Itchy Legs after showering or swimming - Undiagnosed Symptoms

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Itchy Legs after showering or swimming

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brokensweethearts

Apr 04, 2011

To: Everyone

I can't believe I'm not the only one. I've had itchy legs after showering for about two years now.
As a child I used to have really bad excema and my mam used to put me in the bath with Oilatum which works by providing a layer of oil on the surface of the skin to prevent water evaporating from the skin surface.
However, now it got so bad i'd cry and scratch so much i'd have scabs and faint little scars, I'd even be, not afraid, but just dread the thought of getting washed.
So my mam bought me a bottle of Oilatum but I was so worried it would make it worse I haven't actually used it yet but through the winter it stopped, I use Dove bodywash and I'd dry my legs after showering then put baby oil on, then damp them down with a dry towel. Now the weathers changing it's starting to happen again. I think my itchy legs are triggered by humidity & temperatures of the rooms, it's even started on my arms.
I will now use this Oilatum, since it's started again, hopefully it will work but I still can't believe i'm not the only one! Thank you all for actually putting a name and some methods of treating this 'disease'.

NikkiLR

Apr 14, 2011

I have had itchy legs since I was a kid, and for me, I learned that abrasion while wet is my main trigger. I also cannot use any type of bar soap other than Dove.
I cannot exfoliate my legs in anyway, and if I need to shave, it has to be a brand new razor, and I have to soak in the tub for at least 10 mins first. I cannot towel dry my legs, or have anything rub up against them while they are wet. My itching gets so severe that my brain turns fuzzy and my vision will blur and on some occasions has even gone black. Nothing but time helps.
I don't agree with tanning for me because I live in Florida and am tan all year long, and I have always had episodes.
I find it interesting that some have found relief in putting on their clothes immediately. That is one sure fire way for me to go full blown crazy!!! lol
I have been to the neurologist, that was a waste of money and caused all kinds of stress when he suggested that I may have MS!!! soooo not the case.
Anyway, I am overjoyed to know I am not alone and sad to know that so many of us suffer from this painful issue in so many different ways.

ItchyLegs63

May 10, 2011

To: Itchy-Leg-People

Hi Everyone,

I've had this for 10 years (got it when i was 11), after every shower. Ugh. Quite awful. It happens everywhere, regardless of the type of water. I've tried eliminating different soaps and shampoos and conditioners. Nothing helped.

I think it has to do with temperature. It seems like for many people putting on clothes immediately after showering helps. This makes sense with my temperature theory. If you think about it, we heat our bodies up when we shower, and then when we get out, the ambient air is much cooler. The flash of cold air is what causes the itching. Putting on warm fuzzy pajamas reheats our body to the shower temperature (or some other similar warm temp), and then slowly cools it back down so that we can walk around in normal air.

I also noticed that I get itchy whenever I move from a warm place to a cold place....like from my bed to the breakfast table. (I usually get itchy every morning too.)

A quick fix for me is to jump in bed and pile myself with blankets for up to 10 minutes (sometimes more, sometimes less) and then slowly work myself back out into normal air temperature.

What the very post said "This is not a topical or dry skin itch, it's like my nerve endings are going wild inside my legs. Nothing seems to relieve the itch, it just has to run it's course." Is exactly what I have.

lonewolf21376

May 12, 2011

To: all

i think the itching is due to overmoisterizing our skin.It bothers us the most when we are wet some from showering some from pools,and even sweating.I have used every lotion on the market,aveeno,ucerin,even cheap of no name brands and when i put on the lotions i itch so bad i am afraid im going to scratch my skin off and sometimes have actually caused bleeding.I itch all over when it gets bad but it is always worse on my thighs and sometimes if I continue to scratch I will start getting hives and red bumps leading me to believe it is a reaction of some kind to the scratching.I drive trucks for a living and when im in my truck and start to sweat just a little to where my skin starts to get moist i start scratching and if i dont make myself stop it will continue to get worse.I put on aveeno 24 hour lotion rite after showering at night then put pajamas on and go to bed, i have also found out if you wear shorts to bed dont let your legs touch each other they seem to make the itching start up.I also shower every other day if i havent sweat alot that day.I dont know if this helps but it has helped me a little and i hope you all find something that helps you a little bit because i know how bad it can be,good luck all.

JustLilBored

Jun 01, 2011

To: All my "Itchy" Acquaintances!

