Itchy legs after showering driving me mad!

[doubleristretto]

Does anyone else get really, super, maddeningly itchy legs after showering? I've had this my whole life but it comes and goes, I think it is worse when it is colder when you get out of the shower. At the moment it is really bad, I've stopped showering every day and am going through labourious and undignified sink washing instead! When I have to shower I'm coating my lower legs in Vaseline before I get in and dressing as quickly as possible, finishing off with knee high boots to try to protect them. This has definitely helped but it's not great. Please tell me you have an easy solution or at least commiserate with me!

[disahsterdahling]

Yes I've had it, it seems to depend where in the country I am at the time.

I guess moving area is too drastic ;)

I used to put baby oil in the bath, which helped in one place I lived.

Now I only get itchy on occasion, so I just put body moisturiser on after a shower.

I can't really help, sorry. Sympathy though, it is really really annoying.

[doubleristretto]

Thank you disahster, it's nice to know I'm not alone! I'm sorry you've had it though, isn't it just the worst? Which area would you say is the best? Do you think it has something to do with water softness or anything else in the environment? I always use moisturiser after a shower but it doesn't seem to help, in fact the other day I put it on my dry legs after a grotty old sink wash and they started to itch so I am now avoiding it unless I'm already wet. I had an anti itch cream at one point but that didn't work. I'm taking antihistamines anyway as I have allergies left, right and centre!

[Wolfiefan]

Is it like an eczema or is it related to the sudden temperature change do you think? What products are you using?

[imnottoofussed]

I have this occasionally, I always thought it was circulation related. I also get it if I’m stood still for too long. Like the blood is pooling in my legs.

[doubleristretto]

I think it might be to do with water evaporating away from the skin as if I stay wet it will never happen! I used to get it after swimming as a child, in fact it entirely put me off public swimming baths. I sometimes get itchy arms if they're uncovered and the air conditioning is too cold. My usual tactic is to keep the bathroom as airtight as possible, pat my legs dry, moisturise them and wrap them in a towel, and then hobble to the bedroom where I sit for 10 minutes on the bed, acclimatising my legs to the environment by gradually unveiling them at about the 8-10 minute mark. This is a bit of a faff but works if it is not too bad. For the last couple of weeks it hasn't been working. I've tried all sorts of moisturisers and haven't found it to make any difference, from DD's Diprobase to E45 to anti-itch creams to tea tree stuff and body butters - I'll try anything! I take oral antihistamines and use anthisan topically but it isn't stopping the itches.

[Themummy76]

The more you moisturise the more your skin needs to be mosturised. I know it’ll be a painful few days/weeks but I’d go cold turkey - just use shampoo and conditioner in shower and water... your skin will adjust and produce the moisture it needs. I use conditioner to shave with as well (just a tiny drop) as some shaving foams can be drying as well.

[Themummy76]

And water related you can get a water softener if you think it’s related to that.
Other than that itchyness can be related to your liver?

[TroysMammy]

It's for this reason I don't have baths. I shower every morning but can be quite slovenly in washing non smelly bits so I sometimes don't soap my legs, I just hope the shampoo and shower gel used higher up travels down and washes them.

[youarenotkiddingme]

I've had this recently! I assumed it's because my summer tan is fading and the skin is dryer than usual?

[doubleristretto]

So are body moisturisers just a big con? Have I wasted goodness only knows how much money over the years? Shaving definitely aggravates it but I did use conditioner and recently I've swopped to epilating in an attempt to stop the itching. Troys I don't think you need to wash your legs! The water will do the job, I follow this tactic and don't think I've got stinky limbs youare is this the first time you've had it? I've had it since I was about 10 but it does come and go and this is always one of the worse times of year, hopefully it'll get better soon for all of us.

[Acopyofacopy]

Could this be a form of urticaria (hives) that is triggered by cold or water?

[oldbirdy]

Itchy legs can be linked to low thyroid too; it was my father's main symptom. However perhaps less likely if you've had it all your life.

