Skin Health More Skin Conditions Itchy Legs: Causes and Treatment By Angelica Bottaro Angelica Bottaro Facebook LinkedIn Angelica Bottaro is a writer with expertise in many facets of health including chronic disease, Lyme disease, nutrition as medicine, and supplementation. Learn about our editorial process Published on February 03, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Rochelle Collins, DO Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO LinkedIn Rochelle Collins, DO, is a board-certified family medicine doctor currently practicing in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print If you notice that your legs are more itchy than normal, it's likely not a cause for concern. Itchy legs are commonly caused by dry skin, but this feeling can also be indicative of more serious conditions. It's important to avoid scratching your itchy legs, as this may cause further damage to the skin and can make the area feel even more sensitive. Read on to learn more about what causes itchy legs and what you can do to alleviate the itch. Tharakorn Arunothai / EyeEm / Getty Causes The causes of itchy legs can be broken up into four categories: Neurogenic: This type of itch is driven by issues with the nervous system, which is the body’s communication pathway. Psychogenic: This feeling of itchiness is caused by a psychological disorder. Neuropathic: An itch that's caused by nerve damage in the body. Pruriceptive: Itchiness that is generated in the skin itself. For instance, the skin may become itchy and irritated in reaction to an insect bite. The following causes of itchy legs fall into one of these four categories. Dry Skin Dry skin belongs to the pruriceptive category, which is the most common cause of itchy legs. Dry skin occurs when the skin lacks moisture and becomes dehydrated. Allergic Reactions Certain allergens can 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 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. Diabetes Diabetes isn’t often thought to be associated with skin ailments, however, the disease does have several skin manifestations. Some of the skin issues associated with diabetes can cause itching, such as: Necrobiosis Lipodica Diabeticorum (NLD) Granuloma Annulare (GA) Scleroderma People with diabetes are also more likely to have dry skin due to high blood sugar levels that, overtime, can damage the nerves in the legs. This, in turn, can cause the legs to become itchy. Symptoms of Uncontrolled Diabetes Certain Diseases Various other types of disease can also cause itchy legs to occur. Some include: Skin cancer Blood diseases or diseases that affect the blood such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma Kidney disease Liver diseases such as hepatitis C or cirrhosis HIV Hyperthyroidism, which is a disease that develops when the thyroid gland produces too much of certain key hormones needed by the body Hand, foot, and mouth disease, which is a type of viral infection that can cause severe itching on the legs Multiple sclerosis Stroke Itchy Legs As a Warning Sign Sometimes, having extremely itchy legs can alert you to an underlying health condition. If you have chronic and intense itchy legs that are not relieved by removing allergens, changing moisturizers, or keeping the skin hydrated, you should see a healthcare professional. Can Itchy Skin Be a Symptom of Cancer? Skin Conditions Skin conditions are another likely culprit behind the itchy sensation in your legs. There are several types of skin conditions that lead to itch. The symptom itself may be mild or severe, and can be accompanied by a rash. Skin conditions that lead to itchy legs include: Various types of eczema Chickenpox and shingles, which are both caused by the same virus Folliculitis, which develops because of inflammation to hair follicles on the body Hives Psoriasis Neurodermatitis, which is a skin condition that causes intense and chronic itchy skin that worsens when it is scratched Ringworm, which is a type of fungal infection that affects the skin and causes a ring-like rash Medications Certain medications can cause your legs to become itchy, such as: Prescription strength painkillers like opioids Antimalarials, which are designed to treat or prevent malaria Hydroxyethyl starch, which is a drug that is used to help prevent shock after a person loses a significant amount of blood Some blood pressure drugs Aspirin Anticancer drugs Insect Bites 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. 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. Treatment Treating itchy legs depends highly on the cause. If your itchy legs are caused by dry skin, restoring moisture and hydration can help to relieve the symptom. There are also topical lotions, like hydrocortisone cream, that can be purchased over-the-counter to help relieve the itch that is caused by certain skin conditions such as eczema. Other ingredients to look out for when purchasing itch-relieving creams are pramoxine and ceramide. Studies have shown that these two ingredients are well tolerated and effective at relieving itchiness. In the event that you have a more serious skin condition, you may require a topical prescription to help manage and control flare-ups that cause itching. In other instances where the itch stems from a systemic or whole body disease, you will need to talk to a healthcare provider for treatment. How to Put a Stop to Itching 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: Intense itching that does not go away with the use of moisturizers or other at-home treatment methodsItchiness is accompanied by a rash that continues to get worseThe itch interferes with your ability to get a good night’s sleep Any symptoms of another type of disease along with itchy legs could be indicative of an underlying health condition. In this case, you should book an appointment with your healthcare provider. Summary Since dry or irritated skin is the most common reason a person's legs might itch, it's typically not a cause for concern. Although underlying disease, such as diabetes, as well as other 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 the dry skin. However, if you are experiencing other symptoms, like a rash or an itch that does not resolve over time, this warrants a trip to your physician. Which Creams Are the Best for Treating Itchy Skin? A Word From Verywell Itchy legs can be irritating, especially if the feeling interferes with your day-to-day life. The good news is that itchy legs are typically harmless, and for the most part, are often caused by treatable dry skin or skin conditions. Getting the proper treatment or visiting with your doctor about your symptom will get you on the road to itch-free legs. Frequently Asked Questions Why are my legs so itchy at night? There are various things that can cause itchy legs at night. Insect bites such as bed bugs, for example, could cause worsened itchiness during the nighttime hours. That being said, restless leg syndrome is often the culprit behind nighttime itchiness. Does poor circulation cause itchy legs? Poor circulation occurs when the body isn’t circulating blood as it should. Although itching isn’t a typical symptom of poor circulation, it can be. Poor circulation often occurs in people who have diabetes, which is a condition that can drive the symptom of itchy legs. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 12 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Yosipovitch G, Misery L, Proksch E, Metz M, Ständer S, Schmelz M. Skin barrier damage and itch: review of mechanisms, topical management and future directions. Acta Derm Venereol. 2019;99(13):1201-1209. doi:10.2340/00015555-3296 Garibyan L, Rheingold CG, Lerner EA. Understanding the pathophysiology of itch. Dermatol Ther. 2013;26(2):84-91. doi:10.1111/dth.12025 American Academy of Dermatology Association. 10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief. Mendes AL, Miot HA, Haddad V Junior. Diabetes mellitus and the skin. An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(1):8-20. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175514 American Academy of Dermatology Association. 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Restless leg syndrome fact sheet.