Hi,

I have been suffering for many years, to many to count. However, I do know what triggers the itch, the sun! During the winter months, I'm fine. As soon as I expose myself to tanning, approximately 6 weeks later, the craziness begins. Antihistamines stop itching. So, I take an inexpensive Target brand at least an hour before my shower. The lower the water temperature, the better. I too do the oil pat down in the shower and moisturize once I'm dry. I find the antihistamines to work but only the over the counter ones. The prescription brands like Caritin or Allegra, don't seem to work. Getting dressed as soon as possible and covering the legs also helps. After exercising and sweating, I shower but I don't itch. Again, this all happens after sun exposure. I have read several posts of individuals not going into the pool and so it leads me to believe that they are exposing themselves to the sun. My remedy, no sun, but I love it, and antihistamines. Good luck!

MRBBHead

Jun 05, 2011

Hello :)

This same thing happens to me as well after i get out of my shower my legs start to itch like crazy to the point of id rather have them in pain then itch!!

However i have found a way to make it stop, After i turn the shower off i stay in the shower and grab my towel, then instead of whiping my self off i pat my whole body with the towel till im dry (im especially carefull not to whip when im patting my legs) then i cover my legs with the towel while i dress and ive never had the itching scince i started this!! only when i forget to pat myself off do my legs itch!! I dont know if it will help you guys but it sure has worked for me so far :)

christopher83

Jun 27, 2011

I have had the exact same symptoms and have only managed to lessen the effect. In my case it is caused by rubbing my legs dry after a shower. If I leave them to dry naturally - let them dry a bit whilst the bathroom is still warm and then put loose trousers/jogging bottoms on. Hope this helps any one else or someone does find a proper solution.
Chris

reddawg123

Jul 06, 2011

I have had all the same issues and tried everthing that everyone else has, sometimes the itching is really bad, I get this from the shower or from a fresh mountain lake, hot or cold. tonight instead of my oatmeal soup I used Head and Sholders 2in1 shampoo and conditioner, and I feel quite good, minimal itching, and this could be just from moscittoes from gardening, can someone else try this and see if it works

dle313

Jul 08, 2011

To: Itchers Everywhere

I have suffered from stinging/itching after showering and swimming for several years. But my symptoms are on the front of my thighs, and on my upper arms, although lately, they appear all over -- hips, back, buttocks. A "session" generally lasts one hour. As others have said, I'd like to cut off my extremities or apply an iron to my skin, the stinging is so unbearable. Many tell me to "use lotion." But we all know this is not simply a dry skin issue. I went to an allergist years ago who attributed some of it to menopause loss of estrogen. Whatever. It continues.

I am grateful for all the comments. I've found only two things that help some, but not consistently: (1) I take 10 mg of Loratadine (generic antihistimine) in the morning and at night, and another after showering if the symptoms are particularly bad and (2) I started to use the Lush butter bar in the shower while my skin is still wet, then pat dry. I stopped doing that for a while and now the symptoms are back even worse. So, I think the baby oil treatment might be a good one for me. (3) I use a shower filter.

I don't know if some or all of the above actually works, or if I just think it works because my symptoms can be fierce or gentle, 10 min. to an hour...and there seems to be no consistency.

Just when I think it's only from water, I get the stinging on my thighs just by getting up out of bed. I think the idea that it is the body's reaction to the change in air temperature makes sense for me.

I live in AZ so my skin is generally tan but I have noticed that it's been worse the last few weeks when we've had higher humidity. Of course, our A/C is on in the house, and we have no cold water so it's a challenge.

Aside from the allergist, I haven't seen a doctor about this because I anticipate it will be a long, expensive adventure resulting in "put lotion on."

Thanks for everyone's input. Glad I found you!

SmartCookie777

Jul 26, 2011

Taking a Zyrtec about 5 minutes before getting into shower will work. :)

w00tmaster

Jul 26, 2011

To: Everyone

I've had(and still have) this issue since I was about 17(Male, now 26). I would get out of the shower, or pool, or ocean, and upon drying, or even while in the water still(if I was in there for a few hours), Would get so itchy, I would sometimes take a knife and scrape(but not draw blood) my skin to TRY to satisfy the itching/stinging feeling.

My parents and friends thought I was crazy, I'm glad I'm not!

I say a few dermatologists, all said to use lotion, and prescribed several different lotions that were absorbingly expensive even with health insurance, which all did NOT work.

What I found about 6 years ago(when I was 20) that worked about 85% of the time for me, was to basically Lightly pat my skin dry, without dragging the towel on my skin at ALL, not even a tiny bit.

It might be a partially sub-conscious thing, but it works for me. Not any meds, or any cremes, or any pills.

Just my 2 cents.

IronMuscles123

Aug 06, 2011

To: All

Hello,

I believe that using dirty towels to clean yourself after bathing could also cause itching.Sometimes, certain chemicals in the towels can generate itching a lot too.

