Quite a lot of bruising from itching - causes? (Photo)

[Maya8871]

I get itchy legs after I've shaved them. I don't shave them often for that reason. Anyway, they've been itching the last few days and today I've come up in bruising where I've been itching. I wasn't itching particularly hard either! Any ideas on what causes this?

That looks really bad! Surely you're not rubbing your legs that hard?

I would book a phone consultation with the nurse at the GPs I have had urticaria for years ( constant Hives so very itchy skin) and struggle not to scratch but have never had bruises like that from it. Bruises are caused by broken tiny blood (Capillaries) vessels under the skin and in the muscle and goes when the body reabsorbs it so getting if from normal scratching even hard would be unusual

I certainly haven't been scratching that hard and it's definitely where I've been itchy (I also have bruises on the other leg where I've been itching). Very strange indeed!

I should add I've in the past had quite low ferritin, could that be it?

I would seek further medical advice on that. Your skin shouldn’t bruise like that from itching, it could be down to an underlying condition that needs treating @Maya8871

Do you get bleeding, gums, very heavy periods, low iron, bruise easily generally?

If so it could be ITP (immunothrombocytapinea I think is the long name)

I think you should see someone, and probably urgently, and I'd describe it as 'unexplained bruising'. I'd be concerned that the itchy feeling was a symptom of whatever caused the bruising rather than the bruising happening because you scratched, iyswim.

Following - I'm not particular itchy but when I scratch my thighs I end up with bruising too. Strange.

I agree with previous posters, seek help from a health professional for unexplained bruising.

I get this often. Legs always bruised from itching, somethings absolute monster ones. Never done anything about it to be fair so don't know why it happens

Could be Essential Thromocythemia. Need a blood test to confirm.

I get that when I scratch too, but only with my gel nails on. My natural nails are sharper and don't do that.

How did you get on with this OP? When I get itchy thighs I come up in MONSTER purple bruises, the last one was 12cm long & 7cm in width.

@sodthe still getting them, I get the some pin prick bruises from my bra too. Very odd and none the wiser. All bloods normal!

I bruised my legs scratching itches. Turns out perimenopause and HRT solved it. It's called formication from lack of estrogen.

Steroids, including stronger inhalers?

Sorry to bump this thread but I'm still getting terrible bruising and absolutely none the wiser and bloods are okay bar ferritin. This is from yesterday.

Any ideas?

Edit to add: I am also very itchy on my legs, always put down to shaving my legs but it's the itching that's causing the bruising. Not sure if that's related. No false nails etc.

Think you need to go back to gp to get to the bottom of it as def not normal.

I would stop shaving for a start.

See a GP for the bruising. But also try to switch brands of razor. I find Venus blades make me itchy I googled and googled and eventually found out that you can get dodgy batches of them where the metal isn't coated properly and can cause allergic reactions.

Thanks all. Will definitely stop shaving, it's pretty rare I do to be honest but as PP said I'd just like to get to the bottom of it!

I have a varicose vein on the inside of my knee, when its playing up I get brusing, it can be itchy and it swells up.

How old are you OP

@cleowasmycat I'm 31

OP did you ever get to the bottom of this? I’m having the same problem - legs getting it it after shaving, scratched them and now they’re black and blue.