itchy legs at bedtime?

epixstudiosnh
epixstudiosnh Posts: 72 Member
edited November 17 in Health and Weight Loss
I have noticed that since I have started walking more I am having trouble sleeping. I lie down and my legs begin to itch uncontrollably until I have to take a sleeping pill in order to get some shut eye. I had a professional come in and check for bed bugs just in case but and thankfully free and clear of those. I wash my sheets every week and am not using a different detergent.

Does this happen to anyone else and if so how do you stop it? I want to sleep!!!

Replies

  • Amber_hanson27
    Amber_hanson27 Posts: 66 Member
    My dad gets that way. He is diabetic so we kinda thought that had something to do with it...he is using some kind of goats milk lotion that kinda helps. It comes and goes he says but always at the end of the day.
  • epixstudiosnh
    epixstudiosnh Posts: 72 Member
    Yeah I tried lotion on them because I thought maybe dry skin but it doesn't help. I don't have diabetes or pre-diabetes. I brought this to my doc but she has no idea either. Lol
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    Are you legs itchy or are they trying to move around?
  • glasshalffull713
    glasshalffull713 Posts: 323 Member
    Sounds odd. You may want to consider checking with your doctor. The fact that you said it's at night made me think of Restless Leg syndrome. But I am not a doctor so I can't really diagnose you!
  • epixstudiosnh
    epixstudiosnh Posts: 72 Member
    edited May 2015
    They are itchy like I have poison ivy or something. I don't feel the need to move them except to scratch.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    I had this on my shins a could months ago. No visible signs of a rash but this intense itching--skin looked absolutely normal. OTC hydrocortisone cream helped. My doctor had me take two claritin before bed and one the next morning (she wanted the doses spaced apart by 12 hours). She had me do it for a week. Symptoms stopped. She had other things in her arsenal, but wanted to start at the least common denominator.

    Can you see your doctor?
  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,979 Member
    edited May 2015
    Restless Leg Syndrome can have varying symptoms. For some it's itchy legs, for others it's the feeling of something crawling on their skin, and for others it feels like they just have to get up and move. While I have no idea if this is your issue, it's worth checking into.

    ETA: Good luck, I'm sure it's incredibly aggravating.
  • epixstudiosnh
    epixstudiosnh Posts: 72 Member
    Lol I tried Claritan once. Saw a purple hippopotamus bouncing through my living room and decided that may not be the best medicine for me. I may get some benadryl and see if that helps at all.
  • minkky
    minkky Posts: 73 Member
    I've had this. And my mom too. I would scratch my upper legs until the skin was raw. It was intense. I blame mine on hormonal weirdness. Also, my water was too hot in the shower. and it mostly only happened at night. I started putting on body oil every night after the shower and I really noticed a difference in about a week. If I skip a night, I still get a little itchy.
  • cosmo_momo
    cosmo_momo Posts: 173 Member
    Whenever I wear jeans or any tight fitting pants, my legs get suuuuper itchy after I take them off. Especially if I got hot in them during the day and especially behind my knees. It's an intense itch that is only satisfied for maybe seconds after scratching. Maybe not what you're experiencing, but it's something to think about.
  • maidentl
    maidentl Posts: 3,203 Member
    kami3006 wrote: »
    Restless Leg Syndrome can have varying symptoms. For some it's itchy legs, for others it's the feeling of something crawling on their skin, and for others it feels like they just have to get up and move. While I have no idea if this is your issue, it's worth checking into.

    ETA: Good luck, I'm sure it's incredibly aggravating.

    I have RLS and I find a warm/hot bath helps me. But I get the "need to move my legs" feeling, not itching, so not sure if it will help you. But it's worth a shot. I would also suggest seeing your doctor. I can fall asleep through mine but itching would drive me bonkers. Maybe there's something that can help.
  • KittenKittyKitteh
    KittenKittyKitteh Posts: 52 Member
    I retain water in my legs like crazy during the day, then when I lay down at night it seems to release rather quickly. If I've had too much sodium my legs with itch and kind of ache. It's always gone by morning and I pee like crazy.
  • MonsoonStorm
    MonsoonStorm Posts: 371 Member
    try taking some magnesium supplements.

    If it's RLS or some other neurological itch, that will help.
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,985 Member
    Also have your Vitamin B12 and folate levels checked. It might be your nerves acting up due to a deficiency.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,687 Member
    I take a Telfast ... seems to clear it right up.
  • cw106
    cw106 Posts: 952 Member
    go see your doctor.
    similar happened to me last summer and was diagnosed as eczema.cream sorts it.
    chlorine in swimming pool can also aggravate it further..
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    MonsoonStorm wrote: »
    try taking some magnesium supplements.

    If it's RLS or some other neurological itch, that will help.

    No. You should no just randomly take supplements because you think you may have something. Just because they are sold OTC does not mean they are without risk. Never take a supplement without checking with your doctor. Too much magnesium can cause serious health problems, including heart issues/sudden cardiac arrest (death).
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Talk to a specialist in allergies.
  • hollie894
    hollie894 Posts: 60 Member
    Try changing your shaving foam / cream if you use any...
  • epixstudiosnh
    epixstudiosnh Posts: 72 Member
    hollie894 wrote: »
    Try changing your shaving foam / cream if you use any...

    Yep, tried that too
  • mskinner1091
    mskinner1091 Posts: 180 Member
    I've had horrible itchy legs on & off for years. I started doing a few different things. I don't take hot showers anymore, just warm & before I get out I run cold water on my legs. I started hydrating more. Before I wasn't drinking much water & now I drink plenty. I also don't use any scented shave gel, body wash, or lotion. I use all the Aveeno products together that are for itchy dry legs. I haven't had itchy legs since I started doing these things. Hope any of this is helpful.
  • getup25
    getup25 Posts: 119 Member
    Benadryl makes a cream that helps stop itching. I use it for bug bites when they start to itch.

    I had eczema as a kid so I know how frustrating being itchy can be. Good luck.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    RLS, low potassium, low magnesium.... fleas ;)

    could be any number of things lol
  • onecatleadstoanother
    onecatleadstoanother Posts: 70 Member
    My father had this problem for years before it was diagnosed as high blood pressure. Got that fixed, no more itch
  • jennyblacker
    jennyblacker Posts: 13 Member
    I used to get this, turns out it was a symptom of Coeliac disease

    It might be worth noting it down, and adding other 'minor' issues as they occur, in case there's a pattern?

    (had I done this earlier I would've had a huge list and would've seen my doctor quicker! Obviously I'm not saying this is what it is for you, but it may be a non-obvious symptom for something)
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