Pattimike55

Aug 13, 2011

To: WOW! Thought I was alone with this

I just took and hour to read what everyone wrote from 2007!! My itching (arms and back only) begins every summer after I have tanned and been in the sun and heat. I have gone thru every test made to man and have come to the conclusion that I have to just do whatever I can to survive this summer problem!! I love the sun and swimming. I will suffer with this once it begins (even if I don't go outside much for the remainder of the summer) until November or December. I find the only thing that helps me is movement and Ice packs. Once this itching begins and I scratch it is all over. Grab the ice pack. Cool down and start moving my arms. It is a nerve ending issue and I am so tired of dealing with it! I am soon to be 62, live in Arizona and have had this for 22yrs in the summer only!! While living in Virginia it was bad too with the humidity. Hope we all can cope with the debilitating problem!

jazz94

Aug 17, 2011

To: EVERYONE

hello everyone. i'm a 16 year old female and i've had the same itching post water contact thing that everyone else here has. My itching started 2 years ago after vacation to Puerto Rico. I had my first peeling sunburn after the trip and after i got into our family pool, i started experiencing intense itching on my shoulders, arms, stomach, chest, back, and the areas just below my bum. The itching has been continuing on and off since then. swimming, sweating, and showering can trigger my itching.

i've read most of the posts on this blog but there are a lot of things that apply to me. my family has a history of hyperactive thyroid problems, b12 deficiency, and anemia and i also have the beginnings of hypertension and high blood pressure. so for me, i've narrowed the cause of my itching down to three theories: my family history starting to affect me, my hypertension and high blood pressure, or my sunburn some how affected my skin in a worse why than i thought.

does anyone have any suggestions or theories close and/or relevant to mine? i'm young so i'm not sure how i can remedy this.

ps. i have tried all the mosturizing, oiling, and heating ideas with little success.

tomdob1

Aug 17, 2011

i have been suffering from all the same symptons everyone has mentioned above. i have found an answer, my dad gave me this cream called oilatum cream which you rub on as soon as you get out of the shower and you no longer feel itching, it really works! i think you can get free samples from the internet or you can get a small bottle for about £2.50

mrjca

Aug 22, 2011

To: ALL

Hi, like most people here I'm surprised at how many people have the same problem as me. I have had this problem for about 20 years. My problem might be a little different thou, I get a rash like symptom in the winter its almost like small soars on my arms legs and back and they get dry and peel off about the size of a penny. In the summer I don't get the soars but I get really itchy after a shower but not all the time. What helps for me is I rub Aveno lotion all over my body after a shower, Pants help and going outside right away and walking around helps alot. I now feel like I have to use Aveno lotion for the rest of my life. I hope someone can find a solution.

Cory262626

Aug 30, 2011

I have read some of these comments and haven't seen anything that happens to my boyfriend he only gets the serve itching if he showers in the morning, if he has a shower in the evening then he is fine, does anyone else get this?

Cory262626

Aug 30, 2011

Kevynstar

Sep 01, 2011

I just started having this problem. And its driving me nuts. I know that I have NOT been drinking enough water lately, so I'm gonna start now, and see if that helps. I also have recently (this year) started to get sun-burnt almost immediately every day, and also this year began to find applying sun-screen unbearable.

blondetemper

Sep 04, 2011

To: All

I am young I won't bother to tell you how youge, but still it may matter. I have itched for 40 or so min. after my past three showers. After al of them I have endded up on my bed or floor itching the heck out of my legs or just rubbing them with my fingertips, and most of the time, crying. I read a few things online but of no importance. I like other,s am jjust glad that Im not going insane or such. If have have been using my regular shampoo and body wash, but recently used some dove cond. (that was stopped pretty quickly) I have also tried older more worn towles, no help, and after itchinf for about 20 min. put lotion on. If i put it on any earlier it does nothing.

babsg

Sep 14, 2011

I hope the following helps:

I've had this condition for about 5 years now and :

I haven't used soap or any products containing Sodium L Sulphate for about 2 years - the itch persists;

I have moisturised before and immediately after a shower - it persists;

I have had the itch after a shower, fresh water river swimming, chlorine swimming pools, salt water swimming;

I have also had the itch from sweating after a hard work out;

I have also had the itch in extreme humidity (in Vietnam and Thailand);

I drink plenty of water yet it persists;

I haven't tried patting dry instead of rubbing so I might give this a go - thx for that.

My theory is that it has something to do with moisture remaining on the skin even after drying so I think the next thing I might try is a powder (talcum?) to absorb excess moisture after towel drying.

Here goes!!

Thanks to this forum for making me feel a bit more "normal". Good luck folks!

babsg

Sep 14, 2011

PS - I have also tried lowering the temperature of the shower just before getting out and this seems to help a little bit. - who knows?!

erik51

Sep 15, 2011

I've had this condition for about 1 year, perhaps just less.

