Itchy legs can be the result of skin rash or any other skin problem. The entire body is covered by skin that offers protection for the inner muscles and tissues. The skin is the organ that conveys sensitive issues to the brain from time to time. Itching is one such uncomfortable sensation felt by the skin. Itching of legs can sometimes be without any obvious cause also.
Pain is the sensation felt when the underlying tissues or muscles are injured. Itching is an uncomforted feeling that compels one to scratch the area. Itching can be mild, moderate or severe depending on the cause.
Itch can be described as a peculiar sensation that drives one to scratch the site. The sensations of pain and itch are closely connected and it is the brain signals that make one to feel the pain or scratch the body due to itching. Itch receptors in the brain give you a warning that your skin is irritated.
By scratching the particular area you are getting relief obviously, but it makes the things worse causing more irritation. Itching is not restricted to legs it can occur anywhere in the body. For some people itching can be felt throughout the body.
Itchy legs Symptoms
The feeling of itching urges one to scratch the site which causes more irritation and itching. Thus it goes as a cyclic reaction making one to itch more vigorously. Itchy legs can cause common symptoms like irritation of the skin in the legs, redness, pain and formation of red lesions on the legs. In severe case it may cause bleeding of skin due to repeated scratching. Itching can cause pain and discomfort feeling.
Causes Of Itchy legs
Itchy legs can be with or without cause. Various factors ranging from poor hygiene to serious medical conditions can cause itching.
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Lack Of Hygiene
If you are not washing your skin properly while bathing dead skin cells may still remain in the skin causing itchy legs. This would block the pores of the skin intensifying the itchy sensation. Similarly excessive cleaning of the skin can cause dryness as the skin loses the balancing oil (sebum). Dryness can cause excessive itching and it continues as a process. Use moisturizing lotions on the skin regularly after taking bath. Do not rub the skin with towel but gently pat it dry.
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Wearing Tight Clothing
Allow some fresh air to the skin at regular intervals. Keeping the skin fully covered with tight clothing can cause painful bumps leading to itchy legs. Use cotton clothes during summer and protective clothing during winter.
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Skin Conditions
Various skin problems like psoriasis, eczema, folliculitis and heat rash can cause itching of legs. Some of the common skin problems are discussed here.
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Leg Acne
Hair follicles get thickened not allowing exchange of air into the skin causing reddish bumps. Tiny bumps or lesions of red or brown color resembling acne on the face, are formed on the thighs and legs. This can get worse due to excess of heat and wearing irritant clothing. In medical terms leg acne is known as keratosis pilaris.
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Folliculitis
This is caused by skin infection of bacteria. Hair follicles are infected forming red colored bumps causing intense itching and pain. Antibiotic creams can be applied on the affected site to get relief from the symptoms.
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Jock’s Itch
Jock itch is one of the most common fungal infections of the skin. We all might have experienced Jock itch at some point in our lives. Also known as Dhobi’s itch, Jock itch causes reddish brown tiny papules on the skin. It largely targets the skin around the buttocks, genitals and inner thighs. In medical terms Jock’s itch is called as tinea Curtis. Athletes and people who sweat profusely are at risk of Jock itch. Antifungal powder can provide symptomatic relief.
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Urticaria
Popularly called as “hives”, cholinergic urticaria causes red bumps on the skin. It occurs due to allergic response of physical stimuli. Excess of heat, rough clothing, eating spicy foods and emotional stress can trigger formation of bumps on the legs. Urticaria can cause intense itching.
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Running Induced Itching
When a person starts jogging activity after long term, he/she can develop intense itchy legs for a while after running. During the process of running, small arteries open quickly for pumping enough blood to the respective tissues. This becomes a routine for habitual runners. However if a person begins running suddenly the arteries of the blood vessel may not pump the required blood creating low oxygenated blood in the legs. This in turn would cause irritation and itching. But this is only temporary and the symptoms would disappear as one continues to run daily.
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Unknown Cause
Some people may develop itching after a bath or staying in hot environment. It can be due to the allergic response triggering sweat glands and release of histamines. This can also create bumps or lesions for short term which resolves after few hours.
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Stressful Situations
Heightened emotions and stress can produce allergic rash triggered by chemical reactions in the brain.
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Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a rare life threatening allergic response caused by the exposure to stimuli. These reactions occur within seconds and there would be flood of chemical reaction triggered by the immune system. This can cause hives (tiny papules that cause intense itching), feeling of warmth, rapid pulse rate, reduced blood pressure and shortness of breath.