Itchy Legs When Running, Walking
One minor concern that I experience when running or walking outside in the cold (it’s not cold now, but I didn’t research it until now) is a mild itchiness on my legs around the thighs. It’s not serious enough to stop me from running or walking outside, but if I can prevent it then I can avoid a bit of the mild discomfort I experience.
It turns out I should count my lucky stars because some people get it a lot more seriously than I do. These two Ask Metafilter (1, 2) have some crazy stories from other people and links to things that are downright scary. A lot of the answers amount to links to conditions such as Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (as in Exercise-induced anaphylactic reactions, or allergic reactions) and cold urticaria. Being allergic to the cold seems a bit ridiculous, doesn’t it? I, like many, always thought it had to do with sweat coming out of pores and just being mildly irritated.
If those seem a bit outlandish to you, as they did to me, other explanations include:
- Reaction to detergents - It could be that my body doesn’t like the detergent I’m using, though my itchiness is only in the legs and I wash all my clothes.
- Blood circulation - Some have said that the itchiness just comes from blood circulation, that it goes away after the first mile. To be honest, I don’t really notice if the itchiness starts in the beginning and goes away, or persists for a long time. I have always ignored it and kept on going because it wasn’t that bad.
- New to exercise - Another commenter stated that it happened a lot when he first started working out but less so now, I can’t remember if it was worse when I was younger… dang my memory is going too.
Oh well, either way I’m not taking any drugs for it because it’s only mildly irritating, so I guess I’ll just power on through.
13 People have left comments on this post
May 30, 2008 - 10:05:16I 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?