My legs will NOT stop itching...

[Aiene]

I'm 24 years old this month, female, I live on the west coast where it's always mild and cool for the most part, and NOTHING I do will stop my legs from itching. I lived in the midwest for awhile and noticed my legs itched a lot more there with the humidity, but it didn't stop when I moved back home.

It's so bad it wakes me up a lot during the night. I will scratch until I am bleeding and bruised, I'll even take a pumice stone to my legs on really bad days and scratch with that, but then my legs burn for a few days although I'd rather have that pain than annoying itching.

Things that seem to trigger/affect it are showering (particularly hot showers - but i'm allergic to hot water, i get white bumps and red patches from it), sweating, dry weather or humid weather, being cold in the slightest, if my legs rest on top of eachother while i'm laying down, shaving (although sometimes it stops itching for the first day).

I've tried switching soaps, detergents etc all that, I generally avoid any perfumed items. I've tried not shaving, and it makes no difference. After a month of not shaving I was still itchy, just more hairy. Aveeno products seem to be the best for my legs.

Moisturizers seem to actually make it worse for the most part. The only one that seems to help is Cetaphil.

It itches most on the backs of my upper thighs and lower legs but once i start scratching it itches everywhere.

Other issues I have include vitiligo on my legs, pelvis, and lower back, I've been told that is due to the fact that I am iGA deficient, which also causes me to get sick a lot. I am extremely hypermobile and have chronic joint pain. I take medication for anxiety/panic attacks/depression and I have switched meds a few times, no change on the itchy legs with the switching.

Please make the itching stop, I'm going crazy here =(



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

[Aiene]

anyone? =(

[see4relief]

I am eighteen and have had this same itchy legs curse since i was fourteen... i thought it was due to shaving and somehow spreading bacteria under the skin by razor.  You only need one open wound to start a large infection.  I used tons of lotion and only found them irritating my skin more and i would cry over the self confidence issue.  most people need to find their one solution to their own unique problem... however after years i finally found a solution that worked wonders for me. it came to me on a trip to the Black Sea... i was in the salty water for days at the beach.  After only a week i completely stopped itching and was relived.  until about a month after my return to the States it started again.  instead of the crying (yes its that bad) i fell apon an idea.  I made myself baths with sea salt and and sat for at least thirty minutes in it.  this helped cure so many things like acne, rd bumps, severe itchy legs, and a wart on my foot.

i hoped this helped

[willy851]

It's eczema, you have to moisturize. Keep from scratching, it only makes it worse. Dead sea salts work. Soak in them every other night.

[willy851]

You need to find a moisturizer that doesn't bother you. Natural is better. You have sensitive skin, it doesn't like chemicals. Try olive oil, lavender, coconut oil, jojoba oil, cerave, eucerin. watch out for parabens and fragrance.

[Aiene]

i'll try the sea salt baths and i'll look around for a moisturizer with the above, thanks =)

[FelixZZ]

I have the same sort of condition - itchy shins and calves, with lesser itchy thighs. I don't know about anyone else but the feeling of a hot shower jet directed at my legs is the nicest feeling in the world - though the hot water probably doesn't help the condition overall.

One slightly strange thing though - my condition has been there for a couple of years, but when I was recently in India and Nepal for a month, I had no itching at all. I have no idea why, as I was in a hotter climate, and was trekking for much of that time. I'm wondering if (in my case) it might be detergent or shower-gel related. I'll have to experiment........

[Happy654]

If it has to do with a local allergy - I suggest purchasing some local honey from a farmers market - make sure it was made near where you live - and eat it.  The bee's will have collected from a number of plants, and that will give your body just enough of it to create an antibody to fight any allergy.
If your rash has nothing to do with local plant life - then you are only out the cost of honey - but if it does then that is a pretty cheap and yummy cure.

