Itching in the legs - as a symptom of the disease

Skin itching brings not only physical torment. Often it causes psychological discomfort. After all, the symptom itself does not go away, forcing a person to get hung up on thoughts about how to relieve unpleasant sensations (it is not always and not always comfortable to do this everywhere) and with what they can be caused. The last question is by no means rhetorical, and it often makes sense to address it to physicians. So, itching on the legs can be both non-pathological in nature and represent a medical problem. Moreover, we are not always talking about dermatology, as is commonly believed among the inhabitants.

Causes of the itching in the legs

The causes of itching on the legs are many, and they are often very ambiguous. Moreover, with a detailed consideration of the causes and messages to the occurrence of itching, more and more new points emerge. For example, an allergic reaction is considered as one of the common causes of itching. And at the same time, allergic itching on the legs, known to many, can be caused by various reasons.

What can provoke the appearance of allergic itching on the legs:

• household chemicals (usually it contains at least one allergen, and in people sensitive to it, a skin reaction may occur as a result of skin contact with the substance, less often due to a systemic reaction to the allergen),
• taking and using medications (here there can also be 2 options: skin itching can be caused both by taking or administering a medicine into the body, and when it is applied topically on the surface of the skin),
• synthetic clothing (this is a separate conversation, since an allergy to synthetics occurs quite often, especially in situations of hormonal changes or immune problems, for example, during pregnancy, an allergy to nylon tights can occur even for those who previously calmly used such a piece of clothing),
• insect bites (it’s no secret that in search of food, flying and crawling blood-sucking insects often “wander” onto human skin, and after their visits, reddened itchy spots remain on the body),
• caring cosmetics (itching occurs if the product contains components, including substances of plant origin that can cause allergies)
• pet hair (this is a known allergen, like book or other dust, causing both a local reaction (fine hairs of wool irritate the skin receptors and itching occurs), and a systemic one, i.e. Directly an allergic reaction),
•  cold and sun (we learned about the existence of such types of allergies not so long ago, but they still exist),
• hypersensitivity to substances in the composition of food products (food allergy, like any other, can be manifested by itching of the skin in combination with other symptoms),
• pollen allergy (this is a seasonal allergy, so if itching appeared during the flowering period of plants, it is quite possible that it is associated with this).

Itching on the legs often occurs after shaving - a caring procedure that both women and men have recently resorted to. And here everything is also ambiguous, because it is not the shaving itself that causes itching, but some points associated with it or its improper conduct.

Risk factors

Risk factors for the skin of the legs to itch after the procedure can be considered:

• allergy to products for and after shaving (soap, gels, foams, creams, special strips on razors), which usually disappears when this product is replaced with another one,
• overdrying and peeling of the skin associated with the use of toilet and laundry soaps instead of special soothing and moisturizing shaving products,
• an identical situation is observed with “dry” shaving, in the absence of lubrication, the machine irritates the skin, causing burning and itching,
• neglect of preparatory hygiene procedures (the skin must first be cleaned and moisturized by taking a bath or shower),
• carelessness during shaving (usually the cause is haste, as a result of which small cuts and wounds appear on the body that cause burning and itching),
• a dull razor (this is a serious problem that causes trauma to the skin, increases the risk of infection, and contributes to disruption of the normal development of the hair),
• ingrown hair (follows from the previous point: the use of dull blades and shaving against hair growth increases the risk of ingrown hair under the skin and the development of inflammation in this place, often accompanied by itching).

Itching on the legs after the beach or solarium is also familiar to many sunbathers. And this phenomenon has its own explanations. The cause of itching of the skin, including on the legs, can be:

• sunburn of any degree (with a slight burn, only redness and itching will appear, with a more severe one, the skin begins to bubble), which occurs during prolonged exposure to the sun without the use of cosmetic protective products with a level of protection corresponding to the type of skin,
• the use of sunscreen gels, foams and creams that are not suitable for their composition,
• fungal infections, scabies - these are the troubles that can also be picked up on the beach, where many people with various diseases and individual attitudes to hygiene procedures rest, and these troubles are accompanied by itching of the skin (these diseases can be “brought” from the solarium if employees neglect hygiene and sanitation requirements, do not carry out regular disinfection),
• products for sanitizing in solariums, which can also cause allergies and irritation of sensitive dry skin,
• Allergy to the sun (photodermatitis), caused by an inadequate response of the body to ultraviolet radiation,
• incorrectly chosen time (sunbathing after skin peeling and other cleansing procedures is strongly not recommended, since they deprive the skin of its natural protective barrier and make it more sensitive to environmental influences, including sunlight),
• taking medications (some drugs can increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, as a result of which, even with a short exposure to the sun, a person may experience a slight burn, irritation and itching).

Speaking of dry skin. Dry air irritates not only the respiratory tract, but also the skin, which requires additional moisture, which the body signals to us with itching. Another nuisance is chlorinated water, which dries the skin no less than toilet soap, and in combination they create generally unsuitable conditions for the normal functioning of the epidermis.

