Itchy legs, no sign of rash or irritation

[Nicki M]

For the last four years I have had a problem with my legs itching.  When it started it was only an occasional problem, but it has developed into an everyday occurance.  When my legs itch it is usually my lower legs, but my upper legs will itch too.  There is never any sign of a rash or any kind of irritation on my skin - it just itches like crazy.  Sometimes it feels more like a "pins and needles" feeling, like when your hand or foot falls asleep.  It almost feels like every little hair on my legs are poking me.  I've tried switching detergents, soaps, not using fabric softener or bleach, I've used anti-itch lotions from my dermatologist, but nothing helps.  It gets so severe at times that it brings me to tears.  Sometimes it will get so bad it will wake me up in the middle of the night.  It can last only a few minutes or it can last days.  Usually it seems to be aggravated by something, the most common causes being nylons, water (taking a shower or swimming), humidity, and shaving.  But sometimes it doesn't seem to be caused by anything at all.  I have been to several doctors trying to solve this - and all I've been able to determine so far is that I am not having an allergic reaction to anything.  I will do anything to make this stop, it has been going on for so long now.  Not to mention that I'm getting married in a few months, and I would hate for my itchy legs to ruin my wedding day and my honeymoon!  I have already had two doctors tell me "I don't know what else you can do", so any suggestions on what this is or how I can treat it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

[poppafat30]

A related discussion, Itching Legs & arms was started.

[loota]

Am I allergic to water?!!! 

Someone Please help me with my itchy and painful skin after a shower - it's driving me crazy!!

After a shower, (and interestingly, rarely after a bath) my skin becomes incredibly itchy and painful, usually lasting about half an hour until it subsides.
When I get out of the shower I dry my skin and apply an emollient moisturiser quickly. I get the itching regardless of whether or not I apply the moisturiser, and whether I let my skin air-dry or use a towel. The itch is all over my body, but worst on my legs. I call it an itch, but it's also very painful - it feels like someone stabbing my legs all over with pins, or sometimes as if my legs are on fire! It drives me absolutely mad - it's painful and uncomfortable, and adds about half an hour to the time it takes me to get ready in the mornings!!

[stoneyjay]

A related discussion, Itching worse in hot climates was started.

[mika77]

A related discussion, help! D: was started.

[kayluvv]

female, east coast, not hard water, first time itching.
it's 5:20 AM and I was woken up 2 hours ago by my shins itching terrible. I immediately checked for a bug bite, nothing. no scar, scrape, rash, bumps, or bites. constant, non-stop, severe itch, just starting to settle after 2 hours, used only what I have here now, caladryl and then lubriderm. took about a half hour for the caladryl to be effective, still itches but not as severe. I feel for everyone that has posted on this page and hope this will be a one time occurance as it seems there isn't exactly a cure.
does anyone remember the very first time their legs itched? did it happen one day and continue from them on?

[Itchylegs1971]

A related discussion, Itchy legs was started.