Itchy feet - as a symptom of disease

Skin itching brings not only physical torment. Often it becomes the cause of psychological discomfort. After all, the symptom itself does not go away, forcing a person to dwell on the thought of how to relieve unpleasant sensations (not always and not everywhere it is comfortable to do) and what they can be caused by. The last question is by no means rhetorical, and often it makes sense to address it to doctors. Thus, itching on the legs can have both a non-pathological nature and represent a medical problem. Moreover, it is not always about dermatology, as is commonly believed among ordinary people.

Causes itchy feet

There are many reasons for itching on the legs, and they are often very ambiguous. Moreover, when examining in detail the causes and reasons for the occurrence of itching, more and more new points emerge. For example, an allergic reaction is considered one of the common causes of itching. And at the same time, the allergic itching on the legs known to many can be caused by different reasons.

What can provoke the appearance of allergic itching on the legs:

• household chemicals (usually they contain at least one allergen, and in people sensitive to it, a skin reaction may appear as a result of skin contact with the substance, less often as a result of a systemic reaction to the allergen),
• taking and using medications (there can also be 2 options here: skin itching can be caused by taking or introducing medication into the body, or by its local application to the surface of the skin),
• synthetic clothing (this is a separate conversation, since allergies to synthetics occur quite often, especially in situations of hormonal changes or immune problems, for example, during pregnancy, an allergy to nylon tights can occur even in those who previously calmly used such a piece of clothing),
• insect bites (it is no secret that in search of food, flying and crawling blood-sucking insects often “wander” onto human skin, and after their visits, reddened itchy spots remain on the body),
• skin care cosmetics (itching occurs if the product contains components, including substances of plant origin, that can cause allergies)
• pet hair (this is a known allergen, like book or other dust, causing both a local reaction (small hairs of the hair irritate the skin receptors, causing itching) and a systemic reaction, i.e. a direct allergic reaction),
• cold and sun (we learned about the existence of such types of allergies not so long ago, but they still exist),
• hypersensitivity to substances in food products (food allergies, like any other, can manifest themselves as itchy skin in combination with other symptoms),
• allergy to flower pollen (this is a seasonal type of allergy, so if the itching appears during the flowering period of plants, it is quite possible that it is associated with this).

Itching on the legs often occurs after shaving – a grooming procedure that both women and men have recently resorted to. Moreover, here everything is also ambiguous, because itching is caused not by shaving itself, but by certain moments associated with it or its improper implementation.

Risk factors

Risk factors that may cause the skin on your legs to itch after the procedure include:

• allergies to shaving and aftershave products (soaps, gels, foams, creams, special strips on razors), which usually go away when replacing this product with another,
• overdrying and peeling of the skin associated with the use of toilet and laundry soap instead of special soothing and moisturizing shaving products,
• an identical situation is observed with “dry” shaving, in the absence of lubrication the machine irritates the skin, causing burning and itching,
• neglect of preparatory hygiene procedures (the skin must first be cleaned and moisturized by taking a bath or shower),
• carelessness when shaving (usually caused by haste, which results in small cuts and wounds on the body that cause burning and itching),
• a dull razor (this is a serious problem, causing trauma to the skin, increasing the risk of infection, and contributing to the disruption of normal hair development),
• ingrown hairs (follows from the previous point: using dull blades and shaving against the grain increases the risk of hair growing into the skin and developing inflammation in that area, often accompanied by itching).

Itching on the legs after the beach or solarium is also familiar to many sunbathing lovers. And this phenomenon has its own explanations. The cause of itchy skin, including on the legs, can be:

• sunburn of any degree (with a mild burn, only redness and itching will appear; with a more severe burn, the skin will begin to blister), which occurs with prolonged exposure to the sun without the use of cosmetic protective products with a level of protection appropriate to the skin type,
• the use of sunscreen gels, foams and creams that are not suitable in their composition,
• fungal infections, scabies - these are the troubles that can also be picked up on the beach, where many people with various diseases and individual attitudes to hygiene procedures relax, and these troubles are accompanied by itchy skin (the same diseases can be "brought" from the solarium if the employees neglect the requirements of hygiene and sanitation, do not carry out regular disinfection),
• products for sanitizing tanning beds, which can also cause allergies and irritation of sensitive dry skin,
• sun allergy (photodermatitis), caused by an inadequate response of the body to ultraviolet radiation,
• incorrectly chosen time (sunbathing after skin peeling and other cleansing procedures is strictly not recommended, since they deprive the skin of its natural protective barrier and make it more sensitive to environmental influences, including sunlight),
• taking medications (some medications can increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, as a result of which even short-term exposure to the sun can cause a person to experience mild sunburn, irritation, and itching).

By the way, regarding dry skin. Dry air irritates not only the respiratory tract, but also the skin, which requires additional moisture, which the body signals to us with itching. Another nuisance is chlorinated water, which dries the skin no less than toilet soap, and together they create completely unsuitable conditions for the normal functioning of the epidermis.