Dehydration of the body can also be considered as one of the risk factors for the appearance of itching on the skin, affecting its condition. And, of course, do not forget about beriberi, most often occurring in the spring-winter period. The lack of vitamins and minerals involved in metabolic processes simply cannot but affect the condition of the skin. It becomes dry, irritation, hyperemia and itching appear.

Sweaty feet, wearing low-quality shoes, and shoes that squeeze the feet, disrupting blood circulation in them, can be considered a risk factor for itching on the feet and toes.

We examined non-pathological causes that cause itching on the legs. In most cases, it is a skin irritation or an allergic reaction to certain substances. Such problems are easily fixed. In addition, it is easy to prevent the appearance of itching in such situations.

But there is another list of causes that cause itching on the legs, which can be far from easy to eliminate. After all, we are talking about serious diseases, without treatment of which the itching will not go away completely.

Pathological causes that can cause itching include:

• disorders of the nervous system (yes, some nervous diseases can be accompanied by itching on the legs, because all our sensations are associated with it),
• fungal infections (fungi are also allergens, and some of them, such as mold, can even increase the sensitivity of the body to other allergens),
• infectious skin lesions of bacterial etiology,
• diabetes mellitus, other endocrine diseases,
• varicose veins and other cardiovascular diseases,
• blood diseases and oncology.

Quite often, patients with impaired functioning of the kidneys or liver also complain that the skin of the legs itches. Pak with liver pathologies, the skin usually acquires a yellowish tint, itching of varying intensity, subcutaneous hemorrhages appear. With renal failure, the patient develops skin rashes and obsessive skin itching.

Pathogenesis

It is surprising that such different causes can cause the appearance of the same symptom. But even more interesting is that the pathogenesis of itching on the legs can also have a different character. For example, if we are talking about microcuts and wounds on the skin, then the culprit of the itching may be an infection (or rather, the products of its vital activity that provoke allergic inflammation) or itching already appears as a sign that the wound is healing and exfoliation of keratinized areas begins.

With sweating feet, infection also plays a large role (most often fungal, which loves a humid and warm environment and multiplies quickly in it). When wearing uncomfortable shoes, it is rather a violation of tissue trophism (respiration and nutrition) due to impaired blood circulation, because both oxygen and nutrients enter the skin along with blood. The skin condition worsens, dryness and itching occur. Tight shoes also press on the nerve endings, which can also be considered as one of the causes of an unpleasant symptom.

Itching in allergic reactions occurs under the influence of histamine, a neurotransmitter synthesized in the human body in response to the invasion of “foreign” bodies. It also contributes to the expansion of blood vessels, which explains the hyperemia of tissues, redness of the eyes and nose, red rash in allergic reactions.

By the way, itching at the site of an insect bite can also be triggered by histamine if the “bloodsucker” injects it into the skin to expand the capillaries (this makes it easier to eat). Allergies and itching can occur in response to the entry of insect saliva or special "anesthetics" into the bloodstream, with which they anesthetize the bite site.

Itching on the legs with varicose veins has a different nature. The appearance of this symptom is associated, firstly, with the stagnation of venous blood. This causes a violation of the trophism of muscle tissue and skin, which necessarily affects its condition. The products of metabolism and cell decay (lactic acid, carbon dioxide, toxic substances) are now worse removed from the blood and accumulate in the tissues. As a result, swelling appears, the skin changes color, becomes drier, prone to irritation, peeling and itching appear.

Secondly, with varicose veins, a change in the structure of the vessels is noted. Enlarged veins compress small capillaries in the skin, increasing the tension in them, and they, in turn, put pressure on the nerve endings passing nearby, irritating them and causing severe itching on the legs.

Itching on the legs with diabetes is a consequence of elevated blood glucose levels. Diabetes destroys primarily small vessels, and this leads to a deterioration in the skin condition. Due to its excessive dryness, itching and small cracks appear (due to high blood sugar levels, they heal for a long time), where the infection easily penetrates, which causes increased itching.

Disturbed trophism of skin tissues also affects the state of nerve endings in it, which begin to inadequately assess the intensity of the stimulus and react violently even to a light touch. Itching, as a response of skin receptors, now occurs for any reason.

If dry and sensitive skin (as it becomes with diabetes) uses soap and other products that cause dryness, or carry out aggressive cleansing procedures, this only aggravates the situation. Itching intensifies, due to the loss of the natural protective barrier, the infection easily penetrates into microcracks and becomes active in the body, itchy pustules appear. Here, the action of histamine, which is released in response to the penetration of the waste products of pathogens into the blood, also joins.

With other endocrine diseases, itching on the legs is not a characteristic symptom, but can also sometimes occur due to hormonal disorders. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause affect the metabolic processes in the body, which in turn affects the condition of the skin. The reason for the appearance of itching in this case will be its excessive dryness and peeling, a tendency to irritation, etc.

Diseases of the gallbladder and liver, in which the outflow of bile is impaired, are accompanied by an increase in the level of bilirubin, which in large quantities has a toxic effect on nerve cells. The bile pigment not only affects the color of the skin, but also becomes the culprit of itching on it.

