Itchy legs....help

[nalla]

About a month ago I started jogging/running. My problem is my legs start itching so bad that I have to stop. It starts at my ankles and then goes up my legs. My dh told me to start pushing through it and it will go away if I just keep going. So I did that today and it started going up my stomach, so I decided it was time to stop because it was just too much to handle, and I was afraid that my whole body would end up like that. I usually start out with a 5-10 min walk and then work my way up to running. After about 20 min of fast walking the itching starts. It doesn't matter if I'm outside or on my tredmill, wear shorts or loose pants. I have tried putting lotion w/ no purfume or anything in it before I exercise, but it's not working. I have also had my dh spray my legs with water to cool them off, but that isn't working either. I don't want to give this up, but I can't take this itching anymore. I walk and/or my tredmill everyday, sometimes several times a day, so I don't think just getting used to it is the problem. Does anybody have any idea how to make this stop? I will try anything!

[JDAfrica]

Guys am so glad am not alone. All along ai thought i was bewitched! Some adamantly diamiss it as Syphillis and yet....i test negative for it. I have tried everything, lotions, special creams,  itamins and boosts, etc...it doesnt work. Now I resorted to calling it the enemy! I trick it instead. I walk out and let that beast come....once it is beginning i push it a bit more...then I sit down. Gently rub it and breatge..at that time my breath is cutting, am angry, dizzy and yes i feel like the world is coming to an end...and sonetimes i even want to puke. When it goes away...i start again. It doesnt come again most times but i do feelmy hands burning up juat as bad. I hope it doesnt kill eventually. I am putting some scientists on it soon. We will find a cure soon. Hang in there people. I suggest we name this thing!

[madhuri04]

Somewhat more data would be useful… You specify "legs" - do you have more than one range? From its appearance, I am speculating that it is - or was at first - warm to touch. In the event that it wasn't warm or in the event that you have different territories, it is exceedingly likely that what I'm going to propose is misguided...

I'm focusing with respect to the territory with a darker tint - kind of taking after twin mountains (lighter pink encompasses that). In the event that palpated and having a firmer vibe than the rest, it could be an intimation. In some cases a denser, darker tone proposes a zone of unique "damage" or presentation. Be that as it may, the darker shading could be on account of you have as of late been rubbing the territory, as well. (Scratches make distinctive imprints - like red lines.) I don't see any open ranges/broken skin, rankles, hives or ulcers. The rash seems diffuse over that territory.

Have you been outside recently? There is one little speck inside the darker shaded territory that might be from an irritated bug. Three different specks are adjacent - yet they are more "dark" and resemble a hair follicle… That same shading spot shows up outside the rash.

It could be a hypersensitive response, a histamine reaction to a bramble or thistle or bug "jabbing" just beneath the surface of your skin.

I, for one, encountered a rash essentially indistinguishable to your photo from a bug I saw nibble me on my thigh. It resembled a "ninja" stink bug - an enormous, protective layer plated bug with a stomach area and thorax (I think a thorax, something enunciated) and long pliers standing out of his head. He bit me at a reasonable while I was in a bargaining position and not able to brush him away. I got the critter, however, and a scout pioneer close-by let me know it was a stink bug executioner… (?!) Oh well, I felt that chomp. It squeezed hard - it was under my pants. The squeezes broke the skin, however their pin-prick marks vanished in the blink of an eye a while later leaving just the rash. That is a long story, planning to refresh your memory to some distress you may have discounted at the time. The rash from that critter (like bunches of bug nibbles)

[portland31]

This morning I dropped of my car to have some work done.
I always dread doing this because it means I have to walk to work.
I don't mind walking but I know I am going to get the dreaded itch.
An I have the same emotional and physical symptoms mentioned by others.
I have had it from a youngster into my adult life.
I make excuses for not going on walks or taking up jogging.
My Doctor looked baffled when I enquired about it.
Reading through your comments the one thing that keeps coming up again and again is problems with circulation.
I have just read this article that I think explains the cause:  https://liverunloveyoga.com/2011/10/27/runners-itch-what-causes-those-itchy-legs/
hope this helps.

[lynnwood44]

you are so right! It is stupid! I feel for you. I have it too, so I completely understand, I'm not as active as you are, so I can imagine how you must feel not being able to enjoy hiking without going through this mess, hang in there! Let's keep the conversation going.....perhaps a cure is on the way

[lynnwood44]

I realize these comments are from a couple of years ago, but we have got to keep this conversation going, as it is so nice to know this is a real condition! and I am not just crazy! I have been suffering from this since the age of 13! the intense itchy legs during walking and running, especially if the weather is cool, and the mood swings after it occurs, My stomach feels sick and my environment looks extremely gross, If I see pot holes, trash around or mud. It's insane! please help us.

[Ramon_Aventura]

You summed it up prefectly. I'm a guy who has experienced this condition since I was a adolescent. I recently had a case last week where I thought I was going crazy! Not only was my lower half and stomach all itchy but I was furious, and also started viewing my surroundings as "disgusting" and "unclean." I can't really describe the temporary mental component that occurs with the unexplained itching but it's there.

[Justi111]

@lynnwood44 and @Ramon_Aventura  I have the exact same reactions. It is horrible. I dont know which is worse-the physical part or the mental part. For me, it first started 22 years ago(44 now) and has only gotten worse throughout the years. In my case, I suspect it has to do with poor circulation (maybe leading to the histamine issues) and it's also worse when I'm walking in colder weather. The mental agony, anger and disgust that I feel when it happens is really baffling and disheartening, it makes me feel like the world is coming to an end. It's even gotten to the point where the experience will be so overwhelming that I will actually start crying. It's very weird and it has been impossible to make others understand what its like. It just comes off sounding like I'm making excuses to not walk. So when I walk, I try to do so very casually and lightly to try to minimize the symptoms(I give myself extra time to get to where I'm going to allow for this). Sometimes I will do vigorous jarring leg/body movements to try to acclimate to the shock/friction movements of walking/fast walking a little while BEFORE I go outside so that when the symptoms start getting bad -at home- I can just stop and rest/scratch and let them pass so that I dont end up scratching fiendishly like some kind of weirdo on the sidewalk numerous times before I manage to get to my destination. It's insane. Sorry for the long post but I was VERY surprised to find that I'm not the only one.

[Dermaproblems]

I had the exact same issue but I think I've found a solution, I talked to a pharmacist and he prescribed 100ug of vitamin d 200 mg of ferrous sulphate and also 10mg of certrazine dihydrochloride. Really we just attacked the issue from every angle addressing any allergies or deficiencies all in one go. Felt relief from the itch and also the mental disgust after 4/5 days. Some times my itch does re occur but only about 1/4 as bad as it once was and with none of the mental side of the issue .  

[Mara006]

Some articles (like livestrong) claim it has to do with blood not knowing how to direct itself  when starting to excercise. I have not found this to be an issue that only happens to new exercisers, so I'm wondering if that article is half-right. It could have something to do with our blood... like low iron. Now, a full proper iron panel consists of 4 different blood test, but most doctors are only aware of one, so most of us that ARE low iron (because we're not absorbing it/binding it) don't get diagnosed as such (because we have plenty left over in our blood). Some tell-tale signs of low iron are ridges on nails and spooning of nails, low energy, brain fog, etc but they vary. I've realized this issue for me (which happens with any kind of repeated friction/movement of my skin in any part of my body) comes and goes, so I'm wondering if it has to do with my iron levels at that particular time. I haven't had that issue since I started increasing my stomach acid (ironically what most of us believe to be too much stomach acid is usually not enough stomach acid) so that I can better absorb nutrients like iron. Hope that helps someone!