Journal of Healthy Living

I always figured it was due to the blood circulating and all the veins, capillaries and other blood vessels swelling to accommodate increased blood flow. But I never looked up the reason why.

I have a good friend who is allergic to cold weather and he breaks out in hives when he is exposed to too much cold weather. It’s pretty bad.

I’m glad to know that other people have this problem when they exercise.

The itching for me doesn’t start until 15 to 20 min. into walking on the treadmill and my thighs begin to itch and the itch increases as I continue.

After about 20min. the itching becomes worse I start developing get rash and begin to feel nauseas because the itch becomes painful. I have to stop and rub my legs and rest and once after 20 minutes of resting it eventually goes away. And then I have a feeling of apprehension to start again. So I stop. Does anyone have any answers to this problem?

My daughter and I have the same problem. There are alot of comments out there that suggest it occurs because of the increased blood flow to the tiny capillaries near the surface of the skin; and this would be a problem after long periods of realative innactivity. However, we have both been active for all of our lives. She plays soccer year-round, in fact, and it’s rare that we aren’t off to practice or a game.
This website has been the most helpful and make the most sense to me: http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/2003/0603/sweeney.htm

It suggests tnat the itching is due to an allergic reaction caused by the increase of body tempuratures. Which makes sense because many people have said the itching starts when they run, walk, get in a hot tub or even a shower.

Loratidine, 10 mg, seems to be the suggested answer. It’s the stuff found in Claritan. We are going to give it a try. Read the article..its worth it.

I am an active 27-year-old who likes to take walks every day – but I also suffer from itchy legs for as long as I can remember. For me, my legs are more likely to itch when I wear shorts, so I wear pants when I work out. I know its not the best solution, but it’s something. I am open to other tips if anyone has them.

OMG! It is such a relief to know that I am not the only one. This has been happening to me since I was a child. I never know when it’s going to strike. My doctor recommended I keep a journal of it. He checked my circulation and it is fine. No matter what weight I am it has always occurred. It is sooooo horrible for me. I am not always in a position where I can just stop walking. Once, I was marcihng in a parade in high school and by the end of the parade my legs were hot enough to cook eggs on. They were red and numb. I had never had to keep walking that far before. Recently, I have discovered that running cold water on them brings immediate relief. Of course, I have to rest them for at least an hour. I usually elevate them. I’ve tried so many diferent things to keep this from happening. I do notice that when I take my zyrtec regularly (every night) it does not happen. Until today, I never knew anyone else who experienced this. I am not glad that others are suffering but, I am thankful to find that I am not crazy after all!

OMG..this has been happening to me since a kid. I used to hate taking long walks with friends and running at a distance was a no no. I am not overweight or anything but it is almost impossible to get a physical fitness workout because I itch so bad. It discourages me from working out. I dont feel as bad knowing Im not the only one suffering.

WOW…I’m about to go for a walk through Washington D.C. with a friend I am visiting, and I am afraid that I will have to make us stop every 2 minutes so that I can ‘claw’ at my itchy legs. I didn’t know that many other people suffered from it! It is AWFUL!! I don’t get a rash…well I don’t think I do, but I scratch so hard that I have actually broken the skin a couple of times…It usually starts when I start sweating and then if I can power through it sometimes stops about 20-25 minutes in – - – and this is just from walking at a pretty brisk pace – but not running…If I run, it’s not just my legs that itch..it’s my stomach..even underneath my sports bra!! I always have to cut my walks short because the itching just gets to be too much…It goes away after 5 minutes of non-activity…I’ve tried lotions and different clothing…I wish there was an answer!!!!

This has been happening to me to for as long as I can remember! After a run or walk I look down at my things and they look striped from all the scratching I have done during the run! I have scratched so hard that I have bruised the skin. It is so frustrating. I think it helps to wear long pants,but that is hard in hot weather. I wish I knew why this happens…

I can’t believe that I’m not the only one who experiences this. It started last summer. It always happens when I run, but I didn’t know why. I’ve asked a few people and you’d be surprised that this happens to more people than you think. Most say it due to poor blood circulation.

Thanks for the info. I’ll keep searching for more solutions.

I went walking yesterday and my legs were itching like crazy. I’ am so glad to see that I’m not the only one that this is happening to. I was also told to take antihistamine

I suffer from the same thing. My husband told me it was psychological and that I was crazy. It is extreme itchiness that prohibits me from functioning properly. Pilates from now on. What a relief.

