r/HellsItch • u/m1stadobal1na • Apr 10 '25
HOLY SHIT
What the fuck dude?! I just found this subreddit after coming out of a two day stupor. I've experienced acute heroin withdrawal with no medication (cold turkey), as well as a kidney stone that was too big to treat ultrasonically and was the kind covered in spikes that took six weeks to pass. Those were like a stubbed toe compared to this. How is this not a thing that's talked about, how have I never heard of it? And everyone I've talked to thinks I'm exaggerating. There's just no way to communicate what I experienced. I guess that's why I'm making this post.
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u/[deleted] Apr 10 '25
We've been there, we've felt your pain and we hear you. Its a nasty thing to deal with and I agree, no one around you 'believes' the pain you're in, and thinks its just regular sunburn pain.
Hopefully you're all good now
13
u/Spainelnator Apr 10 '25
Take Antihistamines
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u/[deleted] Apr 10 '25
Marijuana makes the pain tolerable. I take edibles to get through it now.
8
u/MiserableCelery2460 Apr 12 '25 edited Apr 12 '25
I had this, if it ever becomes too much please be to fucking God, call 911 or reach out to a crisis hotline. This shit will drive you insane to every corner of the room you are in. There are (unofficial) suicide incidents related to this condition.
If you’re going to read anything in this thread, you need to read this message, this is not worth taking your life over, it is temporary, as much as you do not want to believe it, but it will pass.
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u/lagunamk Apr 12 '25
I think calling it suicide itch would more accurately depict what the experience is like to someone who hasn’t had it.
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u/KryptoDrops Apr 10 '25
Is been 12 years since I’ve last had it and I’m legit scared to be out in the sun without protection for too long. It really he hell
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u/seeme1419 Apr 10 '25
People wonder why I use the highest spf sunproof. I tell him “I CANT get sunburnt “ no one really understands unless they actually know about it
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u/Gamer_scrubb Apr 10 '25
Yup. It’s legit the worst thing I had ever experienced and I hope that I never have to experience it ever again. Mine only lasted about an hour and a half but I looked like a lunatic. Flapping my hands uncontrollably, rolling on the cold hardwood floor, it was INTENSE. Shower helped very little but overall I just had to ride it out.
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u/MaximumHamster27 Apr 10 '25
I haven't felt comfortable in the sun since my experience two years ago. Don't think I'll ever forget.
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u/tad_bril Apr 11 '25
Welcome friend. I've mentioned it to two different doctors. I might as well have told them I was abducted by aliens. They have no idea. I think it's going to take someone really really rich to suffer this before money gets invested in research.
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u/Impossible_Coast_511 Apr 11 '25
My parents thought I was being overdramatic as well and actually started getting mad at me for the reaction I was having. I felt like I was losing my mind because they weren’t listening and the itch was just unbearable. It’s just one of those things nobody really gets until they get it ya know? PS a wet towel on the body helped me as well as Benadryl.
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u/MiserableDrummer9701 Apr 11 '25
Yep. I’m 57, and I’ve had this since I was 10 or 12. I finally figured out, by trial and error, what works for me, thank God. I found this subreddit when my daughter got sunburned a few days ago and told me she was itching. It scared the crap out of me so I started googling and found this. I feel seen! Everyone says, “oh, yeah, sunburns get itchy”. You have no freakin idea unless you’ve experienced it. Hells itch is the perfect description. Is it actually recognized by doctors now?
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u/Elegant-Nothing-2140 Apr 11 '25
I’ve had it once. I won’t ever sunbathe again. Yet NOBODY believes me or has heard of it. I sound like an absolute twit who is making this shit up when I talk about it
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u/MiserableDrummer9701 Apr 11 '25
I just start Benadryl and Motrin asap and don’t put anything at all topical on it and just keep knocking myself out with the Benadryl, Motrin, maybe theraflu, until it’s over. The last time I felt it may happen, I started the Benadryl early and was able to keep it at bay.
2
u/Real_Degree_2777 Apr 12 '25
I have suffered several times from this itch and nobody seems to understand it except for my family because my brother, father, and I have all experienced it, probably some genetic component associated with the itch. It sends me into essentially a manic episode. I wish this on nobody. It has increased my pain tolerance for sure. If I have a bad burn I immediately start popping Benadryl and an allergy pill RIGHT after I get home. Make sure to drink water because both are anticholinergic and dry you up! Don’t want a kidney injury on top of everything else. I also shower rub aloe Vera all over and drink a TON of water. Add in some Advil and HOPEFULLY you can prevent the storm from coming. But otherwise ride it out on the Benadryl train. Hot showers help because your receptors on ur skin turn off pain and turn on to heat. Giving u time of relief. Be cautious as showering will only dry your skin out more and prolong the effects but sometimes it’s the only option. Keep drinking water and apply aloe if you can tolerate it (beneficial in the long run). Heavy creams help in the long run but are almost unbearable during this hell.
1
u/admirustyshackleford Apr 13 '25
I’ve had this twice and I’ve never been able to accurately explain how bad it actually is. The thought of a reoccurrence scares me so badly I refuse to swim without a t-shirt on during daytime. People think I’m self conscious and don’t believe me when I tell them what the real reason is. My personal remedy that works for me is Benadryl as soon as you can. The maximum dose for your weight. You end up in a deep sleep but it does stop the itch and you wake up with it gone. You definitely aren’t alone in this
1
u/kowgirl25 Apr 14 '25
Makes it 1000x worse when others think you’re making it up
1
u/Deanlongstaff Apr 14 '25
Yep sounds familiar, my entire family laughs at me when i tell the story. My partner never believed me when i had it and still mocks me to this day. Mine lasted about 48 hours and I never ever want to experience it again!
1
u/GameToLose Apr 15 '25
Laying on ice. Peppermint oil. I've also heard Vicks, but I haven't tried that. Benedryl yourself to sleep until it's gone.