Why do I have itchy ankles at night?

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asked Aug 25, 2023 in Body/Skin by 3hoursfrom (540 points)
Why do I have itchy ankles at night?

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answered Aug 30, 2023 by Q766s (23,690 points)
Itchy ankles at night is most commonly caused by a change in body temperature which can dry out the skin and cause your ankles to itch at night.

If you have a high body temperature at night, you could have itchy skin.

Dry skin: Your body loses moisture at night, which can make your skin itchy.

Hormonal changes: At night, your body doesn't produce as many hormones as it does during the day and certain hormones reduce inflammation (swelling).

Circadian rhythm is the body's 24-hour cycle, and during the evening, your body starts preparing for rest, causing fluctuations in our hormones.

All of which can leave you feeling irritable, and itchy! Of course, there are other times our hormones can change, which can have the same itchy effect.

Some things you can do to help itchy ankles at night are.

Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to the skin that itches. Do this for about five to 10 minutes or until the itch subsides.
Take an oatmeal bath.
Moisturize your skin.
Apply topical anesthetics that contain pramoxine.
Apply cooling agents, such as menthol or calamine.

Itchy lower legs can be a nuisance and have related symptoms of redness, bumps on the lower legs, dryness, and pain.

The many causes of a lower leg itch include skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis, damage to the nerves that may be caused by diabetes, or an allergic reaction from plants, foods, or insects.

Itchy ankles can be caused by irritants (such as cloth, rubber, or chemicals), allergens (such as pollen, poison ivy, or metals), skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis, fungal infections, and immune system issues.

With liver disease some people may itch in one area, such as a limb, the soles of their feet, or the palms of their hands, while others experience an all-over itch.

Itching linked to liver disease doesn't generally involve rash or skin lesions.

Iron deficiency is more associated with fatigue, poor circulation, restless leg syndrome and hair loss, but it can also cause itchy skin.

The good news is that the itchiness should subside if this is the underlying problem by increasing your iron intake! Iron is in both animal and plant-based foods.

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