I’ve had the same problem my entire life, and I can’t predict when it will strike. I’ve told people and doctors, and nobody even believes it happens. I am so glad to know I am not alone! Yoga has never been a problem for me, neither has the elliptical machine. So, I tend to stick to those.
What an immense relief to know I am not alone! Now, if only someone could find a way to avoid it. My whole family runs, and I’ve sadly never been able to join the,.

I have five year old twins and one of them have been having this problem for along time now. He mostly starts itching right out the shower. He itch so bad that we have to rub him for awhile . All the until he starts to cry what can we do should i take him to the doctor?

I get this too, whenever I walk briskly, particularly in cold weather. The itching gets unbearable on my thighs and calves. I too, have had such intense itching that I have left red bruised welts all over my legs from scratching.

Here’s an explanation I found most compelling on another post:
The itching occurs in your muscles and fat as a result of inactivity, because the tiny capillaries and veins in that area have been constricted for lack of need. Exercise and/or cold weather causes increased blood flow, forcing the capillaries to expand in seldom-used or under-used places that are suddenly calling for more circulation. I read that allergy meds like Claritin or Zyrtec will help reduce itching while you power through your work out, and that eventually if you keep up your exercise program, the itching will subside altogether. I’m going to try this!

I can’t walk down any street because am thinking it’s dirty and all i want to do it take off my clothes and start itching. It feels like my shoes are filled with water and it’s creepy.My friends can’t understand whenever we have to walk outside and i have to stop ever 5mins to maintain my thoughts and itch. I really need help, if you know anything about this, please let me know

I am amazed at how many people like myself have this problem. I have never known anyone else to have this problem but me which is why I’ve always been embarrassed when it happens. It started in my teenage years and has continued ever since. If I take a walk (especially in cool weather) I start feeling the itchiness and burning in my legs within 10 minutes of walking. I recently participated in a walk for ALS and the walk was 3 miles (twice around the park). I barely made it once around the park before I had to stop and sit down and scratch my legs. My legs felt like they were on fire and I could not keep going. It was complete torture and I ended up with bruises on my legs from scratching so hard. I’ve thought about going to the doctor but it sounds like there’s not much they can do. I haven’t yet tried any of the suggestions posted here but at this point I will try anything!!

I have suffered from this for as long as i can remember. I love walking, but avoid it if i can, as i know my legs will get itchy. I often wonder if people think I`m lazy. I have asked several doctors for a diagnosis, none of them could tell me what it was. It`s a relief to know that it is a condition and there are things that may help.

At least I am not NUTS. I started experiencing this when I was 12 yrs and wanted to take part in 100 metre race. Each time that training started the itch was so terrible I had to stop for a couple of minutes. I am 36 and living in the US and I still experience this. I do not run or take long walks because I do not know when it will strike. It doesn’t matter whether the weather is hot or cold i experience this itchy legs. does anyone one know of a medication that has helped? Please HELP i will like to have a normal long walk.

I am scratching this very moment! I just got back from a walk – the first one in a while because I’m so busy with school, and it’s about 45 degrees out. As soon as a I got home I had to rip my pants off to scratch – it’s horrible. I called my fiance to ask him what the deal was and he’s like, I have no idea what you’re talking about. So it’s good to know I’m not alone! I just wonder why it happens!!!

OK looks like we are all experiencing the same crazy irritating painful problem! lets do somethin about it! but the question i want to ask is ” WHY IS THAT THIS HAPPENS TO WOMEN MOSTLY”??? or i’m i wrong? because almost everyone i know with this problem is female! this has been happenin to me since i was a child.. when i use my hands alot, when i wear thigt pants, my love handles itch, when i walk for like 5 mins in ANY weather, my legs itch like crazy!!! i cant explain the feeling i have in my heart.. its like i get a Phobia of everything around me..i grit my teeth and feel like biting my tongue or just tearing somethin apart with my teeth! i get irritated so much its just hard to expain.. it happened like two days ago i was walking with my husband, i couldn’t scratch my legs because people were around and drivin by.. i was too embarrased! i literally started to cry! i cried so much my husband took a cab and we came home immediately! i pulled my clothes off and scratched myself till i bled.. this is serious and i NEED HELP! I dread walking now, and i dont have a car… I cant just stay home.. its controlling my life! YOU EVIL ITCH!