I'm 21, male, and generally quite healthy. I drink more than enough water, exercise frequently, take a regiment of vitamins daily etc.

I get the itches on my lower legs mostly, but it frequently manifests on my shoulders and stomach. I tested changing soaps of all kinds, no soap, different water supplies and different temperatures. Nevertheless the itching still comes after ever shower. I have found one remedy (not cure), though.

When I feel the itching, I take one H1-antihistamine (I use Claritin). If I do this well before I shower, then I will feel next to no itching afterwards, and for roughly 4-5 days following. At that point I need to take another pill or the symptoms will come back. It's like clockwork.

Side note: When I itch I also get red, raised irritation on my skin, but only where I scratch.

It occurred to me that since this is tied to the histamine receptors (for me) it could have something to do with mold in the environment. My condition persisted when I went away, but I never was gone for more than 2 weeks so it's possible that wasn't long enough for my system to return to normal. Thoughts?

itchywitchy90

Sep 15, 2011

To: Cory262626

When this first started for me, I did only notice this after morning showers.The episodes are worse ten-fold in the morning, but now occurs whenever my skin is damp and exposed to air. For me, it seem pretty confined to my lower legs though the itch will occasionally occur in spurts on the back of my thigh or on my lower arms but not with the intensity or duration of my lower legs.

It is very frustrating and near unbearable - definitely maddening at times - and causes stress levels to soar. Good luck to your boyfriend in finding a solution or combination of solutions that work for him.

ryurahi

Sep 20, 2011

To: all

I FOUND THE CAUSE AND CURE. I booked an appointment with a dermatologist, who said to me that this is just allegery to damp, humid, moist weather and anything wet, even sweat. He wrote me a prescription for a strong form of Reactine, which i couldnt afford. So i went and bought the on-the-shelf version of Reactine, the one that has these symptom reliefs: sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HIVES. Get the one that has hives as a sympton relief. Ever since ive been doing this, i have been cured. I take one pill before i go to the gym, cause i got itchy even from sweat and im good. I made sure to try with or without the pill and a world of difference. If that doesnt work for you, you might need the prescription version.

ryurahi

Sep 20, 2011

yoyoma99

Sep 22, 2011

I share this strange condition. It seems the skin cells are most stimulated (itchy) from the evaporation of water. As most of you know, lotions don't help. In fact, lotions often make it worse because you are stimulating the skin more. Try this remedy; it works for me. I dry off in the shower then lotion up my legs before getting out. The shower is very humid so there is minimal evaporation. The legs are already dry and moisturized before they are exposed to the cold dry air outside the shower. As many others have posted, it helps to get your pants or pajamas on fast. I have experienced a ~95% reduction in the itching the last 10 days with this regimen.

TDanielle

Sep 23, 2011

I also have this problem with severe itching of my entire legs after I shower or bath. I take a zyrtec 15 minutes before I shower and it helps a little. I also use Gold Bond medicated anti itching lotion. It helps sometimes but not always. I try to pat dry, get dressed as quickly as I can. But most of the time nothing helps. If I try to distract myself by laying down and reading a book it goes away faster. I think stress and anxiety might have something to do with it. On the days that I am really stressed out it is worse and lasts longer.

consta

Sep 26, 2011

i had the same problem and actually still have it sometime!! a while ago, it really could get me to cry cuz of it, but now i have found a small solution for the problem and that is to take showwer with a very warm water, and the problem is fixed!!! i still have problems with my legs, but not that much, it is just because of me, i am not showering them so much with the warm(almost hot) water!!!
JUST TRY, IT CAN REALLY WORK!!!!

zuf78

Oct 04, 2011

I have this since my 18, over 15 years, irregularly, sometimes worse. As all of above, I have been searching, asking for help everywhere. I see interesting that many of us developed independently similar ways help the way out.

My symptoms:
- itchy legs after any shower, esp. morning.
- itchy arms - only sometimes
- starts in 5 minutes after drying
- bath is OK
- ANY type of water ignites itchy legs
- NO significant help when changing the lotion/soap - I tried almost everything on the market.
- NO difference if I'm tan or not
- cold water is worse than hot.

As I have read all posts since 2008 :-) I feel it has something to do with missing minerals (possibly magnesium). I'm heavy coffee addict, I try to drink adequate amount of water, but I think I could do better. So it is symptom that the body is missing something.

