Itchy Legs after diving

[Mel.B]

Consequently my personal feeling on this is that the itching is due to the re-warming that is occurring in the skin in the affected area after the dive and the consequent increase in blood flow to capilaries that have been restricted during the dive.

Hi Aquamaster,

Yep, cold water, although it wasn't too bad on the weekend - around 18 - 20C.

Someone tried to explain this concept to me on the weekend saying it was due to temperature change from the cold water to the warmer air temp, but you have done a much better job and it seems to fit with what I'm experiencing. The itching is definately worse around the area of the bottom of my wetsuit and the top of my boots (although they do overlap).

In your case the situation could also have been aggravated recently if the suit is tight and is resticting blood flow to the lower legs during the dive. Your suit may have lost some of it's strech since you bought it or it may have gotten tighter as muscles in your calf have developed.

Given that I've recently started a gym program and that I'm diving most weekends it's likely that my calf muscles have developed since I got the suit. What would you suggest? A dry suit at the moment isn't an option, but definately down the track. If I wear some socks or something that would give the area a little more protection.

Either of your parents or any of your siblings have blood sugar problems? I am not medically trained beyond Vet Assist, but I'm thinking outloud here...

Hi DandyDon, I'm not sure what your train of thought is here - something do with high/low blood sugar levels? Can that make you itchy? Anyway, there is no family history of diabetes/blood sugar problems.

I gave my suit a good scrub last night with a mild shampoo and I'll try wearing some long socks this weekend and we'll see how that goes

Thanks for all your help,
Mel

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I think he is getting at potential circulation issues. Diabetes can cause problems with ciurculation to extremities.

Reynauds syndrome also comes to mind as it can cause problems with excessively cold feet and hands in cold environments.

But most likely it is just a tight fitting seal in the leg of the semi-dry.

My first thought would be to try removing or shortening the seals in the legs and if that does not do it, consider a new semi-dry or wet suit. Wet suits and semi-drys tend to lose a lot of stretch as they age and as the neoprene gets compressed. I end up replacing my semi-dry every year and a half or so as it sees about 100 dives per year and most of the dives are fairly deep.

 

[Mel.B]

Thanks for clearing that up.

I don't feel as though I'm cold. I'm not wearing a hood or gloves at the moment. My suit is less than 12months old so replacing it at the moment isn't an option. Although it's a semi-dry it doesn't actually have leg seals as such (just wrist and neck). When I ordered it I wanted leg seals, however they didn't put them on (custom made suit). Their reasoning was that it makes the suits too hard to get into and you wear thick boots anyway so they aren't necessary.

I'll see how I go this weekend.
Thanks,
Mel

 

[pipedope]

Water alone will not clean it well, will it PipeDope? I was taught to use mild soap, then rinse and dry.

don

While I was still diving commercially I would be in the water several times a week. Normally I would rinse my suit as soon as possible and just as inportant, DRY it as soon as possible.

I use a dryer that forces air through my booties to dry them quickly.

I would wash the suit about once a week with mild cleaner, usually baby shampoo.

If my suit was left wet overnight, it would be smelly and would get a 'Sink the Stink' treatment.

I think the circulation idea may be the real problem but something is not clicking in my mind on that. It could be the change in fit though. When I have had circulation/suit fit problems the pain itching did not start until I would take my suit off.

The solution is likely to be simple but it may be not so easy to find. Keep trying.

 

[Mel.B]

Thanks everyone for your help. I went diving on the weekend and no itchy legs! Whether it was giving the suit a good scrub or the thick socks I was wearing under my wetsuit to help keep my legs warmer (or both) it worked!

 

[miketsp]

Mel,
just a comment, it's probably not your case because I checked your birth date on your profile, but my wife (much more than double your age) occasionally had some itching and skin blotches when she took up diving and these stopped when I changed dive computers from a less conservative one (Beuchat Maestro PRO) to a more conservative one (SUUNTO Vyper) and nowadays we ALWAYS do the additional 3 min safety stop at 3m in addition to any required deco. Maybe you should try increasing your stops for a few dives just to see if there is any impact. It's just possible you have a circulation problem.

 

[Mel.B]

Mel,
just a comment, it's probably not your case because I checked your birth date on your profile, but my wife (much more than double your age) occasionally had some itching and skin blotches when she took up diving and these stopped when I changed dive computers from a less conservative one (Beuchat Maestro PRO) to a more conservative one (SUUNTO Vyper) and nowadays we ALWAYS do the additional 3 min safety stop at 3m in addition to any required deco. Maybe you should try increasing your stops for a few dives just to see if there is any impact. It's just possible you have a circulation problem.

Hi,

Thanks for that. I always do a 5/5 safety stop. I've been to see the Doc as the itching has continued and he seems to think it is a developing allergy and has given me some hydrocortisone cream (?sp) to put on my legs before diving which has worked a treat.

Mel

 

[WyDive]

Mel take a good look around the areas of the itch, and check the rubber. I am thinking maybe localized allergic reaction to Lycra or rubber products. I have this problem with medical gloves and have seen it in divers of dry suits and Semi's.
Wear an insulator ( socks or nylons ) to see if it helps.
Good luck