In diseases of the kidneys with a violation of their functioning, edema, a change in color and skin condition appear. Again, the skin becomes drier, and therefore whiter sensitive. The accumulation of fluid in the tissues causes tension in small vessels and compression of nerve endings, which only increases the discomfort in the legs.

Itching in the legs can appear with leukemia (blood cancer), as well as with tumor processes with localization in the lower extremities and pelvis, internal organs. With a generalized tumor process, itching of the lower extremities very often appears.

Blood diseases with a violation of the formation of erythrocytes and platelets cannot but affect the condition of the skin, because it is the erythrocytes that are responsible for the transport of oxygen. The skin with leukemia becomes dry, thin, too sensitive with regularly appearing small hemorrhages. Not surprisingly, one of the symptoms of leukemia is itching. With tumor processes, compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers occurs: tissue trophism worsens, the sensitivity of nerve endings increases, which respond inadequately to stimuli.

With nervous disorders, itching on the legs is usually associated with an inadequate response of the central nervous system to signals that come from skin receptors. The reason for this is the state of neurons, which are almost always in an excited state, which forces the central nervous system to be in a state of combat readiness all the time, and in fact to act in advance.

According to statistics, each of us has experienced itching on the legs. But the causes of this symptom were not always the same. Most often, of course, we are talking about insect bites, especially when it comes to a child, allergic reactions, wounds and irritation, increased dryness of the skin as a result of hormonal changes, contact with "chemistry". But this does not mean that other possible causes can be ruled out.

Here it is very important to pay attention not to a single symptom of itching on the legs, but to the whole complex of symptoms, the appearance of new alarming changes on the skin and in the general condition of the body. This will help to diagnose the disease in time. After all, itching is an important signal of some health problems (minor or even dangerous), although in itself it does not pose any danger, in addition to the possibility of tearing the skin and infecting.

Symptoms

Itching of the skin is not a specific symptom characteristic of one disease. Therefore, it is impossible to judge the disease only by the fact that the leg itches. Itching occurs as a response to irritation of skin receptors, but the cause of it in different diseases can be different. Various causes provoke the appearance of certain symptom complexes, which may include itching on the legs. But how to understand what kind of disease we are talking about, and whether it exists at all, this disease?

Firstly, it is worth paying attention to other symptoms, whether they are the first signs of the disease or those manifestations of the pathology that appear later than itching. Secondly, it would be useful to assess the nature of the itching and its localization, because it can be either a local symptom, for example, on the toes, or a common one (on the legs and stomach or lower legs and thighs).

The nature of itching

By the nature of itching, of course, it is impossible to make a verdict on its cause and etiology. Severe, unbearable itching on the legs can be both with an insect bite, and with an allergic reaction (for example, to capron) or internal diseases. Another thing is that with a bite and allergies - itching is one of the first symptoms. If the allergen is removed, itching soon disappears and may appear only with subsequent exposure to a specific irritant.

With varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, leukemia, liver diseases, hormonal and neuropsychiatric problems, fungal infections, much more time passes from the onset of the disease to the onset of itching. The same can be said about the wounds on the skin, which begin to itch already during healing.

A little more about the causes of itching can tell other accompanying symptoms. Itching and a small rash on the legs is a symptom of many health disorders. It is possible that these are the machinations of midges during outdoor recreation, if a person has very sensitive skin on his legs. In this case, a lot of red dots and itching on his legs are provided to him.

On the other hand, severe itching and specially located red dots on the skin may indicate a parasitic infection, for example, the introduction of a subcutaneous tick. If the itching on the legs intensifies at night, you can suspect a scabies mite, because such changes in the intensity of the symptom are more characteristic of scabies. With insect bites, itching is noted at different times of the day with approximately the same intensity, it’s just that when it’s time to go to bed, it seems more annoying, but in fact, nothing simply distracts us from analyzing our own feelings.

If you are not a fan of outdoor recreation, then most likely the cause will have to be looked for inside the body. A red rash on the legs with itching is a characteristic symptom of urticaria, a skin manifestation of an allergic reaction. In people with dark skin, it may not appear as clearly, and in fair-skinned people, the body may be covered with many bright red small blisters. Often, urticaria is combined with other symptoms: swelling of the lips and throat, mucous discharge from the nose, sneezing and other manifestations of allergies.

Itching and blisters on the leg may also appear as a result of insect bites that inject anesthetic and vasodilator substances under the skin. These substances are perceived by the body as foreign and a banal allergic reaction may occur: itching, redness, swelling of the bitten place. The sting of an insect and our skin is a haven for many microbes that get the opportunity to penetrate the micro-wound. The inflammatory reaction intensifies, passes first into an exudative one with the appearance of a transparent bubble, and then into a purulent form.

Bubbles in combination with itching can also be seen at the site of activation of the fungal infection (most often on the foot between the fingers), especially if it is combed. The appearance of a blistering rash is also a symptom of contact or atopic dermatitis, which occurs upon repeated contact with the allergen.

With eczema, itchy reddened areas appear, which begin to become covered with a small rash, crack and fester.

In all these cases, there is redness and itching on the legs. But if there is no rash, and redness and itching appeared after sunbathing, you can say that you overdid it. Saturation with vitamin D and a beautiful tan is good, but in moderation. Prolonged exposure to the sun (especially in fair-skinned people) causes skin burns, which are just manifested by redness and itching. On closer examination, you can see a lot of translucent small capillaries and hemorrhages.

Peeling and itching on the legs can also be the result of a sunburn, but later, when the redness subsides. Very dry skin can also peel off, which can often be seen after washing the feet with tap water containing bleach. With peeling, itching also appears, but not so pronounced.

Peeling skin can be a belated symptom of fungal diseases, such as lichen. With this disease, an itchy, clearly defined plaque of a bright pink color first forms on the skin, which after treatment changes color to a lighter one and begins to peel off.

Edema and itching on the legs are more likely to be characteristic of venous circulation disorders (for example, varicose veins) and diseases of the cardiovascular system (ischemic disease). With diabetes, small, difficult-to-heal ulcers on the legs may also appear.

A purulent rash, indicating poisoning of the body, in combination with swelling and itching of the legs, can also appear in case of impaired kidney function. If the rash is localized mainly on the inner thighs and groin area, an STI can be suspected. If the rash is visible on the thighs and buttocks, then rubella is more likely to be diagnosed, which can be ill at any age, although meningococcal infection cannot be ruled out (dotted hemorrhagic rash may be accompanied by itching).

But a rash on the legs without itching often turns out to be a manifestation of diseases of the blood and blood vessels, it appears first on the stomach, and then can spread in different directions. Rashes without itching may be a symptom of pseudotuberculosis or psoriasis.

It must be said that an allergic rash is not always accompanied by itching, so this symptom is not indicative in this situation.

Localization of itching

In order to find out what hurts a person, you need to at least roughly know the localization of pain. The same situation is with itching, which does not occur from scratch, but in response to some internal or external factors.

Itching on the legs is a non-specific concept, because the lower limb is a rather large organ in its length, and a symptom can appear anywhere in it: on the buds, knees, lower legs, feet, fingers. For some diseases, even more specific details, such as the inner or outer side of the thigh, closer to the knees or to the groin, help to make a diagnosis. These points should be paid attention to when an unpleasant symptom appears, especially if it does not come alone.

Itching on the toes. This symptom can accompany various pathologies and situations when it is not a disease. One has only to observe when it appears, how long it lasts, and find out what it is connected with. If itching occurs immediately after taking off your shoes, it is likely that they are too tight for you, squeezing blood vessels and nerve endings, which is why itching, tingling, and a feeling of crawling goosebumps occur, which pass rather quickly. The thumb and little finger are most commonly affected, but the skin on top of the other toes may also itch, especially when shoes are low.

The big toes can also itch with flat feet, when the bone skeleton of the foot is broken. Itching usually occurs in the later stages and is localized at the base of the thumb.

Itching between the toes, where the skin is more tender and sensitive, may be a manifestation of an allergic reaction. Its cause is often detergents and the very material of the clothes for the legs (socks, stockings, footprints). Allergy can be caused by an individual reaction to synthetics in the composition of knitwear, occurring both generalized and in the form of local reactions in the area of \u200b\u200bthe fingers. The same reaction can also occur on individual components of detergents (soaps, washing powders). Sometimes the cause of itching and irritation of delicate skin is the aggressive effect of laundry detergents if they were not completely washed off clothes with water.

In people who neglect foot hygiene, itching between the toes can occur precisely for this reason. While washing the feet, we remove flaking scales, dirt, microbes from the surface of the skin, which can cause discomfort.

All this is not so scary and can be completely solved by changing socks and stockings, regular foot hygiene, and choosing comfortable shoes. It is much worse if itching is caused by skin diseases. Such localization of lesions is typical for psoriasis, eczema, neurodermatitis. However, they can appear in other places, accompanied by redness, cracking of the skin, peeling, etc., the foci can disappear and reappear.

Another unpleasant cause of itching on the legs between the toes is a fungal infection, the risk of which increases with excessive sweating of the legs. A fungal infection is most often indicated by itching and an unpleasant odor coming from the feet. Other symptoms may include reddening of the skin, a rash, slight swelling that often extends to the top of the foot, dry soles, and cracking of the skin.

If itching is noted near the toenails, and the day before there were no situations of skin injury (scratching, pressing with shoes), there is a high probability that we are talking about nail fungus - onychomycosis. This is indicated by itching for several days, discoloration of the nail, its fragility, the appearance of grooves and spots, and an unpleasant odor.

Itching of the foot. It is most often associated with allergic diseases, although often such a symptom can again be associated with squeezing the skin with shoes, especially thin straps or insect bites. Itching on the top of the foot, which occurs once, is usually caused precisely by impaired blood circulation and skin irritation as a result of wearing uncomfortable shoes. But possible allergic reactions cannot be ruled out if the skin has been in contact with a fabric containing synthetic fibers or unrinsed powder particles for a long time. In this case, reddened blisters may appear on the skin, which are very itchy.

If the itching does not go away for a long time, it torments regularly, and redness begins to appear on the body, and then a rash, it is worth suspecting skin diseases. Most often we are talking about allergic or contact dermatitis, but limited psoriasis, eczema, which can appear on one or both legs, cannot be ruled out.

