Itchy Legs after showering or swimming

[dalbs]

I have been experiencing extremely painful itching in the legs, which starts about 10-15 minutes after getting out of the shower and will last about 15-30 minutes. It started out by happening occasionally but now it occurs after every shower and has started happening after getting out of the swimming pool. The itching is getting more intense and I'm afraid that it will continue to just get worse and last longer.  Water is the only thing so far that triggers this.  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".  I've tried different lotions, not using soap, not shaving my legs, warm water, cold water, not drying off, change the floor rugs.... nothing makes a differnce.  I found where this problem had been discussed on this forum a few years ago but no one seems to be able to find a solution. Is there anyone out there that has found a solution to this every painful, unexplained problem?

[DavidWalsh]

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.

[bcullen050704]

'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 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

[Macho100]

My issue is I live in the Caribbean, I work in the yard and end up drenched from sweat. I may itch some as I work, possibly some kind of bites on my exposed skin, neck, legs. The issue is my entire body basically itches after the shower. This happens after showering after swimming at the beach. I have not water heater so, the temp is luke warm to cool, depending on the time of the year. The only relief I have found so far is sitting in front of a fan. My body at this point is basically still sweating. I do not use fabric softeners. Only mild soaps. This issue has really just started in maybe the past 3 months. Your comment about the chlorine maybe the answer. Our water is terribly high in chlorine. I filter drinking and cooking water. Perhaps it's the chlorine. I was wondering about salt, it seems like I consume more salt than I did months ago. I am hoping some of this helps others also. I have resorted to drinking kratom and 420 at times out of frustration, both seem to help. Anxiety is not my issue.

[656topsurvivor]

Fungus makes sense.  Have had some luck with alcohol for rosacea==will try it on ankles.

[ShaneT123]

Its simply and honestly because you havn't bathed or scrubbed all the dead skin on your epidermis, off of your body. The itch is irritation caused by your "new skins" sudden exposure to the air and all the "stuff in it"

[derrickc07]

I suffered from these symptoms for two years or so. Itching legs after a shower and specific other times during the day.  Sometimes the itching was so intense that I could not do anything for several minutes, just clench my fists and let it pass. I changed detergents, soaps, etc. None of that worked.  Finally, a dermatologist prescribed Clarinex, which works very well.  Then I discovered that my itching was related to eating cashews and almonds.  

I have been eating and loving cashews all my life with no issues, but now when I eat them, I itch, particularly after a shower.  The more cashews I eat, the more intense the itching.  It happens with almonds, too.  I don't really like peanuts, but I would expect the same result if I ate them.

Check to see what happens if you eliminate nuts from your diet. Can't hurt, you've probably tried almost everything else.

[zitto]

Hello to all,

In first place sorry for my english!

I had the same problem as some of you describe.
I tried all of the best creams and antihistamines.
On August 19 I went to a homeopathic to me coughing and perianal blood.
He told me that the cause was related to lack of calcium, magnesium and potash.
What is certain is that after three days my problems disappeared.
Still do treatment only natural products.
I would leave the mark of product, but I am afraid to think what I'm trying to market the products.
I hope that has helped you.

[HelperItchySkin]

identify the times when your body itches less after shower (morning, afternoon, night) it mostly the time when ur allergies are les and when ur mostly stressed out!
Shower with black african/morrocan soap (gel type not bar soap cuz it makes my body go crazyyy') or any time of soap/shower gel that has essential oils in it
Get multivitamins and check if u dont have a vitamin defiency or allergies; i take multivatamins and my allergie medecine before i shower and after i shower
Keep ur body clean from the inde; eat healthy, exercice, drink lots of water, fruits, veggies, you can even get fruit juices that have multivatimns in them
Find what kind of water makes ur body itch less; cols, very cold, hot, very hot (or me it is very very hot water)
Moisture your skin daily with any natural oil (coconut oil, argan oil, olive oil...)

[Queenly1]

WOW! What a coincidence! Good Luck to you as well. I've done pretty good, until late (past 2 years) but it has now caused/causing immense problems.

