Red Itchy Skin While Running

lwebsmfp

Whenever I jog/run vigorously my skin turns really red and begins to itch like crazy! The worst area is just above my knees. Is this normal? What is happening? When I was middle school age and we ran during gym class the same thing would happen. I had a hard time finishing a mile run b/c the area above my knees itched so bad. My gym coach didn't know what it was but suggested that it could be blood vessels close to the surface of my skin. Now at 29 and starting to exercise again I've discovered that it still happens. Nothing happens with light to moderate exercise but only when I run. Does this happen to anyone else here?

pmd1423

This happens to me as well. I believe it is due to the increased amount of blood going to the knees during exercise, especially running. Shaving the morning of a run doesn't help it either! The sweat just irritates the skin more, I wear pants when I run now since it is below freezing where I live and it keeps me from scratching my knees while running. Sorry I don't have any solutions but yes its due to increased blood flow

JaneanAriel

My knees don't really itch but I get itchy too when I start to run or any aerobic exercise. I think it's because you're hot! I try to get in front of a fan and where breathable work out clothes.

DrBorkBork

I have it too. It's always been a normal thing for me. I get it from walking as well.

LittleSpy

I get super red and a little itchy, too. But never so itchy I want to stop, really. That sucks!

sdirks

I have a similar problem, but my entire body is affected when I work out or sweat (ie - summer). In my case, it's a skin problem. If you like, you can double-check with your dermatologist, as there may be a topical treatment to help reduce the itching, at least. It's probably nothing serious or dangerous... but for me, it certainly makes it embarrassing to wear shorts or a swimsuit, with half my body covered in a weird "rash"....

meganwojo

The itching usually occurs in people who haven't been exercising and then start up. It is due to circulation and should get better after a couple weeks.


I also found this on Yahoo ANswers:

It usually occurs during exercise performed after a long period of inactivity. The itching is not on the skin, it is inside the skin.
You see, there are millions of tiny capillaries and arteries inside our muscles which expand rapidly due to the demand for more blood that is brought on by exercise. When our bodies are sufficiently fit, these capillaries remain open allowing maximum blood passage, but, when unfit and inactive, they tend to collapse, allowing only minimal blood passage (which is sufficient for a sedentary person, however). The rapid expansion of these vessels causes adjacent nerves to send impulses back to the brain which are interpreted as an itch.

The problem should go away once you have increased your fitness level.

lwebsmfp

Thanks everyone! I'm glad to know this is common. Hopefully after I've been exercising longer the problem will subside.

blonide

Just think of it as the fat burnign away to help endure it in the interim. Good job on gettng fit.. keep it up and don't let this stop you!

TByrd1325

This happened to me all my life! Even walking for a short amount of time and my whole body would itch like CRAZY. I started exercising with videos and whatnot in my house. After a couple months I tried walking and I didn't itch! I always felt I was alone in this problem.

gabbygee1

Thanks for this, I get it too which is why I just searched this Topic.
I just started running again after a winter staying inside doing cardio on the stationary bike, and today just drove me crazy. I get it most on my front thighs and lower stomach but today it was all over and driving me crazy.
So glad to know I'm not the only one and that there is a solution (run more!).
Thanks guys!