If severe itching continues for several months and years, but there are no serious alarming changes on the skin, except for redness and slight swelling, then it is likely that this is focal neurodermatitis with a nonspecific course (papules usually also appear).

If itching occurs on the bottom of the foot and is accompanied by increased dryness of the skin, its cracking, there may be 2 reasons: either a fungal infection or a thyroid dysfunction that affects metabolism.

Itching of upper legs. Itching in the thighs, where the skin is quite tender and sensitive, can have several different causes. It is caused by hyperhidrosis, and synthetic fabrics, and even coarse seams of clothing that disrupt blood circulation in the skin. This is a favorite place for insect bites. Furuncles (suppuration of hair follicles) often appear here, irritation of which with clothing can be accompanied by itching and tingling.

Itching on the skin between the legs can be caused by both skin irritation during friction, and an allergy to synthetic tights (in women), which usually manifests itself between the thighs and in the toes. If peeling, itching, spots that turn red, crust and crack appear on the skin, a fungal infection (for example, lichen) can be suspected. In the same way, skin diseases can also manifest themselves: eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis. Fungal infections and some STIs often cause itching on the inner thighs and groin.

Also, the hips can itch against the background of stress, neurosis, and some mental disorders. When violations of the nervous regulation are accompanied by allergic reactions, a diagnosis of dermatitis is made.

If itching appears on the abdomen and legs, this can be both a manifestation of an allergy and a signal to check your liver and gallbladder. Such localization of the symptom is characteristic of stagnation of bile (cholestasis).

Itching on the legs and calves. By the way, with cholestasis, itching often spreads to the hips and to the areas below the knees, which is confusing when determining the diseased organ. In general, there are also quite a few reasons for itching of the legs below the knees, and not all of them are associated with diseases.

Shins and calves can itch in people due to insufficient water intake and drying of the skin, malnutrition, contact with allergens and irritants, insect bites. Itching may also be caused by some vascular pathologies, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, the above skin diseases, and allergic reactions. A fairly common cause of itching in the legs and calves is varicose veins, which usually develop most actively in the lower legs, although it can cause unpleasant symptoms in the thighs. With varicose veins on the legs, you can see swollen veins, nodules, vascular networks, with diseases of the liver and kidneys, due to intoxication of the body, a rash may additionally appear, with allergies, itchy blisters usually form.

Itching on the legs above and below the knees often appears after hygiene procedures and depilation, which is associated either with an allergy to the cosmetics and care products used, or with skin irritation, or rather sensitive receptors on its surface. An identical situation is observed in the cold season, when coming into a warm room you begin to experience severe itching on the thighs, less often on the legs, especially on their front side. The symptom usually resolves quickly.

Itching of the skin on the arms and legs often torments patients with diabetes, while the lower part of the legs and palms itches more often. With normal glucose levels, a generalized allergic reaction or oncological diseases can manifest in this way. But again, with redness and rashes, one should not exclude autoimmune processes (psoriasis, eczema) and fungal diseases that can equally affect both hands and feet.

In case of violations of urine and bile excretion, a rash and itching can appear not only on the legs, but also on other parts of the body.

Various types of rashes on the legs without itching are most likely a manifestation of an infectious lesion (in particular, intestinal infections) or metabolic disorders, although the same allergy is not always accompanied by itching. A rash can appear with an infectious and viral damage to the body (as a result of intoxication), while itching is not always noted. The elements of the rash are often painful when touched.

As you can see, without a complete medical examination, one can only suspect possible pathologies, but it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis only because you have itching on your legs.

Itchy feet during pregnancy

Expectant mothers are usually very responsible about their health, they carefully monitor their well-being and simply cannot miss such a symptom as itching on their legs, especially since during pregnancy it worries many. It just so happens that the processes that occur in the body of a woman who is ready to become a mother can cause itching. Hormonal changes make it more sensitive to all sorts of irritating factors, so stressful situations can arise at every step and provoke itching.

Moreover, hormonal restructuring itself is a serious stress for the body, affecting the metabolic processes occurring in it. The body of the mother insists primarily on the life support of the child. Maternal blood, enriched with oxygen and nutrients, is sent to the fetus, while the body of a young mother may experience oxygen and vitamin and mineral starvation. This affects the condition of the skin, which becomes dry. It starts to peel and itch.

During pregnancy, the load on all internal organs increases, in particular, on the heart, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. As the fetus grows and the weight of the pregnant woman increases, it becomes harder for the heart to pump blood, peripheral circulation disorders occur, which are exacerbated by kidney problems. Experiencing an increased load on the removal of substances used by both the mother and the child, the kidneys do their job worse, swelling of the legs appears, accompanied by itching, especially on the feet. 

Some women with a genetic predisposition have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can disappear on its own after childbirth, but before that, it can cause a lot of trouble for a woman, including itching on her legs.

In most cases, itching in the lower extremities during pregnancy occurs as a result of increased accumulation of fluid (edema) and an increase in body volume. It is with the latter that the appearance of stretch marks on the abdomen and thighs is associated, which signal their appearance with the same symptom - itching of the skin.

