itchy legs

[Sal87]

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


I have had this problem for just over 2 years,
i went to my GP and they have given me antibiotics as they think i have folliculitis. I searched this and i have no symptons for folliculitis, as this occurs when you have red spots full of pus. my legs are dry and flaky as a result of my 2 years of itching and i have no rashes, just scars from scratching

[cookiedust]

Hi. I am Dena from NC. I have had a problem for as long as I remember with my legs itching after a shower and especially after shaving my loegs. Now, all of a sudden they have began to itch every night when I lay down to go to bed. They do throughout the day, if I am not thinking about anything else, but at night when all is quiet and I am trying to get still and go to SLEEP!! I have a hairbrush by the bed and use it, because regular scratching DOESN'T HELP!!! We have had a cat and dog for years and they sleep with us, so I know it isn't them. It isn't any soap or anything like that, because I haven't changed anything lately. I have changed soaps and things like that in the past and couldn't tell any difference. Mostly because they weren't itching ALL the time nor EVERY DAY. I, too have little itch here and there and here and there, but nothing serious, just irritating. I have no sign of a rash and they don't look dry, plus I keep lotion on them. I was scratching so bad the other night, I scratched my shin so bad it started bleeding.
Anyway, I sure hope someone comes up with a solution QUICK!!!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

This may be a case of irritant or xerotic eczema. Have you consulted with your dermatologist already? Dry scaly skin especially in the hands and legs may be a reaction to a product applied in the area.

Do you frequently shave your legs?

Do you use any cream or foam on your legs?

Antihistamines and steroid creams may be able to help. Discuss this with your physician. Use only mild unscented creams to misturize the area.If you have noted any possible triggers, avoid these as much as possible.

[prayzinhim]

Your problem sounds exactly like mine. I scratch my legs till they are raw. My worst area is from the knee down on the front of the legs. I do notice the skin is dry, but even creams do not seem to help. I have had this for several years and I am now getting concerned as I have read it could be kidney related. My sister is on dialysis and it is not pretty. If anyone has any insight into this posibility please let me know.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Do you have any other associated symptoms like easy fatigability,weight gain and thinning of the hair?

I suggest that aside from having your kidneys checked you also have your thyroid hormones checked.TSH and FT4 levels may be determined. Hypothyroidism may present with dryness and rash on the skin over the lower extremities.Hypothyroidism  is a likely differential that you may want to look into and discuss with your physician.

[kbartley08]

I have been dealing with itchy legs for over 15 years... and I am only 27!  It is usually just my lower legs. I am so relieved to see that other people have my problem. My fiance thinks I am crazy I swear! And all my mom and doctor ever said was "put more lotion on".  They just don't get it.  It certainly can't be an allergic reaction... why would only my lower legs be allergic to something?  I can't believe with so many people having this problem they aren't looking more seriously at it.  Anyway... the shower is my worst enemy! I have found I get some relief with temperature... just before I get out of the shower I turn the water as cold as it will go and rinse my legs with it just before I get out. It doesn't always work but it does seem to help.  Maybe I should try putting ice packs on when it is really bad?!

[abc299]

I also have this same problem.  I have considered everything and I can't figure out anything that is causing my legs to get itchy.  I have used every type of lotion available and have consulted dermatologists about it, but they don't understand and can't seem to diagnose it properly.  I do find that moisturising regularly helps and I have started using Zinc lotions (used for diaper rash) which seem to soothe them a little, but even so, they start to itch.  Does anyone else notice that they're worse in cold weather?  I find that when the weather is warm and I'm in the sun, the itching usually stops.  

If anyone else can add anything, I would love to get more help with this, as it's causing me to wake up at night and bleed!

[tjtz]

I find laclotion (NH4-lactate), prescription drug, noxema cream, and sarna lotion help.  I tried all sorts of creams, salves, cortisones, etc.
Sarna has the same ingredients (camphor and menthol) as noxema exc.  lower concentration and doesn't smell as much.  The noxema is better.  The laclotion is diff. and works as well or better than the sarna lotion.  I find it works best to apply them right after showering, even if the itch isn't then present.  (Individually camphor and menthol each seems to work some.)  Prevention is easier than stopping it.

I have experimented with applying both sarna and laclotion at the same time.  I also keep a can of pain dulling spray handy.   Unfortunately, the doctors don't help much.

[jwpynk]

Mine only happens when it starts to get warm out - I really hate the summer, heat and humidity because once it's skirt weather, my legs start itching - lower only, and if i barely scratch them it turns into welts and looks really red, even though there's nothing on my leg before I scratch. I looked at the other thread about this - doesn't happen after a shower, I don't wear nylons, happens with or without lotion, even when I use cortisone creams, and it's gotten so bad I wake up at night scratching with a brush. I'm wondering if it's a side effect from medications... none that I take list it, but since I've been on Ritalin the last few years I get sun poisoning easily when outside and prickly heat as well, on top of my legs itching. I love how everyone's been told something different from their doctors for the same thing, really boosts your confidence in the medical community, doesn't it?

[larajane]

My legs have been itchy every day since i was born. im 21 and i have always had itchy legs. when i was younger my family would all scream at me as once i started i couldnt seem to stop. the itching gets so bad that it annoys you and fustrates you and it becomes painfull.
My dad used to smack my legs where it was itching and it used to help but it didnt last too long only for about 5-10 mins and i would be scratching again.
Since i was little i was alway told that it was ezcema but when i grew out of the ezcema the itching did not stop.
i scratch every night- sometimes in my sleep. i cant control it - My family tried cutting my nails and tapping gloves on my hands. But i learned away to scratch with my toe nails just as good as my hands.
i have tried every steriod cream there is but nothing has ever helped. i feel the itching is slightly below my skin. i think this because i only satisfy the itch