incredibly itchy skin after shower/shaving- pls help!

[Teresainpain]

Hi:

I know itchy skin doesn't sound like a big problem, but my legs and arms itch like they were about to fall off everytime I take a shower.  I don't have dry skin and I use Aveeno body lotion everyday to make sure I get enough moisture.  The itching is like an intense tingling only on my arms and legs (mostly on my legs) and it's so bad that sometimes I just want to run yelling into the street.  The itching usually goes away within an hour after taking a shower, but it happens all of the time.  I hope that someone can give me some advice as to how to fix this problem...itching can drive a person crazy!

Thanks everyone.

[Balcescu]

This is what I've noticed: Soft water virtually no itching, only hard water. Take a bath in hard water, not so bad - but a shower? Ahgggggg! Nightmare. The doc gave me some cream, but it's pretty useless. Then I had the idea of rubbing on organic Fair Trade extra virgin avocado oil. I think it's better than the cream - BUT it is early days. I believe my skin problem stems from insomnia and stress which has had a knock-on effect on my immune system.

I wish everyone luck in finding a relative cure for this horrible problem.

Best, Pete

[Maristelar]

Hi, I'm 22 with the same problem. I get angry when it itches me and I quickly jump on the bed but I realised I have to stop using sponge..now I'm okay but I do not stay long in the bathroom. I wish one day,I would have a proper bath like others.

[jose344]

Thanks it makes sense i will keep you up to date to see how  it goes.

[jose344]

I have the same thing, once i get out of the shower i start getting itchy but mainly on my legs it used to be my arms too but now it only affects my legs and the itching is the most horrible feeling ever. This is what i did today and the itching actually stopped. I put one leg in the shower and left it there for about 30 seconds (only one foot got wet not my whole body) then i took it out to see if it would begin to itch but it didn't (i only use cold water in the shower now). so i decided to take a shower and only try to let clean water hit my skin(not water that runs down from rinsing after applying shampoo since it can have certain ingredients that can cause itching) specially my legs. When i put on shampoo/conditioner i  washed my hair by using a cup to avoid getting it on my legs or body. I did however put on body wash on my body except on my legs then i rinsed my body completely including my legs(i did not scrub my legs at all i only rinsed them but i didn't touch them ). Once i got out of the shower i dried my body with a towel gently except for my legs(it feels as if though the more i touch my legs the more they will itch). Then i put only body lotion and waited about 3 minutes before applying some to my legs even though they were still a little wet. I did this in the afternoon about 7 pm because i feel that in the mornings the itching is more likely to occur. I literally had no itching afterward i feel relieved for once. Also if itching still occurs it is best to cover up your legs by wearing pants immediately after taking a shower, when air hits the skin it can make it worse. Another thing that has helped me is working out before taking a shower i like to just play basketball and sweat maybe it has something to do with circulation. I'm not a doctor but i do speak from experience i'm only 16 and i have only been having this problem for two years but i think this will help. My dad had(i,m not sure if he still has it ) the same thing so i think its hereditary. I know how you feel its a very uncontrollable urge to itch that is maddening, I hope that this is understandable and helpful. God bless.

[teamofna]

I had this issue for several years going all the way back to college. Then about 3 year ago, my wife made a comment which solved my issue. She said, "You never drink water and the skin is the last organ to be hydrated." She was right. I drank nothing but tea and Coke (all caffeine). Once I started drinking water regularly, no problem.

My guess is most of the posters were like me and never drink water, or drink lots of caffeine, which is a diuretic. Try decreasing the diuretics and increasing the water. BTW, alcohol is also a diuretic.

[jtwhit]

About 7 years ago, it finally got so bad that I went to see the doctor about it. He put me on Zyrtec, which helped for about a year. Then it failed and when it did I discovered just how little western medicine know about itch. So I went to see my wife's Chinese medicine doctor, Dr. Lei Zheng in Raleigh. She told me  I was simply too dry and that I had to think about my environment. While studying my environment, I was to 1) eat more nuts; 2) avoid dairy, 3) use the sauna at the gym and 4) bathe with epsom salts once per week. All of these helped. Then, in thinking about my environment. I realized it was shower water! I immediately rushed out and started buying Sprite slim-line shower filters. (http://www.bestfilters.com/product.asp?itemid=508&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvJqvBRCL77m2-uKczsIBEiQAkx8VjJ5qAp6RmcBGWDP3_S-jWGs0nhfCl0M85elIVLVlSFUaAghG8P8HAQ) Available at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. They filter out the chlorine and other drying impurities, and they work like a charm for about three months. I know it's time to replace the cartridge when the itching returns. They really have been a lifesaver!