[Wolfiefan]

I have eczema. Emollients are certainly not a con for me.
If my skin plays up I also wash with aqueous cream.

[doubleristretto]

My skin is a nightmare, I have chronic urticaria and take two types of antihistamine daily to keep it at bay although I do occasionally still get hives and use anthisan cream on them. I get pressure urticaria on my knees etc if I kneel. I've also got psoriasis and am generally sensitive to all sorts. I don't think I've really got excema per se but it is a bit of a catch-all isn't it? I've got KP and I think my wart is coming back! I recently got tested for all sorts and my thyroid is fine, I'm just a bit too fat and need to cut back on the booze A google search I did suggested urticaria as well but I can't think what else to do.

[BarbaraOcumbungles]

Do you shave your legs? I get dreadfully itchy legs if I shave and my legs are absolutely covered in scars from scratching.


I bought a Phillips Lumea and no longer have the problem.

[Cariadd]

I used to get this after bathing or showering in the morning when I lived in London. So I started bathing at night and it stopped completely.

[doubleristretto]

The Lumea works then, Barbara? I've heard mixed reviews. I'm epilating but it is a pain I'd rather do without! Shaving definitely makes it worse but I do itch regardless. Cariadd do you get straight into bed after your bath? When this is less bad I can fend it off by getting into bed after a shower and it either won't develop if I've had 10 minutes clear or it will only last for 45 minutes. Recently though the bed trick isn't working and it's lasting up to two hours.

[QueenJane]

Moisturisers are not a con. If you're predisposed to dermatitis or very dry skin, going 'cold turkey' will not help.

I get awful itchy legs two or three days after shaving them, so I either let them get hairy (it is nearly winter!) or I have to make sure I shave them every day and then moisturise like mad. I also get really itchy legs after a hot bath for about an hour. Sudden changes in temperature can also make you itchy.

An emollient like Diprobase is the way to go, but you have to do it regularly, two or three times a day and be generous with it. Avoid perfumed moisturisers or fancy body butters.

[BarbaraOcumbungles]

I worked out that my itch was caused by my hair growing so yes the lumea has worked absolute wonders!

[doubleristretto]

Thank you everyone for such a lot of help! I'm going to try just washing with an emollient, I think I stopped before because I thought I was getting stinky but I'm definitely up for trying again. I'll also slather myself in it morning and night and hope for the best. Do they sell it in Boots? I don't want to have to go to the doctor.

[VoodooCat]

I do and use baby oil gel on wet skin when I get out the bath/shower. It's always worse in cold weather.

[Seeyamonday]

I used to get this on my arms and legs, the itch was so bad I'd end up with ugly red scratch marks, I bought cicabiafine shower wash and hemp moisturiser online, turned down the temperature of the shower and its been amazing, no more red itchy arms and legs!!

[cakeandteajustforme]

I’m the same!!! Thought I was the only one. Less frequent showering definitely helps, and at night rather than morning for me. Have lived in a variety of climates etc and no difference really.
The key for me is no chemicals, a bit like what they say for babies with eczema. So ideally wash hair over the sink or flip head over in the shower and use hand held spray to send the shampoo/conditioner down the drain without it running down legs. And just use water to wash the rest of you.
I slather legs with moisturiser then cover with long pjs to stop getting air ‘whooshes’ which can aggravate it (technical term ). Usually settles within ten mins.
Good luck!

[Medeci]

I used to itch all over after showering, it stopped when we got a water softener.
Of course you don't want to buy a water softener without knowing for sure it'll help, If you know someone who's got one perhaps you could ask to use their shower.

[doubleristretto]

I just had my most successful shower in weeks! Thank you ladies for your help. I used a Vaseline coating to begin with (as I am too scared not to!), barely patted dry, moisturised, wrapped my legs in the towel, shimmied (!) into pyjama bottoms with minimal air contact and sat for ten minutes before dressing. I did go straight into full coverage clothing but just the one layer which was a leap of faith! I am itch free!