Why Do My Legs Feel Both Hot and Itchy?

When your legs feel both hot and itchy, it may be due to more than one process. One possibility is that your veins are not working as well as they should, a situation known as chronic venous disease. When blood doesn’t flow back to the heart smoothly, it can cause your legs to become warmer and irritated. This extra heat might trigger an itch response in your skin. Another possibility is that the nerves in your legs are sending mixed signals—this is called neuropathic itch. Sometimes, the nerves that normally help sense temperature and touch can go a bit awry. This can make you feel heat and itch even if nothing else is wrong. In addition, there is growing understanding that our skin can react to temperature changes with itching. If your legs continue to feel hot and itchy, it may be a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider who can look at your circulation and nerve function. They can help determine the cause and suggest treatments to ease these symptoms.