I started drinking way more water, have a caffeine pause and I can recommend the tip above with really HOT SHOWER at the end and get quickly dress up. I think the hot water "drug" the nerves for the crucial period of time so the itch is overloaded by hot.

sharing73

Oct 05, 2011

Try an epson salt bath, heavy on the epson salt and soak for as long as possible and then either rub or use a bath brush and take off all the dead skin.  If you do this at least twice a month it will eliminate the problem.

I believe stress might trigger this, and lack of B Vit's.  After reading all the posts I have come up with this conclusion.  Stress causes the body to use up Vit B and if one is not getting enough of the B's this condition is a result, one of many.

I have experienced this condition all my life, growing up I suffered and through my early and late 20's I still suffered.  I started changing a few things and looking back over the past 8 years I have only had episodes very seldom, and it was thinking about it when I neglected the Vit B and the epson salt baths and was not drinking enough water...

So to recap, VitB's (also gets rid of restless leg syndrome - one should also look at calcium intake as well) and epson salt baths.

Hope this helps you all because it is really an awful thing to go through and the feeling of stress/fear before having a shower to get clean and not wanting to dare using soap on your legs!!
Please try this.

blondetemper

Oct 10, 2011

To: all

I didnt think a bout the effect of hot water but its very true. In the past weeks i have been taking hot showers but i slipped up this morning, i used cold water to wash of my legs without thinking.

Itchnomore747

Oct 11, 2011

To: Those who want a cure!!!

To everyone that has gone through this HORRIBLE ordeal and have felt like you needed to be committed to a mental institution.... I found help!!! I cant count all the creams and techniques that I have tried NONE of them worked with any kind of regularity. I finally found a dermatologist that took me seriously and did some research.... He couldn't really tell me WHAT was causing it but he DID give something to help.. The previous posts on here that were saying that this problem was circulatory related were right I guess. He prescribed me Propranolol, 10 mg to take 20 to 25 minutes before I shower. He said he had read research that suggested that Beta Blockers would be effective... And lo and behold... I popped my pill, took my shower and held my breath.....I cried... But for the first time it was because I DIDN'T itch!!! That was 5 years ago... Like so many of you mine does come and go....After I was on it a couple of months I tried a shower without my meds...I didn't itch so I went off of them. I went for 2 years without it at all, then when i started itching, I went back on it...Ive been going back and forth ever since....So to all my fellow sufferers.....call your doctor!

bcullen050704

Oct 13, 2011

To: all

'ithnomore', cheers for that tip, and everyone, i've spent last hour reading all the posts, this forum is the single best thing i've found in ages,

For me, had it few years now, symtoms (symptoms) are I get the severe itching after i shower, and can feel milder versions of the itchyness when the weather is calmy or humid,

For me, wat i found, when i go to the gym, or for a long run, (build up a big sweat), then when I go to shower after the gym or running, I get no irritation, no itchyness. (seems like its ties in with the 'circulation' point alot of people made)

So I basically dont shower unless I've been to the gym or gone for a run.

I found the advice on diets, yeast intolerance etc very interesting, as I eat alot of bread, could be factor,

But its great have all the advice on here, all the examples of what people have tried, I will be giving most of them a go. Puttin on the pyjama's straight after the shower.... I would NEVER of thought of that ;)))

Thanks to all, I feel little more normal now, knowing i'm not the only one with it

Mildflame

Oct 14, 2011

To: bcullen050704

Wouldn't putting pj's on straight away be putting them on your wet legs? that would surely have to be uncomfortible!
and if would make your pj's wet

I don't get what everyone is calling a "survere iching" because i have had somthing silmalar for the last year but the itch is only annoying, not so much painfull.
It lasts me 30 mins to get over it (depends if i move around alot, if i move alot it stops quicker) but only starts as soon as I dry off.
I still havn't found what stops it for me exactly but I was begining to believe that it may have had somthing to do with the hairs and sweat building up on my legs because if the shower is too hot i sweat. I do somtimes have the same problem when I get out of a pool and thought maybe there was a small bug in the pool that was biting my legs. I am 14 and don't want to put up with it my whole life, my mum thought it may be the water or chlorine in it... going by the chlorine build-ups in the shower heads that quickly come back.
Two things that help me though is walking around after the shower once i'm dressed and holding the ichy spots not hard but just resting my hand on it tends to numb it up!