It would seem, why raise the issue if itching on the legs during pregnancy appears for natural reasons and does not harm either the mother or the child. Well, except that it brings a lot of unpleasant minutes, increasing irritability. In fact, everything is not so simple. A pregnant woman, like any other person, can also have serious diseases in which itching is just one of many symptoms.

Hormonal and metabolic changes are a serious blow to the immune system, making the expectant mother more susceptible to infections and increasing the risk of allergic reactions. A woman may become allergic to synthetics, although she could regularly wear nylon tights before that and not think about their composition. Allergies can also occur to food, household chemicals, and external irritants (dust, pollen, etc.).

During pregnancy, the activity of the sweat glands may also increase, which, against the background of reduced immunity, is a predisposing factor for the development of fungal infections. The processes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman can also provoke skin diseases, which are based on a predisposition to allergic reactions (eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis with its mysterious etiology).

Expectant mothers are more likely than other people to experience liver dysfunction and stagnant processes in the gallbladder. They are provoked by physiological processes, but this does not make it any easier, especially when you consider that these disorders are accompanied by itching of the legs.

Be that as it may, itching on the legs during pregnancy occurs for a reason. This is a signal of various disorders, but whether they are physiological or have a pathological basis, only a specialist can say.

Itching on the legs of a child

The development of a child depends not only on good nutrition, physical activity and special activities. A large role in the normal functioning of the child's body is given to a full-fledged night (and for babies and daytime) sleep. But the child’s sleep is just disturbed in the first place when itching appears on the legs, no matter what reason it is caused by. And this is a reason for parents to be very attentive to such an ambiguous symptom.

The most common cause of itching in children is dermatitis, and in particular atopic dermatitis associated with impaired skin barrier function. In children predisposed to this pathology, the first symptoms (dry skin and itching) occur even in infancy. When combing the skin, rashes appear on it. Itching intensifies with increased dryness of the air, sweating of the child, under the influence of allergens that irritate the skin of detergents, due to the addition of an infection.

Itching of the skin in a child and the appearance of red blisters on it (urticaria) is associated with an allergic reaction, which can be caused by food, taking certain medications. An allergic reaction in children can also occur as a response to an insect bite. Children have delicate, thin skin, which attracts all kinds of bloodsuckers, which, in turn, when stung, in addition to saliva, secrete specific analgesics and peripheral vasodilators, which cause a violent allergic reaction in the baby. The nervous and immune systems of a child are at the stage of formation, so the reactions may be inadequate to the strength of the irritation, i.e. Excessive.

Unsuitable washing powders and hygiene products, applying unsuitable cosmetics and medicines to the baby's skin, contact with certain plants and metals are the cause of the development of contact dermatitis, which is based on a local allergic reaction. If the skin of the legs came into contact with the allergen, then we can expect itching on the legs and the appearance of a rash on them, which aggravates the first symptom.

Itching on the legs, especially in infants in the area of \u200b\u200bfolds, may be a symptom of sweating caused by increased sweating, overheating of the child, or lack of hygiene.

In children, no less often, if not more often than in adults, bacterial, viral and fungal infections, skin diseases become the cause of itchy feet. In some cases, itching on the legs (especially closer to the buttocks) becomes a non-specific symptom indicating a helminth infection.

In some children, the so-called aquagenic itch occurs - a disorder of unknown etiology, which is manifested by severe itching of the skin after contact with water. The duration of the symptom can vary greatly and reach 2 hours. There are no external changes on the child's skin.

Despite their young age, children can also have problems with the kidneys, gallbladder, liver, and endocrine organs. They are also diagnosed with various blood diseases, including oncology. And all these violations can be accompanied by itching of the legs.

Since the child, due to insufficient independence, is defenseless against many negative environmental factors, he endures various psycho-traumatic situations with particular difficulty. At the same time, psychogenic itching can turn out to be one of the easiest manifestations of stress, much worse when children withdraw into themselves, stop talking, and start thinking about suicide.

Itching of the skin may indicate not only a severe traumatic situation experienced, but also possible mental disorders: the development of depression against the background of constant nervous tension, anxiety disorders, as one of the symptoms of childhood neurosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and various phobias.

It is very difficult to independently establish the cause of the itching in a child, because it is not always possible to achieve even a clear explanation of the sensations. In addition, often the children themselves intensify the symptom, unable to restrain their impulses to scratch the itchy place. So you can’t do without a doctor’s examination here, especially if the symptom does not go away within a few days.

Diagnostics of the itching in the legs

Since itching on the legs can be caused by various conditions and causes, and the symptom itself in many diseases is not specific, i.e. Does not immediately suggest the most likely diagnosis, the diagnosis of this phenomenon requires an integrated approach to its implementation. With such a problem, it is best to contact a dermatologist, especially if focal redness, rashes, and swelling also appear on the skin. Cracking, peeling, because most often itching appears with skin diseases. The dermatologist examines the patient and draws conclusions about the need for consultation with other specialists: a neurologist, an allergist, a general practitioner, a urologist, a phlebologist, an endocrinologist, etc.