Looks like we may? be about the same age? Good for us!

[silverfox67]

How wonderful for you!  I hope others read your comment and get to a doctor to get rid of their Polycythemia Rubra problems as well!  - Good health to you!  Mine is Hemochromatosis - but the treatment is the same: Phlebotomy.

[Queenly1]

Ok, I apparently cannot answer to "one and all" so will answer Silver Fox, hoping MaNY will read my read my response.
First,let me add that is NOT necessarily everyone's case, I am rather surprised that no one has indeed realized that the Cause is indeed from the inside, and not trying to,treat the Syptom!

It started with me 20+ years ago, but I suffered with the itching part of each for approximately 6 Months, (and tried ALL or many of the external remedies you ALL did above) when by accident/coincidence? Was offered "an Executive Fitness Test, for me  and my colleagues, and that's how/the/way I was diagnosed with......my Polycythemia Rubra  Vera! First question my Hematologist asks me, ever, was "do you itch after showering or bathing?!!!
Almost knocked me off the exam table! Answer:'that is THE FIRST SYMPTOM!,,,,good luck with that truly. P.S. I've outlived my diagnosis by 20+ years! Hope this  helps someone,

[silverfox67]

I am drinking a Chinese detox tea and it seems to help.  Perhaps we need to fight this from the inside.

[TalullaBelle]

Forgive me for being so detailed, but I'm hoping someone will put pieces together and see something that helps them or helps me.  I, too, have low blood pressure and my hands and feet are usually cold.  I have suffered from severe, prickly, painful itching after bathing, showering, exercise, and if I get really stressed out.  It started over 15 years ago.  I've had city water with chlorine in it, and well water with a softener.  I've also tried every temperature of water with no difference.  My doctor tried me on valium for my nerves, but I still itched.  I know anxiety makes it worse, but it is not the primary cause apparently.  I've been getting allergy shots for years for mold, so my allergist says it can't be mold related.  My itching hit a peak about six months ago. I would itch all day, every day. I was living on Benadryl.  My B12 and D vitamins were in the toilet, which they had not been previously.  I have been taking Vitamin D supplements, trying to spend time in the sun every day, and taking B12 shots for six months.  The itching stopped for a couple months, but came back.  (My itching will occasionally go dormant.)  My skin isn't dry, but I tried exfoliating many times just in case. It is impossible. I have had the worst episodes ever.  If I am going through a rare dormant period, and I exfoliate, the histamines go crazy.  My legs itch even after a pedicure when they use the scrub on my legs. The doctors told me not to bathe as often.  It got to the point that I could only take "bird baths" and I had to wash my hair over the sink to keep my body from getting wet. I've tried fragrance free lotions, and chemical free detergents & soap with no difference.  I know it's not Celiac's Disease or any wheat related allergy, because I didn't eat wheat for a year.  I was concerned that my limited diet was causing my vitamin deficiencies, so I eat normally now.  I am keeping a food diary to see if anything triggers the itching.  Tea seems to be one trigger, so I avoid it.  After so many years, I am really out of shape.  Getting hot/sweating can cause severe itching.  If it doesn't cause a reaction, the shower afterwards sure does.  Please help if you think you know what might be going on.  In the meantime, I'm keeping you all in my thoughts.

[kudziekay]

im so shocked to discover that am not alone,i thought it was abnormal
i start to itch everytime i take a bath,it is not painful but very irritating that i hate bathing now but i have to.
its mostly on my legs and forearms,ive tried some anti alergies but they dont work. i want a cure,am desperate..even my lil sister has it,
maybe its dry skin,will try E45 itch cream

[Aceit]

After seeing 4 different dermatologist all of whom diagnosed it as dry skin, prescribed similar lotions none of which worked. I noticed during the summer when I got a little tan on my legs the itching stopped. I explained this to each Dermatologist, I'm not sure they heard a word. I now go to a tanning salon between 2 & 3 times per week. Towel dry after showering, apply Keri lotion, NO MORE ITCHING. The medical profession claims tanning is dangerous but until someone listens and determines the cause, I have opted to take the chance... it works for me.