Geno110011

Oct 24, 2011

I get itchy after showers, I never shower in the morning or if sitting down relaxing etc cause it's slot worse. I shower straight away after coming in from work or after being active keep the water as close to room temp and put cloths on straight away and just rub lightly over the cloths if I feel a bit of itch and be grand after 10 minutes. I have had this all my life and I have been diagnosed with raynaud's phenomenon a good number of years ago I myself believe it could have something to do with it. The blood vessels react to extremes to different temps. Never itch when in hot countries swimming or showering and can walk around wet and naturally dry.

lcmoomin

Oct 26, 2011

I have had this itchy skin problem since 1979. I just happened to move states at that time and thought for awhile that was the problem, it wasn't. Have had all the tests and tried all the bogus "cures", here is what helps for me.
*Shower sparingly, twice a week.
*Use a non-soap cleanser like an oil soap or something, it doesn't have to be expensive to work.
*Use a thick lotion, but not too thick (bath and body works lotions work for me) lotion while still hot from the shower but mostly dry.
*Pat dry OR rub immediately if you get skin to roll off you like I do sometimes in a hot bathroom, then open the door and cool off.
*When you get the really bad itch in the winter or summer (both are bad for me) I go outside in bare feet (or on the cement basement floor) and the cold shock on my feet helps to soothe the rest of the legs up. Sometimes getting in the car with the air on high to blow up my pant legs helps a bit while the driving distracts me from the itch. Never put on shorts right after a shower it will entice you to scratch your skin raw even if unconsciously. *A cotton mumu is a good alternative, then turn the air temp down and stand on a cooler vent.
*Don't bother with expensive creams, soaps or cures as some may help for a time or two, then your skin gets used to it and it does nothing.
Especially don't bother with crap that smells bad.
*Shaving with a FRESH new razor is much better than a used one.
*Using lots of baby oil, non soap lather or hair creme rinse to shave with helps keep the razor burn down which is a must!
*I cannot shower before bed, the heat stays in my skin and keeps me itching all night.
   All the hoopla over sodium laurel sulphate is just that- hoopla. If you want to know for sure try showering with a soap without it and washing your hair in the sink separately so the shampoo doesn't get on your skin. I have.
    I gave up all kinds of soda for two years, nothing. Didn't drink caffeine for years, ate well, took vitamins, even prenatal ones, no dice.
   Itching while pregnant is bad, but trying to get yourself and a child dressed while you are itching to the point of pain while at a public pool or gym is horrible since people just look at you like you are a freak. Explain as best as you can to your significant other what it is like- if he has ever had poison oak it is a good place to start. Enlist his help with the kids. When we had a season pass to a water park I would shower the girls then send them out to dad who would have a table or blanket saved in the shade to sit and wait for me to get myself through the process of getting outside alone.
   Often wondered if the poison oak, severe chicken pocks and severe sunburns I got before age 12 were part of the problem, but my daughter has inherited the same problem and she never had poison oak, her chicken pocks were mild and she was always covered in sunscreen as a kid ( I never was).

reedhamskylark

Oct 27, 2011

To: dalbs

I live in London, where the water is harsh, compared to countryside locations. There's lots of lime in the water and it dries on the surface of absolutely everything. Basically, the water's really hard. When showering, you are essentially replacing your naturally produced surface oils, with hard water and this irritates. It also really dries out your skin. Swimming pools are, basically, filled from the tap, so in hard water areas, you'll have the same problem. The added Chlorene is a chemical, and this will also irritate your skin.

Incidentally, I now shower every other day and my itchiness has gone away. Basically, by showering every day, you aren't giving your body enough time to repair itself after hard water.

If you problem resists, even after reducing your showering regularity, why not install a shower filter? They attach between the hose and the shower head, filtering out the harsh lime and Chlorene content in tap water.

I hope this helps.

alwyn2011

Oct 27, 2011

Hello all,
Glad i'm not alone and others have this problem.
Myself, my brothers and my dad all get this to a greater or lesser degree and have done for most of our lives.
I am going to spell out my symptoms becasuse from reading the posts it sounds like some of us may have different things wrong.
Itchy legs (mainly below knee) and arms - nothing on torso or back.
Morning showers are worse (ohhh way worse)
Pool water and sea water are worse than shower water
Sometimes swimming in river water does it and sometimes it doesnt.
Moisturising makes no difference (baby oils, aromatherapy oils, creams, body butters)
Shaving is scarey itchy - however i've found if i shave with moisturiser and not water at all its fine.
Water temperature has no effect
i live in western australia so very hard water however i grew up in scotland where the water is very soft and have the problem in both countries.
Outside temperature seems to make very little difference (humid, dry, hot cold) i have it year round.
I am not B12 deficient (ive been tested) or anything else deficient except perhaps iron although that was 6 months ago and i have benn on supplements since - so unlikely.
My conclusions are that for me with the above symptoms it is an allergic/immune reaction of some sort heres my evidence:
About 18 months ago i started taking Claratyne (an over the counter 24hour dose of anti- histamine) i took it for 1 week every day and it stopped the itching. after a week i stopped and the itching remained at bay for 1-2 weeks. as soon as the itching started (milder symptoms) i started again and it would stop. Then i fell pregnant so stopped taking the anti histamine. and i still didnt itch. the entire time i was pregnant and for 6 months after i had no itching at all - i could even shower without problems in the morning (unheard of in my world) i would sometimes shower twice in one day just becasue i could!. When you are pregnant the immune system shuts down somewhat and it takes a while for hormone levels to return to normal which is what i think has happened. Now the levels are back to normal the itching has returned with a vengence - but i cant go back on my anti histamine because i'm breast feeding and its not recommended.
So heres what i'm going to do: each day for 3 days i am going to try a suggested remedy and will keep you updated as to the results. maybe it will help someone else. tonight and the next two will be the talc and patting not rubbing.
Wish me luck