[LCrumpette]

I too, have suffered with itchy legs for years.  Some things I have done that help are:
*Use an electric razor. I think the skin was getting irritated by the razors maybe - but the electric razor has helped tremendously.
*I have noticed that when I drink more sodas (I drink diet drinks) and less water, I itch more.  When I drink more water and cut out the sodas, I itch lots less.
*Another thing we learned in (nursing) school was to be sure and moisturize within 3 minutes of getting out of your bath/shower.  This holds the moisture you just put on your skin IN.  Another trick my teacher showed me was to run a little warm water - add lotion to it - the warm water will melt the lotion - then wash off your legs, etc.  I do not use soap on my legs every day - I do this and it really helps.  When I get to itching, I will do this too and sometimes it helps.
*I have also noticed that if I eat a lot of wheat flour, I tend to itch more.  
Hope these help someone - it is miserable!  I usually itch more in the winter, also.

[kikibcb80]

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is an intensely itchy skin eruption. It usually shows up in young adults, and is more common in men and people originally from some areas of northern Europe. The symptoms are intense burning, stinging and itching around the elbows, knees, scalp, buttocks and back. More locations can also be affected and the severity can vary.

The cause of DH is allergy to gluten, a protein found in wheat and some other grains. Usually allergies, likes hives and hay fever, are made by the body's IgE system. This can be treated with pills and shots. DH is different, and is an allergy of the IgA system. IgA is an antibody produced in the lining of the intestines. The usual allergy treatments are useless.

The rash is caused when gluten in the diet combines with IgA, and together they enter the blood stream and circulate. They eventually clog up the small blood vessels in the skin. This attracts white blood cells (neutrophils), and releases powerful chemicals called complements. They actually create the rash. Iodine is required for the reaction, so people with DH should avoid using Iodized salt.

[nikkie114]

so im 19 was in a car crash 2 yrs ago after that at night i kept itchy my legs i have tried everything... i Dont HAVE dry skin water doesnt bother me and my legs are Very smooth... the only thing that helps is a very very hot shower point that i think im burning myself lol please anyone............

[AustMystic]

Hello everyone, I have been suffering with the similar condition.
I am a 22 year old male living in Australia.
"The Itch" Only occours on my shins / inner thighs.
Only known triggers thus far are very hot baths / showers and also when I am incredibly hot in my bed.
The only conclusion that I can come up with based on what I have read on this forum and observed myself is that it could be some sort of irritation of skin pigments which would be quite strange since I only itch in these two spots where my body hairs grow quite thick.
I havent found any possible cures, I find that I have to scratch the living **** out of myself (not the the point of bleeding) dry myself down very roughly with a towel and then apply Quarterzone cream. Once the cream is applied and my legs / thighs have cooled down no more itch.
So all in all I guess its temperature triggered, well in my case.

[tarahart]

I like this website and decided to give my feedback after reading so many articles and peoples opinions about this or these conditions over the internet. I was amazed to see how many people are suffering these problems and I hope my advice will give an open door to many. My mother suffered from Itchy legs and arms after showers and at night and when I start having the symptoms I did not want to believe there was not cure and reason for it. I’ve been reading, trying and experiments so many treatments for the last 7 years. The problems were not so strong until I got pregnant with my first baby. Now this is my second pregnancy and during my first, I had hives, itchy, sensitive skin. Nothing helped, but to deliver my baby after 9 months. I am in my second pregnancy and more informed... I changed my diet: reduced fat as much as possible and substituted with DHA (during pregnancy) or fish oil (free of mercury when ).
Three years ago I started the master cleanser every 3 months. I learn about Acid and Alkaline in the body and how amazing was that they were related with my Itchy. I believe the answers is in the liver and yes it gets aggravates with stress, illness, diet, etc. As I advanced in my master cleanser, the problem was gone. I started to juice in the mornings and most times this is my breakfast with amazing the results.

We can go crazy trying to find the reason, the cure but we can understand that we are leaving in a polluted environment and we really don’t know what we are putting in our bodies. The skin is our friend letting us know something is wrong and we need to change it. There are many herbs that can help very much like Dandelion Root, Milk Thistle, Alfalfa, and burdock. I am cured from my Itchiest I have two reasons. The first one God heard my prayer but he gave the healing with knowledge so I can go and help others with the same problems and the second is the discipline to eat healthy…not what many think it is healthy but what it is good for the liver… and fasting, the master cleanser and some of my other advices are some of the ways free of drugs and with permanent results. To add something, I stopped using products with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS ) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)., they dry your hair but your skin too. I Sarna lotion and add it to my favorite moisturiser and use it in a daily basis.