Dehydration can also be considered as one of the risk factors for itching on the skin, affecting its condition. And, of course, do not forget about vitamin deficiency, which most often occurs in the spring-winter period. The lack of vitamins and minerals involved in metabolic processes simply cannot but affect the condition of the skin. It becomes dry, irritation, hyperemia and itching appear.

Sweaty feet, wearing poor quality shoes and those that squeeze the feet, disrupting blood circulation in them, can be considered a risk factor for itching on the feet and toes.

We have considered non-pathological causes of itching on the legs. In most cases, it is skin irritation or an allergic reaction to certain substances. Such problems are easily eliminated. In addition, it is very easy to prevent itching in such situations.

But there is another list of reasons that cause itching on the legs, which is not so easy to eliminate. After all, we are talking about serious diseases, without treatment of which the itching will not go away completely.

Pathological causes that can cause skin itching include:

• nervous system disorders (yes, some nervous diseases can be accompanied by itching in the legs, because all our sensations are connected with it),
• fungal infections (fungi are also allergens, and some of them, such as mold, can even increase the body's sensitivity to other allergens),
• infectious skin lesions of bacterial etiology,
• diabetes mellitus, other endocrine diseases,
• varicose veins and other cardiovascular diseases,
• blood diseases and oncology.

Quite often, patients with kidney or liver problems complain about itchy skin on their legs. In liver pathologies, the skin usually takes on a yellowish tint, itching of varying intensity and subcutaneous hemorrhages appear. In case of renal failure, the patient develops skin rashes and obsessive skin itching.

Pathogenesis

It is surprising that such different reasons can cause the same symptom. But what is even more interesting is that the pathogenesis of itching on the legs can also have different natures. For example, if we are talking about microcuts and wounds on the skin, then the culprit of the itching may be an infection (or rather the products of its vital activity, provoking allergic inflammation) or the itching appears as a sign that the wound is healing and exfoliation of the keratinized areas begins.

Infection (most often fungal, which loves a humid and warm environment and quickly multiplies in it) also plays a major role in sweating feet. When wearing uncomfortable shoes, it is more likely a violation of tissue trophism (respiration and nutrition) due to impaired blood circulation, because both oxygen and nutrients enter the skin with the blood. The skin condition worsens, dryness and itching occur. Tight shoes also press on nerve endings, which can also be considered one of the causes of an unpleasant symptom.

Itching during allergic reactions occurs under the influence of histamine, a neurotransmitter synthesized in the human body in response to the invasion of "foreign" bodies. It also promotes the expansion of blood vessels, which explains tissue hyperemia, redness of the eyes and nose, and red rash during allergic reactions.

By the way, itching at the site of an insect bite can also be provoked by histamine if the "bloodsucker" injects it into the skin to expand the capillaries (this makes it easier to eat). Allergies and itching can occur in response to the saliva of insects or special "anesthetics" that they use to numb the bite site getting into the blood.

Itching on the legs with varicose veins has a different nature. The appearance of this symptom is associated, firstly, with venous blood stagnation. This causes a violation of the trophism of muscle tissue and skin, which necessarily affects its condition. Metabolic products and cell decay (lactic acid, carbon dioxide, toxic substances) are now less excreted with the blood and accumulate in the tissues. As a result, swelling appears, the skin changes color, becomes drier, prone to irritation, peeling and itching appear.

Secondly, with varicose veins, a change in the structure of the vessels is observed. Enlarged veins compress small capillaries in the skin, increasing the tension in them, and they in turn press on the nearby nerve endings, irritating them and causing severe itching on the legs.

Itching on the legs with diabetes is a consequence of high blood glucose levels. Diabetes primarily destroys small vessels, and this leads to deterioration of the skin. Due to its excessive dryness, itching and small cracks appear (due to high blood sugar levels, they take a long time to heal), where infection easily penetrates, which causes increased itching.

The disrupted trophism of skin tissues also affects the state of the nerve endings in it, which begin to inadequately assess the intensity of the irritant and react violently even to a light touch. Itching, as a response of the skin receptors, now occurs for any reason.

If you use soap and other products that cause dryness or carry out aggressive cleansing procedures on dry and sensitive skin (which is what it becomes with diabetes), this only worsens the situation. The itching intensifies, due to the loss of the natural protective barrier, the infection easily penetrates into microcracks and is activated in the body, itchy pustules appear. Here, the action of histamine, released in response to the penetration of pathogen waste products into the blood, also joins in.

In other endocrine diseases, itching on the legs is not a characteristic symptom, but can also sometimes occur due to hormonal imbalances. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause affect metabolic processes in the body, which in turn affects the condition of the skin. The cause of itching in this case will be its excessive dryness and peeling, tendency to irritation, etc.

Diseases of the gallbladder and liver, in which the outflow of bile is impaired, are accompanied by an increase in the level of bilirubin, which in large quantities has a toxic effect on nerve cells. Bile pigment not only affects the color of the skin, but also becomes the culprit of itching on it.

In kidney diseases with impaired functioning, swelling, changes in skin color and condition appear. Again, the skin becomes drier, and therefore whiter and more sensitive. Fluid accumulation in the tissues causes tension in small vessels and compression of nerve endings, which only increases the unpleasant sensations in the legs.