JessieJube

Oct 28, 2011

Hi,

I am a constant visitor to forums such as this, but never write anything. I thought this time I should stop being lazy and put my thoughts down. I get extremely itchy legs after a shower AND after swimming AND after exercise/sweating (particularly intimate exercise).

The itching doesn't start out as severe, it starts with a little twitch, or a desire to touch a part of my leg, then it slowly expands until the whole lower part of my body is screaming for me to itch it. If I do itch my legs, they become red and raw and the itching last longer, but I can't not itch them unless someone restrains me (it is so intense!).

The only thing I have found to stop the itch is a HOT shower, and I mean no cold mixed in! And I sit with the water running on my legs for about 10 minutes until I can't feel my legs anymore.

I dont get itchy legs all the time, but I know certain things which will trigger them, such as putting tight pants on strait away (but I have heard that this helps in the case of others, including my mother), taking too long to get dressed, and the biggest of all is STRESS. So of course if I am running late for something, and I take a shower, I get itchy legs because i am rushing around, and this is the last time I can afford to take a 10 minute shower.

I have also thought that it is psychological, because if i start to feel it coming on, and if i can get out of the house and walk my dog it subsides (take my mind of it).

I have been to doctors that have told me it is dry skin, but like everyone else lotions do not help.
I also came across the diagnosis of aquagenic pruritis, which I think is accurate, but this doesn't help me stop it happening.

So going with the allergy thing (aquagenic pruritis), I am going to try for the next month a daily antihistamine, regular moisturising with a preservative free moisturiser (such as one used in eczema), and also using a preservative free shower gel. While none of these things has helped in the past individually, I will let you know if I am successful.

stankfeet

Oct 29, 2011

lol exactly! i put on my pants ASAP too cuz somtimes it alleviates the itching, an in just the same way u said it hampers ur shaving it does the same to me, and when it happens all i wanna do i punch tha phucking mirror, it annoys me, it makes me very tormented and miserable, sometimes i feel like throwing a tantrum or punching someone, or screaming hysterically when it happens,,,i really gotta see a doctor and a psychiatrist

piislo

Oct 29, 2011

To: Everyone!

I too have this problem, and it's been going for a while. I think it's important to mention that I'm asthmatic and very allergic. For me, it's an allergy. I agree that humidity is the cause of it all, and cold showers should help a lot...but I can't deal with cold showers, so for me that's a problem. Putting on pants doesn't help at all...in fact it worsens it because I feel like I want to rip my pants off. What usually works for me is that I take a handful of ice and start to rub it in, and try to not go into despair (breathe slowly and put my mind at ease and try to think about something else). The ice DEFINITELY HELPS. Also, when I'm done with the ice (when the itching stops), I NEVER dry my legs with a towel, I just let them soak up the water. I also take an allergy pill (whatever I have in hand: Claritin, Allegra, etc.). Hope this helps!

ONFIRE911

Nov 03, 2011

OH MY GOD!!!!!

I JUST FOUND THIS. My upper and lower legs get so painfully itchy after showering that I start crying, sometimes even screaming, unable to think straight, and either itch my legs raw, or have to tie my hands together to not touch them (which makes it go away faster, but not fast enough) I've had this problem for several years, I'm 19 now, I don't find the temperature of the water to make any difference. I just got prescribed hydroxizine which is supposed to help with anxiety and moisture intake, does nothing, I also got ammonium lactate, does NOTHING. I am happy to know I'm not alone in suffering from this terrible problem. It is SO BRUTAL! Sometimes I can't even breathe, or my legs give out the painful itching is so bad. I had this problem in Ontario, and I moved to florida a while ago and I have it here too. I really wish this would just go away because I have dreaded showers for my whole life since I never know when the itchy-ness is going to act up, lately its been after every shower. I really don't think its a problem of the soap I use, the lotion, or anything like that. I am going to try a lower sugar intake, might find a shower filter (never heard of one before) taking more vitamins, but also I'm about to go get an anti-histamine and take one before/after showering. This has probably been the most frustrating and painful thing to deal with because IT DOESN'T STOP ONCE IT STARTS! and once it starts I regret showering no matter how badly I needed one. I really hope something helps because sometimes I want to knock myself out so I don't feel it anymore. Its terrible and i have SO MUCH sympathy for everyone who has to deal with this.

