Severely itchy legs (at night) driving me crazy

[D7D]

My legs have been itching so badly, but there is no persistent rash in any spot! Over the last two-three weeks I have had the strangest most excruciating itching at night time It usually gets worse once I fall asleep. If I don't self control, I would probably draw blood accidentally scratching too hard. Every now and then during the day, there is a slight burning on the legs in various areas but it's so subtle and doesn't itch so badly that I want to scratch at all. It just lingers. At night is when its like a switch is flipped.

I don't think it's dust mites because my boyfriend sleeps right next to me and hasn't been itchy at all. However, I did sanitize wash my sheets just in case. I plan to buy new pillows, too.

It's so weird because just looking at the skin there are no marks whatsoever, but it just itches atrociously. I start to scratch and it gets worse. It's like my legs are on fire! Then they get red and with slight little tiny red dots and few tiny bumps. Once I stop itching (and sometimes cool with water) within ten minutes the redness/bumps goes away and you'd never be able to tell there was a problem! The other day I did leave a little bruise though. Now I just try to NOT let myself scratch no matter what, but it's very difficult. I end up touching or rubbing the areas slightly.

The itchy areas change from night to night. One night the itch was symmetrical on both of my thighs right above my knees and on the sides of my knees. Another night it was my lower left calf and last night it was the back of my right thigh. There is so much radiating pain there when it itches!! It's really perplexing to me. I'm such a healthy person, no sugars, processed foods; I eat fruits and veggies, take whole food vitamins, omegas, fruit/veg juicing everyday, etc.

Does this itching sound like an allergic reaction of sorts???

I've tried to think of WHAT has changed in my routine that could be the cause. Well, I came up with only two things that have changed in my routine. Either could be the culprit.

1. About a month ago I bought this organic shea hibiscus coconut shower gel. I've shaved with it about 5 times, I think. I think I might be allergic to something in it and it's gotten into my hair follicles. ?? I have discontinued the product. My last shave with it was 3 days ago.

2. Also about a month ago, I started an herbal supplement called Bacopa Monnerei. It's for increasing mental clarity/sharpness and memory. (It works, amazingly so I hope it's not the problem!). After a few days on it, I noticed an odd itching on the side of my left breast and into my underarm. The itching was very subtle, not intense, and lasted a couple days. - But you know what I just realized, this was around the time I started using that shower gel, too (I used it to shave my underarms).

I've discontinued both the herbal supplement and the shower gel. I really hope this crazy itching clears up. It's driving me crazy at night, it hurts so bad.

Thoughts anyone?? I'm going nuts!

[Smcangeles]

Did you ever find out what caused your itching? I'm so desperate to find and answer to this. I'm having the same problem and it's been almost a month now. I went to 3 doctors and all they could tell me is it could be an allergic reaction to something. That long??? Please share your story on how you got rid of it. Thanks.

[Lhorrocks13]

I also suffer from this every single night, but  my itchiness is not one area of my leg/legs it is every part of my leg from top to bottom, every time I scratch I bleed because the itch does not seem to go away, I also have a lot of eczema on various parts of my body including; my face, scalp, inside of my elbows, back of my knees, behind my ears, my neck and on other parts from time to time which makes it hard enough to sleep with this, I would really like to find a suggestion with you to help me also as I am 16 years old (female) and do not have any way to stop my itching and would highly appreciate help, Thankyou.

[Chuchoo]

I had same type of itch in right lower calf initially a week back  i and little climbed up and then came down on inner ankle bone. I used to scratch hard and some times I stop it when my skin becomes red hot but happens only in night when I am on bed. I used Scabizide lotion for few days but no improvement. I changed to Margo soap no use. I used plenty of moisturizer but helped only temporarily. After bath I used to apply coconut oil.Whenever I feel severe itch I used to apply Sarfaz-N cream. But result is same only temporary relief.It all started when I was on Terrace of a building doing some installation. May be dusty environment may be the cause. Last week I was teaching whole week 8 hrs and used to stand all the time.
Today whole day was cleaning day and I took my lunch only at 4:30pm. Even after that no rest for me and washing cloths. Evening I have cooked for night ate and went to bed. The itch started in half an hour. When I searched internet after severe itch found many causes for itch. One ,of them was Gravity Eczema. I thought this may be the problem since my right leg used to pain sometimes due to blood circulation issue. So I thought I will apply some Thrombophob*-B Gel to improve blood circulation. I found an almost empty tube. I squeezed and got just 3 drops and applied over severely itching areas. Within seconds everything has become normal. It is almost 3 hrs now. Only 3 drops I applied and it is amazing.  I am going to keep this Gel with me all the time..:-)

[Liliglad2]

Could it be restless leg syndrome? I've had the same problem with very itchy legs for years and I think this may be the cause. A friend suggested taking a magnesium supplement. Best to discuss with your GP though.

[Lizziehamm]

I've read all of the comments and have the same issue at night. No rash. Just sharp twinges of itching all over my lower legs that keep me up at night. I think I finally figured it out. I noticed that anyone who has had relief has improved their diet in some way. Improving your diet helps us take in less sodium and other toxins that result in fluid retention. For me it's this water retention in my lower legs that causes the nerves to "flare up". As soon as I take a non caffeinated water pill during the day and right before bed, the fluid isn't allowed to build up and start the itching. If the symptoms start during the day, i take my 50mg diuretic pill and within 20-30 min, the symptoms subside. The higher the sodium levels I eat, the greater the itching. I read where someone's symptoms subsided after they started sweating. Makes sense since they are removing excess water. Just a suggestion but it helps me.

[Kaz5432]

I am a chronic insomniac anyway and so with this insane itch on my legs (& arms too sometimes) at night, life is hell.  I am struggling to work (not given in yet to time off as feel it will be a slippery slope..).  I suffer with anxiety too and think that it is possibly related.  Does anyone else?

[HollyF1COTA]

Wow. YES! I literally just typed the same symptoms into Google, which is how I came across this thread!

My symptoms are 1) itchy legs and thighs at night,  2) no visible rash, 3) anxiety - which I've suffered from for years, 4) inability to fall asleep. And then I also occasionally get a little white patch on the tip of my tongue - similar to an inflamed tastebud. But I only get them when I have bad anxiety or haven't slept. WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?!

[veteranchuck]

Try avoiding sugar

[Fotun]

I had similar and the answer for me is here:

Google:

"Itchy Skin (Pruritus vs Scabies) / Oil Glands (Sebum) / Allergies"