Itching in the legs may appear with leukemia (blood cancer), as well as with tumor processes localized in the lower extremities and pelvis, internal organs. With a generalized tumor process, itching of the lower extremities very often appears.

Blood diseases with impaired formation of red blood cells and platelets cannot but affect the skin condition, because it is red blood cells that are responsible for oxygen transfer. Skin with leukemia becomes dry, thin, too sensitive with regularly appearing small hemorrhages. It is not surprising that one of the symptoms of leukemia is itching. Tumor processes cause compression of blood vessels and nerve fibers: tissue trophism worsens, sensitivity of nerve endings increases, which inadequately respond to irritants.

In nervous disorders, itching on the legs is usually associated with an inadequate reaction of the central nervous system to signals coming from skin receptors. The reason for this is the state of neurons, which are almost always in an excited state, which forces the central nervous system to be in a state of combat readiness all the time, and in fact to act ahead of the curve.

According to statistics, each of us has experienced itching on our legs. But the causes of this symptom are far from always the same. Most often, of course, we are talking about insect bites, especially if it concerns a child, allergic reactions, wounds and irritation, increased dryness of the skin as a result of hormonal changes, contact with "chemistry". But this does not mean that other possible causes can be excluded.

Here it is very important to pay attention not to a single symptom of itching on the legs, but to the whole complex of symptoms, the appearance of new alarming changes on the skin and in the general condition of the body. This will help to diagnose the disease in time. After all, itching is an important signal of some health problems (minor or even dangerous), although in itself it does not pose any danger, except for the possibility of tearing the skin and introducing an infection.

Symptoms

Itching of the skin is not a specific symptom characteristic of one disease. Therefore, it is impossible to judge the disease only by the fact that the leg is itchy. Itching occurs as a response to irritation of the skin receptors, but the cause that causes it in different diseases can be different. Different causes provoke the appearance of certain symptom complexes, which can include itching on the legs. But how can we understand what disease we are talking about, and does this disease even exist?

Firstly, it is worth paying attention to other symptoms, whether they are the first signs of the disease or those manifestations of pathology that appear later than itching. Secondly, it would be useful to assess the nature of the itching and its localization, because it can be either a local symptom, for example, on the toes, or widespread (on the legs and abdomen or shins and thighs).

Nature of itching

Of course, it is impossible to pass a verdict on its cause and etiology based on the nature of the itch. Strong, unbearable itching on the legs can be caused by an insect bite, an allergic reaction (for example, to nylon) or internal diseases. Another thing is that with a bite and an allergy, itching is one of the first symptoms. If you remove the allergen, the itching soon disappears and can appear only with subsequent exposure to a specific irritant.

In the case of varicose veins, diabetes, leukemia, liver disease, hormonal and neuropsychiatric problems, fungal infections, much more time passes from the onset of the disease to the appearance of itching. The same can be said about wounds on the skin, which begin to itch already during healing.

Other accompanying symptoms can tell a little more about the causes of itching. Itching and a small rash on the legs is a symptom of many health problems. It is quite possible that these are the machinations of midges during outdoor recreation, if a person has very sensitive skin on the legs. In this case, many red dots and itching on the legs are guaranteed.

On the other hand, severe itching and specially located red spots on the skin may indicate a parasitic infection, such as the introduction of a subcutaneous mite. If the itching on the legs intensifies at night, you can suspect a scabies mite, because such fluctuations in the intensity of the symptom are more typical of scabies. With insect bites, itching is noted at different times of the day of approximately the same intensity, it just seems more annoying when it's time to go to bed, but in fact, nothing distracts us from analyzing our own feelings.

If you are not a fan of outdoor recreation, then most likely, you will have to look for the cause inside the body. Red rash on the legs with itching are characteristic symptoms of urticaria - a skin manifestation of an allergic reaction. In people with dark skin, it may not manifest itself so clearly, and in fair-skinned people, the body can be covered with many bright red small blisters. Urticaria is often combined with other symptoms: swelling of the lips and throat, mucous discharge from the nose, sneezing and other manifestations of allergies.

Itching and blisters on the leg can also appear as a result of an insect bite, which injects anesthetic and vasodilator substances under the skin. These substances are perceived by the body as foreign and a banal allergic reaction can occur: itching, redness, swelling of the bitten area. The insect sting and our skin are a haven for many microbes that get the opportunity to penetrate the micro wound. The inflammatory reaction intensifies, first becoming exudative with the appearance of a transparent blister, and then purulent.

Blisters combined with itching can also be seen at the site of activation of a fungal infection (most often on the foot between the toes), especially if it is scratched. The appearance of a blistering rash is also a symptom of contact or atopic dermatitis, which occurs with repeated contact with an allergen.

Eczema causes itchy, reddened areas that begin to develop a fine rash, crack, and fester.

