Painfully itchy legs after shaving

[Techno_Spice]

I need help! About 12-24 hours after shaving (never right away), I develop and overpowering itch on the shaved areas (legs, armpits too, although the legs tend to itch the worst). This itch is so bad that I have woken up in the night reflexively scratching my legs until they bleed.

I've tried all the suggestions the internet has to offer. I've tried:
- nearly every shave lotion the market has to offer, including organic ones and regular body wash.
- nearly every razor the market has to offer; I use replaceable-head razors (Venus Divine) and I replace the head frequently.
- tried lotioning my legs after, and before  after showering with both Aveeno and St. Ives Intensive Healing
- tried using baby oil after, and before & after
- tried using tea tree oil and various other organic itch-calming treatments

None of these have worked

Once the itch starts, there is very little that will end it. I've tried:
- Regular and intensive lotions
- Eucerin anti-itch calming lotion
- Aloe Vera sunburn treatment (I thought the aloe or lidocaine in it might stop the itch)
- Benedryl (just in case it was an allergy to something in my shaving creams)
- OTC Hydrocortisone cream

Nothing works to stop the itch after it has begun. Pretty much all I can do is scratch and hope the itch ends before I scratch down to blood. It is agonizing and keeps me up at night. The same itch happens with Nair as well, but not hair-buffing although I could never get that to work to remove hair very well.

My doctor has no idea and just keeps saying "try a different shaving cream". He's not a very good doctor but I don't have a lot of insurance in-network options there. Has anyone heard of this? Do I have no option but to stop shaving?

[TORIALIZ]

Yep my armpits itch too! I am not going to even attempt shaving my bikini line ever again. I tried waxing for months and ended up with loads of ingrowing hairs! - which I never had before! so now I have loads of scars and itchiness from shaving too! NIGHTMARE!

I am going to try my boyfriend's electric razor and failing that hair removal cream. or I will have to invest in laser removal!

Waxing does seem to be ok with my armpit- it's just having to go and get it done that's annoying and inconvenient. I'm going to try and find some EURAX to stop this itching in a min!

I'm wondering whether DERMOL cream might b a good moisturiser as it is for Eczema? (my daughter has eczema).

Grrrrrr such an annoying problem! If I was ok with hairy legs that wold be a blessing! But it is actually a bit unsightly!

Hoping to find a resolution soon! (which includes hair-free legs!)

[MommaB12]

A few days ago, I tried a new 3 blade razor for the first time in my life.  Previously, I have only used a 2 blade razor for 25 years or so and never, ever was I itchy after a shave, until  a few days ago with that new razor.  My legs were so itchy!  Yes, unbelievably itchy to the point of agony!
I really believe that the problem for many of the women who have posted is that the razor is shaving too close and the hair that starts to grow back is causing the itch.  My suggestion is to get a razor that won't shave super close to the skin, exfoliating first and then shaving in the direction of the hair.  Hope that helps someone!

[love_bridgett]

You are a wonderful husband. I hope you've found something to help your wife. I suffer from the same problem and the only conclusion I've come to is the same as yours, that the hair is too thick trying to push back through the skin. So the only logical solution is laser hair removal... it's just so expensive!

[BK2000]

So glad this thread exists as it's the most helpful online source I've found for post-shaving itchy legs!  I also get crazy itchy legs 1-2 days after shaving, especially above the femurs, resulting in intense scratch-til-bleed itchiness especially at night, but even during the day.  Interestingly, I also shave my thighs, but they don't get itchy.

I tried aftershave, thinking the oils and alcohol might help, but nope.
I tried nair, which helps diminish the itch some, but then I'm rubbing god knows what chemicals into my body.
I tried different lotions, body oils, etc., which didn't stop the frantic itch.

I have finally found something that has eliminated the itch though: not shaving.  Women didn't shave before the early 1900's.  We managed to be beautiful and sexy throughout most of history not shaving our legs.  So why put ourselves through that torture now?  I do not have any problems dating and make sure the guys know upfront.  It's not a problem.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am beautiful.  You are beautiful too.  

[scorpiogirl76]

I just recently started having this problem and thought it was the shaving cream or something I might have switched so I went back to what I originally used and it's still happening except it keeps getting worse. Which coconut oil did you try, there's so many out there like the ones you cook with that have no smell or taste and then there's the ones that do have the smell and taste and  organic. I'm very interested in trying this. Also did you just use strait coconut oil orin it with something? Tha ks :-)

[Charr43]

I know this is an old thread but I just recently did something that helped me with this problem tremendously and wanted to share. I always get severe itching after shaving for days to the point where I will bruise myself scratching. Even stopped shaving as much because it's so bad. I recently began moisturizing with AND shaving with coconut oil. I have noticed not only is the shave closer and  the hair growing in less course/thick as well as slower BUT I also have had next to NO itching and irritation which has been sooooooo nice. Coconut oil is great for moisturizing and it has antibacterial properties which may explain why it helps. I have been able to shave daily with no issues since using the coconut oil. I 1. shave with it and 2. moisturize with it after shaving as well as daily. Hope this helps some of you :)