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The National Post first published the following story in 2014. Ever since, it’s had a steady stream of viewers at all hours of the day and from all parts of the world — many of whom were likely frantically Googling for information about the “Hell Itch” while in its worst throes. If you are one of those people, stop reading right now and go take a hot shower. Without access to strong medication, it is the only immediate relief for the condition.

Five years ago, Dr. Cory Stewart had just returned from a Caribbean honeymoon when a simple sunburn on his back suddenly exploded into a sensation the likes of which he had never experienced.

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“It was this deep itch you couldn’t do anything about,” he said. The itch came in fiery un-scratchable waves that consumed him with panic, pulsating his entire body with each heartbeat.

The young medical student knew of no diagnosis that could explain what was happening or recommend treatment. He smeared his back in aloe and lotion, and tried rolling around on the floor for relief, but nothing worked.

“You feel like you’re going crazy and nobody believes you,” said Dr. Stewart, now an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Chicago.

When his wife came home to find her new husband tortured by something as simple as a sunburn, her disbelief only made the ordeal worse.