DavidWalsh

Nov 19, 2011

Omg thank god i am not the only one, i have just had shower and the itching was so unbearble. I am 16 and still live with my parents, after showering/bathing or swimming i have a good 30 minutes of severe itching, it can sometimes reduce me to tears but most of the time i just lose my temper for example i just recently told my mum to F off :/ I am going to try the baby oil and hopefully it gives me relief as i am at the step where i want to rip off my limbs.

LarryHoover

Nov 21, 2011

So I searched for this topic and I too am relieved/surprised that so many other people experience this. I am 25 years old and it's been going on with me for years. So a few years ago I started to pay close attention because it would only happen to me for a few months out of the year... Such unbearable itching (mostly in my arms and legs) after the shower that if I wasn't doing anything that involved getting sweaty or feeling dirty, I might not shower for a day or two at a time. It only lasts for a couple months... and I noticed that when it starts, it gradually gets worse until it peaks about 2-3 weeks after the onset , and then slowly subsides over the next few weeks. I started to notice it was always the same time of year... sep - nov ... and then it'd get better for the rest of the year. I couldn't figure out if it was because it was the fall or because it was after summer (aka the sun/getting a tan)
It wasn't until one year I went on a cruise in december that my suspicions about it being related to summer were confirmed. That year it was the same routine... had a great summer here in michigan... got nice and tan, and then when summer was over, and I stopped being in the sun, about a week or two later it started. Lasted for a couple months as usual and I was fine by nov/dec. Then I went on a cruise to the eastern carribean for new years. Got a great tan during that week. Came home, and about a week or two later as my tan was subsiding it started again. In full force. Pretty much until my tan went away.
This year I sort of had a bi-modal summer. I went to las vegas in june (got a great tan) then came home and was busy for a few weeks (so I didn't spend much time outdoors), and the itching started again... IN JULY! As the summer went on and I started to have more time to go outdoors.... my tan regained momentum and the itching subsided... until a couple weeks after I stopped going out in the sun!!!
So for me Ive come to know that its related to something the sun does to my skin (which I can only assume that it's tanning) .... I'm not opposed to living my life without getting tan anymore, though I do love the sun and vacationing. It won't hurt to not look like this person anyways.....
http://www.muvazi.com/assets/images/Blog/Bad%20Skin.jpg

MaximNata

Nov 23, 2011

I suggest that you look up restless leg syndrome and see a neurologist. Certain deficiencies such as iron can worsen this but it is mostly nerve related.

Manner

Nov 27, 2011

I have there same conditions as people above since I have started travelling the top end of Australia ,but my left leg has begun to spasm as well, I know from past Experience if I don't take enough vitamin E or magnesia in my diet that my leg spasms ,is there a link between these two conditions

Uvdalman

Nov 27, 2011

I've had this since I was 18 (32 years ago, but only intermittently, and usually after showers (of any temperature and any kind of water). From my experience, the mechanism that brings on the condition is a histemic reaction, but the question is what triggers it. For me it seems to be changes in the weather (and possibly central heating being started up. It is NOT a topical condition, but a systemic one. Anti histamines seem to work after a while, as do some of the suggestions such as not rubbing the skin. I was very interested in the use of propanolol which seems to be a logical and effective approach, if perhaps a little drastic. I'll give it a go.

123_abc

Jan 02, 2012

Use glycerin usp after u bathe. Make sure your body is wet ,take some glycerin in ur hands and add a drop of water to it.Now rub it between ur palms and appy it on wet legs..Your legs will never itch..It worked for me and i hope it will work for you all..alll d best

Scarlet04

Feb 10, 2012

To: 123_abc

I too have had this on and off for years
For me it happens only if I shower or swim in the mornings
Never in the later day
It's def not skin itchiness more the under skin nerve endings
I want to scratch until I bleed , but instead slap gently
Which numbs the legs (only my lower legs suffer) until the antihistamine I swallow takes effect
I forgot why I never go for swim am and recently joined gym
Decided to go swimming seven this am
Showered after and then real quickly remembered why
OMG I am just stopping the horrible senssations now!
So I think it's systemic, possibly circulatory and histamine related, probably for some of us one but more likely a mix
Good luck everyone and do what works best for you
BTW that's my final am swim or shower ever!!!!
Maybe related to sun cos I been Egypt a couple of weeks ago ....

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