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Hi doctors I need to know is there any new study about stopped the itching from the one has policytemia Vera thank you
Mar 8, 2013

Dr. Jean Esso Anesthesiology
I can answer in a traditional way. Simply avoid HOT baths and do not rub vigorously with a towel because this can irritate you skin. Call your doctor in case the itching is unbearable, he may prescribe ultraviolet light to help relieve this problem.
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Dr. Fadi Abbas Oncology & Hematology
polycythemia vera, can cause what we call erythromelalgia, a kind of pain and itching of hands during the exposition to changes in temperature, (mainly hot water or cold) which is due to the rapid release of histamine.
Itching can also be due to the usual medications of PV (hydroxyurea= Hydrea or cytodrox), and there is another possible medications to check with ur doctor, or eventually doing phlebotomy (blood letting) .
if you are on treatment, you should do frequent blood tests, to check on electrolytes, as the treatment kill cells , and their contenance is released in blood
(calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, uric acid, etc)
Anti-histaminic drugs do well (zyrtec, or atarax, Xyzall,etc). PV is a very rare disease, 2/100 000 per year, so there is no real specific medication for itching, except surveillance, and taking old or new generations of anti-histaminic medications
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