This is my best advice. It is working for me! God bless and hope this will help many

[tarahart]

I forgot to mentioned how much I agree with you opinion about salty water. I try to go to the beach every week. Thanks God I live near one. The salt water is good to dexot.

[ttepolt]

I duffer with the same problem for about 9 years now. It started when I was about 25, constant, nonstop itching of my lower legs only, occasionally traveling to my thighs.  So horrible i would often find myself itching uncontrolled with a knife or brush as harsh as it sounds, it literally makes you go crazy!  With no rash ever present and my heartbeat around 160 ive tried everything from cold clothes to lotions which make it worse and topical anesthetics! Nothing works! docters have no answers for me. It often starts when I get out of the water, whether it be the shower, the pool or the beach, also after shaving and in the middle of the night and sometimes for no reason at all. Ive come to the conclusion being in the medical field the only thing that helps me is Benedryl!  This though becomes very hard being a mom of a 16 month old and being pregnant because it makes you drowsy! But its either i try to fight off the drowsiness or deal with the anxiety!  I try not to take it more than 4 times a week if I can help it! I also think stress is a contributing factor but havent tried meds for that yet.                                                     from  Tammie

[Locustkiller]

i am a male, live in Texas. This problem developed for me over the last several years- intermittent highly itchy skin on my shins and calves and the tops of my feet sometimes. to the point of scratching many small wounds and scabs on my legs, even in my sleep.

Same as has been reported on several of these threads- the condition is worst after a shower, or work (energetic activity) then lying down or sitting for long periods. Soaps, lotions,powders, anti-hystamines, even fairly inert substances like Hydrogen Peroxide or Rubbing Alcohol seem to aggravate the condition.

i dont take any prescription drugs. Occasionaly i take Aleve (non steroidal anit-inflamatories) for Gout. ive always had pretty bad skin- dry that is, with a tendency to develop fungus rashes- Dandruff and dry skin are a result of that.  i do use shampoos with Selenium Sulfide (selsun blue and generics etc.) but other than that i try hard to avoid getting any kind of chemicals or dyes on my skin, using odor and dye free soaps or detergents.

i dont believe these other conditions are directly related to the severely itching legs, but stress does seem to exacerbate all of them. i work nights and my sleeping patterns can get pretty awful. i am not in the best shape, but i work a pretty active job and i think more excercise and sunlight will help.

Some of things i thought it might be i am pretty sure now that its not- alergies (allergies), fleas or some other kind of pest , some type of fabric irritation or vitamin deficiency.

This never happens when i am active, only after stopped to rest or am going to bed.

After reading several of these threads i am thinking it is either a vascular problem or a toxic substance of some kind in my system. i did as a few people suggested and took a scalding hot shower (normally tepid or cold showers make the problem worse, especially use of soap on my legs-i dont shave at all) That did alleviate the itching after a little while,  but i wonder if that was just me damaging my nerve endings and numbing the area while the problem remains.

This happens primarily in summer and also seems worse when my  shower/bath has been slow to drain or backed up- (maybe a mold or fungal cause? but if so, why just the legs?)  i mention that because some other folks also noticed that- could be a coincidence but anything is worth mentioning, if you dear reader, are desperate for relief like i am. The AC is also always on when i have an itchy-attack. Unlikely, but sudden temperature change also seems to be a recurring theme  on this one.

in conclusion i do believe its important to break the scratch/itch/micro-wound/scab cycle. i do believe its important to detoxify the body, eat a varied and mostly healthy diet, lots of water, reasonable amounts of excercise, get vitamins, get sunlight. Keep your fingernails immacuately groomed my itchy friends and very short. Remove as many of the chemicals and irritants from your life as you can.

i am moving to another apartment this month so i will find out if its something in my immediate environment and ill let you guys know.

[xeraphax]

I get this from time to time. Last night, it was really bad. I rubbed some Bach flower Remedy Rescue Cream on my legs and the itching eased immediately.

It's wonderful stuff and certainly can't hurt to try.

