![]() While high blood sugar can make your skin dry and itchy all over, poor circulation (another complication of diabetes) can bring about itchy lower legs in particular, per the American Diabetes Association. It could be a complication of diabetes.Ī persistent itch without a rash can *sometimes* come from a bigger health condition such as diabetes, says Dr. Leg elevation, compression stockings, topical corticosteroids, and potentially even surgery can also help ease your itching, says Dr. A doctor can help you identify the underlying cause, which may include high blood pressure, varicose veins, or a systemic condition, per the AAD. If your lower legs are swelling and itchy, you might have a form of eczema called stasis dermatitis, which is caused by poor circulation, says Dr. ![]() While they have the potential to look similar, the two are very different. A common skin condition may be the culprit.Ĭhronic skin conditions, like psoriasis and eczema, can pop up as itchy, red lesions or patches on your legs and all over your body. If you’re still scratching in three days, call your doc. What to do if you know if your dip in the water ( aka swimmer’s itch) might be to blame: Zap the itch with OTC antihistamines and anti-itch creams. Too much chlorine plus sunshine alike can trigger a must-scratch itch that’s even worse if your legs are already dried out (so moisturize!), says Meghan Feely, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey and New York City and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai’s Department of Dermatology.īut if you recently took a dip in a lake, river, or the ocean? Parasites that usually strike waterbirds or those jellies you swam too close to could be to blame, even causing hives, pimple-like bumps, and blisters. NoDerog // Getty Images 5.or you recently went swimming. Poison ivy is identified by its three leaves, one on each side and one in the center. If they don’t help, head to the derm-you might need something stronger, says Dr. Try OTC anti-itch meds like calamine lotion for relief. While the most common offender is poison ivy, many other greens can trigger itch, including some you may have planted yourself, like tomato and hot pepper plants, per the AAD ![]() Wade into tall grasses or just finish gardening? If you’ve got itchy lower legs plus a red rash, you might have brushed up against the wrong plant (a general rule: leaves of three, leave ‘em be). You stumbled upon not-so-friendly greenery. It could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction. ⚠️ If your hives are impossible to ignore, spreading across your body, or you’re having other symptoms (like shortness of breath), head for the ER or call 911. Kanchanapoomi Levin, who notes that OTC antihistamines like Allegra or Zyrtec can soothe hive-related itch. There are a ton of potential causes, ranging from excess stress or allergic reactions to an underlying infection or systemic illness, says Dr. They can change shape, move to various locations on the body, or disappear and show up again in a short amount of time-and, you guessed it, they often itch like crazy. Hives are raised bumps (aka welts) that may resemble swollen bug bites. Hives have taken over.Īs scary as a fiery flush of red up your legs can seem, 1 in 5 people will get hives (aka urticaria) at some point in our lives, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. If you think bug bites are to blame, soothe your skin with a topical steroid, such as Cortisone-10, and over-the-counter antihistamine like Benadryl, says Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, a Manhattan-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology. Charles, along with possible redness, swelling, and even mild pain. ![]() Usually, their bites can trigger an itch fest around your ankles or up your calves and shins, says Dr. Blame bug bites.īugs ( ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, spiders, and mites like chiggers) often reach the body by first crawling or leaping up your legs.
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