Reasons for Itchy Legs

Do you have a leg spot that you can't stop scratching? Do you frequently ask yourself why do my legs itch this much? If you answered "yes", you are aware of how distressing this condition can be. The reasons for itchy legs can range from simple dry skin to more complex medical conditions. 

Your legs cover a lot of surface area and deal with everything from tight clothes to harsh weather. They get rubbed by fabric all day, face temperature changes, and sometimes don't get the care they deserve. No wonder they can end up feeling itchy. Thus, you should avoid scratching or rubbing your itchy legs because doing so may worsen the condition and cause further skin damage.

Most of the time, leg itching is harmless and easily fixed. But sometimes, it might be trying to tell you something important about your health. So, continue reading to find out more about the causes of itchy legs and ways to stop them.

What Are The Main Causes of Itchy Legs?

Itchy legs can stem from different underlying causes. These causes fall into four main categories. These include neurogenic (linked to the nervous system), psychogenic (triggered by psychological factors), neuropathic (caused by nerve damage), and pruriceptive (originating from the skin itself).

Some of these common causes of itchy legs are discussed in detail as follows: 

Dry Skin

Dry skin on the legs is not a severe condition. However, the degree of dryness can cause your legs' skin to crack, peel, feel rough, and itch. Dehydration, harsh skin care products, and the weather are all factors that contribute to dry skin. If you suffer from itchy skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema, you may also experience dry skin and itchy legs.

Razor Bumps

In addition to making your legs smoother, shaving might cause razor bumps. These are a form of ingrown hair that appears when hair that has been cut coils and regrows into the skin. These uncomfortable, pimple-like bumps can result in itchy legs. They usually occur due to shaving across the grain with a dull razor.

Allergies

Itchy legs can also result from coming into contact with an allergy. If you sit on a lawn and have a grass allergy, your legs might become itchy. Moreover, certain individuals have allergies to personal hygiene items that are applied to their legs. These consist of lotions, shaving creams, and even some types of soap. Shortly after coming into touch with an allergen, bumps may appear on the legs, causing a red, itchy rash.

Diabetes

One of the early indicators of diabetes may be itchy legs. Additionally, itching is an indication that your blood sugar levels are out of control if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes. The cause of itching is peripheral neuropathy. This occurs when the body's nerve fibres are harmed by elevated glucose levels, leading to skin irritation and inflammation. Additionally, poor circulation caused by diabetes can lead to extremely dry skin, which also contributes to itching.

Insect Bites

An itchy leg could be caused by something as simple as an insect bite. This could be a bite from a flea, mosquito, or other insect. These reactions typically only result in moderate redness and itchy legs without rash. Most likely, you'll see a lump or patch of elevated skin nearby.

Insect bites can occasionally result in a serious reaction, which can appear as the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing,
• Dizziness,
• Rapid heartbeat,
• Vomiting.

Emergency care is necessary for this type of reaction since it is a medical emergency.

Hair Regrowth

Even if you don't get razor bumps after shaving, you might experience itching as your hair grows back. This itching can occur 12 to 48 hours after shaving and can be caused by dry skin from shaving or by newly shaven hair getting ingrown as it grows back.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a skin infection in which the follicles become inflamed. Risk factors for folliculitis include having curly hair, acne, or a medical condition that affects your immune system. The symptoms of folliculitis include a cluster of itchy bumps on your legs, accompanied by red and sore areas and, in some cases, pus-filled blisters.

Expanded Blood Vessels

Exercise is a great method to reduce weight, strengthen your heart, and possibly even alleviate some chronic problems. However, you can have leg itching if you're beginning a new workout regimen.

During or after jogging, walking, and other forms of exercise, some people experience itching. This is because the legs' capillaries are growing, which increases blood flow to the surrounding neurons and muscles. Once your body adjusts to a new workout, the sensation will go away.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

The inability to control the urge to move the legs is a symptom of restless legs syndrome. You may have a crawling sensation on your skin. The sensation is also described by some as itching, tingling, or pins & needles.

Usually, the feeling becomes apparent when you're at rest, such as while sitting or lying down. Having RLS might even make it hard to fall asleep, resulting in itchy legs at night. There is no recognized cause for restless legs syndrome. It is thought to be caused by an imbalance in the neurotransmitters in the brain that control muscular movement.

Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP)

A skin condition known as PUPPP appears during pregnancy. This happens due to an increase in hormone levels, it usually appears in the third trimester. Red, elevated skin areas or an itchy rash are among the common symptoms. Stretch marks can cause rashes or pimples on the abdomen, but they can also show up on the legs and thighs. However, after giving birth, the rash progressively goes away.

Prurigo Gestationis

This is another reason for itching legs while pregnant. It's a harmless skin disorder that can cause limb and body rashes. This condition affects the chest, arms, and legs. Although the precise causes of prurigo gestationis are unknown, hormone fluctuations are believed to be responsible for this. The rash goes away in the weeks after pregnancy.

When to See a Doctor

When you have a health issue, you should always call your doctor. Itching is no different. According to experts, you should consult a physician if your itchiness:

• Continues for more than two weeks in spite of home remedies,
• Is intense, annoying, or keeps you up at night,
• Appears quickly and without apparent cause,
• Impacts your entire body,
• Occurs with other symptoms, such as fever or excessive fatigue.

Treating the underlying cause will often provide you with relief. It can assist in controlling your diabetes or quitting an itchy medication.

Manage Itchy Legs with Right Tips and Measures!

In most cases, itching legs can be treated or managed with proper skin care, regular moisturizing, and over-the-counter drugs. Prescription drugs may be necessary for people with long-term skin disorders like eczema in order to reduce their itching. However, you should always consult a doctor who can diagnose and treat significant medical issues that cause itchy legs.

Our doctors at Apollo Spectra are well-versed in addressing the underlying causes, putting appropriate treatment options into practice, and taking preventive measures. Visit Apollo Spectra to speak with the top physicians in India who cure itchy skin pruritus. Make an appointment with our experts right away!