Itching Problem

[Lawrence Joseph]

I am healthy African male in America.  Whenever I walk or jog a distance of about 1.5 miles, all parts of my body below my waist begin itching.  I have been able to overcome it by simply moving on and avoiding the urge to scrach.  But, the itching sensation is so irritating that it compels me to stop.  Once I stop, however, the itching dies down gradually.  Also, all hell brakes as soon as I begin to scrach.  I can ride my bike for 20 miles and I do not have this itching sensation.  Could this be caused by the impacting of my feet on the ground during jogging or walking briskly?

Thanks.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Mr. Joseph:

Some people get itchy hives after exercise or hot showers, but there are no diseases I know of which itch only on half the body after jogging.  I suspect that now that this pattern is established, your mind is playing trick with you.  The way to break this kind of itch-scratch cycle is to apply a lotion like Prax or Sarna (both OTC) on all affected areas immediately after jogging.  Repeat the application every time you get the urge to scratch.  That should suppress the itch, which will over time be extinguished.  If that fails, you can consulot a dermatologist, but I doubt that will be needed.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Andrew O'Regan]

Hello
In reply to this problem, I suffer the same problem when I jog
although I get the "itching" all over my midriff and legs. What I do is ignore it as best as I can, otherwise if I scratch the itch it just gets alot worse, eventually after about 15 mins it goes away. I don't think its in the mind as suggested

Good luck
Andy

[L. Sheets]

I agree.  I have suffered from this same problem for as long as I can remember.  The itching occurs after I have been walking on flat ground at a quick pace.  It doesn't happen when I am hiking on uneven trails, or biking or any other exercise.  It feels like a monsterous insect bite kind of itch throughout the muscle and skin, especially where clothing is tight.  It can extend to other areas if I don't stop, and it is maddening.  My husband saw a description of this  in a medical ad a few days ago, but couldn't remember the name of the condition, which is why I am searching the internet.

[Mike]

I suffer from the exact same problem described by the first poster to a tee.  I totally agree that it is not in my head cause its super noticeable and I do not get it when I ride my bike.  I would be intersted to know what the condition/treatment is.

[vicki]

My husband also experiences intense itching in his legs when he walks fast or runs.  It tends to diminish in intensity after a few minutes.  He also has restless leg syndrome.  Maybe there is some connection?

[Laura]

Is it possible it has something to do with the blood circulation when you are doing that particular form of exercise?  Make sure when you see the doctor, he rules out diabetes...that can cause some circulation problems below the waist. Good luck.