To go to the GP about itchy legs?

[sailorcherries]

For the past few years I've always been itchy, it's not constant but always there. Over the past year or so it has become worse, particularly when I'm not doing much and nothing else is preoccupying me.

It's all over my body but my legs are the worst affected. It's at the point where I have scratches and broken skin because I am so itchy. My knees, ankles and shins are the worst because the skin breaks easier there. I don't have long nails, I just itch that much. I've just sat for half an hour itching each leg and I'm still itchy. My legs are burning from being scratched but I could go again.
My tricep area is also doing my head in, as is my stomach.

It doesn't matter if my legs are freshly shaved or haven't been done in a week, If I have creams on or not, it's still the same.

Wibu to speak to a GP about what is essentially itchy skin? Are there any medical reasons to do so? Is there anything a GP can do?
I don't have a history of skin complaints such as eczema or psoriasis and have even used my DS double base cream from when he had infant eczema to no avail.

It could be indicative of liver issues (I think). I would see the GP and ask for a quick blood test to rule it out, and an anti itching cream.

Yes I would go to your GP. Lots of things can cause itching, it sounds really unpleasant OP, maybe your GP can help.

Yes speak to your gp and if a blood test comes back clear, get a referral to a dermatologist. I've been suffering from itchy skin for years with no known cause. Basically something caused an itch, I scratched, which enflamed the skin making it more itchy, so I scratched some more and the cycle continued. I've so many scars from broken skin. My dermatologist has prescribed many different treatments to no avail, but what seems to have finally worked (fingers crossed) is light therapy. This is normally used for psoriasis but can be used for other skin conditions. So don't let the cycle continue, see your gp.

I was thinking liver.
To the GP, OP!

Do you have dry skin or shower more than once a day?
While you're waiting for the GP appointment, I'd try showering with cooler water, don't use a sponge/flannel/one of those plastic body buffs on your legs, switch to a simple fragrance free shower gel, see if that helps.

Failing that get a shower filter.

I've dealt with this and thankfully simple solutions helped.

The other thing would be to make sure you have non biological washing powder and don't use fabric conditioner or anything else.

A good antihistamine may help. Pop to the gp and see what is said.

Thanks everyone.

Have used non-bio washing powder for years, use the same fabric conditioner my mum used when I was younger too.
Shower once a day, 3-5 minutes if not washing hair or shaving, longer if I am. We use child's farm stuff or I buy the "no added anything" stuff for myself.
Use a soft baby cloth to wash with, as it helps itch without being abrasive.

Apart from the itching and the marks it's causing on my legs I actually have very soft, moisturised skin. No dry skin anywhere in sight.

I didn't know about the link to the liver so definitely see a GP but I used to get itchy legs after showering and your post has made me realise it hasn't happened since I switched from shower gel to bar soap.

I'm definitely going to phone in the morning. If I could rip each leg off and itch the other with them, and the various parts of my body I can't reach, it would be bliss. Even my chin is itchy tonight.

Sometimes I don't even use soap (sit in a cool bath compromised of nothing but water) but it's still the same.

It's always my legs. Every day.
Other parts of my body are more random - back, stomach, arms, face. Sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't

When I was an uni I had unbearable itching on the backs of both my legs with no obvious cause.

The ONLY thing I found helped was blasting the back of my legs with hot (not too hot) water from the shower. Causes a histamine reaction and instant relief. Emphasis on the not too hot part...

Buy an antihistamine, buy a hydrocortisone cream - both available over the counter

Try using bar soap in the shower. I used to get really itchy legs, even if I used shower products with "no added anything" (sanex and products for babies made it worse). I now use palmolive soap and never have any issues anymore.

How old are you OP? It’s a feature of menopause is why I’m asking 🙁

Is it constant? I had a pregnancy related liver condition that caused severe itching. I've been left with a few days of itching around my period and mid-cycle, as I'm super sensitive to hormone changes now.

My gp prescribed iron to see if it helped, as apparently it can be a symptom of low iron too.

Def go to the gp to get checked.

Twistin I've used both to no avail.
Seren I'm 26, hopefully not the menopause.
French almost constantly there but the severity changed. For example my knees and tops of thighs are itchy just now but I could ignore it whereas last night my shins were unbearably itchy but my face could be ignored.