Long sleeves

[Everglow.]

Hey,

Feel free to move this, it's probably more suited somewhere else but I wasn't really sure where.

I don't know how to describe this but it's really annoying me now and I need to know if anyone can help. For the last few days, maybe a week, I can't stand long sleeves. I don't like anything touching my forearms. I don't know why. It makes my skin feel weird. It doesn't hurt but it's just there and I can feel it and it really bothers me to the point where I can't wear sleeves to bed and I have to have my sleeves rolled right up past my elbows all day. I scratch my arms to try and stop the feeling being there. I'm not trying to hurt myself, it's just to stop whatever this horrible sensation on my arms is.

If they're bare, it's not a problem. It's not an irritation, although I find mysel constantly looking for a rash. I don't have one. I'm not allergic to anything and I haven't used any new products of creams, the only stuff I use is shower gel which I've been using for a few months now.

Sorry, I know the detal isn't great but I don't really know how else to describe it. I had this once before but I was sick so everything was oversensitive anyway. I had a migraine and stomach pains and general flu. But with this, I'm actually not ill for the first time in a while. I'm completely healthy, but my forearms - and it is just my fore-arms - feel so weird.

[cynefin]

It sounds like sensory stuff is annoying you. My brother has a sensory problem and he can't tolerate items like hats, glasses, or band-aids without ripping them off. I don't know how he copes with it, other than removing the item that makes him uncomfortable, but maybe you could try another sensation? You could use some ice to numb your arms, or some muscle heating gel to overpower the other sensations. I know it can be hard not to focus on it, but I think sometimes focusing on it makes it feel worse. Maybe you could stay distracted.

I hope you find something to help you!

[Not_here]

I agree that it could be a sensory issue, I think it is called tactile defensiveness. A similar issue would be having difficulty with tags on clothing. But for you, it is long sleeves. Is there a reason you have to wear long sleeves as it seems wearing short sleeves is the most direct solution. Is there certain materials that bother you more than others? Is there a certain tightness or looseness that you prefer? Something that I do is wear short sleeves with a jacket or sweater over it because I like the baggyness of sweaters but I don't like wearing long sleeves if they're tight, so for me that's a compromise.
Also is this the only problem for you? Some people with tactile defensiveness would remove tags on shirts to reduce that itchy feeling. There may also be certain materials that you prefer. It may take some experimenting. Maybe try identifying what it is that you don't like? Does it feel itchy? Do you feel trapped? You mention a rash, so I'm wondering if you feel like heat or inflammation? I like the idea about the ice cube as that can be a good contrast to the rash feeling.
I think engaging your other senses can help distract yourself. If you know you like certain sensations for any of the other 4 senses, maybe do something with that?
I was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder but I never done treatment for it so I'm sorry I can't be more helpful. For me sounds are what bother me most so I counteract this with earplugs for noise canceling and I have certain comfort items like slinkies and certain textures that I enjoy feeling with my hands. This is something I decided on by myself though, so I can't say it will work for sure. I hope you find something that works. At the very least, if you're feeling anxious, doing something to cope with the anxiety may be helpful in tolerating this sensation.