I have this too and it’s so nice to know that I am not alone. I refuse to let the itching stop me from walking or running. I go to the gym and run and also run outside and, like the rest of you, I can never predict when the itching will strike but when it does it is awful and I have to stop and more often than not I am so fed up and frustrated that I just go home.
For me there is a CURE though – when I remember to take an allergy tablet (non-drowsey) about half an hour before running/brisk walking, it always works and I am completely fine. I buy the anti-histamine hayfever tablets from Boots – stock up in summer when they are on offer!! Best of luck!

OH MY FEATHERS!!! i really cant believe im not the only one going through this problem i have had this problem for as long as i can remember. I do agree that cold water soothes the itching. but i cant b pouring cold water on my legs running on th treadmill..

any other suggestions.

I also suffer from this but if you keep walking it will subside. I know it gets really bad but try to take your mind off of it when you walk and you will see the difference. I absolutely hate when my legs start itching. Walk through it!!

Hooray – I thought I was nuts too ) My itching is only on my thighs and knees, after about 10 minutes of workout, but it’s so bad I want to tear the digital panel off my treadmill or punch my husband (poor guy!) if we’re out together. Actually the best REASON I found is after being sedentary, either for months or even days, capillaries need to expand to accomodate higher blood flow (plus skin shaking on my thighs) causing irritation. One ANSWER that works (believe it or not) is increase your initial running time by about 20 minutes to allow for BREAKS – run as far as you can, then stop, walk or just stand there massaging your skin, then try running and walking again. Good news, if I perservere past the pain after about 20 minutes it eventually stops and I can finish my workout running normally with basically no itch, and even continue longer once the capillaries are reset I suppose.
Hope that helps!

Wow! i cannot beleive how many people this affects. it first statred when i was about 14yrs taking a walk to my aunt’s place. Non other of my friends or fmly ever experienced it. Now happens abt 5-20minutes into running or brisk walking but not all the time. I try so hard to curb the urge to scratch, it it gets so intence i have to stop running and if i dare scratch, good heavens, the more intense the itching gets. I just read caused by increased bld supply to widely open small capillaries on skin surface in people with a sedentary life. somebody help.

I ran cross country and track all 4 years in high school, and I would only notice the itching problem if I had not run for a week or two. I’ve learned that if I run 3-4 days in a row and try my best to deal with the itching, after then, the itching will go away, as long as I CONTINUE exercising. If I stop for several days, I will have to start all over again. This happens to me in any weather, but I think it may be worse in the cold. I told someone about reading that some think the cause is blood rushing into seldom-used capillaries, and your body interprets it into an itching feeling. They suggested taking aspirin, because it thins the blood. Taking aspirin an hour or so before I run alleviates the problem so getting through those first few days is a bit easier, but still difficult.

I read about circulation problems in general and I found that cayenne, ginko biloba, garlic and something else were suggested.

First I’m going to try Claritin before anything else (simply because I have some sitting in the closet)

I don’t know if this problem is genetic, but both of my parents seem to have some symptoms that indicate circulation problems and my mother said she also had this itching problem when she tried to exercise.

Could possibly be “Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis??

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is a form of physical allergy. Although the mechanism by which this reaction occurs has yet to be elucidated, it has been found that some medications (such as ASPIRIN or NSAIDS) or food before exercise increase the probability of experiencing exercise-induced anaphylaxis.”

http://www.anaphylaxis.com/pro/6_2_5.cfm

On second thought… don’t try the aspirin… but it seems to work for me…

I am in very good shape have been dealing with this for 6 years while walking (legs),out of the shower (whole body) and when i get upset or excited (whole body). My PCP kept telling me that it was seasonal allergies and I kept explaining that it was year round and even in enclosed environments. I am regularly seen at the VA hospital and my lab work shows mildly elevated liver enzymes indicating inflammation. The doctor says that itching can be an allergic reaction to inflammation in the body. They have put me on 5 weeks of Prednisone. If the prednisone stops the itching then they will know that it is a result of some sort of internal disease and not outside influences. They will then begin to isolate blood cell components.

My husband thought I was crazy until I showed him the hives covering my legs. They itch like crazy. I like to walk but I don’t because I do not like causing myself pain. It happened to me in any weather.

My case is very similar. It usually always happens when I’m walking fast or running in cold weather (but for example never when I go skiing). It gets so bad I have to stop and rub and scratch my legs for about 10 minutes until it just suddenly stops. None of my doctors have been able to figure it out, and my ex always thought I was making it up. I have no other side effects. I heard that taking antihistamines can reduce the itching, but I really want to know what causes it. Perhaps its hereditary, my mother has restless leg syndrome.

