After reading all of this I did some research. Seems there may be a link in the spine and sun exposure.
On this site:sensored://www.anaisdedermatologia.org.br/artigo_en.php?artigo_id=44
I found this (there are other cases too)
Brachioradial pruritus is a type of itching or a very intense burning sensation in the anterior distal third of arms and proximal third of forearms, corresponding to the brachioradial muscle region. The condition has been associated with solar radiation, and some authors related to orthopedic lesions in the cervical spine. The author presents two patients suffering from brachioradial pruritus who were treated with thalidomide and presented excellent results. This paper aims to suggest a new therapeutic option for this refractory disease.
Case 1 - Patient resident in Guarulhos, SP, 55-years-old, female, white, fell down 15 years ago and broke her coccyx. She has presented intense pruritus in the anterior elbow for 10 years (Figure 1). Pruritus was more intense when exposed to sun. The dermatological examination showed normal skin. She had been submitted to topical and systemic treatments with no relief. Diagnosis of BP was made based on the clinical history. Cervical spine radiography revealed reduced discal space between C5 and C6 and discopathy in C5. The patient did not tolerate treatment with capsaicin. Thalidomide 100mg was introduced once a day and the response was immediate and effective. The patient became completely asymptomatic within a few days.
AND THIS:ON THIS SITE I FOUND THE FOLLOWING sensored://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16225616&dopt=AbstractPlus
BACKGROUND: The cause of brachioradial pruritus (a localized itching on the arms or shoulders) is controversial. A hereditary form of this condition has not been reported. OBJECTIVES: To describe the occurrence of brachioradial pruritus in several members of one family. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The pedigree of the three generations and the history of brachioradial pruritus was outlined. Four sisters were investigated by radiography of the cervical spine. RESULTS: Five sisters and one brother, together with five of their daughters suffered from recurring brachioradial pruritus. The sisters had had occupations requiring heavy lifting, spent much time outdoors and exposed themselves extensively to the sun. Several complained of neck pain and cervical radiographs of four of them indicated arthrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal disease alone cannot explain the symptoms of brachioradial pruritus, which in our patients was characterized by symptom-free periods broken off by relapse late in the summer each year. The pedigree suggests this hereditary form of brachioradial pruritus to be dominant and possibly X-linked.
Posted By Rhonda on August 23, 2007 at 10:20:55:
