Aa
Itchy Painful Legs during Walk
I am in my 40s. When I was in late 20s I got a dog and noticed when I walked him on a cold morning, like in the 30s, after about 5 minutes of brisk walking my legs would start itching and burning. It felt like it was just under the skin. It wasn't from friction with my clothes-- it felt under the surface of the skin. The pain would be so intense I would cry out, it was such an intense itching and burning feeling on my thighs and also lower legs.
I adjusted my lifestyle so as to avoid cold weather hikes unless I wore several layers of longjohns. I believed the cold weather triggered this, because I moved to the South Florida and walked the dog every morning for years and years and never had the pain in my legs.
Then I moved back up North, and took a brisk walk yesterday morning when it was in the low 30s. I walked for about 3 minutes at a good pace, and suddenly OW!!!! The burning and itching worse than ever before, just excruciating and bringing tears to my eyes. I stopped and sat on a bench to scratch my legs, but the bench was so cold it made my behind itch and burn, too (that usually doesn't happen as my coat covers it). Then I waited for the itching to subside a bit and thought if I walked very slowly back to the car I would be OK, but even walking slowly the burning pain returned as bad as ever.
I have never seen a doctor about it, because I have been avoidant, and plus all those years living down South I forgot about the problem. I have never ever in my life met anyone else who has had this happen to them. It was extremely embarrassing to me yesterday, as I was with a friend when it happened.
I adjusted my lifestyle so as to avoid cold weather hikes unless I wore several layers of longjohns. I believed the cold weather triggered this, because I moved to the South Florida and walked the dog every morning for years and years and never had the pain in my legs.
Then I moved back up North, and took a brisk walk yesterday morning when it was in the low 30s. I walked for about 3 minutes at a good pace, and suddenly OW!!!! The burning and itching worse than ever before, just excruciating and bringing tears to my eyes. I stopped and sat on a bench to scratch my legs, but the bench was so cold it made my behind itch and burn, too (that usually doesn't happen as my coat covers it). Then I waited for the itching to subside a bit and thought if I walked very slowly back to the car I would be OK, but even walking slowly the burning pain returned as bad as ever.
I have never seen a doctor about it, because I have been avoidant, and plus all those years living down South I forgot about the problem. I have never ever in my life met anyone else who has had this happen to them. It was extremely embarrassing to me yesterday, as I was with a friend when it happened.
Hi Everyone,
Great News! I have had this problem for years and I finally found some relief. A doctor at a health fair told me to try taking an antihistamine 30 minutes before walking or excercising and it's been like MAGIC and if I need quick help. I take a tablespoon of Nyquil and I can easily walk a couple of miles no problem. I noticed yesterday, i ddin't have to take anything and I was fine.
Try it out. Just don't get addicted to Nyquil
Great News! I have had this problem for years and I finally found some relief. A doctor at a health fair told me to try taking an antihistamine 30 minutes before walking or excercising and it's been like MAGIC and if I need quick help. I take a tablespoon of Nyquil and I can easily walk a couple of miles no problem. I noticed yesterday, i ddin't have to take anything and I was fine.
Try it out. Just don't get addicted to Nyquil
I thought I was the ONLY one with this issue. My legs have itched while I was walking for years! I'm 32 and I asked my dermatologist and she said I wasnt gettting enough circulations and I needed to walk more. Its unbearable. I was at the gym 2 days on the treadmill and after 15 minutes I had to get off it! When I'm on the ecliptical machine,I'm fine only on the treadmill it flares up! Its ***** so bad....
I found this on the web while doing reseach about ILS[Itchy Leg Syndrome], the cause is also the cure according to these. Guess I'll have to workout for a bit more. However I do believe this is a sign, that America does need to get active. I'm only 17 and yet have ILS however because I've always had a slim/lean body that most say looks like a model's and "appears" that I've worked out, I guess I skipped on actually working out. I suggest walking, but not a fast pace, at YOUR pace, try going for a simple walk around your neighborhood and in the first few weeks stick it and stay in neighboorhood AKA "Your Comfort Zone" don't try venturing out unless you can feel the itching subsiding some. Hope this helps everyone.
Local 13 News Article On Fitness:
Some people will find any excuse not to exercise -- even saying they're allergic to it.
In fact, experts say that having itchy, irritated legs during exercise is fairly common. Certified personal trainer Max Hoyt said the symptoms are actually caused by inactivity.
"The capillaries in your legs, they contract and expand rather easily, but if you're inactive they lose elasticity, so they don't expand as readily as they used to," Hoyt said.
Hoyt said this is fine if you're sedentary because the additional blood flow doesn't reach those areas, but when you are working out, it is a different story.
"These areas get reached by the blood flow and these capillaries. Because they lost the elasticity, the nerve endings around the capillaries will transmit the sudden expansion of these capillaries to your brain and your brain perceives this as an itch," Hoyt said.
That's why no matter how much you scratch you can't relive it.
Hoyt said that the good news is that the sensation is temporary. If you stick with your exercise routine, the blood flow will force the capillaries to open and, with consistent expansion, the irritation will subside.
"If you can just stick with it and get used to being into exercise again it will go away," Hoyt said.
Hoyt said that if it doesn't go away in a few weeks, exercise is not the issue. He said some people prone to hives and exercise can make this condition worse. In this case, prevention, usually with antihistamines, is key.
"Once it's happened, you pretty much need to stop exercising and cool back down," Hoyt said.
While there is a potentially fatal condition called exercise-induced anaphylaxis, it is rare and, as with the hives, exercise is the trigger, not the cause.
Hoyt said that if you have asthma, always keep your inhaler with you, even if you haven't had an attack in a while.
Local 13 News Article On Fitness:
Some people will find any excuse not to exercise -- even saying they're allergic to it.
In fact, experts say that having itchy, irritated legs during exercise is fairly common. Certified personal trainer Max Hoyt said the symptoms are actually caused by inactivity.
"The capillaries in your legs, they contract and expand rather easily, but if you're inactive they lose elasticity, so they don't expand as readily as they used to," Hoyt said.
Hoyt said this is fine if you're sedentary because the additional blood flow doesn't reach those areas, but when you are working out, it is a different story.
"These areas get reached by the blood flow and these capillaries. Because they lost the elasticity, the nerve endings around the capillaries will transmit the sudden expansion of these capillaries to your brain and your brain perceives this as an itch," Hoyt said.
That's why no matter how much you scratch you can't relive it.
Hoyt said that the good news is that the sensation is temporary. If you stick with your exercise routine, the blood flow will force the capillaries to open and, with consistent expansion, the irritation will subside.
"If you can just stick with it and get used to being into exercise again it will go away," Hoyt said.
Hoyt said that if it doesn't go away in a few weeks, exercise is not the issue. He said some people prone to hives and exercise can make this condition worse. In this case, prevention, usually with antihistamines, is key.
"Once it's happened, you pretty much need to stop exercising and cool back down," Hoyt said.
While there is a potentially fatal condition called exercise-induced anaphylaxis, it is rare and, as with the hives, exercise is the trigger, not the cause.
Hoyt said that if you have asthma, always keep your inhaler with you, even if you haven't had an attack in a while.
I have the same issue; itching and burning in the legs, (mostly thigh area) with walking. It is not short distances mind you but definitely when trying to "exercise". It does happen in any climate and is not related to clothing or dry skin. I don't get the hives just the itching and burning. It does not happen if I am walking through the grocery store or any other time I walk distances. It is only when I am exercising. So I can only assume it has something to do with the elevation in heart rate. If anyone mecical has an opinion, I would like to hear it.
hey guys i have the same problem, it doesn't matter what weather am in, it's there. I cried alot about it. I have two children and i didn't get a chance to walk the smaller one when she was born , my mom had to do it for me. Just walking my daughter to the bus stop is a task. It all started right after my 13 year old was born when i had was to walk her to the clinic in the early morning in the cold air, but hot or cold weather it's there. I was talking to a pharmacist friend of mine and she recommend that i try the liquid histal or tablets, i did that and now i take it and ran if am going anywhere that requires walking. Hope i help in anyway.
This has been happening to me my whole life. It burns and itches so bad I get welts from scratching. I always ask the person im working out with if it happens to them and they look at me like Im crazy I thought noonme else had this but me. I also dont sweat not even in a sauna I just swell. Anyone out there have that??
My itchy legs occur after I've walked for at least 20-30 minutes and it happens in any weather - warm, hot, cold. It feels like the itching is inside, under the skin and sometimes it is so unbearable that I end up with scratches all over my legs because I feel that I have to do the scratching to relive the itching. Does anyone know what is the cause of this?
I have the same problem, but I think your diagnosis is incorrect(though I very well could be wrong).
My argument is this. I believe I am breathing in enough oxygen and it seems to only happen in cold weather; in the summer I do a lot of hiking up high in the mountians where there is less oxygen and it doesn't seem to occur.
I don't seem to have the problem all the time(usually when it is cold out, I will have long underwear on which help a lot) but it has happened for many years(10+), tonight it happened and it was real bad. I had to get a taxi(and I am broke and cheap) where I would normally have no problem walking, I also should add that I am in pretty good shape and like I said above, I do lots of strenuous high elevation(low oxygen) hikes and it never happens.
male, 27 years of age. Tall, somewhat skinny, smoker, weekend drinker, unhealthy eater(not enough veggies-gross). big meat eater, huge milk drinker.
Anyone have any ideas??
I am going to see see my doctor of course, but I would like to find some answers/solutions sooner(not sure how soon i can get to see my doctor).
Peter
My argument is this. I believe I am breathing in enough oxygen and it seems to only happen in cold weather; in the summer I do a lot of hiking up high in the mountians where there is less oxygen and it doesn't seem to occur.
I don't seem to have the problem all the time(usually when it is cold out, I will have long underwear on which help a lot) but it has happened for many years(10+), tonight it happened and it was real bad. I had to get a taxi(and I am broke and cheap) where I would normally have no problem walking, I also should add that I am in pretty good shape and like I said above, I do lots of strenuous high elevation(low oxygen) hikes and it never happens.
male, 27 years of age. Tall, somewhat skinny, smoker, weekend drinker, unhealthy eater(not enough veggies-gross). big meat eater, huge milk drinker.
Anyone have any ideas??
I am going to see see my doctor of course, but I would like to find some answers/solutions sooner(not sure how soon i can get to see my doctor).
Peter
Check this out:
Read part IV about anaerobic respiration.
http://www.biology.iupui.edu/biocourses/N100/2k4ch7respirationnotes.html
Read part IV about anaerobic respiration.
http://www.biology.iupui.edu/biocourses/N100/2k4ch7respirationnotes.html
It is a reaction to "anaerobic respiration". This is the process whereby your body cannot take in quite enough oxygen to meet your needs during exercise, so it leaches a little from your muscles to make up the difference. When it is cold out. you may not breathe in as deeply.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.