This has something to do with histamines. I started taking a Zyrtec an hour before exercising. Trust me. It works!!!

I’ve heard that anti-histamines work wonders!

I feel like crying with relief to find out that it’s not just me.
I mean I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy, so I’m sorry that others are suffering.

Mine is quite severe. As besides the itching and burning that I experience, I also start to get nauseous and slightly dizzy. It does get more severe in the cold and when there are long gaps in between the times when I run or walk.

Most doctors don’t believe me. The ones that have just had no idea how to approach treating something that they’d never heard of happening. I’ve had some great success with anti-histimines especially Allegra and Zyrtec and to a certain extent OTC Benadryl caplets as long as I take them a half hour before exercising.

But it would be great to see the medical community address this problem!

Found this article on Wikipedia that describes most complaints listed by posters here. The article has additional links for more information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_urticaria

I have it, my three sisters have it and my mother in-law and husband have it too.

I have it when running or walking, the weather doesnt matter, but if it is raining or moist weather, the itching becomes unbearable.

It usually starts on my thighs, then moves on to all around my bra area, and back area. The itching makes me hate everyone around me and want to slap the hell out of anyone who talks about anything that I dont want to hear. If there is dog dirt, saliva or anything unidentifiable on the ground…….God, that just makes me insane. If my husband walks near the edge of the pavement – away from the road- I automatically think that he is going to walk into something unsavoury and that thing will somehow be transfered onto my already itching skin….he has been yelled at so many times. I have cried about this on many occassions when it has got too bad (yes, v. embarresing). I asked a representative of Bach Flower Remedies and he said that it is because I hate myself, even though I am not aware of it???? He told me to take tinctures of crab apple. I never did because I didnt like his reasoning!!

Since I found this blog, I take a zyrtec everyday and I haven’t experienced the torture since. Thanks to Chris who hipped me to the allergy theory. I can hardly believe after all these years, I’ve finally found an answer.

I think that as more people understand it and word gets out, doctors will pay more attention to this.

Im so happy iv found this information and know im not the only one with this mad symptom. Everytime i walk i get itchy thighs and bum and it drives me mental, its like tiny needles pins pricking me, the cars passing me must think im mental as i stand there scratching, id nearly be in tears and feel like screaming, id nearly make myself bleed. Im also doing a 6mile walk mini marathon in 6wks time and im dreading the thoughts cause i know this will happen and i was thinkin of pullin out, im gona make an apt with my doc about it before i try the zyrtec, but il be definetly tryin something.

this has happened to me since i was a kid and it doesn’t matter how active i am, it ALWAYS happens in the cold, and sometimes in mild weather or indoors on a treadmill, always where my clothes touch me most, like my socks, or the waistband of my pants. it’s so bad it makes me feel sick and i have to stop working out after 15 minutes. i did discover that taking a lotradine 10mg about an hour before i work out does the trick every time. also, on any vacations i have taken where i’m doing a lot of walking (like when i went to NYC), i just take one in the morning before i start walking too much and it works all day. for anyone who hasn’t tried that…do!

WOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE!!!

For years I have avoiding running or walking because of “the itch.” Today my boss asks me to go for a walk and I look at him with utter fear in my eyes. I told him I get this weird sensation when I walk. He told me to shake it off. So not listening to the voice in my head telling me to stay at my desk…I go for the walk. Sure enough…10 minutes in I feel the horrible itch and the mental craziness that comes along with it (Sandra and Amy Scotland you guys aren’t the only ones.) Of course my boss thinks this is the funniest thing in the world. He told me to look it up online to see if I come up with anything. PLEASE HELP!!!! Now that the weather is nice he wants to walk a couple of times per week : (

Hi! This issue has been ongoing for me as well (itching in thighs and calves during walking, esp. after first several minutes). I am sure there could be many causes for it, and do not want to claim this is the panacea answer. However, after I started stretching before walking I noticed that it dramatically decreased / eliminated the itching altogether. I just stretch my legs by sitting down on the floor in my apt or on the grass and stretch my legs out (first one, then the other, then both). And also, I sit straight up, pulling my legs in together so that the bottom of my feet are touching one another and gently bend down to them. I do all this for about 5 minutes before going walking and it really makes a world of difference. Hope this helps someone

Hello all, thank god for the internet – I used to think it was just me that suffered in this way.

Like with everyone else – itching all down my legs, bum and lower back, sometimes even my arms whenever I go out walking or running. Especially when the weather is cold and I haven’t been exercising for a while. Thankfully it stops after a number of sessions.

