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Allergies are really tricky to deal with and even diagnose. It can be difficult to find out what is making them itch. For example, say that he is allergic to a few things (pollen, dust, chicken, carpet). There is a threshold/tolerance level the body can sometimes tolerate before showing signs of a reaction. Maybe pollen and chicken together won't give him a reaction, but pollen + chicken + carpet altogether does. The body can tolerate certain things differently on different days as well. I know this doesn't help, but I'm saying this because some vets are so certain it is one thing and one thing only, but it's not that simple.
Since you have already started him on an elimination diet, I suggest you keep at it for up to 8 weeks. IF at that point, still no improvements, then you can rule out food allergies (assuming it's not the additives/preservatives that's getting to him) and start to look at other things. I would take it one step at a time and not change too many things at once because in the end, you might not know what really works. However, you might also want to look into a blood allergy test for environmental allergies (not food - that one is not reliable). I know you said it's very stressful for him, but it will be worth it. Some vets do house calls, too, but obviously they charge more.
A rash sounds kind of like contact allergies and yes, they can be allergic to carpet. They can be allergic to anything humans can be. Have you changed laundry detergent lately? Washed your carpets lately? Use any chemicals to clean?
In my experience, habitual scratching, though not impossible, is really rare. I had a vet tell me that my dog must be habitual scratching and she was so sure of it...she didn't have much to say when I finally figured out the cause of the itch and it stopped.
Forgot to add -- would wearing a shirt meanwhile help him stop itching?
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