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?

[TDanielle]

I also have this problem with severe itching of my entire legs after I shower or bath. I take a zyrtec 15 minutes before I shower and it helps a little. I also use Gold Bond medicated anti itching lotion. It helps sometimes but not always. I try to pat dry, get dressed as quickly as I can. But most of the time nothing helps. If I try to distract myself by laying down and reading a book it goes away faster. I think stress and anxiety might have something to do with it. On the days that I am really stressed out it is worse and lasts longer.

[yoyoma99]

I share this strange condition.  It seems the skin cells are most stimulated (itchy) from the evaporation of water.  As most of you know, lotions don't help.  In fact, lotions often make it worse because you are stimulating the skin more.  Try this remedy; it works for me.  I dry off in the shower then lotion up my legs before getting out.  The shower is very humid so there is minimal evaporation.  The legs are already dry and moisturized before they are exposed to the cold dry air outside the shower.  As many others have posted, it helps to get your pants or pajamas on fast.  I have experienced a ~95% reduction in the itching the last 10 days with this regimen.

[ryurahi]

I FOUND THE CAUSE AND CURE. I booked an appointment with a dermatologist, who said to me that this is just allegery to damp, humid, moist weather and anything wet, even sweat. He wrote me a prescription for a strong form of Reactine, which i couldnt afford. So i went and bought the on-the-shelf version of Reactine, the one that has these symptom reliefs: sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HIVES. Get the one that has hives as a sympton relief. Ever since ive been doing this, i have been cured. I take one pill before i go to the gym, cause i got itchy even from sweat and im good. I made sure to try with or without the pill and a world of difference. If that doesnt work for you, you might need the prescription version.

[ryurahi]

I FOUND THE CAUSE AND CURE. I booked an appointment with a dermatologist, who said to me that this is just allegery to damp, humid, moist weather and anything wet, even sweat. He wrote me a prescription for a strong form of Reactine, which i couldnt afford. So i went and bought the on-the-shelf version of Reactine, the one that has these symptom reliefs: sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HIVES. Get the one that has hives as a sympton relief. Ever since ive been doing this, i have been cured. I take one pill before i go to the gym, cause i got itchy even from sweat and im good. I made sure to try with or without the pill and a world of difference. If that doesnt work for you, you might need the prescription version.

[itchywitchy90]

When this first started for me, I did only notice this after morning showers.The episodes are worse ten-fold in the morning, but now occurs whenever my skin is damp and exposed to air. For me, it seem pretty confined to my lower legs though the itch will occasionally occur in spurts on the back of my thigh or on my lower  arms but not with the intensity or duration of my lower legs.

It is very frustrating and near unbearable - definitely maddening at times - and causes stress levels to soar. Good luck to your boyfriend in finding a solution or combination of solutions that work for him.

[erik51]

I've had this condition for about 1 year, perhaps just less.

I'm 21, male, and generally quite healthy. I drink more than enough water, exercise frequently, take a regiment of vitamins daily etc.

I get the itches on my lower legs mostly, but it frequently manifests on my shoulders and stomach. I tested changing soaps of all kinds, no soap, different water supplies and different temperatures. Nevertheless the itching still comes after ever shower. I have found one remedy (not cure), though.

When I feel the itching, I take one H1-antihistamine (I use Claritin). If I do this well before I shower, then I will feel next to no itching afterwards, and for roughly 4-5 days following. At that point I need to take another pill or the symptoms will come back. It's like clockwork.

Side note: When I itch I also get red, raised irritation on my skin, but only where I scratch.

It occurred to me that since this is tied to the histamine receptors (for me) it could have something to do with mold in the environment. My condition persisted when I went away, but I never was gone for more than 2 weeks so it's possible that wasn't long enough for my system to return to normal. Thoughts?