In all these cases, redness and itching on the legs occur. But if there is no rash, and the redness and itching appeared after sunbathing, you can say that you overdid it. Saturation with vitamin D and a beautiful tan are good, but in moderation. Long-term exposure to the open sun (especially for fair-skinned people) causes skin burns, which are manifested by redness and itching. Upon close examination, you can see many translucent small capillaries and hemorrhages.

Peeling and itching on the legs can also be a consequence of sunburn, but later, when the redness has gone. Very dry skin can also peel, which can often be seen after washing your feet with tap water containing chlorine. When peeling, itching also appears, but not as pronounced.

Peeling skin may be a late symptom of fungal diseases, such as ringworm. This disease first causes an itchy, clearly defined, bright pink plaque to form on the skin, which after treatment changes color to a lighter color and begins to peel.

Swelling and itching in the legs are more likely to be characteristic of venous circulation disorders (for example, varicose veins) and cardiovascular diseases (ischemic heart disease). Small, hard-to-heal ulcers on the legs may also appear with diabetes.

A purulent rash, indicating poisoning of the body, in combination with swelling and itching of the legs can also appear with kidney dysfunction. If the rash is localized mainly on the inner thighs and groin area, an STI can be suspected. If the rash is visible on the thighs and buttocks, then rubella can be diagnosed with a higher probability, which can be contracted at any age, although meningococcal infection cannot be ruled out (a pinpoint hemorrhagic rash can be accompanied by itching).

But a rash on the legs without itching is often a manifestation of blood and vascular diseases, it appears first on the stomach, and then can spread in different directions. Rashes without itching can be a symptom of pseudo-tuberculosis or psoriasis.

It should be said that an allergic rash is not always accompanied by itching, so this symptom is not indicative in this situation.

Localization of itching

In order to find out what hurts a person, you need to at least roughly know the localization of the pain. The same situation is with itching, which does not arise out of nowhere, but in response to some internal or external factors.

Itching on the legs is a vague concept, because the lower limb is a fairly large organ in its length, and the symptom can appear anywhere: on the hips, knees, shins, feet, toes. In some diseases, even more specific details help to make a diagnosis, for example, the inner or outer side of the thigh, closer to the knees or groin. These points are worth paying attention to when an unpleasant symptom appears, especially if it comes more than once.

Itching on the toes. This symptom can accompany various pathologies and situations when it is not a disease. You just need to observe when it appears, how long it lasts, and find out what it is connected with. If the itching occurs immediately after taking off your shoes, it is quite possible that they are too tight for you, compressing the blood vessels and nerve endings, which is why there is itching, tingling, a feeling of crawling ants, which pass quite quickly. Most often, the big toe and little finger suffer, but the skin on the top of other toes can also itch, especially if the shoe has a low rise.

Big toes can itch with flat feet, when the bone skeleton of the foot is damaged. Itching usually occurs in the later stages and is localized at the base of the big toe.

Itching between the toes, where the skin is more delicate and sensitive, can be a manifestation of an allergic reaction. It is often caused by detergents and the material of the clothes for the feet (socks, stockings, footies). Allergies can be caused by an individual reaction to synthetics in knitwear, occurring both in a generalized manner and in the form of local reactions in the toe area. The same reaction can also occur to individual components of detergents (soaps, washing powders). Sometimes the cause of itching and irritation of delicate skin is the aggressive effect of detergents if they have not been completely washed off the clothes with water.

People who neglect foot hygiene may experience itching between the toes for this very reason. When we wash our feet, we remove scales, dirt, and microbes from the skin surface that can cause discomfort.

All this is not so scary and can be solved by changing socks and stockings, regular foot hygiene, choosing comfortable shoes. It is much worse if the itching is caused by skin diseases. Such localization of lesions is typical for psoriasis, eczema, neurodermatitis. However, they can appear in other places, accompanied by redness, cracking of the skin, peeling, etc., the lesions can disappear and reappear.

Another unpleasant cause of itching on the feet between the toes is a fungal infection, the risk of which increases with excessive sweating of the feet. Fungal infection is most often indicated by itching and an unpleasant odor coming from the feet. Other symptoms may include reddening of the skin, rash, slight swelling, which often spreads to the top of the foot, dry soles, cracked skin.

If itching is noted around the toenails, and there were no situations of skin trauma (scratching, pressure from shoes) the day before, there is a high probability that we are talking about nail fungus - onychomycosis. This is indicated by itching for several days, change in the color of the nail, its fragility, the appearance of grooves and spots, an unpleasant odor.

Itching of the foot. It is most often associated with allergic diseases, although this symptom can often be associated with the squeezing of the skin by shoes, especially thin straps, or insect bites. Itching of the upper part of the foot, which occurs once, is usually caused by circulatory problems and skin irritation as a result of wearing uncomfortable shoes. But possible allergic reactions cannot be ruled out if the skin has been in contact with fabric containing synthetic fibers or unrinsed powder particles for a long time. In this case, reddened blisters may appear on the skin, which itch a lot.

If the itching does not go away for a long time, torments regularly, and redness and then a rash begin to appear on the body, it is worth suspecting skin diseases. Most often, we are talking about allergic or contact dermatitis, but we cannot exclude limited psoriasis, eczema, which can appear on one or both legs.

