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?

[Teeneybop]

I totally agree.  I am on a camping trip right now and the campground has an indoor pool.  I don't dare to get into a swimming pool  It's just not worth the agonizing horrow I have to go through when I get out.  I can't enjoy water sports with my grandchildren at all.
I have to use cool water to shower.  I usually take a benadryl before I shower but then I'm so drowsy that I am no good for about 3 hours or more.  I've been told that my body over produces histamines.  Well , why can't they come up with something to help me?  Nothing I have tried in that dept helps.  It really affects my quality of life as I'm sure it does yours too.  God bless

[Ilovecupcakes97]

I have the SAME thing!! It's not just chlorine though!! It happens with Well water, AND Chlorine. It is the worst thing I have ever gone through. It is just on my legs and thighs, and it is absolutely awful. I've notticed that keeping my legs moving seems to help. It starts quickly after showering. And then lasts 15-30 minutes.
Any advise?

[Lomerell]

I forgot to add my day-to-day method of coping with non-showers, which is to take sponge-baths in the sink for just armpits, groin, rear, and not touching anything else. Washing my face is okay.

This is not ideal since I also suffer chronic back pain and this method requires a lot of bending, but that is all I can do.

[Lomerell]

My problem started ~9-10 months ago.

I'm a 32-year-old white male living in North Carolina.

This occurs any time my legs get wet, damp, moist or (sometimes) hot. I get a violent itching that is more akin to fire/pain/needles than what most people describe as "itching". I identify with those who say this is an appropriate punishment for murderers and rapists, that they have used razors or other dramatic methods to cope with this torture, or lost their temper (which was my method).

The problem starts 5-15 minutes after stepping out of the shower. It persists 40-60 minutes afterwards. It has brought me to yelling and to tears.

I have tried showering and bathing.

I have tried hot, lukewarm and cold water. Super, super hot water causes me to itch less afterwards if the shower is very short. Lukewarm and cold water worsen the problem.

I have tried changing soaps, shampoos, detergents, etc. For any naysayers who believe this is product related, it happens even if shower with NO soap and NO shampoo and don't even use a towel afterwards.

I have showered in North Carolina, Oregon, and Florida at different homes and hotels. It makes no difference.

Sweating can bring this on, but doesn't always. I can't detect a pattern.

Bathing does not help, though bathing with epson salts reduces the severity of the problem.

Sex can cause this to occur, if the activity is rigorous. Calmer, slower activity does not cause my legs to itch afterwards.

Lotions and cortisone cream do not alleviate the itch. Sometimes, they prolong it.

The itch begins on my shins. On a good day, it stays localized to my shins. On bad days, it also occurs on my calves and thighs.

My legs itch so bad I don't notice elsewhere; however, I have attempted torso-only sponge baths and found that my chest itches like crazy afterwards. Perhaps the leg itching is so severe when present that I don't notice arms/chest. I can't say.

I am terrified to shower. I now only shower 1-3 times/month. When I do shower, I take the following steps to mitigate the itch:

-Exercise first to get up my heartrate
-Leave a gap in the shower curtain and the bathroom door open -- any drastic change from warm (steamy) to cool temperatures worsens the problem
-Shower as quickly as possible (~90 seconds)
-Keep the water as hot as possible without burning myself

When the itch occurs, the only way I can cope is to climb under the covers and gently rub up and down my legs with my fingertips, focusing on whichever part is worst until another spot takes over, while watching some movie or tv show to distract myself.

I have discovered it is completely unsafe to drive in this condition, nor do I recommend trying to converse rationally with someone while they suffer through this.

Best of luck to everyone until the doctors pull their collective appendages from their collective extremities and being HELPING DIAGNOSE NEW PROBLEMS instead of memorizing and reciting what's already known.

[Scarlet04]

I too have had this on and off for years
For me it happens only if I shower or swim in the mornings
Never in the later day
It's def not skin itchiness more the under skin nerve endings
I want to scratch until I bleed , but instead slap gently
Which numbs the legs (only my lower legs suffer) until the antihistamine I swallow takes effect
I forgot why I never go for swim am and recently joined gym
Decided to go swimming seven this am
Showered after and then real quickly remembered why
OMG I am just stopping the horrible senssations now!
So I think it's systemic, possibly circulatory and histamine related, probably for some of us one but more likely a mix
Good luck everyone and do what works best for you
BTW that's my final am swim or shower ever!!!!
Maybe related to sun cos I been Egypt a couple of weeks ago ....

[123_abc]

Use glycerin usp after u bathe. Make sure your body is wet ,take some glycerin in ur hands and add a drop of water to it.Now rub it between ur palms and appy it on wet legs..Your legs will never itch..It worked for me and i hope it will work for you all..alll d best