Itchy legs - help!

[Countrylife2002]

I’ve had incredibly itchy lower legs for a week now. They keep me awake at night. They’re not dry. On Monday in desperation I saw a pharmacist and am now taking antihistamine and using Eurax. The pill helps and I’m mainly ok during the day now At this time of night the antihistamine is wearing off and I start getting itchy again. They have little red dots all over them . I was awake again last night with it.

I’ve never had anything like this. No change in products and I use surcare washing powder anyway as dd needs it.

Is it definitely an allergic reaction if the antihistamine works? Should I see a Gp? Googling is not good for me ! I’m terrified it’s never going to stop! What on earth is happening ?

Excuse the question but have you done any hair removal in the area in the last month or two? Any change from usual?

I had very itchy lower legs in early pregnancy 🤔

I have had this off and on for years. I find its worse at night and when I am in bed particularly so in winter at this time of year.

I’ve been single for ten years so it’s not that !

could it be menopausal?

Oh poor you it’s not fun! Do you know why?

I am relieved the antihistamines work. I’m going to try and have to shift to taking them later in the day I think, but by 6am I’m desperate and just take one as soon as I get up!

No I have embarrassing hairy legs !

despite that I swim x3 a week. But it began when I hadn’t been for a few days, so I don’t think it’s that. And it didn’t get worse after I went the other day either

Literally the only new thing in my life is that I joined a gym . But that was 6 weeks ago.

I walk the dog. I wonder if I somehow touched a plant . But I wear jeans and I don’t walk in undergrowth just on grass.

I have similar, I think it’s the menopause

I have this and for me I have really paper thin skin also so I scratch in my sleep and then my skin is all cut and bleeding so an anti-histamine before bed is the only way.

However, you mention red dots. For that, I have heard people say that an exfoliating acid (AHA) is the best thing, or a glycolic acid eg. The Ordinary - it will not work for me as not my issue but perhaps try it.

I get this! Also pre menopausal. It’s really annoying. Much worse in cold weather. Chlorinated water aggravates it :(

I take antihistamines and use a steroid cream which helps a bit.

Ok random menopausal thing then (like everything else is ). Thank you I feel better. I had a momentary panic after googling - I should know better. I’ll keep taking the AHs until it stops then. Guess I’ll give it 3 weeks and then check in with the GP just in case.

I’m sure I’m right at the end of peri. I’ve had one teeny tiny period in a year - (and was almost at a year before then!). Hopefully the joy will cease soon….

I’m perimenopausal and itchy legs is one of my most annoying symptoms (along with brain fog and broken sleep). I’ve been using E45 anti-irritation gel which soothes the itch for a while - but I’m keen to start HRT and am hoping that might sort things out more fully.

I can’t take HRT. I have to swim & lift weights for mood - I’m on ADs but a low level, although am thinking of increasing a bit as I’m so bloody exhausted all the time.

If you use an electric blanket, stop for a while.

I stumbled on the fact that the drying effect of warmth on my legs in bed, contributed to my itchy legs.
I’ve never had itchy legs since I gave up the heated blanket.

Scabies? Could have picked it up at the pool.

Jeez are you trying to set me off again? No. It’s just lower legs . Nowhere else

I do on the sofa but I can’t at the moment anyway as it makes me itch so badly!! Good tip. Will allow dd the pleasure instead.

I get this! I'm poss perimenopausal.

What's helped?

Well, daily fexofenadine - other antihistamines made no real difference..

I now moisturise top to toe twice a day. I wish I'd started that in my twenties tbh. I use Lush massage bars mostly as it's fast and no need to dry off the body.

Cool bed, 100% cotton or linen sheets, and changed the washing tablets (I'm also midly allergic to lots of cleaning products so have to keep on top of this too).

I still scratch holes in my legs occasionally, but it's a lot better than it was. I have hydrocortisone next to the bed for patches that are aggravating me and use that maybe once a month. I have also been known to have a shower at 2am if the itching is the whole body and scalp driving me insane....

Could you be anaemic? If I stop taking iron tablets I get a particularly itchy back and it’s a reminder to buy a new pack! The dr told me that itchiness can be caused by iron deficiency when she was arranging for me to get my bloods done, I’d never heard of it as a symptom before.

I'm diabetic and get this when my sugars get high. Might be worth seeing your GP

It’s the effect of menopause, electric blanket and central heating.

use aveeno moisturiser as the oats really help to stop the itching as well as add back in moisture

Fexofenadine during the day and hydroxyzine at night are two antihistamines prescribed in the dermatology dept I work in. They need to be prescribed though.
Plus lots of emollient cream eg at least four times a day. Avoid hot baths / showers and detergents (shower gel etc) and use a soap substitute such as Dermol 500.

Also menthol cream such as Menthoderm has a cooling effect which can help itching.

I get this when I've been eating too much sugar. It settles down when I eat normally.

Yes aveeno helps dd and her skin, will try it thank you.