I have irritation in both my legs for the past 7 years and now the skin has turned black, even though my blood tests are normal, and despite using Ketostar soap regularly and applying clobetasol, neomycin, and miconazole ointments I am not seeing any improvement, I am really frustrated with this long-term issue, why is this happening and what can I do now to finally get relief and improve my skin condition?
Long-standing irritation in both legs with darkening of skin for years often happens when the skin keeps going through a cycle of inflammation, scratching, and healing, which leads to thickened and darker skin over time. This is commonly seen in conditions like chronic eczema, contact dermatitis, fungal overlap, or even lichen simplex, where repeated itching itself keeps the problem active even if basic blood tests are normal. In some cases, strong steroid creams used for long periods can also thin and irritate the skin or temporarily mask infection, making the problem harder to fully settle. When this becomes long-term, the focus shifts from only treating infection to breaking the itch?scratch cycle and repairing the skin barrier. Gentle cleansing, regular moisturising, avoiding harsh soaps, and preventing friction from tight clothing can help slowly calm the skin. Long-term use of combination creams with steroids and antibiotics is usually not ideal without review because it may worsen resistance or skin damage. Since you are not improving despite treatment, a proper dermatology reassessment is important to confirm the exact cause and adjust therapy, as chronic skin conditions often need a different long-term maintenance plan rather than repeated short treatments.