If severe itching continues for several months and years, but there are no serious alarming changes on the skin, except for redness and slight swelling, then it is likely that this is focal neurodermatitis with a non-specific course (usually papules also appear).

If itching occurs on the bottom of the foot and is accompanied by increased dryness of the skin, its cracking, there may be 2 reasons: either a fungal infection or a thyroid disorder affecting the metabolism.

Itching of the upper legs. Itching in the thigh area, where the skin is quite tender and sensitive, can have several different causes. It is caused by hyperhidrosis, synthetic fabrics, and even rough seams of clothing that disrupt blood circulation in the skin. This is a favorite place for insect bites. Furuncles (suppuration of hair follicles) often appear here, irritation of which by clothing can be accompanied by itching and tingling.

Itching of the skin between the legs can be caused by both skin irritation from friction and an allergy to synthetic tights (in women), which usually manifests itself between the thighs and in the toe area. If the skin begins to peel, itch, and spots that turn red, crust over and crack, a fungal infection (for example, lichen) may be suspected. Skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis may also make themselves known in the same way. Fungal infections and some STIs often cause itching on the inner thighs and in the groin.

Also, the thighs can itch due to stress, neuroses, and some mental disorders. When disturbances in nervous regulation are accompanied by allergic reactions, a diagnosis of dermatitis is made.

If itching appears on the stomach and legs, it may be both a manifestation of allergy and a signal to check your liver and gall bladder. This localization of the symptom is characteristic of bile stasis (cholestasis).

Itching on the shins and calves. By the way, with cholestasis, itching often spreads to the thighs and areas below the knees, which is confusing when determining the diseased organ. In general, there are also quite a few reasons for itching of the legs below the knees, and not all of them are associated with diseases.

People's shins and calves may itch due to insufficient water intake and dry skin, poor nutrition, contact with allergens and irritants, insect bites. Itching can also be caused by certain vascular pathologies, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, gall bladder disease, the above-mentioned skin diseases, and allergic reactions. A fairly common cause of itching in the shins and calves is varicose veins, which usually develop most actively in the lower part of the legs, although they can also cause unpleasant symptoms in the thighs. With varicose veins on the legs, you can see swollen veins, nodules, vascular networks, with liver and kidney diseases, a rash may additionally appear due to intoxication of the body, with allergies, itchy blisters usually form.

Itching on the legs above and below the knees often appears after hygiene procedures and depilation, which is associated either with an allergy to the cosmetics and care products used, or with irritation of the skin, or more precisely, the sensitive receptors on its surface. An identical situation is observed in the cold season, when coming into a warm room you begin to experience severe itching on the thighs, less often the shins, especially on their front side. Usually the symptom quickly passes.

Itchy skin on the arms and legs often torments patients with diabetes, with the lower part of the legs and palms itching more often. With normal glucose levels, this may be a manifestation of a generalized allergic reaction or oncological diseases. But again, with redness and rashes, one should not exclude autoimmune processes (psoriasis, eczema) and fungal diseases, which can equally affect both arms and legs.

When there are problems with urine and bile drainage, rashes and itching can appear not only on the legs, but also on other parts of the body.

Various types of rashes on the legs without itching are most likely a manifestation of an infectious lesion (in particular, intestinal infections) or metabolic disorders, although the same allergy is not always accompanied by itching. A rash can appear with an infectious and viral lesion of the body (as a result of intoxication), while itching is not always noted. Elements of the rash are often painful when touched.

As we can see, without a full medical examination, one can only suspect possible pathologies, but it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis just because you have itching on your legs.

Itching on legs during pregnancy

Expectant mothers are usually very responsible about their health, closely monitor their well-being and simply cannot miss such a symptom as itching on the legs, especially since it bothers many during pregnancy. It just so happens that itching can be caused by the processes that occur in the body of a woman ready to become a mother. Hormonal changes make her more sensitive to various irritants, so stressful situations can arise at every step and provoke itching.

Moreover, the hormonal changes themselves are a serious stress for the body, affecting the metabolic processes occurring in it. The mother's body insists first of all on the life support of the child. The mother's blood, enriched with oxygen and nutrients, is sent to the fetus, while the body of the young mother itself may experience oxygen and vitamin-mineral starvation. This affects the condition of the skin, which becomes dry. It begins to peel and itch.

During pregnancy, the load on all internal organs increases, in particular, the heart, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. As the fetus grows and the pregnant woman's weight increases, it becomes more difficult for the heart to pump blood, peripheral circulation disorders occur, which are aggravated by kidney problems. Experiencing an increased load on the removal of substances used up by both the mother and the child, the kidneys cope worse with their work, swelling of the legs appears, accompanied by itching, especially on the feet.

Some women with a genetic predisposition experience elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes may go away on its own after childbirth, but before that it can cause a lot of trouble for a woman, including itchy legs.

