I have extremely itchy legs upon getting out of the shower. Please help

You've mentioned trying all sorts of products when you're in the shower but what about when you get out? Any moisturisers or anything? Baby oil may help.

I have a nightmare with my legs, particularly when getting out of the shower. Try doublebase moisturiser for a while and see if it makes a difference.

doublebase... noted thanks both of you

hi TSR,

For the last couple of years I have been experiencing itchyness upon getting out of the shower, particularly on my legs. I have tried using a variety of different soaps, including neutral shower gels with no aromas etc, different ways of applying the soaps from shower buns to plain hands, different water pressures, different temperatures, different ways of drying myself and different lengths of showers.

whatever I have tried, I become very itchy in the leg region for up to 45 minutes after starting to dry myself, to the extent I often end up on the floor in a ball trying to cover as much of my body as I can. I have even been late for school because I have been too preoccupied with my legs to cope with leaving on time, and I can get quite distressed, often crying and feeling angry withmyself. Once I have even made myself bleed trying to itch.

i did think at one point it was a soap, from Lush cosmetics, that triggered it, but this seems a bit unlikely. something else to note, I am 17 right now, so when this started happening, i was developing leg hair. Could it be the issue? has anybody had any experience of this problem? i was thinking of waxing my legs, although this would be quite extreme. Should I seriously consider this?

If anyone could help, i would be very grateful.

(anon or delete please)

Sodium laureth sulfate is a common ingredient in most soaps, as it's the agent that causes them to lather. Perhaps you have an allergy to this ingredient and you could try some soaps without it? If this doesn't work, see your doctor and they could probably get you to see either a dermatologist or an allergy clinic.

If that fails go to the drs, mine referred me to a dermatologist and also gave me stuff powerful enough to at least give my legs a chance to heal whilst trying to find the cause of the problem

E45 cream, from Boots or a drugstore. It has no perfume in it at all, so it won't sting at all. Aside from that, doctors!

Perhaps it's the water itself? My boyfriend really struggles with hard water now we have moved to a hard water area.

Also try turning the heat down. I'd recommend the coldest shower you can bear, even with no heat at all, and see how you feel afterwards.

Aloe vera gel might help but you need to get really good-quality stuff as most include chemicals from the aloe latex (the rind) which are irritants. I know some products made with just the inner-leaf gel, organically-grown, where the aloe gel is actually the main ingredient in the moisturiser, so it's amazing stuff. They also do a soap too that's suitable for sensitive skin. PM me if you'd want to try them out and I'll point you to them.

Alternatively coconut oil which is a great skin soother and moisturiser, it's also antifungal and antibacterial so will help fight any problems within your skin you may have. Again get good-quality stuff, cold-pressed or raw if possible. I get one from Holland and Barratt that's the works- organic, raw, extra-virgin, but it's over £16. Bear in mind it'll last you for months and months though.

Or apple cider vinegar, again from Holland and Barratt, just apply with a cotton wool pad to your legs, diluted if you prefer. It may sting and redden the first few times you use it but it's really good for the skin, cleansing and soothing it, it's the number one thing my boyfriend uses for his eczema and I use it twice a day on my skin to stop it breaking out too. You have to use apple cider vinegar though, not regular vinegar, haha

Hope this helps a bit x let me know how you get on.

What age are you? It sounds as if you might have Eczema, although it more often comes on as a child - have you had itching before now?

If you do have Eczema, there are a range of possibilities but you can start by using dermatological products for showering and (as others have said) E45 immediately after you dry. You should avoid all products that aren't very suitable for sensitive skin. Are you using shampoo in the shower? That might be enough to kick it off.

One of the key things about eczema is that heat is a trigger. Avoid making the room too warm and avoid the water being too hot. If you get irritation, have something ready like a gel pack with ice in it - apply it swiftly to the inflamed areas and that should reduce the irritation immediately.

There are stronger remedies like anti-histamine and steroid treatments if these basic steps fail.

Do you smoke, drink alcohol or caffeine? They all contribute to sensitivity.

Diet issues can also play a part - a great many people have a sensitivity to dairy products and you can reduce your intake of cheese, milk, yoghurt, etc as a test, to see if it improves. If it does, try to use dairy substitutes.

Some people are sensitive to stress in the skin and if you are anxious at present it may be contributing.

You could try going to Neals Yard Remedies, they have some of the best skincare things out there

Have you tried the aloe vera gel you can get from Holland & Barrett? I use it to moisturise my knuckles in the winter when they get cold and rough.

Like this or similar:

There is one of those where I live, I might have a look tahnks