But just as bad as the itching is the feeling of nausea that goes with it (not everyone seems to suffer this). The sight of dirt, puddles of water, wet leaves etc. make me feel really ill.

I may give those antihistamines a try, sounds easier than just putting up with all the pain!

Like everyone else here, I itch while walking or jogging. I feel terrible that some of you said that you’re hiding the scratching or won’t do it in public. Oh man, I’m all over my legs scratching and I don’t give a hoot! Today I walked the last part of a 4.2 mile run/walk (met up with hubby and my friend), and I was itching like there was no tomorrow. I don’t think anyone even noticed!

This page is fantastic. This is the first time I’ve ever blogged. Im in the same boat with the rest of you. I found out when I was about 11. After a long hike in cold weather. Luckyily for me my mother had the same problem so I always had support. No one can truly understand why you would try so hard to avoid walking. You really have to experience it. If I have to walk in cold weather, I walk really slow and wear soft cotton clothes. I wont dare run though. Im going to try zyrtec. My heart goes out to those of you who get the itch in any weather. Does anyone have any idea how we can call more attention to this problem so when we go to the doctors they actually know what we are talking about and people can stop telling us to just suck it up.

I am also grateful to know I am not the only one. I told my mom and she thought I was crazy!

I noticed it a couple of years ago….but here is the weird part – IT DOESN’T HAPPEN WHEN I RIDE MY BIKE! It only happens when I run, jog, or walk. It happens in all temperatures, and I know it is not due to lotions, wearing pants v/s shorts, etc.

I don’t want to take an allergy medicine (as recommended in the comments above), so I guess I’ll just stick to riding my bike until someone finds a more natural cure.

Thank you all for posting and sharing! I am relieved to know I am not alone in this.

oh! Allison, I just saw your comment.

That’s great news!

I’ll try stretching. I never do, and probably should anyway.

Thanks.

Hi there, I have the same problem. Severe itchiness especially in cold weather in spite of being fit. I can suggest sth that helps me a bit – that is running on grass or sand instead of hard surfaces. Apparently this reduces the fricktion and causes less itching – as the positive/negative??? particles have lesser impact on the skin and hair.

This used to happen to me. I tried everything; taking antihistamines, shaving/not shaving, putting on lotion. What finally worked for me was getting a decent pair of running shoes. Shoes that provide more cushion will lessen the shock of the bottoms of your feet hitting the ground. (I read somewhere that the allergic reaction starts by cells in your feet releasing something). Anyway, I recommend Asics running shoes; Nike and New Balance didn’t provide enough cushion for me. I also wear spandex while running. I can run without any problems now. The itching still happens when I walk long distances in less supportive shoes, so I really believe it’s the shoes.

I am so excited to try the Claritin tactic. Its such a frustrating ordeal to go through because I love going for a run but the pain I endure while running just hasnt been worth it. Hopefully the Claritin works!

The itchy exercise and dirt panic have been happening to me for years. I just turned 31 a few days ago.

It’s bad when I do floor or step aerobics or walk on my treadmill, but worse when I’m walking or jogging outside. It only happens after I’ve begun exercising after long periods of inactivity (weeks or months).

When I begin to exercise after periods of inactivity, the itching begins quickly, but I can exercise through it in about 20-30 minutes. It’s agonizing to exercise through it, but I have to or else I can’t work out at all.

Luckily for me, the itchiness goes away completely as I become fitter. After two or three weeks of consistent activity, like, walking at least 30 minutes daily, the itching is no longer an issue. That’s the only solution I have–get fit and stay fit.

I Googled this problem years ago with very few results. I decided to Google it again today and found many results!

After my last Google search I tried OTC antihistimines to see if they would help but they didn’t help me, I still itched. Perhaps they weren’t strong enough.

What I’m most excited about finding today is people posting their experiences with dirt panic. In the past, I found threads/articles discussing itching but none about filth panic until today!

For me, a few minutes after the itching begins, filth anxiety begins too. Everything I look at or think about seems unclean, and I get very panicked and irritable.

I obsess about animal feces if I’m walking outside–afraid I’ll see some or step in some.

I freak out at the sight of wet decaying leaves on the pavement. Their patterns on the sidewalk disgust me.

I feel like the dirt on the soles of my shoes will move into my shoes and crawl up my body.

I try to figure out what I’ll do with my tainted shoes when I get home. They’re repulsive since they’ve been outside touching the ground.

