Hiking yesterday and itching today

[campclose]

I took the day off work and went hiking yesterday. I went to a State Park. It's been in the high 30s here - nothing like winter weather. Well today I'm itchy! I can't stop itching my legs! I had full pants on so I could not have come into contact with anything. What gives?

[Theosus]

Dry skin? Use lotion.

[Bumpkin]

Could it be chigger bites? I've heard that they are active in all temperatures and their bites are the worst! I got attacked about four years ago and still have the scars to prove it.

[Marshmallow]

Dry skin can itch like the dickens. When I get it like that, I fill the bathtub with hot water and add a couple of squirts of Nivea Oil. It works, and I love how my skin fills afterwards. Just be careful not to slip. It is extremely slippery. I use a rubber mat when I do this.

[limaker]

I am itchy too but that is because there are skeeters out and I have no idea how lucky I got but I was nailed by three of them on my way into work this morning. My guess is dry skin too. I had it happened before to us and we always lotion up before we head out now.

[ppine]

It is possible you contacted poison oak, ivy, or sumac thru your pants.

[IndianaHiker]

Originally Posted by ppine

It is possible you contacted poison oak, ivy, or sumac thru your pants.

Since it was after a hike have to wonder about this myself. Many of this type of things can be active even in the winter. Another things to consider is windburn.

[Newanderthal]

Wash the clothes in case they came in contact with something like poison ivy. You want to get the oils off the clothing. Shower well and wash your legs to remove any lingering oils.

Use some lotion in case it's just dry skin.

If you get a rash, it's a poison plant. Treat with anti-itch cream and oatmeal body wash. Also, eat lots of oatmeal. This will speed up the healing.

If you get itchy/painful bumps with a red pinprick in the center it's chiggers (red bugs). Hot bath (to open the pours) with a little bleach (to kill the bugs).

[hikingprincess]

I would think wind burn. I got the same thing the other day after hiking at Red Rock. My skin was very itchy and dry. I hope it is nothing worse!

[DMan]

Could it be that your pants rubbed against your skin to the point where it irritated them enough to be itchy today? Try some lotion like a Gold Bond which can soothe dry skin or rashes.