Itchy legs

[Megan07241985]

Im glad Im not the only one with "itchy" legs. I have had "itchy" legs for years. I have been told it was all in my head. And have tired almost everything for dry itchy skin. Its mostly my lower legs, the front and side. Sometimes its my upper leg. When they itch, it feels like they are itchy from the bones. I end up itching them so much that I tear my legs open, and usually get a faint scar. They seem dry usually, but are as smooth and soft as my hands are. Ive even gotten cream from my Doctor, but that doesnt even work. I have lived from PA to FL, and I still itch. Any ideas?


This discussion is related to Itchy legs, no sign of rash or irritation.

[Rickmat]

Sounds like aquagenic pruritus, I've also had it for years, no cure just learned to cope with it. Itch triggers are driffrent between people and some cures that help sooth the itch work some people and not others. For me AM showers will triggers the itch 90% of the time, so I only shower at night. Gluck

[loopy875]

I have this problem too! I get really itchy from time to time but only below my knees on my legs! It is so weird. I haven't mentioned it to a doctor yet because there is absolutely nothing on my legs.

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but it started after my second trip to costa rica. I was working on a beach and was regularly bitten by sand flies and mosquitoes. This was for a long period of time (over a month). Also, I had a very dark tan. So naturally, I was itching all the time until I bled.

When I got home the mosquito bites eventually faded but my tan stayed on for quite a while.

So, my conclusion was that the tan had caused some kind of lockage of whatever mosquitoes/sand flies do to make one itch.

But now that i read these posts i'm starting to think i may have a problem! It really does feel like something is crawling/biting! so weird...

[Shellback17]

I am so glad I found this site and know that I am not crazy to be itching with no exterior sign of bumps, a rash, bites, or dry skin.  It seems to come and go, but it is the most severe in the evenings and when I try to sleep.  It is all I can do to not scratch until I bleed.  I've been to the dermatologist many times and have heard everything from the "dry skin" diagnosis to I have a build up of histimines (and taking the antihistimines I was perscribed before bedtime did little to nothing), to you have a mild surface staph infection (but that was a result of all the scratching).  I hate the idea of always applying a steroid cream to my legs - this isn't treating anything and over the long run could be addicting and harmful to my health.  
I am interested in the possibility that it could be a vascular condition or neurological one.  I will have to investigate more, but I have always had poor circulation - people I meet always remark on my cold hands.  I am an avid runner and enjoy working out 4-5 times a week.  And during the colder months the only time I feel warm is after a 30 minute run or hot shower.  I'll have to pay closer attention to a correlation between working out and itching, but since I do workout after work in the evening it sounds very possible.  Like others, I have pretty much avoided shaving because that just seems to make things worse.  I hardly ever wear shorts or skirts anymore and forget going to the pool and wearing a bathing suit.  
I really hope the medical community starts to pay more attention to this.  I'm surprised my dermatologist seems so clueless.  I don't think an appropriate response is to "just deal with it."  Or, "it is in your head."  Clearly they don't appreciate or understand how fustrating and painful this itching is.
Any suggestions are most appreciated!  
Thanks and I hope everyone finds something that stops their itching.  

[flav]

I agree with you. I'm 32, from Brazil, and lived there until i was 20 years, but it started when I was 15 living in Italy(winter), but now i live in USA for years. I only have it if it's a bit cold, (I live in FL now, but my AC runs cold at night)... and yes my feet is always cold.. I have the same thing on the morning, if i get up and jump straight to the shower before walk to the kitchen to make my coffee (that explains the cold legs syndrome, haha)... I know it's ADRENALINE REACTION for me at least...It feels like crawling bugs, bites & nettles for a minute them it stops...(I had it also before my first 1/2 marathon.4:30 in the cold morning, without stretching... and if I go run in the morning without walking first) I never put it together until now... but makes sense to me... I'll just avoid "jump" in to the shower in the mornings and run without walking first. In other words, I think everyone should avoid a radical body temperature change, especially from cold to hot too fast... Now I can sleep and not think of bugs!!!lol Thank you DOC ;) !!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it does not sound like a dermatological problem to me. This intense itching under the skin can be due to neuropathic disease or nerve related problem. I would suggest you to consult a physician/neurologist and discuss this with him. Nerve conduction velocity test may be required to confirm the diagnosis.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. Treatment can be started only when the diagnosis is confirmed. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[kath1094]

I have an itchy leg and upper foot problem also. It about drives me crazy at times. I use ice and cold water to help it a bit. Mine is on again off again. So I have come to this conclusion myself( forget the doctors,
and their non answers. I say). I go to a chiropractor often and have found that some times the itch is there after I go. And the next time it is gone after I go. I believe it has to do with nerves at that spot. Or it could be the circulation at that spot. My using the ice and cold water effects it for a while, so I get relief for a while. To every one hope you find a little relief soon.

[Brandy84]

I understand the itching from the bones but my legs have these horrible bumps almost all over them!