There are many reasons for itching on the legs.
Sweat is one of the main causes of itching on the legs.
Sweat that remains on the skin and dead cells that remain for long periods of time are an ideal refuge for microbes.
In addition, heavy and prolonged sweating impairs the skin’s natural protective barrier, which promotes the development of other skin diseases such as mycoses.
Contents
Causes of itching on the legs in the absence of a rash
Dry skin Dry skin
can be caused by many environmental factors, such as:
- Frequent baths with added soap
- Sweat
- Heat in the apartment when it’s cold outside, dehydration
- Genetic predisposition
- Some conditions, such as hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism),)
- A systemic autoimmune disease such as sicca syndrome
- Decline of natural oils in the skin with age (xerosis senile)
- Malnutrition
A hot shower and soap can cause dryness on the skin and itchy rash on the legs.
Moisturizer should be applied to reduce skin dryness.
Medications that release histamine, such as opiates and chloroquine, can cause itching.
Liver disorders
Liver disease can cause itching. In particular, cirrhosis of the liver causes itching on:
- Legs
- Back
- Belly
- Buttocks
In this case, you will feel itching, especially in the evening or at night:
- after sumptuous food
- after drinking alcohol
The reason is the accumulation of bile salts under the skin.
Poor blood circulation
Venous insufficiency of the lower extremities can:
Varicose veins usually do not cause symptoms.
Sometimes they cause itching and dry skin.
Bruising on the legs can cause some itching, at least for the first few days.
Nervous disorders Nervous disorders are some of the conditions that can cause itching such as:
Other diseases that can cause itching
- Diseases of the skin such as dermatitis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Blood disorders
- Psychological reasons (anxiety, stress)
Itching on the legs during pregnancy
Due to circulatory disorders, itching on the legs is not uncommon during pregnancy.
A daily walk leads to better blood circulation.
Some other causes of itching on the legs during pregnancy include:
1. Mental disorders (depression, anxiety)
2. Gestational diabetes pemphigoid
3. Intrahepatic gestational cholestasis
4. Polymorphic pregnancy dermatosis
Itching on the legs after depilation
The itching after depilation (depilatory wax, razor, etc.) occurs in both men and women.
If a gel or aftershave with a high contingent of alcohol is used after shaving, skin dryness and serious allergic reactions may occur. It is therefore necessary to choose products that contain little or no alcohol.
With natural oils you can keep the skin healthy.
Those who perform a wax removal of the hair may feel itching when the hair grows again, this usually happens on the 2-3 following days.
Causes of itchy rash on the legs
Discoid eczema Discoid eczema is a type of eczema
that mainly affects adults.
It can appear on any part of the body, but it usually occurs on the legs.
It is characterized by highly itchy plaque formations, which can also become painful. The plaques are usually oval with well-defined edges.
Discoid eczema increases the risk of bacterial infection.
Eczema in varicose
veins It is also known as congestive eczema and those who suffer from this condition notice that the venous blood is not sufficiently transported up to the legs.
This venous stagnation of blood causes:
- Itch
- Dry and flaky skin
- Lesions
- Ulcerations
It can also lead to wounds on the legs, especially on the ankle.
Prurigo nodularis
Prurigo nodularis is a dermatological disorder characterized by the formation of coarse and raised crusts.
The nodes:
- are 1 – 3 cm in diameter,
- cause severe itching.
The itching can persist constantly, especially at night in bed and when garments rub or the places are touched with the hand.
Sometimes the itching subsides only when the skin begins to bleed from scratching or pain sets in.
Psoriatic
psoriasis is an autoimmune disease mediated by T cells or T lymphocytes.
It is characterized by symmetrical, inflamed and scaly plaque formations that itch and burn. The areas most affected by psoriasis are:
- Elbow
- Knee
This disease is most common in fair-skinned people and is less common in people with dark skin.
It is a chronic disease. Treatment for psoriasis serves to alleviate the symptoms.
Scabies
This is a contagious disease caused by mites burrowing into the skin.
Scabies causes:
- the formation of red spots,
- unbearable itching.
The intensity of nocturnal itching is greater than in the morning.
Even though any part of the body can be affected, the most affected areas are:
- Space between the toes (interdigital)
- Knee
- Elbow
Athlete’s foot athlete’s
foot (also known as tinea pedis) is an infectious disease that mainly affects the feet.
It is caused by fungi belonging to the genus Trichophyton.