Everything I see is rotting, vile, stinking nastiness. I think about getting home to escape all the filth outside, but then think that my house isn’t clean enough either.

While this panic (and it is just that… pure panic) is happening I try to FORCE myself to focus on other things or try to talk myself out of it.

I ask myself things like, “What’s the worst thing that can happen if you do see dog poop?” The answer is nothing, of course, but this anxiety is nonsensical and there’s no reasoning with it.

Even as I’m experiencing these thoughts and feelings, I know they’re irrational, but that doesn’t prevent them.

A few times, I’ve been out walking and nearly started crying because I was so panicky and in such anxiety about getting dirty or seeing dog poop or decaying plants. It sounds so silly right now that it makes me chuckle as I type this, but it is no laughing matter when it’s happening. It’s absolute hell.

There is relief for me, however. Once I make it through my exercise session–past the point of itching after about 30 minutes–then I start to calm down. The thoughts are still there but not as frequent or as powerful so I can talk myself into relaxing.

By the time I return home I’m basically okay with only a tiny bit of residual itch and I’m far less creeped out about filth.

I’ve explained this to my friends and family and no one knows what I’m talking about. My mom thinks I’m a nutcase with regard to the feelings of disgust I experience.

The itching and anxiety happen when I exercise at home too, but the paranoia isn’t as bad at home because I feel like my surroundings are cleaner than outside. I don’t worry about animal feces, but I freak out thinking about dirt having been tracked into the house on shoes.

What is this odd psychological effect that can accompany exercise itch? I’ve read a few explanations about the itching but none about the dirt anxiety. What in the world does one have to do with the other?

Ditto, me too! It started in my early teens (I’m now in my 40’s) and happens most often when it is cold/cooler out, mostly on my thighs but occasionally on my belly and back, too. Sometimes it gets so bad I get hives and welts from scratching. Glad to know I’m not alone.

This is so weird. I just got back from a walk and my legs were itching like crazy. It’s the second time it has happened to me and both times were when I was wearing shorts and it was a cool morning. When it’s warmer out, I have no problems whatsoever. I have never had any problems when I play sports or do more strenuous exercise, but walking with shorts on, on a cool morning makes my legs itch like crazy. It didn’t make sense to me, so I started to think maybe something was going wrong. Like others, I’m glad I’m not going crazy and someone knows what I’m talking about…

Wow, I feel “normal” now. My husband does not believe me when I tell him how bad I itch. Sometimes it itches so much that I feel like I will pass out any moment. It almost feels like I can’t breath.I have to stop walking immediately and itch. It happens when I walk and the weather is just a little cold. The cloths I am wearing don’t matter–long, short, cotton, etc. I can’t even take my dog for a normal walk, because I itch sooooooo bad. My theory for the cause is that the cold weather shrinks the vessels, but then more blood (moving causes increase in circulation) is trying to go thru the smaller vessel causing it to swell. I am going to try the aspirin and the Zyrtec and hope for the best. Until we find the solution: KEEP ITCHING!

I also experience the itching when walking or running. It’s frustrating, embarassing, and discouraging–believe me, I know! I’ve scratched myself to the point of welts and almost drawing blood. But I’ve found a couple things that seem to help. The first is to dry-brush my legs briskly before I go out to exercise. It doesn’t eliminate the itching 100%, but it greatly reduces it, to the point where I almost don’t notice it. I first tried it with the thought that if the itching was due to my circulation “waking up,” so to speak, then I would beat my body to the punch and “wake it up” before I went out. It’s worked, so far! The other thing that I’ve found is to seek out other forms of exercise, like swimming or mountain biking. I can really get a good workout without the itching, thank God.

It seems to be related to impact for me. After ten minutes of walking on a hard surface, I itch like MAD – but I can go for hours in the grass.

I think it might be my thighs jiggling, honestly. All the vibration… and that would be why it happens to women, too.

Ditto everyone My walking partner thinks I’m crazy itching the whole walk!!! I thought that it was bug bite from the trsil we walk on but i’ve had it my entire life. Even swimming I can remember it happening. Will try anihist. thanks for great idea.

