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!

[tnky73]

The only way i can walk run or jog is by taking a zyrtec 1/2 hr to an hour before.otherwise the itch all over my body is so intense i could cry. I too tried walking in all temps, variety of fabricsof workout clothes. Only antihysthamine worked for me.

[SlickRick559]

yup....been happening to me since i was 12, i am 36 now. No exercise is needed to start it. I have always exercised and have never quit. My itch thankfully is only on my thighs, an under the skin tingling, itching, heated feeling like ant under my skin. My method to relieve it is punching my legs. I look crazy but it helps!!!

[sk8tr999]

I also found out from research that high levels of Niacin can aggravate his as well so the potassium from the bananas helps to balance that.

[EduardRochester]

I have had the exact same symptoms as Nalla had.  Whenever I've been away from jogging or bike riding for a long time then go back to my routine, I experience itching that starts within a few minutes of exercising.  It's been this way since my high school days back in the 70's.  The itching begins in my groin, continues all the way down to my feet and up as far as my chest if I can stand it that long.  So, after years of simply tuffing-out that dreaded "first week" of getting back into my exercise regimen, I finally figured out that if I applied over-the-counter 2% Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride cream to the affected areas before I run or bike (and I mean I slather it on good--groin included) I don't experience the problem.  The more thorough I slather it on, the better protection from the itchies.  I've also discovered that I only have to do this maybe four days before I don't have to use it anymore.  After that my problem becomes staying committed to jogging or biking regularly and not stopping for a month, or two, or three . . . .  Good luck to you if you suffer from "getting-back-into-the-exercise-routine itchies."

[bp8430]

I live with asthma-based allergies and take a histamine blocker (Allegra) every single day...as well as several other daily allergy meds (Singulair -leukotriene blocker) so the antihistamine does not seem to make a difference; at least not for me.  I'm in my mid-30's and have experienced this my whole life although it has worsened as I've aged. I am in moderate shape and work out 3-4 days a week pretty regularly.   The itching will occur randomly...it can happen multiple days in a row or not happen for months.  I can be on a casual nigh time stroll with the dogs or jogging for miles, hot/cold weather, inside on a treadmill or outside in any season...I've been unable to relate it to being situational other than it appears to be soley related to walking/running. I ran four miles this past Saturday and Sunday at pretty much the same time of day and same weather conditions.  Saturday I experienced no issue, Sunday I did.  I understand the itching creates emotional stress due to the pain and embarrassment but for me it has almost led me to panic attacks at times when the sensation is too intense and overwhelming.  I would love to heard any other theories/ideas regarding this as doctor's on the whole don't seem to know anything about it.

[saund3rs]

This occurs when I walk or run but ONLY in cold weather. For me it is a circulation problem that I've inherited from my mum. We also have Reynauds (when it's cold our hands get very cold) and our blood vessels dilate much larger than normal when it's hot. I have to rub or scratch my legs like mad (thighs, calves, hamstrings). This natural reaction is actually serving to warm up the muscles in order to stop the itching. If I rub my legs for a few minutes to generate heat all over them, the itching goes away. If I rub my legs before jogging on a cold day, they do not itch when they normally would. It's exactly the same as when you've been out in throwing snowballs and then run your hands under warm water - they itch.