Itchy Legs - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Itching in the legs is a symptom found in many situations.

In many cases, this manifestation has trivial causes, such as dry skin (xerosis) or an insect sting; at other times, itching in the legs indicates the presence of more important diseases, such as neurological disorders and problems with blood circulation in the lower limbs.

An itch localized to limited areas of the legs, associated with other irritative skin signs, may indicate the presence of atopic dermatitis, urticaria or psoriasis.

The skin of the lower limbs can be itchy even in the event of reactions secondary to contact with an irritant or an allergen (contact dermatitis) or in the presence of chronic lichen simplex (or neurodermatitis), bullous pemphigoid, scabies and fungal infections (dermatophytosis) .

This sensation can also be induced by exposure to the sun and the use of certain drugs (most commonly morphine, aspirin, barbiturates, penicillin, antifungal agents and chemotherapeutic agents); sometimes it is accentuated by contact with water (aquagenic itch).

The itching of the legs may also occur during gestation, especially in the last trimester, due to pregnancy cholestasis, herpes gestationis and polymorphic dermatitis of pregnancy.

Some people are more sensitive and feel the desire to scratch, even when they are not affected by particular problems. This is the case, for example, of the itching of the legs caused by anxiety and stress, sensations influenced by the rhythms of life or by possible periods of tension.

The itching of the lower limbs, accompanied by a sense of heaviness and tingling in the legs, on the other hand, can be the manifestation of a circulation disorder (eg venous insufficiency, thrombosis etc.) and blood pressure problems.

If this manifestation to the lower limbs is particularly persistent, however, it could depend on systemic diseases, such as renal insufficiency, liver disease, cholestasis, iron deficiency anemia, thyroid dysfunction and diabetes. Less frequent causes include Hodgkin's lymphoma and polycythemia vera.

In some cases, itchy legs can be neuropathic (connected to disorders of the CNS or peripheral nervous system; eg multiple sclerosis) and associated with psychiatric illnesses (eg depression, hypochondria, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive syndromes and various forms of psychosis).

Depending on the cause, itchy legs can be relieved by topical or systemic medications. Furthermore, it can be useful to limit the duration and frequency of baths (using warm water and delicate detergents), avoid potential irritants (eg coarse woolen clothing) and use emollient / moisturizing creams to restore the barrier function of the skin.