Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTreatmentWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Treatment
When to Seek Medical Care
Having itchy shins can be uncomfortable but is not usually a cause for concern. However, there are a number of health conditions that can cause itchiness on the shins or other areas of the skin.Identifying these issues can help you find relief.
This article examines the potential causes of itchy shins, how you can ease the itching on your own, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Causes of Itchy Shins
There are several potential reasons why a person might have itchy shins, ranging from dry skin to hormonal changes to chronic conditions like diabetes.
Dry Skin
Dry skinis the result of water and oil loss from the skin. This affects the structure of the skin’s layers, making it less protective against the environment, including triggers like allergies and chemicals. As a result of dryness, skin is more likely to be cracked, scaly, and itchy.
Cold Weather
Not only does cold weather dry out skin, but it also causes skin reactions like hives, which are red bumps that can sometimes be itchy.Hivesusually disappear on their own within hours to weeks.
Cold weather can also causechilblains(perniosis), an inflammation of the small blood vessels. Chilblains can cause itchiness, bluish-red discoloration, and blisters.
Age
As we age, our skin becomes thinner and less protective. This can lead to dryness, sensitivity, and a higher likelihood of infection.Skin conditions like eczema can also worsen with age.
Changes in Hormones
If you are going throughmenopause, your skin can become drier as hormones change; this can lead to rashes and itchiness.Skin conditions like eczema can also worsen with menopause.
Skin Conditions That Could Cause Itchy ShinsCommon skin conditions, like eczema or psoriasis, may cause itchy shins.Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, occurs when the skin reacts to the environment or emotional stress. Symptoms of eczema on shins could include redness, dryness, and itchiness.Psoriasisoccurs when the immune system overreacts to triggers and produces extra skin cells. Symptoms include redness, flakiness, scaliness, and itchiness.
Skin Conditions That Could Cause Itchy Shins
Common skin conditions, like eczema or psoriasis, may cause itchy shins.Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, occurs when the skin reacts to the environment or emotional stress. Symptoms of eczema on shins could include redness, dryness, and itchiness.Psoriasisoccurs when the immune system overreacts to triggers and produces extra skin cells. Symptoms include redness, flakiness, scaliness, and itchiness.
Common skin conditions, like eczema or psoriasis, may cause itchy shins.
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, occurs when the skin reacts to the environment or emotional stress. Symptoms of eczema on shins could include redness, dryness, and itchiness.
Psoriasisoccurs when the immune system overreacts to triggers and produces extra skin cells. Symptoms include redness, flakiness, scaliness, and itchiness.
Allergic Reactions
If your skin reacts to anallergen—like pollen, detergents, dander, perfumes, insects bites, and certain plants—you may develop hives, rashes, or swelling. If the rash, itching, or swelling spreads rapidly beyond your shin or also includes swelling of the throat, seek emergency care.
Medications
Itchiness and rash can be side effects ofsome medications. In 5% to 10% of those cases, the reaction indicates an allergy.
If your itchy shins occur when taking medication, speak to your healthcare provider as soon as possible about the possibility of an allergic reaction. Be aware that a quickly spreading rash could require emergency care.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidismoccurs when the thyroid gland, a gland in the neck that produces hormones to regulate metabolism and functions like heartbeat and breathing, does not produce enough hormones.
Dry skin, bumps, and rashes can all be symptoms of hypothyroidism for some people. If your shins feel itchy for longer than a few weeks and you have dry skin, seek a consultation with a healthcare provider.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when the body isn’t able to properly process glucose (sugar), causing high levels of sugar in the blood.Diabetes increases the likelihood of skin irritation, including dry skin, itching, and infections.
How to Deal With Itchy Shins
You can usually find relief for itchy shins with home remedies and self-care. Common ways to manage itchiness include the following:
These methods might relieve itchiness immediately, but it could also take days or weeks to correct common dryness and irritation that leaves your shins itchy. Be consistent in following these tips to ensure that the skin is healthy and itchiness doesn’t come back.
What to Look for in Moisturizers and Creams
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you don’t find relief with at-home care and the discomfort persists for six weeks, it’s considered chronic itchiness.At that point, you should see a healthcare provider to determine what’s causing the itchiness.
Based on other symptoms and the appearance of your shin skin, you may undergo a blood test to determine if the condition is related to hypothyroidism or diabetes.
An allergy test may be done to identify possible triggers for an allergy-related rash and itching.
Depending on the exam and test results, your provider may recommend a hydrocortisone cream or over-the-counter antihistamine for mild conditions. If an underlying illness such as diabetes is confirmed, you may require prescription medication to help you manage that condition.
When to Seek Emergency Care for Itchy SkinIt’s advised to seek emergency care for itchy skin in the case of:A sudden rash that is spreading quickly, especially if a person’s breathing is affectedA fever with a rashA rash that blisters or is painfulIf a rash is infected, which might include pain and swelling or yellow-green fluid
When to Seek Emergency Care for Itchy Skin
It’s advised to seek emergency care for itchy skin in the case of:A sudden rash that is spreading quickly, especially if a person’s breathing is affectedA fever with a rashA rash that blisters or is painfulIf a rash is infected, which might include pain and swelling or yellow-green fluid
It’s advised to seek emergency care for itchy skin in the case of:
Summary
Having itchy shins is usually a harmless condition that should go away on its own. The likely causes of itchy shins can include dry skin, age, hormonal changes, skin disorders like eczema or psoriasis, allergies, or medication.
At times, itchy shins may indicate an underlying issue like hypothyroidism or diabetes, both of which dry out the skin.
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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.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Itching.BPAC NZ.“Seventh age itch”: preventing and managing dry skin in older people.Moniaga CS, Tominaga M, Takamori K.Mechanisms and management of itch in dry skin.Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100(2):adv00024. doi:10.2340/00015555-3344National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hives.Merck Manual.Nonfreezing tissue injuries.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for your skin in menopause.National Eczema Association.Eczema stats.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Psoriasis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Skin allergy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Medications and drug allergic reactions.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Thyroid disease: a checklist of skin, hair, and nail changes.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Thyroid diseases.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Type 2 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and skin complications.Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, Saefudin T.The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: a review.Clin Med Res. 2017;15(3-4):75-87. doi:10.3121/cmr.2017.1363National Eczema Association.Moisturizer and lotion for eczema: everything you need to know.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 Reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.
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.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Itching.BPAC NZ.“Seventh age itch”: preventing and managing dry skin in older people.Moniaga CS, Tominaga M, Takamori K.Mechanisms and management of itch in dry skin.Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100(2):adv00024. doi:10.2340/00015555-3344National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Hives.Merck Manual.Nonfreezing tissue injuries.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for your skin in menopause.National Eczema Association.Eczema stats.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Psoriasis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Skin allergy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Medications and drug allergic reactions.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Thyroid disease: a checklist of skin, hair, and nail changes.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Thyroid diseases.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Type 2 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and skin complications.Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, Saefudin T.The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: a review.Clin Med Res. 2017;15(3-4):75-87. doi:10.3121/cmr.2017.1363National Eczema Association.Moisturizer and lotion for eczema: everything you need to know.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 Reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.
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American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Skin allergy.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Medications and drug allergic reactions.
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National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Type 2 diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Diabetes and skin complications.
Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, Saefudin T.The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: a review.Clin Med Res. 2017;15(3-4):75-87. doi:10.3121/cmr.2017.1363
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American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 Reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.
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