Hi,

My teenage son has had generalised burning itchy skin for 17 months. He has seen four dermatologists, tried various medications, creams and ointments, had numerous blood tests, xrays and a CT scan. There has been no definitive diagnosis, yet he is still tortured by this. 

I had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when I was two years older than him, and had the same itching skin for a year before diagnosis. The doctors are reluctant to establish a familial link of Hodgkins, despite research that suggests there is a 6-7% increased risk. They constantly dismiss us as being overdramatic!

One of his blood tests (LDH) has haemolysed 8 times, we cannot get an accurate reading. Does anyone know why this happens, or what it could mean?

And are there any other specific blood tests he could have? We have read about HL patients having more TARC (or CCL17 protein) in their blood than normal.

We are desperate for any help.