Comments on: Itchy Legs When Running, Walking

By: Itchy & Scratchy

Itchy & Scratchy — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:49:09 +0000

I have had itchy legs for 30 years when walking in cold and/or wet and windy weather. The pain is excrutiating often resulting in my need to scratch my legs unil I draw blood and leaving me in tears. I am reaching menopause and my symptoms are getting worse and gaining in intensity. Once the intching starts I know I need to get home ASAP else the dirt phobia will kick in and the feeling that I will be sick will start.
Walking the dog is no longer possible, my husband on one occasion has had to go home and get the car to get me home.
I seem to have a heightened sense of smell ( all I can smell is dog poo)and if I see small circular seeds that may have fallen from trees onto the floor I start to panic. Any outside mess will disgust me. Today I noticed I was getting anxty when walking past block paved drive ways.
Thank you all for sharing your experiences, I am glad I am not on my own and to know that I am not going mad. Off to the chemists now (in my car, wet and windy outside)to get some antihistamines, here’s hoping and fingers crossed.

By: Nicktheitch

Nicktheitch — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:56:09 +0000

So glad that I found this wonderful site. I thought I was all alone in my suffering! I’m a man & have had this problem since middle school. The dirt phobia is most painful. When walking, anything that’s not clean concrete makes me want to “scream”! Wet leaves, dog dirt, loose garbage makes me wish I could don my red cape & fly home to safety. Once i’m home, it takes at least 20 minutes before the itching subside. I will try the allergy medication & see if it helps. Thanks for this site, I now know that I do not suffer alone.

By: Nyambura

Nyambura — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:06:37 +0000

hey guys…
it happens to those of us born and living in the African tropics…so dont think its purely bout temperature rise..
happens to me all the time (n yup, we walk ALOT)…
after the first 20 min of a brisk walk and the irritation has beguns, step it up, jog/run for the next 3-5 min (its initially gonna feel terrible)then slow down and resume ur walk…it’ll be like nothin ever happened!
I do it all the time

Nyambura
Nairobi

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:00:29 +0000

I’ve thought that this crazy itching has to do with the circulation as the tingling happens all over my legs when walking at it makes me stop every time coz slowing down doesn’t stop the itch.

IMMEDIATE TEMPORARY REMEDY :
A fast remedy I discovered is to sit down and elevate your legs so that the blood moves to your upper body. It is more effective when done laying down on your back but it is not always possible.
This reduces the itching much faster than waiting for it to go away without doing nothing or itching (which makes the itch even worse)

By: OMGGirl

OMGGirl — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 06:39:01 +0000

I have been dealing with this for many years. A pharmacist at cvs recommended antihistamine years ago and it worked I could not believe the solution was so simple, I had been in agony for years.

Advice (I am not a doctor):

1)Most OTC allergy pills work. I have found that if I take Benadryl before going to bed, then I don’t have the itch the next day. I take it every other day and it works fine. Always have allergy pills with you wherever you go to avoid an episode.

2)I also get the disgusted feeling, everything on the sidewalk disgusts me, especially puddles. Anything brown or wet sends me into a frenzy. I just want people to get out of my way so I can get to my destination without looking at anything.

What I suggest if this happens to you is go into the nearest store or building. The problem subsides as soon as I am indoors and standing still or just moving around slowly. I usually stay in the store or building for five to 10 minutes or till I am comfortable, then I look for water to take an allergy pill immediately. It starts working after 30 mins or so, then I continue my walk.

3)Make sure your skin is always moisturized. This will help keep the severity of the itching down.

4) Go on with your life. This is just a minor problem and should not interfere with your life at all. It could be worse. Allergy pills are your best friend. Always, always have them with you.

By: shareen

shareen — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:23:29 +0000

It sounds like exercise urticaria. You should google it it will make you feel so much better once you have a full understanding of what’s going on w/your body. I take 10 mg of zyrtec daily and it has helped tremendously.

By: amisah

amisah — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:14:38 +0000

when i walk fast my leg itch very bad, the pain is horrible, i just had occured not to long ago, it gets to a point that it is really bad that it even makes me cry, which is embrassing, as people look at you on the road funny. i tried all sort of things, to stop this from reoccuring, but nothing seems to work. i need help!!!!

By: Itchy RN

Itchy RN — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:58:03 +0000

I’m so glad that I’m not the only one with this problem. I thought I was for the longest time. It starts to itch after about thirty minutes of continues exercise ie. running, walking. I cant stand it so i have to stop and scratch. There must be a remedy to this awful problem. I would exercise alot more if there was. I have read a few good post on this site. I ‘ll give them a try and see how it works. Good luck to the rest of you. Don’t give up!!!

By: B

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:54:14 +0000

Hey now, it happens to some of us guys too

By: Lili

Lili — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:20:58 +0000

I have experienced the itchy legs since my mid-twenties. It started when I was living in Detroit (which is very cold). I was very thin and in excellent shape and started having trouble taking walks in the cold morning air. The problem persists today…. It doesn’t seem to matter if I am fit or flabby and it doesn’t seem to matter if I haven’t exercised in a while or am exercising every day. The itch occurs when taking morning walks in the cold air.

Like others said – no reactions when bicycling or exercising indoors where it is warm.

I do also get the dirt phobia that someone described in detail above. I fixate on every piece of dirt and every leaf on the ground and it makes me nauseous! How is this related to the itching???