Itchy Legs – Causes, Treatment and Prevention

1. Poor Hygiene

   The Leg Sweat that dries and the shed Skin Cells that are not washed for a long time can irritate the Skin and cause the Leg Itch.

2. Keratosis Pilaris (Leg Acne)

   Keratosis Pilaris is a medical condition in which the Hair Follicles are thickened due to Small, Skin-Colored, Red or Brown bumps on thighs, arms and other parts of the body.

   Heat and irritation by clothes can create itching. These Bumps are not harmful and it can be rubbed off. This medical condition can recur.

3. Folliculitis

   Staphylococcal Folliculitis is a kind of Folliculitis is an infection of Hair Follicles that is caused due to Bacterium known as Staphylococcus Aureus.

   The small Red Bumps have White centers. These looks like the Acne. They appear on the Thighs, Upper Trunk, Face and other parts of the Body.

   The Bumps usually cause itching, pain or sensation of burning.

   If Staph Folliculitis is not treated, they heal themselves in few Days or Weeks.
   

4. Jock Itch

   Jock refers to a person who is a trained to compete in sport. Jock itch is a Red or Brown rash that is mostly found on the inner side of Thighs, Genitals and Buttocks.

   Joch itch is caused due the fungi known as Tinea Fungi. It affects the athletes and other people who often have moist Skin.

   This infection can be treated with the Anti-Fungal Medications.

Leg Itching During Running

Leg itching during running can be due to following reasons

1. Leg Itch in Unfit Runners

   People who have not run for a long time can face this type of itching after the start.
   In a fit runner the Arteries in the Muscles are opened rapidly in response to the high demand to Blood.
   In an unfit runner the Arteries may not open properly, it results in the irritation of Nerves and cause itch.
   These problems can be solved with the help of training.

2. Cholinergic Urticia (Heat Rash)

   Cholinergic Urticia are the Red swollen Bumps or Patches that appear on the Skin due to an Allergic reaction to the physical Stimuli. These Stimuli may include Clothes, Exercise,Heat, Sunlight, Cold, Vibration, Water, Spicy food and Stress.
   This term Cholinergic is taken from tests in which an individual has the reaction due to Urticaria to Injection of Acetylcholine.
   Some people experience Leg itching due to walking, running, after a hot shower or in hot environment.
   Mostly affected people have an allergy to their own sweat.
   The sweat enhances the Histamine that causes itchiness in the legs and in the other parts of the body.

   Treatment

   The treatment of the itch is as follows

   1. The physician advices to avoid doing exercise.
   2. Removing clothes is also advised.
   3. A shower with Luke Warm Water is advised that can keep one cool and remove the irritant Sweat.