In most cases, itching in the lower extremities during pregnancy occurs as a result of increased fluid accumulation (edema) and an increase in body volume. It is the latter that is associated with the appearance of stretch marks on the abdomen and thighs, which signal their appearance with the same symptom - itchy skin.

It would seem, why raise the issue if itching on the legs during pregnancy appears for natural reasons and does not harm either the mother or the child. Well, perhaps it brings many unpleasant minutes, increasing irritability. In fact, everything is not so simple. A pregnant woman, like any other person, may also have serious diseases, in which itching is only one of many symptoms.

Hormonal and metabolic changes are a serious blow to the immune system, making the expectant mother more susceptible to infections and increasing the risk of allergic reactions. A woman may develop an allergy to synthetics, although she could have regularly worn nylon tights before and not thought about their composition. Allergies can also occur to food, household chemicals, and external irritants (dust, pollen, etc.).

During pregnancy, the activity of sweat glands may also increase, which, against the background of reduced immunity, is a predisposing factor to the development of fungal infections. The processes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman can also provoke skin diseases, which are based on a predisposition to allergic reactions (eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis with its mysterious etiology).

Expectant mothers more often than other people experience liver dysfunction and stagnation in the gall bladder. They are provoked by physiological processes, but this does not make it any easier, especially considering that these disorders are accompanied by itchy legs.

Be that as it may, itching on the legs during pregnancy does not just happen. This is a signal of various disorders, but whether they are physiological or have a pathological basis, only a specialist can say.

Itching on the legs of a child

A child's development depends not only on good nutrition, physical activity and special classes. A large role in the normal functioning of a child's body is given to a full night's sleep (and for babies, daytime sleep). But a child's sleep is disturbed first of all when itching appears on the legs, no matter what the cause. And this is already a reason for parents to be very attentive to such an ambiguous symptom.

The most common cause of itching in children is considered to be dermatitis, and in particular atopic dermatitis, associated with a violation of the barrier function of the skin. In children predisposed to this pathology, the first symptoms (dry skin and itching) appear in infancy. When scratching the skin, rashes appear on it. Itching intensifies with increased dryness of the air, sweating of the child, under the influence of allergens, irritating skin detergents, due to the addition of an infection.

Itchy skin in a child and the appearance of red blisters on it (urticaria) are associated with an allergic reaction, which can be caused by food products, taking certain medications. An allergic reaction in children can also occur as a response to an insect bite. Children have delicate, thin skin, which attracts all sorts of bloodsuckers, which in turn, when stinging, in addition to saliva, secrete specific analgesics and peripheral vasodilators, which cause a violent allergic reaction in the baby. The nervous and immune systems of a child are in the formation stage, so reactions can be inadequate to the strength of irritation, i.e. excessive.

Unsuitable washing powders and hygiene products, application of unsuitable cosmetics and medicines to the baby's skin, contact with certain plants and metals are the cause of the development of contact dermatitis, which is based on a local allergic reaction. If the skin of the legs came into contact with the allergen, then you can expect itching on the legs and the appearance of a rash on them, which intensifies the first symptom.

Itching on the legs, especially in infants in the fold area, may be a symptom of prickly heat, caused by excessive sweating, overheating of the child, or poor hygiene.

In children, itching of the legs is caused by bacterial, viral and fungal infections, skin diseases no less often, and sometimes more often than in adults. In some cases, itching of the legs (especially closer to the buttocks) becomes a non-specific symptom indicating infection with helminths.

Some children develop so-called aquagenic pruritus – a disorder of unknown etiology, which manifests itself as severe itching of the skin after contact with water. The duration of the symptom can vary greatly and reach 2 hours. No external changes are noted on the child's skin.

Despite their young age, children can also have problems with the kidneys, gall bladder, liver, and endocrine organs. They are also diagnosed with various blood diseases, including oncology. And all these disorders can be accompanied by itchy legs.

Since a child, due to insufficient independence, is defenseless against many negative factors of the external environment, he or she has a particularly hard time withstanding various psychotraumatic situations. At the same time, psychogenic itching can be one of the mildest manifestations of stress; it is much worse when children withdraw into themselves, stop talking, and start thinking about suicide.

Itchy skin may indicate not only a severe psychotraumatic situation, but also possible mental disorders: the development of depression against the background of constant nervous tension, anxiety disorders as one of the symptoms of childhood neuroses, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and various phobias.

It is very difficult to independently determine the cause of itching in a child, because it is not always possible to even get a clear explanation of the existing sensations. In addition, children themselves often intensify the symptom, unable to restrain their urge to scratch the itchy place. So you cannot do without a doctor's examination, especially if the symptom does not go away within a few days.

Diagnostics itchy feet

Since itching on the legs can be caused by various conditions and reasons, and the symptom itself is not specific for many diseases, i.e. does not allow one to immediately assume the most probable diagnosis, diagnostics of this phenomenon requires a comprehensive approach to its implementation. With such a problem, it is best to consult a dermatologist, especially if focal redness, rashes, swelling, cracking, peeling also appear on the skin, because itching most often appears with skin diseases. The dermatologist examines the patient and draws conclusions about the need for consultation with other specialists: a neurologist, allergist, therapist, urologist, phlebologist, endocrinologist, etc.

