Itchy Legs ... for those who indicate it ONLY happens
after a shower, then maybe there is something in the
water ... some chemical. Maybe you can ask the
city lab to test your water? |
medhelp.org/posts/show/241193 |
For the last four years I have had a problem with my
legs itching. When it started it was only an occasional
problem, but it has developed into an everyday
occurrence. When my legs itch it is usually my lower
legs, but my upper legs will itch too. There is never
any sign of a rash or any kind of irritation on my skin
- it just itches like crazy. Sometimes
it feels more
like a "pins and needles" feeling, like when your hand
or foot falls asleep. It almost feels like every little
hair on my legs are poking me. I've tried switching
detergents, soaps, not using fabric softener or bleach,
I've used anti-itch lotions from my dermatologist, but
nothing helps. It gets so severe at times that it
brings me to tears. Sometimes it will get so bad it
will wake me up in the middle of the night. It can last
only a few minutes or it can last days. Usually it
seems to be aggravated by something, the most common
causes being nylons, water (taking a shower or
swimming), humidity, and shaving. But sometimes it
doesn't seem to be caused by anything at all. I have
been to several doctors trying to solve this - and all
I've been able to determine so far is that I am not
having an allergic reaction to anything. I will do
anything to make this stop, it has been going on for so
long now. Not to mention that I'm getting married in a
few months, and I would hate for my itchy legs to ruin
my wedding day and my honeymoon! I have already had two
doctors tell me "I don't know what else you can do", so
any suggestions on what this is or how I can treat it
would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. |
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I am having the same symptoms. I feel like I'm going
crazy, and I can't stand this.
I went to the emergency room a month ago because of the
itching, and was told that it is an allergic reaction to
a new detergent or soap., and the Dr. prescribed me
Atarax, but it didn't help the itching. I've stopped
using any new products, and changed my detergent, soap,
lotion, etc. back to what I have always used.
Different from what you've said though, when I take a
hot shower or bath it actually eases some of the
itching. I feel like I'm being bitten...by something
that I can't see. I have no rash, no sores, cuts, bumps
or anything.
It first started on my upper legs and bottom, around the
inside of my thighs and the top of my thighs. Now it is
happening all over. It has gone to all over my thighs,
the underside of my forearms, the upper side of arms,
lower legs, back, I feel it on the back of my neck now
close to my hair line...it is all over.
Like I said, this is making me crazy. It started about
3-4 weeks before I went to the Dr. (about 2 + months
ago), and still there is nothing on my skin to show that
anything is wrong. The only thing I think I can see are
very small black dots (about the size of the tip of a
straight pin), where ever I get the itch/bite. I don't
know if these dots are anything, or if I'm just hoping
to see something so I will be able to find out what is
happening.
I've been looking around the web and found things about R.L.S. that
sounds something like this. I'm not saying that's what
is going on with everyone, but it's something to think
about.
I was thinking I may have a thyroid problem. I get very
tired alot and usually feel run down, but I'm still
pretty active. My blood pressure has been low
the last couple times it has been checked (both in the
past 2 years). And a few other things, so I'm really
not sure. July, 2002 |
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| I've had the "itch" severely
after my daughter was
born. The day after I had her I had this really bad
itch. Before the "itch" I had an occasional dry skin
itch, but ever since giving birth to her it's been
worse. My friend and I noticed that anyone with this
problem, like you did, has been female. The "itch"
could be from many things like: sudden hormone changes
(birth control changes, a baby's birth, aging), thyroid
problems, too much yeast in your body, skin diseases,
auto-immune problems, etc July 21, 2002
I think they give
some type of BUTYL or 2-butoxyethanol at some phase of
child birth ... would possibly cause CFIDS .... and
HELLP Syndrome Memory
loss, headaches, depression would go with, if so
CIDP?
... comments on neuropathy & having MRIs ... changes in his
sense of balance, co-ordination ... a tingling
in fingers & toes -
(Consider CIDP the 'chronic version of what Pres
FDR had)
Autoimmune Issue!
* |
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When the itch happens I get it about 1 hour after I get
up in the morning and intermittently during the day. If
I don't scratch it will go away in 20 minutes or so.
Clearly, after reading about all of you, I realize I
have a very mild case. It seems to be going away now
too.
It started for me about two months ago after
a bout of flu (which I've had 4 times in the
last 6 months. I have some allergies, I think, which
I've developed in the last years. I was living in
California and going through menopause when they
developed and I haven't figure out if it was the
vegetation there or hormones or what. I've been mildly
congested since then and I assumed, because the itching
seems to be a histamine reaction, that it was some
related allergic reaction. I can't associate it with any
particular food or pollen or mold or dust, though. I
have noticed the itch gets worse with warm moist
weather. sweat, irritation (skin) and showers but I
don't shave or wear hose or even sythetics. The
anti-histamine Clorpheniramine takes care of both the
congestion and the itching when it's too much.
The reason I assume it's a histamine overreaction
(besides the fact that an anti-histamine makes it go
away) is because while there is no rash when I start
itching, when I scratch the skin in the area gets very
flushed and red and hot. Does this happen to anyone
else? Has anyone else found anti-histamines help?
My heart goes out to all of you who have it worse than I
do. Sept 2002 |
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Looking for answers for
my 14 yr old son who complains that his legs itch from
the knees down, when he stands still. This is not
stress related and it is not a skin condition. He is
not overly active and not over weight. He plays sax and
finds this annoying when standing. If anyone has found
any solid information about this since the topic started
I would appreciate it. Sounds circulatory to me in a
way but obviously not something doctors are much aware
of.
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Itchy legs?
It is probably something autoimmune. Exposure to a particular
type of chemical should be suspect
I would be sure to see that he is not exposed
to cleaning products or carpet cleaning chemicals.
(The organic solvent/ pesticide 2-butoxyethanol, butyl ... or
ethylene glycol monobutyl ether is the worst culprit.) Has he had a
serious flu, even if not recently? An ongoing 'cold' or diarrhea
episodes unrelated to what he ate?
If so, what was going on just previously? That might tell you what
the exposure is. Be careful to watch for his body complaining when
going to houses of other people. As the chemical can be in the air
there, and get into his eyes.
Reading some of the prior posts, it sounds like the chronic version
of what Pres FDR had (He did not have polio as is generally
thought): but Guillian-Barré syndrome - an inflammatory affliction
in which the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves —
those nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord.
CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) is closely
related to Guillain-Barre syndrome and it is considered the chronic
counterpart of that acute disease.
It is probably something autoimmune. For very serious exposure, like
Kawasaki Syndrome showing up (Jett
Travolta), gamma globulin treatment seems to help; but
I'm sure that is reserved for very serious autoimmune issues.
You might also check into
glycobiology for help;
Does he also have very bad headaches? and signs of fatigue or CFIDS,
CFS, FM type symptoms?
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