Itchy legs, no sign of rash or irritation

[Nicki M]

For the last four years I have had a problem with my legs itching.  When it started it was only an occasional problem, but it has developed into an everyday occurance.  When my legs itch it is usually my lower legs, but my upper legs will itch too.  There is never any sign of a rash or any kind of irritation on my skin - it just itches like crazy.  Sometimes it feels more like a "pins and needles" feeling, like when your hand or foot falls asleep.  It almost feels like every little hair on my legs are poking me.  I've tried switching detergents, soaps, not using fabric softener or bleach, I've used anti-itch lotions from my dermatologist, but nothing helps.  It gets so severe at times that it brings me to tears.  Sometimes it will get so bad it will wake me up in the middle of the night.  It can last only a few minutes or it can last days.  Usually it seems to be aggravated by something, the most common causes being nylons, water (taking a shower or swimming), humidity, and shaving.  But sometimes it doesn't seem to be caused by anything at all.  I have been to several doctors trying to solve this - and all I've been able to determine so far is that I am not having an allergic reaction to anything.  I will do anything to make this stop, it has been going on for so long now.  Not to mention that I'm getting married in a few months, and I would hate for my itchy legs to ruin my wedding day and my honeymoon!  I have already had two doctors tell me "I don't know what else you can do", so any suggestions on what this is or how I can treat it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Allergic reactions will not cause itching symmetrically on both legs.  Likewise, there are no skin ir internal diseases of which I am aware which cause symptoms of the type you describe.  Therefore, I don't think any tests are called for.



When people itch without a rash, in my experience stress is often a factor.  At times it's the itch itself which induces the stress--in other words, the more you itch, the more you scratch, and so on.  And the more you worry about whether you're going to itch, the more you will.



What I usually advise itchy people to use is a topical anesthetic, as often as needed (even every few minutes.)  This can help break the itch-scratch cycle.



Over-the-counter anesthetics include: Benadryl, Lanacane, Sarna, and pramoxine.



Prescription anti-itch products include Lidocaine and Zonalon.



I advise you to use one or more of these and use them regularly, until you stop itching.



And congratulations on your upcoming marriage.  (Talk about stress!)



Best.



Dr. Rockoff

[azalia]

I have had the same exact problem for almost two years.  I know the doctor answered you back telling you that is most likely stress.  My doctor said the same thing to me also, but I really do not have a stressful life.  I have read that itching WITHOUT a rash maybe a sign of a serious internal disease.  I'm going to have my itching further checked out for any internal problems, you might want to consider doing this too.  There are many different things they can do to figure out what this is beside just looking at your skin.  Good luck.

[Debs621]

I just wanted to write and tell you that I have the exact same problem also.  I have had this problem for two years.  It tends to occur violently only after I take showers, although my itching is present in a lesser amount on and off throughout the day.  I have done some searching on the internet and have found that I am not alone.  Other women have had this same problem.  No one has found a successful treatment for it yet, it seems like.  I know it's not stress, and, personally, I get very tired of doctors trying to pawn it off on that.  If anyone has any suggestions of how to dull the itch please let us know.  This is an extremely frustrating affliction.

[azalia]

Doesn't it seem so relaxing to hear that you're not the only one going through this problem.  Now if a doctor would just find a cure for this problem.  If you do hear anything/find anything out on our problem, please let me know.  Oh yeah, the shower thing (violent itching spells) happens to me too.  And the occassional itching throughout the day.  Go figure!!

[Scott525]

I also have the same "itchy" problem.  It occurs under the following circumstances:  After showering, after swimming and on very humid days (if my legs sweat a little).  The itching is primarily the front part of my upper legs (thighs) with some itching on the back side of my upper arms.  I use Lubriderm on a daily basis to control the after shower itching...helps a little but still ithes wildly for about 30 minutes after the shower.  After swimming on hot humid days there is nothing I can do....makes me just crawl in my skin.  The itching is so bad and I get the "pins and needles" effect for about 30 minutes.  Sometimes it is so bad I have to rub my legs with a hair brush or something !!  There is not even a sigle hint of redness or skin discoloration which amazes me.  The funny thing is I can go in a hottub in the winter and it hardly even bothers me???



I have tried drinking water and have been to the doctor.  He had me try a topical steroid to be used in small amounts but that did not help much.  I am going back this week because I just can't take it anymore.  Other things I may try that I have been reading about are Sarna cream and lowering sugar input which I am going to try.  The worst part about this "syndrome" is when you try and explain the severity of it they look at you like you are crazy which really ticks me off.  



Are there any other suggestions Doctor? This is not a stress induced issue for me.  I also want to let people in this forum know that you are not alone.  I will be eternally greatful to anyone that can solve this issue since I have been living with it for 4 years now and just have to do something about it...anything!

[babygirl17]

Hi everyone thank God im not the only one. im 17yr. old and ive told my mom about my icthing and she told me it was all in my head so i said i was going to find out my self cause i hardly sleep when i do itch and i hate takin showers but i found takin a bath with rubbing alchohol in the tub helps a little.  Plus rubbing your self w/ warm petrleum jelly (vaseline) also helps.

[azalia]

I would watch out with the alcohol in the tub.  I used to get some relief with rubbing alcohol on my skin when I get itchy till my doctor said that makes the itching worse because rubbing alcohol can make your skin 10 times drier.  Would the alcohol not make your privates dry and itchy?

[KimberlyA]

Well - have any of you considered it may merely be from shaving your legs then wearing tight pants or hose?



I find that I shave my legs more often in the warmer months, then if I wear hose - the "stubble" can get rubbed this way and that by my hose causing my legs to itch.



In warm weather, the hose would rub more vigorously because of your legs being warmer.



Just a thought! :)



~Kimberly

[Jestine]

I am having the same symptoms.  I feel like I'm going crazy, and I can't stand this.  

I went to the emergency room a month ago because of the itching, and was told that it is an allergic reaction to a new detergent or soap., and the Dr. prescribed me Atarax, but it didn't help the itching.  I've stopped using any new products, and changed my detergent, soap, lotion, etc. back to what I have always used.  

Different from what you've said though, when I take a hot shower or bath it actually eases some of the itching.  I feel like I'm being bitten...by something that I can't see.  I