To begin with, the doctor gets acquainted with the patient's medical history, because here you can often find the true cause of the disease, which is hidden in the predisposition to some pathologies, transmitted from parents. In addition, diseases suffered in early childhood can also indicate a tendency to certain diseases and reactions.

During a physical examination of the affected area, the doctor asks the patient about what preceded the appearance of the itching or rash, how and when the itching manifests itself, what is its intensity, whether it intensifies at night, whether there are other suspicious symptoms that appeared during this period.

All these activities give the doctor the opportunity to decide in what direction the diagnostics should be carried out and which doctors should do it.

In connection with itching on the legs and its most likely causes, the patient may be prescribed the following tests:

• Clinical analysis and blood biochemistry, which allow to assess the probability and strength of the infectious process. They also allow to suspect (but not confirm!) anemia or some types of cancer.
• General urine analysis (helps to assess the condition of the urinary system, and in particular the kidneys). Together with blood tests, helps to assess the degree of intoxication of the body.
• Analysis of feces. Will show the presence of some types of helminths and assess the condition of the bile ducts and liver (even the color of the feces changes with their diseases).
• If there are rashes, oozing, cracking on the skin, one can suspect a fungal infection and other non-infectious skin diseases. A scraping from the affected area helps to understand the nature of the disease. Analysis of the biomaterial with a positive result will help to determine the type of infection. In case of psoriasis, scraping allows to differentiate the disease from others with similar manifestations (there will be pinpoint hemorrhages under the plaque).
• If an allergy is suspected, an allergist will prescribe special tests to identify the allergen.
• Since diabetes can be the cause of itchy legs, a blood test for sugar is necessary to rule out or confirm the diagnosis.
• During pregnancy and suspicion of a hormonal cause of the disorder, an analysis of sex hormones, and sometimes of thyroid hormones, may be prescribed.

In addition to various tests in different combinations, the patient is also prescribed other studies. Instrumental diagnostics of itching in the legs can be prescribed by other specialists if there is a suspicion of diseases of the internal organs and blood vessels: X-ray and ultrasound examination, computer and magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic examinations of diseased organs, etc.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics are carried out between allergic reactions, infectious diseases and non-infectious skin diseases. The nature of the rash and other symptoms can be used to judge possible pathologies of internal organs, and the condition of the skin can be used to judge metabolic disorders and digestive disorders. Sometimes, to determine the true cause of itching, it is necessary to take into account the opinions of different doctors who have carefully studied the results of laboratory and instrumental examinations, anamnestic data and existing symptoms.

Complications and consequences

Itching on the legs, although it significantly worsens the quality of life, is still a relatively safe symptom. If it were not for the discomfort it causes, it could be ignored for a long time. But perhaps it is good that the symptom does not go unnoticed, because dangerous diseases can hide behind it.

Itching is our body's reaction to negative external influences or internal disturbances. In any case, there is something to think about. For example, allergic itching is a reason to identify the cause of the allergy and avoid it in the future. If this is not done, the symptoms will intensify. Complications of allergies can be considered both the addition of an infection at the site of scratching the itchy foci, and the development of anaphylactic reactions, Quincke's edema, the appearance of a reaction to new allergens, the development of bronchial asthma.

No less dangerous is the ignoring of diseases of the liver, kidneys, gall bladder, which become inflamed, perform their functions worse, and this in turn leads to digestive and urinary disorders, causes disturbances in the blood composition, intoxication of the body. In severe situations, a person may not even be saved.

Itching may be a signal of high blood glucose levels, which a person may not even suspect. If left untreated, diabetes progresses rapidly, causing vision impairment and the development of severe eye diseases, cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, damage to the nervous system, impaired blood circulation in the legs and related diseases, the appearance of long-term non-healing (trophic) ulcers, genitourinary dysfunction, etc.

Itching on the legs due to blood and vascular diseases is a reason to seriously think about further life and possible treatment. Oncological diseases are very difficult to stop, especially in the later stages, so the sooner they are detected, the greater the chances of recovery. If we are not talking about oncology, then it makes sense to take therapeutic measures that will improve the quality of life in the chronic course or lead to recovery in the acute one. Ignoring the itching, you can bring the disease to a state from which there is no return to a full life.

It is especially important to pay attention to this symptom in young children, because the child's body is not yet able to clearly coordinate all of its functions, so many immune reactions are excessive and often life-threatening.

