ITCHING

In most cases, pain can be managed. On the other hand, itching can drive a person bonkers.

Confessing, in the past when my integrative doctor offered a prescription medicine, my answer has always been, "No thank you! However, my left foot fungal infection has returned. On the April 3rd of this year, when the doctor offered a prescribed cream, I acquiesced.

In my defense, having used home treatments for the foot fungal infection so many many many times before, there were thoughts and hopes that the prescribed cream would kill off the fungal infection once and for all. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way.

For the first week, the prescription cream appeared to be working. During the second week, if I hadn't applied the cream by 10:30 P.M., intense itching began and the itching would calm down shortly after applying the cream. My creative and imaginational mind kicked in thinking that my skin was becoming addicted to the prescribed Ketoconazole cream. At the end of two weeks, my left foot was stinging, burning, and itching. I was having side effects or an allergic reaction to the prescribed cream. According to online information, if you are having stinging, burning, and itching, you should stop using Ketoconazole cream. Which I did!

However, when discontinuing the cream on the 18th, my receiving any type of sleep or rest was problematic. It was the same for the 19th of April. As it happened, my six month follow up with my Medicare Advantage doctor was scheduled for the 20th of April. Arriving at the doctors office, the cold almost freezing temperature of the room was definitely noticeable.

After commenting this fact, the doctor's assistant announced that it was 74 degrees. Knowing that there was no need to argue with her, I bit my tongue. My left foot was itching so bad, but honestly, it felt like 54 degrees. When my personal care physician learned what was going on with my left foot, she wanted to prescribe another cream. Of course, I refused.

Once back home, it was time to google finding that coconut oil was a good choice for treating a foot fungal infection. Before applying the coconut oil, my foot was soaked in vinegar water and thoroughly dried. In addition, there are other soaking choices; such as, Epsom salt in water or baking soda in water.

A few days after seeing the Medicare Advantage doctor, my throat was sore, craggy, and scratchy. Immediately, began gargling with warm salt water and taking a small amount of Manuka Honey with apple cider vinegar. This home treatment helped since dark honeys have antibacterial qualities. By the Way, the Manuka honey comes from New Zealand.

Out of the blue, there was a sudden onset of itching all over my body. While my foot was getting better on the 25th of April, now, I was having itching all over my body. Using lotions and creams, there was no relief and nothing helped. It wasn't poison ivy or dry skin. Besides, dry skin usually happens to me in the winter. The only thing that gave comfort were ice packs and cold showers, then applying coconut oil or Petroleum Jelly. At night, an allergy pill would help achieve some much needed sleep.

Waiting almost two weeks, I reached out to my integrative doctor. The doctor replied back by email asking which lab to send the request to. After she received the information, the doctor sent the blood request to the lab. Upon learning that the lab had the blood request, I immediately went to the lab and had the blood drawn. Needles and having blood drawn are not my favorite things in the world, but this itching is driving me crazy.

Over the weekend, it felt like a urinary tract infection was trying to come on. Thankful that we have the cranberry supplement gummies. While the gummies aren't used to treat infection, they can prevent the development of a UTI.

As of yesterday, the blood work is out of the way. Today, the 9th my left arm is sore from going to the lab. Unbelievable, the down side is that the doctor won't have the result for seven to nine days.

Currently, taking Benadryl Allergy tablets using Vicks Vapor Rub on my skin. Taking cold showers and using ice packs, this itching is driving me bonkers.

Writer's notes: Wishing you all the best, thank you for reading! Appreciate your comments and hearts!