To begin with, the doctor gets acquainted with the patient's history, because here you can often find the true cause of the disease, which is hidden in a predisposition to certain pathologies transmitted from parents. In addition, illnesses suffered in early childhood can also indicate a tendency to certain diseases and reactions.

During a physical examination of the affected area, the doctor asks the patient about what preceded the onset of itching or rash, how and when the itching appears, what is its intensity, whether it intensifies at night, and if there are other suspicious symptoms that appeared during this period.

All these activities give the doctor the opportunity to navigate in which direction to carry out the diagnosis and which doctors should do it.

In connection with itching on the legs and its most likely causes, the following tests may be prescribed to the patient:

• Clinical analysis and blood biochemistry, allowing to assess the likelihood and strength of the infectious process. They also allow you to suspect (but not confirm!) anemia or some types of cancer.
• Urinalysis (helps to assess the condition of the urinary system, and in particular the kidneys). Together with blood tests, it helps to assess the degree of intoxication of the body.
• Analysis of feces. It will show the presence of certain types of helminths and assess the condition of the biliary tract and liver (with diseases, even the color of feces changes).
• If the skin has rashes, weeping, cracking, a fungal infection and other non-infectious skin diseases can be suspected. Scraping from the diseased area helps to understand the nature of the disease. Analysis of the biomaterial with a positive result will help determine the type of infection. With psoriasis, scraping allows you to differentiate the disease from others with similar manifestations (there will be pinpoint hemorrhages under the plaque).
• If an allergy is suspected, the allergist prescribes special tests to identify the allergen.
• Since diabetes mellitus can become the cause of itching of the legs, it is necessary to donate blood for sugar to exclude or confirm the diagnosis.
• During pregnancy and a suspected hormonal cause of disorders, an analysis for sex hormones, and sometimes for thyroid hormones, may be prescribed.

In addition to a variety of analyzes in different combinations, other studies are prescribed to the patient. Instrumental diagnosis of itching in the legs can be prescribed by other specialists in case of suspected diseases of internal organs and blood vessels: X-ray and ultrasound examination, computed and magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic examination of diseased organs, etc.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is carried out between allergic reactions, infectious diseases and skin diseases of a non-infectious nature. By the nature of the rash and other symptoms, possible pathologies of the internal organs are judged, by the condition of the skin - about metabolic disorders and digestive disorders. Sometimes, in order to determine the true cause of itching, one has to take into account the opinions of different doctors who have carefully studied the results of laboratory and instrumental examinations, anamnestic data and the existing symptoms.

Complications and consequences

Itching on the legs, although it significantly impairs the quality of life, is still a relatively harmless symptom. If it weren’t for the discomfort that comes with it, it would be possible to ignore it for a long time. But perhaps it is good that the symptom does not go unnoticed, because dangerous diseases can also be hidden behind it.

Itching is a reaction of our body to a negative influence from the outside or a violation within it. In any case, there is something to think about. For example, allergic itching is a reason to identify the cause of the allergy and avoid it in the future. If this is not done, the symptoms will worsen. Allergy complications can be considered as the attachment of an infection at the site of scratching of itchy foci, as well as the development of anaphylactic reactions, Quincke's edema, the appearance of a reaction to new allergens, the development of bronchial asthma.

It is considered no less dangerous to ignore diseases of the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, which become inflamed, perform their functions worse, and this in turn leads to digestive and urinary disorders, causes disturbances in the composition of the blood, and intoxication of the body. In difficult situations, a person may not even be saved.

Itching can be a signal for high blood glucose, which a person may not be aware of. If nothing is done, diabetes mellitus progresses rapidly, causing visual impairment and the development of severe eye diseases, the development of cardiovascular diseases, impaired kidney function, damage to the nervous system, impaired blood circulation in the legs and related diseases, the appearance of long-term healing (trophic ) ulcers, genitourinary disorders, etc.

Itching on the legs with diseases of the blood and blood vessels is an occasion to seriously think about later life and possible treatment. Oncological diseases are very difficult to stop, especially in the later stages, therefore, the sooner they are detected, the greater the person's chances of recovery. If we are not talking about oncology, then it makes sense to take therapeutic measures that will improve the quality of life in a chronic course or lead to recovery in an acute one. Ignoring itching, you can bring the disease to a state from which there is no return to a full life.

It is especially important to pay attention to such a symptom in young children, because the child's body is not yet able to clearly coordinate all its functions, so many immune responses turn out to be excessive, and often life-threatening.