Wow, as I was walking today, legs itchy and all, I went on my phone to do a little research about it because it’s something that ha been frustrating me since I Was a child. My older sister always thought that I was a lazy whiner when I would complain about it as a kid. Glad I’m not
the only one. At this point everytime I walk I ignore the itching and I’m all buy immune to it. I will definitely try some Benadryl though. Thanks

Oh my I totally understand this and am very happy other people have the same problem. I can work out at the gym on a treadmill, eliptical, or bike for an hour and be completly fine. But as soon as I step outside and even walk a mile my legs itch. And I have talked to a doctor and he said maybe circualtion, and said maybe my potassium was low, to eat a bannana every day. Yeah didnt help. But tomarrow I will try the claritin and see how it goes.
Thank you for the advice.

Well, i must its good to read all these comments from others, i come from a humid region in Africa and never experienced itching on my legs and thighs, till i traveled abroad. After doing a little research, i have come to realize its the weather conditions that exist in the areas we live in Europe and America that are really different. so i guess we need to keep the skin as moisturized as possible and a bit of glycerin in our creams will help. and to keep to warm areas if possible. and for all those who start seeing all the dirt around when you start itching you are not alone and definitely not crazy. but i still wonder why it happens.

I just had this problem this morning and have been searching for clear answers all day. I get this when I run outside. I can do anything else and run on a treadmill and am fine.

Warming up and stretching has been helpful, if I’m expecting itching. Sometimes, it gets me by surprise and today was one of those days. I had run twice as much a few days ago and had little pain. Today was terrible and I had to write about it on my blog. I’m hoping for better tomorrow.

OMGGGG I’m so happy i found this site!!
Every time I go walking after about 3 or 4 blocks i feel like there is an aunt farm underneath my legs. The itching is so painful that i have to start scratching my legs and stop walking. I always tell my friends i cant go walking with them, because after a few blocks I’m in so much pain and my legs feel like they’re on fire and the itching is unbearable. no one ever knew what i was talking about except for my mom and one of my sisters…who knew there were tons of people that have the same thing as me. I rarely exercise but i remember a few years ago i went walking a lot for a few months and the itching got much better. I guess from what a lot of you are saying I just have to work through the pain and hopefully soon it will get better.
Thanks everyone for your posts! made me feel much better

oh and it happens whens its hot or cold outside the temperature doesnt really matter…im itching just thinking about it.

I’m so GLAD I came across this. It felt like I was the only one in the world this was happening to! I usually get very itchy around my thighs and calves and it only happens when I am out walking in cold weather, usually on walk to the train station, by the time I get on the train, I just want to strip and SCRATCH! I must say that, I noticed that if I walk slower and ensure that I have no pressure from tight clothing (tights, stretch clothing) I would sometimes make the walk without the itchy sensation. I will definitely be trying the anti-histamines this winter!

I’ve had this problem ever since I was in middle school. I was walking around the track in P.E. actually it was the perimeter of the outdoor field which was even longer than our tradition jogging track and my legs started to itch uncontrollably. I scratched them so bad they became purple and I have dark skin so you know I scratched them extremely hard!

I’ve done 4 years of cheerleading and dance and now yoga. I find other forms of exercise that don’t require running. Ever since gaining that awful burning in my legs I stay away from walking long distances and definitely running!

The burning usually occurs in my thighs and behind my knees. Whenever I would see the sports doctor, he would always say it was “bad circulation” and stretching helps….Not.

I’m now in College and walking to class is agony. I’m investing in a bike because like Megan said it does not occur when you ride a bike.

I also notice the moment I step indoors, it starts to wear off. -I never get this itching when shopping in a mall for long periods of time

Try not to wear heavy bags, backpacks because the chaffing seems to trigger the itching.

I hate that I’ve developed such a strong distaste for running/walking because I would like to do things such as the AIDS Walk and March of Dimes.

I cnt even walk for 5min.. dis happens 2me right wen I step out my damn house.. I get so upset bcuz I cnt walk like I use 2… I had dis problem 4awhile but it juss got worse.. n it doent only happen in the winter.. it happens in every season known 2man.. I tried usin baby oil wen I get out the shower, I tried puttin lotion n vasaline.. thinkin its cuz I have extremely dry skin but nothin seems 2work 4me.. it has gotten 2the poitn where I am afraid of goin out.. dis made me so lazy.. I use 2walk everywhere I needed 2go wit no problem..but now if I’m not gettin in a car I’m stayin my ass home.. n if I really need 2go out 4sum reason I have 2walk as slow as I possibly can…I am a young girl n there’s elderly ppl walkin fatser than me.. I need a solution sum 1 plz help me

omg!!!!! this is awesome,i too thought i was alone!! this is the most irritating thing ever! it itches burns and stings all at the same time. i just want to say that i think EmWilly is a literal genius and should write comedy! not that what she is going through is funny but the delivery is hilarious!

