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!

[PuraVida74]

Thank you whitelily7,
I truly appreciated your input on this forum. In all actuality, I don't know about an itchy leg cure, but I'm tempted to print your advice out and post it near by as a visual reminder for my daily/weekly discipline for a balanced, harmonized and stress free living environment :)... A million thank you's!!!
Asia ;-)

[Dbellv1]

Exciting to see I'm not the only one with this issue!!  For years nobody has known what the heck I was talking about.  I take Zyrtec daily and do not suffer from this anymore.  If I stop taking the Zyrtec, in 2-3 days running outdoors (especially) brings on that horrible intense painful itching.  I am very active & in shape, so that is not the cause - though like previous commenters, I remember it bein worse when taking a vacation from fitness & starting back up.

[shayshefine]

i have the same exact problem!! i itch so bad that my legs get fire truck red with welps!! the only thing that makes this better is VASOLINE!! put it everywhere you itch rub yourself down!!!!

[SevenPlus]

OMGosh!  Hi all!  I am truly sorry to hear that you are all experiencing the dreaded 'Itchy Legs' syndrome because as a VICTIM of this most profoundly annoying medical mystery I know how you all feel.  

I have been SUFFERING with this condition for 30 years, since I was 17, and for me my symptoms rarely ever happens when it is hot, but mostly when it is cool.  Within a minute of walking the itching starts at my ankles then spreads to the bottom of my feet and up my legs and buttocks.  My skin feels cool to the touch but is actually burning underneath, turns a bright red and gets worst when I begin to scratch it.  

My symptoms also comes with a feeling of abject disgust that starts in the pit of my stomach and spreads to my every thought and I have a strong urge to take a shower, which I do, and scrub from head to toe!  I am so disgusted that I could snap at anyone for anything and a messy environment seems to intensify my feelings driving me to insanity's brink.  

Once my itching got so intense that I have, without a care, stripped off my pants and shoes in PUBLIC and scratched from the bottom of my feet UP my legs and up and down my buttocks.  My skin looked like I had an encounter with a cheetah when I was done; and I wouldn't have cared a fig if I was cited for indecent exposure because the itching was so maddening.....aaaaaarrrrrggggh

I will try the antihistamine and I pray it works but I am hoping that Doctors, with enough complaints, will take a closer look into and discover without supposition, what could possibly be causing  this infuriating condition and find a natural and permanent solution as this 'burning itching' is driving me downright cookoo and it's not for coco puffs!

[another_girl]

HI everyone! I have the same issue. It happens no matter what I am wearing, tight or loose. I haven't really watched what I eat prior to exercise but I don't think it makes a difference. I agree with others in that it happens with "bouncing" either walking fast, running, jumping, etc (also with change in pace and elevation). I used to think it was the circulation thing but it is not. I am 23 and it has been happening for the past five years but never before that. I can take benadryl which "cures" it but it does make you exhausted. So I switched to Claritin (generic). It definitely has to due with histamine. I did consult my physician who only seemed to know what the e-medicine told her. so that's that. So although it is managable when I remember to take the pill that day, I can't spontaneously go for a run, etc.

[mrgilbert]

I have that same problem I play ball I always talk are work it only happens when I walk or jog and it's not all the time bit it's so freakin frustrating I cab even walk a half mike with my wife cause its so irritating.....