[Aiene]

i've found that waxing instead of shaving helps. it seems to be that the itching starts as hairs grow back in, and the girl that does my waxing says i get a lot of in grown hairs. i've started exfoliating twice a week and that seems to really help, it gets the hairs out from under the skin.

[PoisenIvy34]

My mother suffered for 5 straight years with massive unending itching.  She found out that her problems was an extreme overdose of Calcium.  The doctors did not believe her but when she got a bloodtest done, it showed that her calcium levels were off the charts.  She had terriable itches on her lower and upper legs and arms.  After a couple years of no relief it started spreading to all of her body, all the while she still took her calcium supplements.  Only when she discovered that her calcium was so high, she took magnesium (which is supposed to withdraw calcium from your system) as well as going off dairy entirely, it took quite a few months but she has been hive-free for over 10 years.  She can now have dairy but she needs to be sure not to over-do it so her calcium levels do not become too high.  She explained to me that no relief could be found, no anti-itch cream, no benedryl, bathing etc. The only relief she could find was to ice the area that was so bad.  

Unfortunately, I have just developed this same problem, and it is so terriable.  I have itchy lower legs, sometimes it will go up to my upper legs and forearms.  It find it awefully coincedental that I was just put on calcium supplements by my doctor 2 months ago. I had almost finished one of those big bottles of calcium supplements when the itching started.  I have to take cool baths, and the more I scratch the hotter my legs get, the best way for me that I have found to ease the itching is to keep my legs cool.  Icing my legs is key to stop the insanity.  I have immediately stopped my calcuim and went off all dairy for a while to see if I have the same problem that my mother did.  I have to say that the itching has somewhat ceased but not entirely but I have only changed my diet for about 1 week so far.  

Wish all the best to those out there who are suffering from this problem that makes us go crazy.  I hope that this info may benefit someone out there!

Michelle

[pyschoticdemons]

I have had itchy legs mostly on my shins for as long as I can remember. If I think back far enough I'd have to say since I was at least 8 I can remember itching. I'm 21 now, and still itching. I have tried to stop shaving and I just get hairy. I read all of the posts from everyone and have to say I am so happy I am not the only person to have this. I have been to nearly 25 doctors and not one of them knew what to tell me about it. I haven't been on a constant medication, and my levels are checked regularly so I know it's not things like too much Calcium. I don't use fragranced anything and I can't use lotion. Lotion makes it burn then I break out in hives.

I did notice a lot of the posts had one thing in common: showers. Everyone was saying how a hot shower feels good (agreed.) and how you itch more afterwards but I don't. I don't think I've ever noticed itching after a shower.

I itch mostly at night. The moment I lay down in bed I'm scratching. My partner is always trying to talk me into stopping but I can't. It brings me to tears and I want to scream if I don't scratch the itch. The moment I do, it spreads. I can't find the itch!!

I have no signs of rashes or anything blah blah. I've tried pretty much everything. Different soaps, diets, more water, less this, more that and none of this....

My only advice that I have EVER found to work well enough to stop the itch for me to fall asleep is Camamile lotion. It stops the itch after a few minutes and keeps it gone for a little bit. Only problem is that it's a messy lotion and makes your legs all white-ish  pink.

Good luck to everyone, I hope one day they figure it out!

[vfarris]

Ahh I'm not alone!  I'm 17, and I've had this for a couple of years now.  For me it's worst at night, usually when I lie down in bed.  It's worst over my calves and shins, though it sometimes moves onto my thighs if I scratch (it's making them itch just thinking about it).  I wondered if it was something to do with the fact that I wear tights or leggings all the time, or if it was to do with circulation.  My mother suffers from Reynauds syndrome, a circulatory problem that means blood doesn't reach her extremeties very well when it gets cold.  Apparently it's hereditary, and although I haven't experienced any of these symptoms , I wondered if they could be linked - she too gets the "itchy legs" (as does my sister, though less often).  It really is quite irritating, and I can't find any definate answers on the internet or from doctors.  I'm just glad I found some people with the same thing!
Does it even have a name?  I call it "itchythosis", after I misread a word on the back of the E45 cream I was using to stop the itching.  I think it helps to give it a name, haha.