Leg itching or burning can be extremely annoying and painful symptoms.
What Causes Leg Itching or Burning?
Leg itching or burning caused by a number of things. If you have diabetes, it could be diabetic neuropathy. This is when high blood sugar damages the nerves. Other causes include dry skin, athlete’s foot, and circulation problems. If your leg itch is severe, spreads, or doesn’t go away, see your doctor. Treatment will depend on the cause.
How Can I Relieve Leg Itching or Burning?
If your leg itch is caused by dry skin, you can try a moisturizer. If it’s caused by athlete’s foot, try an over-the-counter antifungal cream. If your leg itch is severe, your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream or pill.
When Should I See a Doctor?
See your doctor if your leg itch is severe, doesn’t go away, or spreads. Also see your doctor if you have diabetes and think you may have diabetic neuropathy.
How Does Poor Circulation Cause Leg Itching and Burning?
Leg itching or burning can be caused by problems with your arteries, carrying blood to your limbs, or veins carrying blood from your limbs back to your heart.
How Does Poor Arterial Circulation Cause Leg Itching and Burning?
Poor circulation due to arteries can cause leg itching and burning because not enough oxygen and nutrients treach the cells in your legs. This can damage the nerves and cause inflammation. Poor circulation can also cause a build-up of toxins in the legs, which can lead to itching and burning.
How Does Poor Venous Circulation Cause Leg Itching and Burning?
When veins have trouble sending blood back to the heart, it can cause a build-up of fluid in the legs. This is called venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency can cause inflammation, which can lead to itching and burning. It can also cause the skin to break down, which can lead to infection.
How Do Imaging & Interventional Specialists Determine the Cause of You Leg Itching or Burning?
After a review of your medical history, a physical exam may be performed. If needed we talk with other members of your care team and analyze your medical chart to determine what treatment plan best fits your clinical situation. If needed imaging tests are ordered to determine causes and to help define treatment strategies. Causes often include:
- peripheral artery disease
- chronic venous insufficiency
- varicose veins
Why Choose Imaging & Interventional Specialists?
Imaging & Interventional Specialists are leaders in interventional radiology and experts in the non-surgical procedures that will address your burning and/or itching legs.
Our physicians perform “pinhole” procedures every day offering this region’s leading, world-class, state-of-the-art solutions for hemorrhoids. Our non-surgical image-guided procedures are cutting-edge technology without the cutting, without the scalpel. You leave with a Band-Aid!
At Imaging & Interventional Specialists board-certified physicians offer in-house testing for diagnosis and to develop an individualized treatment program for your burning and/or itching legs.