Symptoms include:
- Red skin, with dandruff
- Itch
- Ache
It can also occur as inflammation and in the form of blisters.
The infection can also spread to other parts of the body.
Contagious cellulitis
This disease is a bacterial infection of the subcutaneous connective tissue that can occur due to:
- the bacterial microflora of the skin,
- bacteria entering from outside.
This infection causes inflammation of the skin layers and provokes painful and itchy rashes.
Face and lower leg are the most affected areas.
The most susceptible to cellulitis are people with:
- weakened or compressed immune system
- Wounds, blisters, cuts
- rough skin
Infections/parasitic diseases
If the skin is injured by a parasite (for example, the bite of a mosquito), the area around the bite or bite begins to itch.
If a female Anopheles mosquito bites a human, plasmodia are introduced into the human body. This is not limited to the simple mosquito bite but also causes malaria.
Keratosis pilaris Keratosis pilaris
(also known as rubbing iron skin) appears in the form of small skin-colored pimples that cause a thickening of the hair follicles:
- Thighs
- Poor
- or other parts of the body.
This is hereditary and can cause itching.
Folliculitis
It is an infection of the hair follicle associated with a red swelling of the lower extremities. This is usually found in people who:
- regularly depilate your legs,
- wear tight pants.
To treat the infection, doctors prescribe taking antibiotics.
Folliculitis occurs seasonally and usually in the summer or at the end of the summer season.
It is most common in warm and humid regions, where the bacteria find a favorable environment for their growth.
Neurodermatitis Atopic dermatitis
is the most common form of eczema.
It manifests itself with:
- red spots
- severe itching
- Dandruff
- Inflammation
- Loss of the upper layer of the skin
In the case of chronic atopic dermatitis, lichenification develops.
It is described as thickening of the skin and coarsening of the skin structure. Atopic dermatitis often affects children and causes itchy blisters on the ankles and feet.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a skin condition caused by the contact of some irritating substances with the skin.
These substances are located outside the body’s immune system.
These are, for example:
- Poison ivy
- some chemicals present in ointments and skin creams.
Signs of contact dermatitis are the formation of blisters at the point where the body came into contact with the irritants.
Allergic reaction
There are millions of people who are allergic to certain substances.
Medicines are substances that can often cause these unwanted skin changes on the legs.
In addition to medications, some products unsuitable for the skin can cause itching.
Before using the products on the skin, you should check the label for the ingredients.
In this case, skin lotions containing chemically aggressive substances should not be used. Those who are very susceptible to rashes need to be very careful when choosing their soaps, which must be adapted to their skin type.
Tight clothing Wearing tight clothing
or socks that leave the skin no room to breathe puts you at risk of rash on your legs.
Various chemical additives are used to process the tissues. If the skin comes into contact with such garments, problems such as:
- Rash
- Itching on legs and arms
Scratching
too hard with long, sharp nails is another factor that can lead to eczema and itching.
A person can easily scratch to relieve skin irritation caused by a slight itch.
However, sensitive skin may react negatively to scratching. The top layer of skin can be damaged and increase itching, forcing the person to scratch even harder.
This cycle of severe itching and excessive scratching can cause a skin reaction.
Cholinergic urticaria Cholinergic urticaria (or sweat urticaria
) is a rash that appears on the thighs shortly after jogging, walking, or a long hot shower.
Symptoms include:
It is important to refrain from scratching, to interrupt the run when it is very warm, and then only to take a lukewarm shower.
Natural remedies for itchy blisters on the legs
- Natural treatments for red, itchy blisters on the legs start with good personal hygiene. This prevents complications such as infections and the spread of infectious diseases.
- The most important thing is to keep the affected areas clean and dry.
- It is necessary to choose mild cleansers appropriate for your own skin, avoid too aggressive detergents and soaps, as they can dry out the skin and increase itching.
The following remedies can relieve the feeling of itching and pain (if they are present).
Exfoliation of the skin three times a week.
- Apply the ointment to the skin for exfoliation and let it work for 10 – 15 minutes. Then gently rub with plenty of water.
- Place a cucumber slice on the affected skin twice a day. After 15 – 20 minutes, rinse with cold water.
- Dip legs in a bathtub and mix 2 – 3 tablespoons of oatmeal or cornstarch to achieve the same result.
- Apply a lactic acid-based peeling to the affected skin areas to keep the skin moist, rinse off after 15 – 20 minutes.
- Dry skin on the legs
- Burst capillaries on the legs
- Vein inflammation on the legs, symptoms and remedies
