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!

[Tracymack]

I am so glad to know that I am not the only one who suffers from this! Just returned from a walk with my husband a little while ago and I had the worse case of it I have ever experienced! I was in excruciating pain! I would rather have a baby than go through that again-and I have had 3 without an epidural! I was in tears before I got back home and I'm still trying to recover. I have had this since I was a child. It comes and goes. Right now, I am anemic so that may have something to do with how bad it was today. I think I'll stick with biking and doing my at-home workout. I don't experience it during either of those!

[mavreek]

This has nothing to do with race, am african, nigerain in particular. i thought i was being over dramatic, i was so happy when people mentioned about the environment episode where dirty looking things appear to infuriate the itch, for me i notice that it occurs only in the morning implying that when its cold because lets face it its all sun in nigeria, its just my quads, hamstrings and anywhere with a lot of friction(waist band especially or where i have a back a pack) oh God, that start screaming itch me. i have to just stop and wait until it recedes then i carefully take my steps one after the other, and if i take it too fast i risk returning back to torment, but by mid day to sundown i can run nonstop like it never even happened.

[runingirl2]

Check out my post... It might help you too....;-)!

[runingirl2]

Hi..

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post.  I couldn't help but read your posting and wanted to share the info I just discovered about preventing itchy legs....

"Histamine Response:
Some research suggests that histamine is released during exercise to protect against fatigue, rather than as an allergic response. Histamine works to expand blood vessels in your body, but, unfortunately, sends the itchy message to your brain. As with urticaria, taking an antihistamine before running may help, and it’s possible that as you continue your regimen, the itching will lessen".

I haven't been out for a run, on a treadmill or exercising for about 5 months now.  New job, new house, new kind of responsibilities, not managing my time well enough....etc, etc, etc...  All of that have kept me away from being physically active lately.  

Anyway the thing is that I took anti-histamine pills (over the counter) for a couple of days before I went running again.  I couldn't get to the gym or go out for a run for a couple of days because of mismanagement of time...but I still took the pills just in case.  So I finally made time on the third day and went to the gym....  Anyway while running (aside from feeling tired after such a long hiatus) I can tell you that I had NO itchy sensation or the sensation of wanting to tear my skin out from scratching...!!!   NOT AT ALL!!!  I ran for a full 30 mins and my legs or any other part of my body DID NOT itched....WOW!!  I guess that I maybe build it up in my system during those days before running without knowing. I think taking antihistamine pills might help those that are prone to runner's itch.... like me!!!  Well, that is as long as you are not allergic to that...  

I will be OK without them in about 3-4 more days at the max.... That's how it usually work with me.... But now I don't have to suffer through it until my body get back into it again....  I ALWAYS had this condition ever since I can remember...  And now as an adult it can be so annoying and depressing....BLAH!!  Anyway I hope this helps...  I feel great now because I can build up my resistance and stamina while not having that awful itchy feeling...:-)!!!!  Just ready to take on the world now ...;-)!! Wishing you Happy Runs....

[surelyyoujest]

Hello, I'm an itchy too. It's called pruritus and discovered that anemia can cause itchy skin, especially among athletes who develop low iron levels thru endurance activities or weightlifting. There's even a malady called footstrike anemia (hemolysis) among runners where the red blood cells are damaged by continual pounding of feet on the ground. Just search "itchy skin anemia." Iron deficient anemia can be cured by supplementing with iron pills but if in doubt have ferritin levels checked with a blood test.

[Ka20]

I have this problem too, and I found a solution that works like a miracle. I am very fit, so I know my problem is not lack of exercise.   Before you go walking or running outside put on body lotion on your body, specially on your legs, and feet or wherever you itch.  I do not get itchy anymore.  I think the problem is the blood circulation combined with the dry skin that causes the itchiness.  I don't have to deal with this problem again after discovering the lotion solution!!