Itching and Type 2/Metformin

[Gareth101]

Hi everyone
I have been diagnosed Type 2 since February ‘23, and ramped up on Metformin to now being at 2g daily. HbA1C at diagnosis was 89, now 49. All good - however, for the past several months I have been increasingly itchy all over.
I have been for a neuropathy test which came back negative, but GP being a bit useless. Prescribed me scabies topics cream treatment, even though he said it wasn’t scabies. I asked if perhaps I was having an allergic reaction to the metformin, but that was waved away as being ‘low down on the list of indicators’.
It’s really getting me down.
Has anyone else experienced this and can you give any advice?
I’ve since switched to gentle care shower gel, and there has been no change in my laundry arrangements. It’s driving me nuts! Any advice most welcome.
Thanks in advance!

 

[LivingLightly]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Well done for achieving an improved HbA1c result. It's good news that neuropathy was excluded.

I have type 2 diabetes and I'm a metformin user. Both vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies may cause generalised itchy skin, so getting your level of these vitamins tested may be helpful. Testing will help determine whether either of these deficiencies is at the root of your skin itchiness.

Meanwhile, if your scabies cream has expired, Doublebase cream is available OTC and should provide immediate relief.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hi everyone
I have been diagnosed Type 2 since February ‘23, and ramped up on Metformin to now being at 2g daily. HbA1C at diagnosis was 89, now 49. All good - however, for the past several months I have been increasingly itchy all over.
I have been for a neuropathy test which came back negative, but GP being a bit useless. Prescribed me scabies topics cream treatment, even though he said it wasn’t scabies. I asked if perhaps I was having an allergic reaction to the metformin, but that was waved away as being ‘low down on the list of indicators’.
It’s really getting me down.
Has anyone else experienced this and can you give any advice?
I’ve since switched to gentle care shower gel, and there has been no change in my laundry arrangements. It’s driving me nuts! Any advice most welcome.
Thanks in advance!

A rash is one of the known side effects of metformin (one in ten)... Doesn't say whether it's from a lack of B12 uptake or just something directly from the ingredients, but it's on there alright. Your HbA1c looks decent, and I'm guessing that's not 100% down to the metformin, as it is not a miracle drug. I'd say, being the headstrong know-it-all that I am, stop it for a week, maybe two, see whether the itchiness stops. If it does, then there you go, you have your answer.

Excellent results by the way on the HbA1c reduction.
Jo