Itchy and burning legs

[cepanga]

Sometimes out of the blue my feet and calves start burning and itching like crazy and you can see kind of a blotchy skin like red and white blotches. It used to happen when I was washing dishes or came out of the shower so I thought maybe the water was making it like that. Lately it happens regardless of what Im doing, I can just be walking or standing up or whatever and it keeps going higher to the point that yesterday it went all the way to my hips and its such an intense itching that I was almost crying and you can feel burning sensation or heat coming out of your skin and it goes numb.
The doctor say to relax and that its only Hives but what does that mean? that im going to get it every once in a while and I just smile at it or take an allergy pill? I used to think its maybe a circulatory problem or something like that
any ideas??
Ive read here that there is a lot of people with similar symptoms and situations



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

[meeks17]

I have atopic dermatitis on most of my body (full legs, hands, elbows, back of arms, bottom of back). Atopic dermatitis is a dermatitis/eczema. Lots of people have it and unfortunately don't realise they have it and/or don't know how to treat it. I struggled with it for 8 years before a doctor finally gave me a punch hole biopsy, took a sample of my skin and sent it away to be examined. Extremely easy procedure (20 min) that can be done with any GP. Results came back a week later and I was diagnosed with Atopic dermatitis. Sounds simple but I was at the point where I had barely any skin left on my legs because I had scratched it off (was alot worse when I'd try lay down and sleep). When it's on such a large area of the body and it pops up randomly one day (not since birth) most people put it down to dust mites, shaving or ingrown hairs ect. Once I knew what it was the doctor put me on a high dose of oral steroids for about 3-4 weeks. This completely cleared my skin and any infections from the scratching (my skin was so inflamed and torn it was extremely painful and uncomfortable, felt like I was burning from the waist down). Unfortunately you can't continue taking oral steroids as over time it'll give you much worse, life threatening health conditions like brittle bones, thin skin,  gland shut down and withdrawals could send you into shock. Once I had come off the oral steroids the dermatitis began to return so the doctor prescribed me a steroid cream called betnovate ointment 0.1% 30g. I use it sparingly, rubbing it into my skin in circular motions. I do my entire legs every morning or second morning and I moisturise at night. My legs are completely healed and clear, with only scars left over which will fade over time. Make sure to use steroid cream sparingly as if you use too much too constantly you will get hives which disappear within hours but still better to avoid them. I always thought I had a ingrown hair problem because it honestly felt like when the hair would grow back it was unbearable and I thought maybe my hair is too thick for my pores. But even when the hair had full grown out it was still itchy and was always worse when id try relax or sleep. There was always blood on the sheets from me scratching in my sleep. It was so embarrassing and put me off going on dates and wanting a relationship. I was still struggling with it when I met my partner now and he has been by my side and extremely understanding the whole time. In fact if it wasn't for him I probably would have gave up and never fixed it. It was so exhausting trying to find answers and getting the same unhelpful responses. Anyway long story short, go to your GP, request a punch hole biopsy, if results come back positive, begin treatment :) hope this helps somebody, im sure it will. I know it seems like alot but once you get into a routine and just take that 10mins every morning to rub the cream on, you'll feel like a new person :) good luck.

[Simpleman74]

Let me ask a few questions to try and find some common denominators.
1. What do you use for a cloth and soap when you do the dishes?
2. Have you bought any new footwear or socks lately or been wearing down there you hadn't before this got to be all the time?
3.Have you ever had this issue when you were younger?
4. Any new flooring or furniture?
5. you might think this is dumb but do you have a plastic shower curtain or what is it.6. 6.Do you use moisturizer after you shower.
7. Any other dry skin like your scalp, back of head or anywhere?

[cepanga]

Thanks for your help and the info
Im taking a pill and rubbing cream but its kind of useless cause it comes and goes and by the time i have it and take the pill or rub the cream its gone, unless i take the pill all day long just to prevent it, you knwo what i mean?
but ill take ur advice on going to a dermatologist! but my family doctor thinks its not necessary so i have to insist its really becoming a pain

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Apart from hives, the other possibility that comes to my mind is stasis dermatitis or venous eczema. The characteristic symptoms consist of itching and weakening and ulceration of the area.Treatment consists of topical applications of steroid based creams and the use of compression stockings. My advice would be to consult a dermatologist and discuss this with him.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.