quite make sense.
The first time it happened, I remember instinctively scratching, expecting relief, but it didn’t come. If anything, it made things worse, like I was chasing a sensation I couldn’t quite reach. That’s when I realized this wasn’t a typical itch because it didn’t follow the usual rules.
What makes it especially frustrating is its unpredictability. I can be in the middle of working, trying to focus, or even just relaxing, and suddenly, it’s there, on my arm, my scalp, sometimes my face. It demands attention in a way that’s hard to ignore, and because there’s no visible rash or redness, it can feel isolating, like I’m dealing with something invisible that no one else quite understands.
Living with the itch
Over time, I’ve had to learn my own ways of coping. Scratching isn’t the answer, even though it’s the most natural reaction. Instead, I’ve found small things that help, such as cooling the area, pressing gently on it, or even just pausing and acknowledging what’s happening, rather than fighting it. Some days, that works better than others.
There’s also a mental side to it. The constant distraction can wear me down, especially when it interrupts sleep or pulls my attention away from things I care about. I’ve had to remind myself that just because a symptom seems “minor” doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter. It affects my focus, my mood, and my sense of control over my body.
Talking about it hasn’t always been easy. It’s not the kind of symptom people think to ask about, and it can sound trivial when I try to explain it. But I’ve learned that naming it, whether to a doctor or someone I trust, makes a difference. It reminds me that I don’t have to just put up with it in silence.
Living with MS means adjusting to things I never expected, and an itch is one of those strange, overlooked challenges. It may not be the most visible symptom, but it’s real. And, like so many parts of this condition, it’s taught me to listen more closely to my body, to be patient with myself, and to find new ways to get through the day when things don’t feel quite right.
Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
Amanda Shears
Hi, my name is Mandy and I am 59 and was diagnosed with MS 2018. I too get an itching sensation that can happen anywhere at anytime. I have largely tried to brush it off as nothing, but I know that it is my MS! It’s annoying, frustrating, but I feel that things could be so much worse, I won’t let MS define who I am especially an itch!
Amanda Shears
Hi, my name is Mandy and I am 59 and was diagnosed with MS 2018. I too get an itching sensation that can happen anywhere at anytime. I have largely tried to brush it off as nothing, but I know that it is my MS! It’s annoying, frustrating, but I feel that things could be so much worse, I won’t let MS define who I am especially an itch!
Libbie Frank
Thanks for writing about it. . I have that itchiness also and you really don't hear about that MS symptom very often.
Merlene
The itching started in the scalp. Then Million ants crawing under all my skin. Drove me mad. Thought of changing soap, clothes and food. Took anti itching over the counter meds but did not work. Then read about MS ITCHING. After extensive reading, I moved to prescription drugs. Not benadryl but Lyraca. It mentions the addictive nature. I have been using it for 6 months. Finally, RELIEF. in part. The madness ended.
Val
Hi! Thanks for the article. How I understand you! I thought I was itching in different places just like a drug addict. No, it turned out that unsuitable histamine products were to blame, as well as the side effect of Teriflunomide. Diet, ointments and hypoallergenic fabrics help me to reduce itching. But how unpleasant it is that it occurs suddenly and on any part of the skin!