Itchy Lower Legs
From all the medical problems out there, itchiness in the lower legs can be quite troublesome. There are many reasons that can lead to this condition and the correct diagnosis is always essential for the best treatment to be recommended. The unfortunate thing about itchy lower legs is the constant desire to scratch; one that happens, you just want to do that and nothing else. Applying self-control is essential, as there are many conditions in which scratching only aggravates the itchiness. The more you scratch, the itchier your lower legs are going to be. It is for the best that the exact cause is identified as soon as possible, so as to find the right treatment and use it.
Causes of Itchy Lower Legs
These are the most common causes that lead to itchy lower legs:
Dry skin
Causes:
- Inadequate diet
- Not drinking enough water – dehydration
- Genetics
- Frequent showers
- Body cosmetics
- Thyroid disorder – hypothyroidism
Symptoms:
- Itchiness
- Discomfort
Inadequate hygiene
- The skin accumulates debris, dust and bacteria
- Improper washing can lead to itchiness
Sensitivity to
- Clothing
- Extreme temperatures
- Laundry detergent
Keratosis
- The hair follicle is clogged by excessive keratin
- Sandpaper texture of the skin (small bumps)
Symptoms:
- Itchiness
- Discomfort
- Redness
Folliculitis
- Infection of the hair follicle with bacteria
- The skin on the lower legs becomes itchy, presenting small bumps
- The bumps can be red in color and filled with pus
- Aggravated by tight clothing
- Often encountered in professional athletes
- The bacterial infection can be transmitted through shared clothing
Urticarial rash
- Triggered by excessive movement or temperatures
- Practically, the body develops an allergy to sweating, causing the skin to become irritated and itchy
Fungal infection
- Favored by excessive humidity and lack of proper hygiene
- Easily transmitted through objects of personal hygiene or clothing
Symptoms:
- Itchiness
- Brown rash
Gravitational eczema
- Often appears in persons who have already been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis
Symptoms:
- Itchiness
- Purple or reddish rash on the lower legs
- Inflammation is present in the same area.
Other causes
- Restless leg syndrome – itchiness is accompanied by muscle twitches, especially during the night
- Tight socks – excessive compression to the skin, leads to irritation and itchiness
- Insect bites – fleas, ticks and other insects can cause itchiness in the lower legs
- Poison oak allergy – the itchiness in the lower legs is caused by the blisters that form after a person has entered in contact with poison oak
- Sunburns
- Diseases of the liver – hepatitis
- Diabetes – circulatory problems can lead to itchy legs, among other modifications
- Kidney disease – the blood circulation is affected and itchy lower legs can be present as a symptom
- Lymphoma – this is the cancer of the lymphatic system and it can lead to itchy lower legs.
Treatment for itchy lower legs
The treatment of lower itchy legs depends on the exact cause. These are the most recommended course of treatment to be undertaken:
Dry skin
- Moisturizing cream
- Drink plenty of fluids to ensure hydration
- Avoid sun exposure
- Anti-itchiness creams to relieve the symptoms
Hygiene
- Regular showers
- Avoid hot water and reduce the temperature to avoid further irritation of the skin
- Use mild, anti-bacterial soap to prevent secondary infections
Keratosis
- Moisturizing cream
- Topical application of corticosteroid creams – reduce the itchiness, redness and inflammation
- Other types of creams – with natural ingredients – are recommended for this particular condition
Folliculitis
- Oral or topical antibiotics are recommended to eliminate the infection
- Excellent hygiene of the affected area is recommended in order to promote faster healing
Urticarial rash
- Anti-histamines – oral or topical administration can help relieve the symptoms
- Avoid triggering factors – exercise, extreme temperatures – that might cause excessive sweating
Fungal infection
- Anti-fungal medication
- Topical anti-fungal creams
- Excellent hygiene for faster healing
Gravitational eczema
- Corticosteroid creams can alleviate the itchiness
- Elevation of legs can improve the condition
- Regular movement
- Compression stockings
- Avoid prolonged orthostatic positions.
Remedies
These are the most common remedies indicated for itchy lower legs:
Clay
- Recommended for the alleviation of itchiness in the lower legs, especially if it is caused by insect bites
- Promotes faster healing of an insect bites, by drawing out the venom and acting as a natural analgesic
- Mix it water and apply directly to the skin
- Rinse or peel it off after a short period of time
- Repeat the procedure for best results.
Apple cider vinegar
- Recommended as a natural remedy for itchy lower legs, given its many beneficial properties
- Indicated in cases of dry skin
- Use it as such or diluted in water, applying directly to the itching areas of the skin
Peppermint leaves
- Fresh peppermint leaves have a soothing effect, especially if the itchiness has been caused by an insect bites
- The leaves should be crushed and applied directly to the skin
Basil leaves
- This is one of the best natural remedies against itchiness
- The soothing effect brought to the skin is guaranteed by the natural ingredients, camphor and thymol
- Direct application to the skin
Aloe vera
- Recommended for itchy lower legs caused by excessive or prolonged exposure to the sun
- Direct application of the aloe vera sap on the skin relieves the itching
Fruit peel
- Less common remedy for itchy lower leg but nevertheless recommended
- Best choices – banana peel, watermelon rind
- Direct application (rubbing) to the affected area
Oatmeal
- Mix oatmeal with water
- Soak your lower legs in that water and wait for the mixture to work its magic
- You can also turn into a paste and apply it directly to the skin.
In conclusion, one can use both medication and natural remedies in order to solve the itchy lower legs. Hygiene is also a determining factor, so you might want to take this into consideration.