Prevention

Since itching has no specific cause, avoiding which you can be sure that the symptom will never appear, it makes sense to talk about a whole range of preventive measures. By following the recommendations, you can reduce the likelihood of the painful symptom appearing:

• To avoid dry skin and itching on this basis, you need to maintain an optimal water balance. Nutritionists believe that an average person needs to drink an average of 2-2.5 liters of liquid per day. On hot days and during physical activity, this amount can be more, because water evaporates in sweat. Indoors, you can use a humidifier to optimally moisturize your skin.
• Proper foot skin care with the use of moisturizing creams and milk on hot days helps maintain optimal skin hydration.
• Water hygiene procedures are good for the body, but frequent washing of the skin with tap water, especially with soap, only worsens its condition. Hot water also has a negative effect on the skin, removing the protective fatty film that actually helps retain liquid. It is enough to take a shower or bath 1-2 times a day, after which it is necessary to lubricate the skin with a moisturizer.
• When choosing care cosmetics, pay attention to their composition. The fewer aromatic additives, alcohol, dyes and substances that can cause allergies, the better. Cosmetics containing Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the unpleasant manifestations of eczema.
• The same can be said about body wash. The less chemicals they contain, the better. But this does not mean that you should wash yourself strictly with laundry soap (by the way, it dries out the skin very much). When choosing natural products, you need to make sure that they do not contain components that cause allergies. Baby products (soap, lotions, oils) are ideal in this regard.
• The skin is constantly undergoing unnoticeable renewal processes. We notice them as peeling of the upper layer of the epidermis. Peeling is often accompanied by itching, and to get rid of it, it is enough to do a gentle peeling with special products. But scratching the skin, rubbing with hard washcloths, etc. only aggravates the situation, so you should refrain from it.
• To wash your clothes, use detergents with a minimum of fragrances and other harmful substances that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. Even if you rinse your clothes thoroughly, they may remain in the fabric. It is especially dangerous if the fabric comes into contact with wet or sweaty skin.
• It is very important to choose clothes correctly, especially if you have sensitive skin and are prone to allergies. Synthetic fabrics, creating a greenhouse effect, do not contribute to skin health. And synthetics in socks are one of the risk factors for the development of foot and toe fungus.
• Shoes, like clothing for feet, should also be natural if possible, so that feet do not sweat in them. But even completely natural shoes will not prevent feet from sweating if they are not worn according to the season. By choosing shoes according to size, you can avoid squeezing the foot and disrupting blood circulation in it, which can be accompanied by itching.
• It is also worth paying attention to your diet. Alcohol, spicy and sweet dishes increase the risk of itchy skin and even intensify this already unpleasant symptom.

The diet should contain sufficient amounts of vitamins C, E and A. And B vitamins will be useful not only for the skin, but also for the health of the nervous system, which will reduce the likelihood of nervous itching.

Omega-3 acids in food products (nuts, fatty fish, greens) are an important element that provides optimal skin hydration (without weight gain) and helps prevent inflammatory processes in the skin.

If for some reason the food on your table cannot meet the needs of your skin, you should take care of taking multivitamin and vitamin-mineral complexes.

• Stress can provoke and intensify itching on the legs, so it should be avoided at all costs. People with an unstable nervous system should take an interest in psychological and psychotherapeutic practices that will teach them to cope with irritation, depression, aggression, and remain calm in almost any situation.
• Prevention of itching on the legs due to insect bites will be the use of protective creams, sprays, insect repellents. It is especially important to use such protection during walks and outdoor recreation, which are simply necessary for health.
• People with food allergies should try to plan their diet in such a way that it does not contain allergens, even if they really want to.
• Unpleasant sensations on the skin of the legs can be caused by both frequent water procedures and their long absence. Hygiene procedures should be carried out regularly, because itching on the skin can be caused by dirt and microbes.
• An important point in preventing itchy feet and toes is to wear only your own shoes. This reduces the likelihood of getting a foot fungus or transmitting it to other people.

Since itching is a symptom of many diseases, it would be a good idea to consult a doctor when it appears. If the discomfort goes away within 1-2 days, there is nothing to worry about. But itching for several days, especially if it is accompanied by redness, rashes, swelling of the skin, is already an alarming symptom that you should tell your doctor about.

In any case, itching on the legs will not go unnoticed, and everything depends only on our reaction to it. Some people prefer to scratch and do nothing else, while others run to the doctor for any reason. You should not rush to extremes, but ignoring the alarm bell is also unwise.

Forecast

Since itching on the legs can be caused by various reasons and be one of the symptoms of the disease, it is possible to make some prognosis only after the final diagnosis. The prognosis for treatment also depends on the cause of the itching. In case of insect bites, homeopathic remedies or folk remedies are often enough to make the symptom go away irrevocably. If we are talking about allergies, then the simplicity of its treatment is relative, because in order for the situation not to repeat itself, it will be necessary to carefully avoid repeated contacts with the allergen.

The situation is identical with eczema, which recurs every time the skin comes into contact with an irritant. But the appearance of cracks and wounds on the skin can worsen the prognosis due to the risk of infection.

Some diseases are chronic, and itching will appear periodically even despite systematic treatment. Such diseases include diabetes, psoriasis, renal and hepatic insufficiency. In these cases, reducing the intensity of itching is only a way to slightly improve the patient's quality of life.

The prognosis for treating nervous itching depends entirely on the state of the nervous system. No medication will help if a person is constantly subject to stress, irritability, or experiences strong emotional experiences.

As for pregnancy, itching on the legs usually disappears after childbirth, when the hormonal background, metabolism and nervous system of the young mother are normalized.