[kirtieee]

VODKA works. It has something to do with evaporation. HOT SHOWERS work too.

Rub vodka or 100% alcohol on your skin. It relieves the itch!

[mia75]

It is so good to hear that I am not the only one expirencing this...
I have cried and scratched so bad after showering that I
thought I had a diease or needed to go to the hospital.
After trying serveral things, I have found somewhat of
soultion that thank God Has helped alot.
I use Aveno baby fragrance free soothing relief moisture cream
(located in the baby section) I used it immedialtey after showering
and I would still itch alittle but after a few seconds it dried and relived
my itching tremendously, but some times it wouldn't work as good as others but it was so much better than anything else I tried.
So after reading some suggestions on here, I started to dry my legs in the shower before the air could hit them and apply the cream right away before I got out, instead of watting after I got out, and it has been such a blessing and it helps so much. So I hope this helps and blesses someone and offer some relief like it did me...blessings Mia

[itchyjen]

Thank goodness I'm not alone! I have suffered from this since I was a teenager and I'm now 55! Having read all the posts, I'm going to try anti- histamine tablets first. I'll keep you posted. I've had to give up swimming due to the excruciating itchiness in my legs and sometimes arms for half an hour afterwards but this gives me hope that I can try it again. I'm also interested in the anti-fungal strand and in investigating the use of sls in shower gels and shampoo. I will do some experiments and report back. I never thought I'd find a cure or that anyone else had the same thing. What a wonderful thing the Internet is!

[marifhossain]

I have been suffering from whole body etching after bath for the last 15 years. lately I had to refrain from bathing as much as I could and could not rub off the scales because it caused tremendous etching.

After long years of suffering I found a cure for me. I take 500gm Epsom salt in my bath tub and fill it with water and take a mineral bath. can rub as much as I can without etching!  Relaxing bath after 15 years. Works every time!

Epsom salt is cheap 3-4$ for 2 kg packs and found everywhere. You can try this easy way!!

[silverfox67]

I decided to try the iodine.  I just happened to have some on hand, both the topical and oral type.  I hope it helps as my fungus' "cycle" was starting again today.  I get lesions on my back that itch me to death!  I hope the Iodine works.  If it does I will tell all the people who posted in "Bugs under the skin" and "Gnats that follow".  We all itch intensely and need relief!  I do believe our modified foods have something to do with it.  I try to eat organic and the Dr. has taken me off all starches and carbs.  I hope it works.  

[SarahL2491]

allergy to chlorine will produce the same problems

[LateOn]

I had this for about 5 years, with similar symptoms to many on here. Mine is always only present during the summer, typically when tan is fading (as previous poster). The itch is far worse after a morning shower and often non-existent or mild if I shower in the evening.

Having read everything on here and conversed with others (including my cousin who suffers greatly) we believe that the root cause is dry skin. I believe that at night I sweat and rub my legs (in my sleep) very hard against my sheets. This washes away the natural oils and causes nerve ending sensitization which becomes irritated by the morning shower (explains why there is no itching after evening shower). I exercise a lot and eat healthily. I do not suffer from stress, thyroid, circulatory or any other illness (as far as I am aware).

So, I have found the following solutions and non-solutions to the problem:

Changing shower gel/soap etc. does not work
Lotions and potions have not worked for me
Showering in the evening is much better than the morning
Not washing legs in morning shower is better than washing legs (if you must shower in the morning)
Putting clothes straight over legs eases the pain
Cooler water helps
Doing some exercise/movement before showering helps
AND THE WINNER IS:
Taking one anti-histamine at night (around midnight) means I can shower in the morning no problem/no pain. I find that after a few nights of doing this, I don't even need the tablet and the pain is not present.

[jue198]

I to have this problem i mostly have it in the summer after my tan seems to be fading the itching drives me mad i shall try having warmer showers as nothing else has worked.

[jeevesdogtraining]

i have this and find to use talc helps