Medical Information At present: What may cause itchy decrease legs?

A number of well being points may cause itchiness within the decrease legs. Beneath, discover a number of the extra widespread causes and their signs.

Shaving

Share on PinterestThere are numerous situations that will trigger itchy decrease legs.

Shaving merchandise and methods can result in itchiness within the decrease legs. Friction from razor blades can scrape and irritate the pores and skin, whereas harsh chemical compounds in shaving lotions may also set off irritation.

Shaving may also result in ingrown hairs, which curl over and develop backward into the pores and skin. These hairs can kind bumps which might be pink, itchy, painful, or a mix.

Insect bites

Insect bites are fairly widespread, and so they usually trigger localized itching, burning, or stinging.

An individual who has been bitten on the leg might discover a number of small pink bumps, which can resemble hives, across the website of the chunk.

Pores and skin allergy symptoms

Sure man-made or natural chemical compounds can set off allergic reactions. If an individual has a pores and skin allergy, they could expertise the next signs in any space that has come into contact with an allergen:

pink blisteringitchingswelling

If the decrease legs, for instance, come into contact with an allergen, an itchy, pink, blistery rash — often known as allergic contact dermatitis — can develop.

Poison ivy may cause allergic contact dermatitis, as can fragrances and different chemical compounds in:

laundry detergents and material softenerssoapsover-the-counter antibiotic ointmentsany different skincare product

Dry pores and skin

Some folks naturally have dry, flaky pores and skin. When the pores and skin is dry, its barrier is compromised, which may trigger itchiness — in actual fact, dry pores and skin could also be probably the most widespread causes of itchiness.

Scratching the itchy space might present short-term reduction, nevertheless it causes irritation, worsening the issue.

Folks of all ages can have dry pores and skin. Nevertheless, it tends to grow to be extra widespread with age. By the age of 65, an individual’s pores and skin is thinner and retains much less moisture, making it extra susceptible to dryness and itchiness.

Eczema

Eczema — or atopic dermatitis — is an inflammatory pores and skin situation that will happen nearly anyplace on the physique.

In infants, eczema most frequently develops on the cheeks and outer legs and arms. In older kids and adults, it often seems within the creases of the knees and elbows, however it might probably seem in different areas.

Eczema is a really itchy pores and skin situation, and affected areas may additionally be dry, pink, and irritated.

Stasis dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis is an eczema-like dysfunction that usually outcomes from circulatory points within the veins of the legs.

The situation causes blood to pool in these veins, resulting in a buildup of strain. The strain may cause the veins to leak, leading to eczema-like modifications, akin to dryness, redness, and irritation, in addition to:

different discolorationscalingpain or a heavy feeling within the legsswelling within the legsvaricose veinsleg ulcers

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a continual autoimmune situation that types patches and plaques of pink pores and skin.

Psoriasis shouldn’t be often itchy, and it usually impacts the pores and skin on the knees, elbows, and scalp. Nevertheless, it might probably happen on any a part of the physique, together with the decrease legs.

Extra particular signs of psoriasis depend upon the kind, and there are 5 sorts:

Plaque psoriasis, characterised by raised pink plaques lined in white scalesGuttate psoriasis, which types small, spherical, pink, scaly patchesInverse psoriasis, characterised by shiny pink lesions within the folds of the physiquePustular psoriasis, which types scattered pustules surrounded by pink pores and skinErythrodermic psoriasis, characterised by fiery pink areas of pores and skin all through the physique

Diabetes

Folks with diabetes have an elevated danger of creating situations that may trigger itchy pores and skin.

Examples of such situations embrace:

In response to the American Diabetes Affiliation (ADA), itchiness might be one of many earliest indicators of diabetes. If the itching happens primarily within the decrease legs, it often signifies poor circulation.

The ADA word that managing blood sugar ranges day by day and taking excellent care of the ft and decrease legs might help cut back the chance of sure diabetes problems.

Graves’ illness

Graves’ illness is an autoimmune situation that triggers overactivity of the thyroid gland.

A small variety of folks with Graves’ illness develop pretibial myxedema (PM), a situation that causes the pores and skin on the shins to thicken and redden.

Though PM is often painless, affected areas might be itchy and sore. Folks with the situation may additionally discover the next on their shins, calves, and ft:

rednessswellingtendernessnodules and raised plaquesprominent hair follicles, giving the pores and skin an orange peel-like appearancepurple or yellow-brown discoloration

Kidney illness

The kidneys carry out many necessary capabilities, together with serving to to keep up a stability of minerals within the blood.

In superior kidney illness, the kidneys are not capable of help this stability. This may result in dry, itchy pores and skin anyplace on the physique.

Another signs of kidney illness embrace:

frequent urinationfoamy urinepersistent puffiness across the eyesswollen ft or anklesmuscle crampstiredness or fatiguelow appetitedifficulty sleepingdifficulty concentratingblood within the urine

Hodgkin lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma is a kind of most cancers that develops in part of the immune system known as the lymphatic system.

Folks with Hodgkin lymphoma might expertise itchy decrease legs, fingers, or ft. In some circumstances, the complete physique could also be itchy. The itchiness isn’t accompanied by a pores and skin rash.

A attribute symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is painless swelling within the neck, armpit, or groin. The illness may also trigger flu-like signs, together with a fever and fatigue, in addition to evening sweats.