itchy legs

[Rÿcher]

Bare with me. Weird for you - normal for me.

I'm hesitant to tell my doctor about this because it seems like a non-issue because it's not adversely effecting my health in any way. I just lay in bed at night scratching the hell out of the front of my thighs and sometimes the sides of my calves. I'm also hesitant because he's the type to tell me the simplest knee-jerk response. Something like my laundry detergent or my soap or something. If that were the case, you'd think my shoulders, back and belly would be suffering the same intense itching as my legs not to mention my butt and my feet at the ankles from constant contact with fabric washed in the same detergent as my pants and I do tend to wear nothing but cotton.

I tried Googling it which I seem to have to mention around here. All I got was a whole bunch of mentions of women's health issues; shaving, moisturizing and the like.

I asked if my wife has the same problem for fear that it might be mites but she doesn't have any itching. Just snoring. Friggin' skill saw in her esophagus, I swear.

The itchiness occurs only at night even as I'm getting ready for bed. Maybe I should sleep with my pants on.

there is no visible rash except that of a pre-existing follicular condition and acne.

Think I might need to exfoliate or something? Do I need to buy a loofah?

 

[Colonel Green]

I have a similar problem. Sometimes I'll scratch my shins so much they'll start to bleed.

I've found that applying moisturizer while my legs are still wet from the shower helps a bit, but I often forget and end up scratching.

 

[Rÿcher]

I'd have thought the rest of me would be itchy too if my skin were dry. I suppose it's possible since people do have dry and moist patches.

I also discovered it might be an allergic reaction to my antidepressant that I've been on for years. One of those serious ones they tell you to seek immediate medical attention for. I have a med appointment this week. I'll bring it up then. In the meantime, I'll moisturize and take a benadryl before bed.

 

[shapeshifter]

Skin on different areas of the body can be different from one another. I'd first try a different detergent or less of it, it is super easy today to use more detergent than is needed. That stuff is concentrated!

I got so tired of there always being soap in the final rinse, no matter how little detergent used, I started using LA's Totally Awesome as laundry detergent. It strips dirt and oil but also easily rinses completely away. Really tough stains come right out with some pre-soaking in it.

However, it may be you have dry skin in those areas, a lotion may help.

 

[Pingfah]

It's probably leg cancer, i'd cut them off.

Or see a different Doctor.

 

[Aurian]

Do you drink enough water?
Does your socks pinch against the skin?
Do you moisturise?

Drink more water, and make sure to use some lotion on the legs. Hope it passes.

 

[Rÿcher]

Yeah, I drink lots of water. Coke is like 99.99% water, isn't it?

Actually, I'm making the transition from Coke to Lipton citrus green tea. Supposed to be good for you. Can't drink it after 4 PM. Wired...

 

[Lookingglassman]

I hate these doctors who try to use a product as an excuse for a problem. I got a rash from Desert Storm that only appears when it is hot and in certain areas, but the VA keeps insisting it is from detergent or from contact with another person with the same rash. Well considering the only people I have had contact with who have had this rash all served in Desert Storm and since the rash only appears on certain parts of my body then it is not from detergent. They just dont want to admit it is war related.

Try Vasoline Intensive care lotion with cocoa butter. It is pretty good for skin and it might help you.

 

[Colonel Green]

^ *edit- to Rycher* Coke is mostly water, but caffeine is a diuretic and causes you to lose water from your body.

Lose the coke and drink water. Your body, wallet and waistline will thank you.

 

[Rÿcher]

not to mention the 27 milligrams of "low sodium" per serving just makes you want to drink more...

 

[Mallory]

It's probably leg cancer, i'd cut them off.

Don't laugh. When I had itchy legs to the point where I had to see the doctor it really did turn out to be cancer. Well, a symptom of the type of cancer I had anyway.

 

[22 Stars]

I highly suggest hydrocortizone cream (not oinment). That stuff is great for 'winter itch' caused by the cold dry air, just put a little on and leave it there, do that in the morning before you put your socks on and in a day or two you should be good to go.

 

[T'Baio]

Yeah, I drink lots of water. Coke is like 99.99% water, isn't it?

Please tell me that wasn't a serious response.

 

[btflash]

I hate these doctors who try to use a product as an excuse for a problem. I got a rash from Desert Storm that only appears when it is hot and in certain areas, but the VA keeps insisting it is from detergent or from contact with another person with the same rash. Well considering the only people I have had contact with who have had this rash all served in Desert Storm and since the rash only appears on certain parts of my body then it is not from detergent. They just dont want to admit it is war related.

Try Vasoline Intensive care lotion with cocoa butter. It is pretty good for skin and it might help you.

could that be a heat rash? my wife has something like that . it stems back to her getting sunburned in florida years ago. after that anytime she is out in the heat she gets a rash.

 

[kimc]

Drink more water, and make sure to use some lotion on the legs. Hope it passes.

I'll second all that plus consider running a humidifier in your bedroom at night. This time of year things can get dry.

 

[Rÿcher]

Yeah, I drink lots of water. Coke is like 99.99% water, isn't it?

Please tell me that wasn't a serious response.

No. It's like calling ketchup a vegetable.

 

[Crusher Disciple]

I've got dry skin, eyes and a dry scalp. I've been itching like crazy since the air turned dry. I bought some Cetaphil moisturizing cream in a jar and I use moisturizing body wash in the shower. I also got Scalp Balancing or whatever it's called shampoo from Aveda. That stuff worked like magic.

 

[RobertVA]

Yeah, I drink lots of water. Coke is like 99.99% water, isn't it?

Actually, I'm making the transition from Coke to Lipton citrus green tea. Supposed to be good for you. Can't drink it after 4 PM. Wired...

Regular cola contains about a teaspoon of sugar in every ounce, so i would imagine the percentage of water is much less than 99 %. I would be surprised if it's much more than 67% water (if that much).

 

[Pingfah]

It's probably leg cancer, i'd cut them off.

Don't laugh. When I had itchy legs to the point where I had to see the doctor it really did turn out to be cancer. Well, a symptom of the type of cancer I had anyway.

I was being sarcastic

My point was that it is better to see a doctor than take advice off internet idiots who might suggest things as stupid as cutting your legs off.

 

[jamestyler]

Skin on different areas of the body can be different from one another. I'd first try a different detergent or less of it, it is super easy today to use more detergent than is needed. That stuff is concentrated!

That's the first thing I thought of when I saw the title.

I've had the same thing recently and it ended up being my washing machine - it wasn't rinsing properly and since being fixed the problem has slowly vanished.

Could be coincidence - but I don't like visiting my doctor, so I'll never know