Itchy Legs after showering or swimming

[dalbs]

I have been experiencing extremely painful itching in the legs, which starts about 10-15 minutes after getting out of the shower and will last about 15-30 minutes. It started out by happening occasionally but now it occurs after every shower and has started happening after getting out of the swimming pool. The itching is getting more intense and I'm afraid that it will continue to just get worse and last longer.  Water is the only thing so far that triggers this.  This is not a topical or dry skin itch, it's like my nerve endings are going wild inside my legs.   Nothing seems to relieve the itch, it just has to "run it's course".  I've tried different lotions, not using soap, not shaving my legs, warm water, cold water, not drying off, change the floor rugs.... nothing makes a differnce.  I found where this problem had been discussed on this forum a few years ago but no one seems to be able to find a solution. Is there anyone out there that has found a solution to this every painful, unexplained problem?

[TalullaBelle]

Forgive me for being so detailed, but I'm hoping someone will put pieces together and see something that helps them or helps me.  I, too, have low blood pressure and my hands and feet are usually cold.  I have suffered from severe, prickly, painful itching after bathing, showering, exercise, and if I get really stressed out.  It started over 15 years ago.  I've had city water with chlorine in it, and well water with a softener.  I've also tried every temperature of water with no difference.  My doctor tried me on valium for my nerves, but I still itched.  I know anxiety makes it worse, but it is not the primary cause apparently.  I've been getting allergy shots for years for mold, so my allergist says it can't be mold related.  My itching hit a peak about six months ago. I would itch all day, every day. I was living on Benadryl.  My B12 and D vitamins were in the toilet, which they had not been previously.  I have been taking Vitamin D supplements, trying to spend time in the sun every day, and taking B12 shots for six months.  The itching stopped for a couple months, but came back.  (My itching will occasionally go dormant.)  My skin isn't dry, but I tried exfoliating many times just in case. It is impossible. I have had the worst episodes ever.  If I am going through a rare dormant period, and I exfoliate, the histamines go crazy.  My legs itch even after a pedicure when they use the scrub on my legs. The doctors told me not to bathe as often.  It got to the point that I could only take "bird baths" and I had to wash my hair over the sink to keep my body from getting wet. I've tried fragrance free lotions, and chemical free detergents & soap with no difference.  I know it's not Celiac's Disease or any wheat related allergy, because I didn't eat wheat for a year.  I was concerned that my limited diet was causing my vitamin deficiencies, so I eat normally now.  I am keeping a food diary to see if anything triggers the itching.  Tea seems to be one trigger, so I avoid it.  After so many years, I am really out of shape.  Getting hot/sweating can cause severe itching.  If it doesn't cause a reaction, the shower afterwards sure does.  Please help if you think you know what might be going on.  In the meantime, I'm keeping you all in my thoughts.

[kudziekay]

im so shocked to discover that am not alone,i thought it was abnormal
i start to itch everytime i take a bath,it is not painful but very irritating that i hate bathing now but i have to.
its mostly on my legs and forearms,ive tried some anti alergies but they dont work. i want a cure,am desperate..even my lil sister has it,
maybe its dry skin,will try E45 itch cream

[Aceit]

After seeing 4 different dermatologist all of whom diagnosed it as dry skin, prescribed similar lotions none of which worked. I noticed during the summer when I got a little tan on my legs the itching stopped. I explained this to each Dermatologist, I'm not sure they heard a word. I now go to a tanning salon between 2 & 3 times per week. Towel dry after showering, apply Keri lotion, NO MORE ITCHING. The medical profession claims tanning is dangerous but until someone listens and determines the cause, I have opted to take the chance... it works for me.

[kirtieee]

VODKA works. It has something to do with evaporation. HOT SHOWERS work too.

Rub vodka or 100% alcohol on your skin. It relieves the itch!

[mia75]

It is so good to hear that I am not the only one expirencing this...
I have cried and scratched so bad after showering that I
thought I had a diease or needed to go to the hospital.
After trying serveral things, I have found somewhat of
soultion that thank God Has helped alot.
I use Aveno baby fragrance free soothing relief moisture cream
(located in the baby section) I used it immedialtey after showering
and I would still itch alittle but after a few seconds it dried and relived
my itching tremendously, but some times it wouldn't work as good as others but it was so much better than anything else I tried.
So after reading some suggestions on here, I started to dry my legs in the shower before the air could hit them and apply the cream right away before I got out, instead of watting after I got out, and it has been such a blessing and it helps so much. So I hope this helps and blesses someone and offer some relief like it did me...blessings Mia

[itchyjen]

Thank goodness I'm not alone! I have suffered from this since I was a teenager and I'm now 55! Having read all the posts, I'm going to try anti- histamine tablets first. I'll keep you posted. I've had to give up swimming due to the excruciating itchiness in my legs and sometimes arms for half an hour afterwards but this gives me hope that I can try it again. I'm also interested in the anti-fungal strand and in investigating the use of sls in shower gels and shampoo. I will do some experiments and report back. I never thought I'd find a cure or that anyone else had the same thing. What a wonderful thing the Internet is!