Really itchy legs in winter

[proud_canadian]

Does anyone else get really itchy legs in winter? I try putting on lotion twice a day, but it doesn't help. Any other ideas?

 

[sukhakuli]

Lotion is water based and will dry out your skin. You need a cream.

Cere vie works well for the dry skinned people in my house.

 

[mickeyboat]

Do you run a humidifier in your house during the winter? That helps a lot.

 

[shoney]

I use Dove body wash and moisturize everyday.
If I have a flair up, I use an anti itch lotion like Gold Bond.
It had gotten so bad a few years ago, I was waking up bleeding!

 

[design_mom]

I agree that a humidifier is the key.

 

[MomofKatie]

I use Eucerin Intensive Repair in the winter to relieve my dry, itchy arms and legs. It is great- makes skin soft and smooth, cuts out the 'nighttime itches', and is fragrance and color free, so it doesn't cause my sensitive skin to react to any unwanted additives.

PS- I third the humidifier (or humidifiers)! Keeping the air in your house as moist as possible really helps.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I went through this back earlier in the winter. I don't know if it was winter-related or entirely coincidental. It seems that the hot shower water would just set me off. I would get red bumps. It was the kind of itch that would drive you absolutely insane, you would want to claw your skin off. I kept putting hydro cortisone cream on the area until it eventually stopped happening. Thankfully.

 

[Gracie09]

coconut oil. I buy it from Costco and use it at least twice a day. Before that I would wake up with blood on my sheet because I would be scratching in my sleep.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

Also, hydrate from the inside out! I get very dry skin, and put on lotion, wash with dove, etc every day and my legs and back are still itchy as heck. Then I started noticing that on the days when I drink a lot of water, it's not as itchy. So, get your 64 oz of water in every day!

 

[teller80]

Do you lather your legs with soap to shave? If so, try using conditioner on them instead.

 

[littlejimmy]

i was going to suggest putting on a balm...but then I remembered something...
No one can tell what a balm's gonna do. They're unpredictable.

 

[piglet1979]

I have eczema and I get really bad flair ups in the winter. Other times my skin is just dry. About 1.5 to 2 years ago i started using Cetephil RestoraDerm Eczema Calming Body Wash. They also have a lotion too. This will be the 2nd winter that I have not had a flair up. My skin is still itchy but much better then it was.

 

[Christine]

A few years ago this starting happening to me. My shins were itching something awful. My regular Curel lotion was not doing the trick. I switched to the Cetaphil Body Cream in a tub and that seems to really keep it at bay. I have to use it twice a day. I also had to stop using the shaving gel/cream in the can and just use Dove. I don't get as close of a shave with that, but it's better than itching.

 

[AllisonK]

I have had the same itchiness this winter. I've had some bleeding as well. The hot water sets me off too, although I've been considerably better since switching from Aveeno to cocoa butter, and I use hydrocortisone cream when I have to. I do have semi-dry skin (my hands in particular are awful every winter) but this is the first time my legs have been affected.

 

[asta]

Does anyone else get really itchy legs in winter? I try putting on lotion twice a day, but it doesn't help. Any other ideas?

Long answer but I hope it helps:

I have been dealing with this itchy leg rash for some time now. Mine is odd because it always just my left leg. It starts at the ankle and spreads. I have seen three doctors, the last dermatologist I saw said that it is related to poor circulation. My rash does seem to start after travel when I have been sitting too long so that makes sense. Prevention is to move more, get more exercise. Treatment that works is a prescription steroid cream Fluocinonide .05% and then wrapping it with an ACE bandage to prevent scratching while it heals.

I had been dealing with my last bout for over a month when I received a cortisone shot for something else. Within 4 hours my leg stopped itching and the rash went away. I talked with my doctor about it and he said the shots affect too many other things to be routine and the answer is a stronger steroid cream if the Fluocinonide doesn't work. And of course more movement.

 

[msjprincess]

i was going to suggest putting on a balm...but then I remembered something...
No one can tell what a balm's gonna do. They're unpredictable.

LOL

 

[Kogo Shuko]

i was going to suggest putting on a balm...but then I remembered something...
No one can tell what a balm's gonna do. They're unpredictable.

lol!


I use aloe vera. It helps hydrate. It also instantly cools an itch, which is usually a blessing.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I have had itchy skin on my shins, and found out it is actually candida. I had to give up things with yeast and sugar and my problem went away. I get itchy skin in other places during the winter and use Lubriderm and it works great.

 

[Paradise18]

I've started using Bio Oil after I get out of the shower. A little goes a long way and my skin isn't flaking and itchy anymore.

 

[KBoopaloo]

The Body Shop's Hemp Body Care product line is my winter lifesaver. The smell takes a little getting used to (it is a little earthy) but it has changed my life when it comes to dry, itchy skin.