Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesDry SkinAllergic ReactionsDiabetesRelated Health ConditionsSkin ConditionsMedicationsInsect BitesNutrient DeficiencyDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Dry Skin
Allergic Reactions
Diabetes
Related Health Conditions
Skin Conditions
Medications
Insect Bites
Nutrient Deficiency
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
When to See a Provider
It’s important to avoid scratching youritchy legs, as this may cause further damage to the skin and can make the area feel even more sensitive.Itchy skin (pruritus) on the legs may be treated with home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) products, or prescription medications depending on the underlying cause.
Causes of Itchy Legs
The causes of itchy legs can be divided into four categories:
The following causes of itchy legs fall into one of these four categories.
Dry skin is the most common cause of itchy skin. Known medically asxerosis, dry skin belongs to the pruriceptive category of itching.
Dry skin occurs when the skin lacks moisture and becomes dehydrated. It can occur for many reasons, including:
Signs of dry skin include:
Dry skin is sometimes an indication of dermatitis, a type of inflammation of the skin that may indicate another skin condition. Dermatitis often also causes a rash or discolored (a change in skin tone), irritated skin.
Certainallergenscan lead to extremely itchy legs. The most common allergen that people come into contact with is nickel, but other irritating substances found in hygiene products, nail polish, and latex are also common. When an allergic reaction occurs, the skin will feel intensely itchy, and a rash will develop.
Products That Contain NickelIn today’s world, it’s hard to avoid contact with nickel because the substance can be found in many products that are used every day. Products with nickel include eyeglass frames, zippers, belt buckles, jewelry, and cellphones. You can buy nickel testing kits to identify the presence of nickel in products.
Products That Contain Nickel
In today’s world, it’s hard to avoid contact with nickel because the substance can be found in many products that are used every day. Products with nickel include eyeglass frames, zippers, belt buckles, jewelry, and cellphones. You can buy nickel testing kits to identify the presence of nickel in products.
Diabetesis associated with several skin issues that can cause itching, such as:
People with diabetes often have poor blood circulation. Although itching isn’t a typical symptom of poor circulation, it can be.
People with diabetes are also more likely to have dry skin due to high blood sugar levels that, over time, can damage the nerves in the legs. This, in turn, can cause the legs to become itchy.
What Are the Symptoms of Uncontrolled Diabetes?
Various other types of disease can also cause itchy legs to occur. Some include:
Itchy Legs as a Warning Sign
Itchy Skin as a Cancer Warning Sign
Certain medications can cause your legs to become itchy, such as:
All-Over Itchy Skin (Without) Rash
There are many insects that bite and leave behind a feeling of itchiness. For example, mosquito bites typically cause an itchy sensation, but this feeling tends to fade once the bite heals.
The itchy feeling can be intense and may become chronic if the culprit is not identified, which can sometimes be the case with bed bugs, mites, or lice.Sometimes the itchiness gets worse during the nighttime hours.
If you suspect that you have been bitten or infected with any of these insects, it’s best to seek out immediate treatment to remove the bugs from your skin, scalp, and home.
A vitamin or mineral deficiency could result in excessively dry skin on your legs and other parts of the body. Skin needs nutrients to keep it healthy. If you’re not getting enough vitamins A or D or minerals such as niacin, zinc, or iron, you may develop dry skin that leads to itching.
Your healthcare provider will examine your skin and look for bumps, hives, irritation, rash, or discoloration. They will also ask questions that may provide clues to the cause of itching, such as:
If your primary healthcare provider is unable to diagnose the cause of your itchy legs, they may refer you to a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin conditions).
How to Treat Itchy Legs
Home Remedies
Itchy legs can often be relieved using items you have on hand. Try these common home remedies for itchy legs:
Over-the-Counter Treatments
If at-home treatments and moisturizers fail to bring relief for itchy legs, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments may help. These include:
Prescription Medications
If home remedies and OTC treatment do not bring relief, you may have a more serious skin condition or underlying health issue.
Treatment may include a topical prescription to help manage and control itching flare-ups. Your healthcare provider will recommend treatment if the itch stems from a systemic (whole-body) condition.
Medicine and Remedies to Relieve Itching All Over the Body
Other tips for preventing itchy legs include the following:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Many cases of itchy legs can improve significantly with over-the-counter products and at-home remedies. However, there are some cases where you will need to see a healthcare professional:
Any symptoms of another type of disease, along with itchy legs, could be indicative of an underlying health condition. In this case, you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Summary
Since dry or irritated skin is the most common reason for itchy legs, it’s typically not a cause for concern. However, underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes and skin conditions, can sometimes be a cause of itchy legs.
You’ll likely be able to treat the itch at home using moisturizing agents to help heal dry skin. However, if you are experiencing other symptoms, like a rash or an itch that does not resolve over time, this warrants seeing your healthcare provider.
The Best Anti-Itch Creams to Soothe Everything from Bug Bites to Eczema
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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