Find out by a doctor why your legs are ALWAYS itching and driving you mad.
Having itchy legs can drive you up a wall, especially if you’re at a desk and need to get work done.
The itchiness and the scratching that comes with this situation is distracting and aggravating, to say the least.
Dr. Janet Prystowsky is a board certified dermatologist in New York, NY, with 30+ years’ experience.
She says there are four possible explanations for why your legs are itching all the time or frequently on a chronic basis.
“This is usually due to dry skin,” begins Dr. Prystowsky. “Our lower legs produce very little natural oil, so bathing with soap can strip that little bit of natural oil off, leading to dryness.
“This is usually the worst during the winter, when air has low humidity.
“Another cause for itching is if the lower legs/ankles are chronically swollen due to poor circulation,” says Dr. Prystowsky.
“This causes water to accumulate in the tissue, making the skin have to stretch to accommodate the increase in volume.
“It occurs in the lower legs, ankles and feet because gravity pulls excess tissue water down.
“The skin reacts by getting small cracks in the surface which leads to itching, redness, and scratching causes further damage, increasing the symptoms.
“If this is not addressed in a timely fashion, cellulitis, a soft tissue infection, may set in requiring antibiotics and sometimes a hospital admission.”
If you have poor circulation in your legs, there’s one of multiple causes; see your primary care physician for an initial assessment.
Poor circulation in your legs, also known as peripheral artery disease (PAD) or peripheral vascular disease, can result from narrowed or blocked blood vessels that restrict blood flow.
Symptoms may also include pain, cramping or heaviness in the legs during physical activity, which often improves with rest.
Other signs can include numbness, tingling or coldness in the legs, as well as sores or ulcers that heal slowly.
The tingling may also feel like itching.
Poor circulation can be caused by various factors, including atherosclerosis (buildup of plaque in the arteries), diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking.
Over time, reduced blood flow can lead to more serious complications such as infections or tissue damage.
Dr. Prystowsky continues, “Lower legs may also chronically itch because of a fungal infection.
“A fungal infection from your toenails can get on your foot skin and gradually creep up your leg.
“A proper diagnosis is required so that antifungal creams and/or pills may be prescribed.
“Flat warts may also lead to itching on a chronic basis, as they are hard to get rid of.”
In combination with her focus on early skin cancer detection and removal, Dr. Prystowsky provides a wide range of revitalizing and rejuvenating treatments.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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