Prevention

Since itching does not have a specific cause, avoiding which you can be sure that the symptom will never appear, it makes sense to talk about a whole range of preventive measures. By following the recommendations, you can reduce the likelihood of a painful symptom:

• To avoid drying out of the skin and the appearance of itching on this soil, it is necessary to maintain an optimal water balance. Nutritionists believe that the average person needs to drink an average of 2-2.5 liters of fluid per day. On hot days and during physical exertion, this amount may be higher, because water evaporates in sweat. Indoors, you can use a humidifier to keep your skin moisturized.
• Proper care of the skin of the feet with the use of moisturizing creams and milk on hot days helps to maintain optimal skin hydration.
• Water hygiene procedures are useful for the body, but frequent washing of the skin with tap water, and even with soap, only worsens its condition. Hot water also has a bad effect on the skin, removing the protective oily film that actually helps to retain liquid. It is enough to take a shower or bath 1-2 times a day, after which it is necessary to lubricate the skin with a moisturizer.
• When choosing skin care products, pay attention to their composition. The less aromatic additives, alcohol, dyes and substances that can cause allergies in them, the better. Cosmetics containing omega-3 fatty acids reduce the unpleasant symptoms of eczema.
• The same can be said about body cleansers. The less chemicals they have, the better. But this does not mean at all that you need to wash strictly with laundry soap (by the way, it dries the skin very much). When choosing natural products, you need to make sure that they do not contain components that cause you allergies. Ideal in this regard can be considered children's products (soap, lotions, oils).
• In the skin, renewal processes that are imperceptible to us are constantly taking place. We notice them in the form of exfoliation of the upper layer of the epidermis. Peeling is often accompanied by itching, and to get rid of it, it is enough to carry out gentle peeling with the help of special tools. But combing the skin, rubbing with hard washcloths, etc. Only exacerbates the situation, so you should refrain from it.
• To wash things, you need to use detergents with a minimum of fragrances and other harmful substances that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. Even with thorough rinsing of things, they can remain in the fabric. It is especially dangerous if the fabric comes into contact with wet or sweaty skin.
• It is very important to choose the right clothes, especially for sensitive skin and a tendency to allergies. Synthetic fabrics, creating a greenhouse effect, do not contribute to the health of the skin. And synthetics in socks are one of the risk factors for the development of foot and toe fungus.
• Shoes as clothing for the feet should also be as natural as possible so that the feet do not sweat in them. But even all-natural shoes will not prevent feet from sweating if worn out of season. By choosing shoes according to size, you can avoid squeezing the foot and disturbing blood circulation in it, which can be accompanied by itching.
• It is worth paying attention to your diet. Alcohol, spicy and sweet foods increase the risk of skin itching and even increase this already unpleasant symptom.

Vitamins C, E and A should be present in the diet in sufficient quantities. And B vitamins will be useful not only for the skin, but also for the health of the nervous system, which will reduce the likelihood of nervous itching.

Omega-3 acids in the composition of foods (nuts, oily fish, herbs) are an important element that provides optimal skin hydration (without weight gain) and helps prevent inflammation in it.

If for some reason the food on your table cannot meet the needs of the skin, you should take care of taking multivitamin and vitamin-mineral complexes.

• Stress can provoke and increase itching on the legs, so they should be avoided by all means. People with a labile nervous system should be interested in psychological and psychotherapeutic practices that will teach them to cope with irritation, depression, aggression, to remain calm in any situation.
• Prevention of itching on the legs due to insect bites will be the use of protective creams, sprays, insect repellents. It is especially important to use such protection during walks and outdoor recreation, which are simply necessary for health.
• People who are allergic to food should try to make a diet in such a way that it does not contain allergens, even if you really want to.
• Unpleasant sensations on the skin of the legs can cause both frequent water procedures and their long absence. Hygiene procedures should be carried out regularly, because dirt and microbes can be the cause of itching on the skin.
• An important point in the prevention of itching of the feet and toes is to wear only your shoes. This reduces the likelihood of getting a fungus on your feet or passing it on to other people.

Since itching is a symptom of many diseases, it is useful to consult a doctor when it appears. If the discomfort disappears within 1-2 days, there is nothing to worry about. But itching for several days, especially if it is accompanied by redness, rashes, swelling of the skin, is already an alarming symptom that you should tell your doctor about.

In any case, itching on the legs will not go unnoticed, and it all depends on our reaction to it. Someone prefers to itch and do nothing else, others run to the doctor for any reason. You should not rush to extremes, but ignoring the alarm bell is also unwise.

Forecast

Since itching on the legs can be caused by various reasons and turn out to be one of the symptoms of the disease, it is possible to make some predictions only after making a final diagnosis. The prognosis of treatment also depends on the cause of the itching. For insect bites, homeopathic remedies or alternative treatments are often sufficient to permanently resolve the symptom. If we are talking about allergies, then the simplicity of its treatment is relative, because in order for the situation not to happen again, it will be necessary to diligently avoid repeated contact with the allergen.

The situation is identical with eczema, which recurs every time the skin comes into contact with an irritant. But the appearance of cracks and wounds on the skin can worsen the prognosis due to the risk of infection.

Some diseases are chronic, and itching will appear periodically even despite systematic treatment. Such diseases include diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, kidney and liver failure. In these cases, reducing the intensity of itching is just a way to slightly improve the patient's quality of life.

The prognosis for the treatment of nervous itching depends entirely on the state of the nervous system. No medicines will help if a person is constantly exposed to stress, irritability, experiences strong emotional experiences.

As for pregnancy, itching on the legs usually disappears after childbirth, when the hormonal background, metabolism and nervous system of a young mother normalize.