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?

[Vernzy]

  Hello!

  I had unbearable ichy lower legs develop about 9 months ago. I tried tons of lotions, benydryl...etc... Everything!

I figured it out!   1. Hot Shower
                           2. Exfolicate
                           3. Towel off
                           4. Hydrogen Peroxide rubbed over entire effected areas.
                           5. Let Dry for 5 min.
                           6. Coconut Oil ( I used the Costco Tub)
   Relief is almost instant and it takes about 2 days to noticeably see the healing qualities.

Hope this helps someone!!

[vickys1234]

Hi I suffer with itchy skin after shaving and a couple of weeks ago I had laryngitis well when I have this I drink a considerable amount of water which made my skin more supple   which Made my legs  feel loose if that makes sense and I never itched once even though I was waiting for it to start it never happened I always exfoliate before shaving  and moisturizer straight away while my skin is still damp  but I think the water was what sorted it out

[jelyhann]

I feel like I just found a home! I have had this problem for the last 6-7 years, out of the blue just one day uncontrollable itching, I thought I was all alone!! Nothing I have tried works for too long including Tend Skin and prescribe steroid creams. The best thing I can find to use is the Target brand anti itch gel. I can get about an hour of itch free bliss.I also find mine gets worse when I am in bed or just get into a super warm shower/bath. I started shaving downward and it stopped for about a year, then one day I was shaving and in a rush and went upward and now when I shave downward I itch. I screwed it all up it seems. I went to a Derm and he was ZERO help. Told me to get laser hair removal but told me he had no interest in my case as it would not likely bring him any money. Insurance will not cover laser hair removal as it is cosmetic and not medical and to both legs entirely done will cost thousands of dollars. I am looking into an at home laser hair removal system. If it works I will let you all know. Good luck everyone!!

[ChrisM16]

I started with all over body itching about 10-12 years ago. Out of the blue. Never had a problem before. It lasted 9 months. I thought I was going to throw myself off a bridge.  Every so many years it starts up. I started about 2 weeks ago with it again. I am in hell. It was so bad Friday I called my dermatologist and told him you need to give me something because I am going insane. He prescribed me Gabapentin which is a nerve blocker. It does help about 50% but it makes me very tired and I work all day so I can't be tired. I itch everywhere. Head, neck, upper thighs, private area, arms, everywhere. I have no rash or anything just constant itching. I did believe it had to do with shaving or with the hair follicles but it is weird that I am itchy on my arms and my neck and head as I don't shave those areas.  I am completely baffled and so are my doctors. I wash my sheets every other day. I keep my skin moist as possible. I run a humidifier in my room.  I am at the end of my rope. I have taken a bath with tea tree oil and it helped temporarily but within hours the itching was back.  I had an episode about 5 years ago and my dermatologist started me on ultraviolet therapy and after a few weeks I stopped itching. I started the same thing again and no relief at all.  I know how frustrating this is and I feel for everyone as it is pure hell and no doctor seems to understand what it is or what causes it.

[Nancygrace]

Just a hint, to stop bleeding when you itch your legs, use a rough towel and just rub it over the itchy areas. It cures the itch but without any bleeding. Hope this helps xx

[Louey22]

I have been suffering from this aswel and I also have sensitive skin so have to use simple bodywash to shave but still the itching persists my dr also has not idea what it is and has suggested just to not shave i don't unless I need to but it doesn't do anything for my confidence so think I will try encasing my mattress and pillows and see if that helps