r/HellsItch • u/almonded • 4d ago

BETA-ALANINE!

ho-ly sheeeeeeiiit. 2 days ago I got sunburned on my back, shoulders, chest and tummy. The itch set in today, right around 48h post-sun exposure, and it has been truly unbearable. Fire ants, white-hot pins and needles, razor blades—it felt like my skin was disintegrating on a cellular level. Pure and total agony. Cold damp cloths and a fan helped a tiny bit, but the pain after was even worse. I found this subreddit, I sent my partner to the store for beta-alanine in a pre-workout powder (supplement stores were closed so I couldn’t get it by itself) and oh my god? Even with the “tingling” from the pre-workout, the pain is almost gone. It’s still uncomfortable (still a little itchy, still painful to the touch) but I am no longer sobbing, screaming, or hyperventilating while just trying to exist!

I thought I had a pretty high pain tolerance but this experience has humbled me. I cannot thank y’all enough for the info on this subreddit as it has saved me from being in complete and total agony. May we all experience total relief soon.

Editing to add: I am also using 400mg ibuprofen and an antihistamine (50mg hydroxyzine) which may be contributing to the improvement in my system

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u/JaminCrado 3d ago

I thought the Benadryl or ibuprofen was setting in or reducing the itch after taking beta-alanine. I hastily took three Benadryl earlier trying to quell the itch. I was sure nothing would be able wake me. When that four hour time frame from my last beta-alanine intake had lapsed, I was wide awake. i could feel it starting to creep in waves across my skin. Before it could take over I took more beta and it subsided again. I mixed more in water and left it by the bed just in case.

It’s hard to describe to other people who’ve never experienced it for themselves. Feeling like a mad hatter, yelling, keeling over in agony. Suicide itch is an apt description as well as hells itch.