i felt this too i could be walking and my legs start to itch and if i scratch them. my whole body seems to scratch and itch. i dont want to scratch because im afraid people will look at me crazy but sometimes i need to. when i get somewhere alone i take off my pants and scratch till my legs and thighs get all red. pls help

OMG!!! This is turning out to be one of the best days ever, after having been one of the worst in a series of awful itchy ones. It is so legitimizing to read all these posts! NO ONE in my life understands why i can’t walk or run without stopping after a few moments because of extreme itching in my legs. It truly feels like ants have taken up residence and decided to simultaneusly sprint through my legs!!! For me, it typically starts in my ankles, moves up my legs, and sometimes to butt, back, and stomach area. This has been going on all my life; I’m now in my early 30s.

I have been active most of my life, so that isn’t the problem. I have changed detergents, altered my clothing, and a host of other “remedies,” all to no avail. And it is only severe during running and walking although I have experienced it, at a more tolerable level, while swimming. This problem has often brought me to tears in frustration. That frustration was further aggravated by the fact that no one, including doctors, seemed to understand or take this problem seriously! I am so thankful for this community of people who UNDERSTAND. I have been near tears just reading these posts…I’m not alone.

Oh, and yes, I have experienced the filth disgust but to a lesser extent of EmWilly. But the dead wet leaves…OMG! I’ve never connected the two things! This is interesting…I don’t know what to make of it.

I will try the antihistamines. It certainly can’t hurt. Thanks all.

great postings!

as for me, it always happens after a longer period of inactivity.
once i get active for a few days, and endure the itching, it starts fading out.it def seems to having something to do with blood circulation and would be glad to find something to make the itching go away besides ” being active ” all the time.
let’s all though try to use this to make us stronger, cause it seems as if all of us have to really be mentally strong in order to endure the 20-30 mins or even longer in some cases, until the itching becomes less. it’s def a great ” mental training ” as well!

Do you hear that? It’s me breathing a huge sigh of relief. I thought I was being punished for sitting on my arse at work all day, because every time I take the pooches for a walk, I’m in itching agony! Some days are better than others, but I stress out every time I suit up the dogs for a walk. Usually its my thighs that are itching, but lately its been my calves and knees. Sometimes my feet. Always agony. The dogs always look at me with exasperation because our walks have so many stops in them, while I’m scratching like a damn monkey! Either that, or I try the ‘no pain, no gain’ approach and try to walk through it, at an excessively fast pace that means doggies have to pee on the fly! I know passing motorists must think I’m an animal abuser when they see me dragging my poor Remy down the street, hopping on one leg and peeing a trail on the bushes behind us…and poor little Sable, trying to squat and run at the same time.
I absolutely hate taking meds, but if one little antihistimine pill will stop this madness, I’m all for it!
THANK YOU for your posts!

this is an amazing site! Like all of you I thought I was alone!I have been getting this itchy burning sensation in my legs for years! Its only recently I have been strong enough to run through the torture! I joined a footie team in uni and I was terrified of how I was gong to overcome the itchy legs. The firt few weeks were torture but I kept on going and I completely overcame the itchy legs. Even when I was wearing only shorts in the snow and I was running and no itchy legs! it was a miracle. To me the answer is fitnes! Good luck everyone! Thanks for all your comments it was great to see I a not alone!

I experienced this a little bit when I was in middle school at track practice. Now that I’m in my late 20’s, I have been noticing it a lot more often and it’s driving me CRAZYYYYYY….My butt itches the most which is the most embarassing….Today I went mall walking and within 15 minutes, I felt like freaking out. This past summer I was walking my dogs when I felt it come on and I couldn’t wait to get HOME so I could ITCH AWAY….and you guys are all right when you talk about dirty surroundings making it worse. I would see ant hills on the sidewalk that would make the itching even more intense….I am going to try Zyrtec to see if that works. Someone at work today told me to drink more water to help it???

WOW….i am amazed, me and my daughter rachael have always been active, and have never experienced this in a gym situation, however we have just started training for a marathon, and i do’nt know wether the cold air outside is a big factor, but we have been doing 3 mile walks the last few days, and we have both experienced really bad itchy legs, rachaels are a lot worse than mine, today we just got back, and her legs are actually oedemetous, they are swollen with big white lumps on them, its driving her mad….so ive just covered her in antihistamine crean i did’nt realise this could happen, i’m amazed by this website…thank goodness we found it.