question: Hello doctor,For the past two months, my 89-year-old husband is suffering from a painful, burning, and itchy skin disease. He has been seen by his family doctor and two trips to the emergency. At first, thought to be shingles and later pruritis. The painful episodes happen at night and early morning. I cool it down with oatmeal compresses and Gold Bond anti-itch lotion. It goes from a 10 down to a two. Sometimes it does not appear for a week and it is back again. The only medication he is on is Coumadin. He is and always has been a non-drinker and non-smoker. He has dementia but, only at night. Our environment is scent free, no chemicals and soap and laundry soap are hypoallergenic. What can this be, is it part of ageing?