Itchy legs......

[Im a BusyBee]

my husband's legs have really been bothering him lately, or one of them rather, as it really itches, its driving him mad! its below his knee and more towards the bottom half. he does have a varicous vein on that leg (although it is not noticably bad that low down) and he thinks that may be causing it. he has scratched so much he now has blotches with scabby bits. Anybody any idea what it might be and how he could make it better?

[gingejbee]

It may well be connected to the vein condition- but also search for "winter itch" or "xerosis" -basically very dry skin which needs attention.

[Sqad]

I agree with gingejbee.....it certainly sounds like varicose eczema and if he continues to scratch he will develop an ulcer.

I would suggest that he gets a blood test to exclude diabetes and for the skin condition 1% hydrocortisone cream applied twice daily should do the trick.

[gingejbee]

....oh, and you could also Google "varicose eczema" in addition to the above...think that's covered the most probables!

[gingejbee]

Sqad beat me to it... B****R.

[Sqad]

ging....LOL...Eczema is my " sum total" of dermatology.............

[Jemisa]

Have you changed your washing powder lately. My H was suffering like that too. Found it was the W/pwd with BIO in it that was causing it. Now with NON-BIO he's fine.

jem

[rowanwitch]

Ask the pharmacist for hydrocortisone ointment rather than cream they will be a bit reluctant but you can buy it without prescription it works better as it doesn't wear off so quickkly

[sunny-dave]

I defer, of course, to the preceding medical words of wisdom - but also wonder if you've changed washing powder/liquid. A seemingly trivial swap of brand had me scratching away - as does anything with 'bio' on the label (although that may well be psychosomatic).

Or even if your husband has new socks/trousers in a different material ?

[sunny-dave]

Jem types too fast ;=)

[Mosaic]

Very cold weather has this effect on my skin - especially lower legs. I find slothering on a good cream such as norwegian forumula is helpful.

[LoftyLottie]

A cream called Diprobase is excellent for exzema type conditions and dry flaky,itchy skin. As well as moisturising it has barrier cream protection. It is used in hospitals. Obviously, the cause needs investigating, but this cream would help, and can been used in conjunction with HC 1 cream. I use both together, as I was advised to.

[masma]

Eurax cream and anti histamine tablets. Hope he feels better soon.

[tenrec]

My partner put up with that on his legs. Fobbed off on various occasions. Eventually had veins sorted. The sores healed and hey presto! No more problems. Good luck.

[missprim]

I was really interested to see the replies you would get as I have this myself but had never connected it to varicose veins which I have on both legs.
I scratch them 'til they bleed and this leaves me with scratch marks from my knees to my toes.
Will google varicose eczema and try the cream that has been suggested.