Why are my legs so itchy? It's driving me mad!
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Colin Howard
Dec 1, 2025, 3:29:46 AMDec 1
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Greetings,
I suffer this problem and apply moisturizing cream after my bath, I do not
have baths in water much above my normal body temperature, say,no more than
maybe 40C, I will make an appointment to discuss possible problems,
discussed below and which I, up to now, had not considered.
Our GP Dr Mark Porter explains what can cause itchy skin, which is a common
problem as we get older.
By Dr Mark Porter | Published - 6 Nov 2025
Why is my skin so itchy?
Over the past few months, I can't stop scratching, particularly over my
lower legs. There is nothing to see, other than occasional marks from my
fingernails, and I feel fine in myself. It's very annoying, particularly at
night in bed.
Dr Mark Porter on the causes of itchy skin Generalised
itch (pruritus) without an obvious dermatological cause - so no spots, rash,
redness, swelling etc - is a common complaint that affects one in six adults
at some stage, rising to around half of all people over 75.
There are a number of possible causes. The most common one in older people
is dry skin (xerosis) caused by age- related reductions in natural
oils/fats. Cold or dry spells when humidity tends to be low and,
paradoxically, long soaks in hot baths, tend to aggravate the itching.
Fortunately, it responds well to simple moisturisers, which are best applied
after a shower or bath. This type of itching can be a side effect of some
medicines too, including painkillers such as morphine, anti-inflammatories
such as ibuprofen and some types of blood pressure pills (e.g. ACE
inhibitors ending in -pril like ramipril). Statins can sometimes trigger it
too.
However, if you suspect your medication may be the cause then please don't
stop anything without asking your doctor.
Pruritus can also be related to an underlying health problem, including
liver, kidney and thyroid disease, diabetes, polycythaemia ("thickened"
blood) and iron deficiency. All of which can be checked out by a health
professional with blood tests. Rarely, itching can even be a symptom of an
underlying cancer, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma. I suggest you book a
routine appointment to discuss this with your own GP, who can help whittle
down the list for you. While you're waiting to see them, do try a
moisturiser, as xerosis remains by far the most likely cause.
Written by: Dr Mark Porter
With 26 years experience in practice and a partner in a busy South
Gloucestershire surgery, Dr Mark is also resident doctor on BBC One's
The One Show, presents Radio 4's Inside Health, writes for The Times,
and has popped up on celebrity versions of The Weakest Link and
Mastermind. Dr Mark was awarded an MBE in 2005 for services to medicine.
Colin Howard, Southern England.
I suffer this problem and apply moisturizing cream after my bath, I do not
have baths in water much above my normal body temperature, say,no more than
maybe 40C, I will make an appointment to discuss possible problems,
discussed below and which I, up to now, had not considered.
Our GP Dr Mark Porter explains what can cause itchy skin, which is a common
problem as we get older.
By Dr Mark Porter | Published - 6 Nov 2025
Why is my skin so itchy?
Over the past few months, I can't stop scratching, particularly over my
lower legs. There is nothing to see, other than occasional marks from my
fingernails, and I feel fine in myself. It's very annoying, particularly at
night in bed.
Dr Mark Porter on the causes of itchy skin Generalised
itch (pruritus) without an obvious dermatological cause - so no spots, rash,
redness, swelling etc - is a common complaint that affects one in six adults
at some stage, rising to around half of all people over 75.
There are a number of possible causes. The most common one in older people
is dry skin (xerosis) caused by age- related reductions in natural
oils/fats. Cold or dry spells when humidity tends to be low and,
paradoxically, long soaks in hot baths, tend to aggravate the itching.
Fortunately, it responds well to simple moisturisers, which are best applied
after a shower or bath. This type of itching can be a side effect of some
medicines too, including painkillers such as morphine, anti-inflammatories
such as ibuprofen and some types of blood pressure pills (e.g. ACE
inhibitors ending in -pril like ramipril). Statins can sometimes trigger it
too.
However, if you suspect your medication may be the cause then please don't
stop anything without asking your doctor.
Pruritus can also be related to an underlying health problem, including
liver, kidney and thyroid disease, diabetes, polycythaemia ("thickened"
blood) and iron deficiency. All of which can be checked out by a health
professional with blood tests. Rarely, itching can even be a symptom of an
underlying cancer, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma. I suggest you book a
routine appointment to discuss this with your own GP, who can help whittle
down the list for you. While you're waiting to see them, do try a
moisturiser, as xerosis remains by far the most likely cause.
Written by: Dr Mark Porter
With 26 years experience in practice and a partner in a busy South
Gloucestershire surgery, Dr Mark is also resident doctor on BBC One's
The One Show, presents Radio 4's Inside Health, writes for The Times,
and has popped up on celebrity versions of The Weakest Link and
Mastermind. Dr Mark was awarded an MBE in 2005 for services to medicine.
Colin Howard, Southern England.
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