Exercise causing little itchy red spots?

philthfc
philthfc Posts: 4
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
Firstly - apologies for the length of message!


I've been coming out in little red itchy spots for a couple of months now, they seem to appear all over but not in clumps like a normal rash instead randomly all over but especially my back and chest, arms and legs. First of all I thought i was being bitten, got paranoid i had bed bugs but after seeing the doctor he confirmed they were bites as they were too small. They are very small in size, usually very red around them after they appear but that soon dies down and leaves just a tiny little red spot unless I scratch it obviously.

They seem to mainly appear when I go to the gym and get warm, when doing cardio i often get an tingling feeling on my torso(usually chest or stomach) for a few minutes, after which i usually have fresh red spots appear. Similar happens even if i just do weights, once I have get warm I often have a few new ones by the end of the workout. I do seem to have them appear outside of the gym as well, for example a few came up(one on my hand) over Christmas and I had a few days off from the gym so they don’t seem to be exclusively appearing while in the gym. Strange thing is I have been going to gym for years and never had this problem until a few months ago.

The first time I went to the doctor they gave me some antibiotics and a nose cream as they thought it was folluculitis, it didn’t really make any difference in truth. The few days after I had finished the week antibiotics it seemed slightly better but then went back to how it was, not sure if it was the antibiotics working or just coincidence I’m guessing.

I’m not convinced the problem is follicultis, though a few of the red spots on my legs do look like some of the examples I have seen on the internet but a lot of them don’t really. I went back to the Doctors to see if they could give me anything else, it was a different doctor and they didn’t seem to know if it was folliculitis or not and simply told me to try substituting my soap/shower gel for aqueous cream in case it is something I’m using that is irritating my skin. I can’t see this making any difference in truth as if it was an irritation it wouldn’t appear mainly when I’m hot/excerising I wouldn’t think?

It wouldn’t be so bad if they disappeared quickly, but they seem to take weeks to go down and even then I still see them – some of the bigger ones that appeared 2 months ago still haven’t faded completely which is very annoying.

Anyone had or known or anything similar??? Appreciate any advice anyone can give.

Replies

  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    Might try getting a referral to a dermatologist, if you've just been seeing a general.
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    When I first started working out really hard, I would break out in hives on my chest and my armpits. I would get some hives elsewhere, but the chest and armpits were the worst. I started using fragrance free detergent and doing a second rinse when I did laundry. I also changed deodorants, from Suave to Sure. The hives went away and I've never had a problem since.
  • snsmyth
    snsmyth Posts: 35 Member
    Occasionally I will get a heat rash, which sounds similar to what you describe. Usually the sweat gland is blocked for some reason, either a body cream, soap, or sunscreen. It actually got so I couldn't wear sunscreen when I was running outside. What worked best for me was using a body scrub to open the pores, then Oxyclean pads over the bumps after my shower. The body scrub is either something very mild from the drug store, or plain old baking soda.
  • philthfc
    philthfc Posts: 4
    Occasionally I will get a heat rash, which sounds similar to what you describe. Usually the sweat gland is blocked for some reason, either a body cream, soap, or sunscreen. It actually got so I couldn't wear sunscreen when I was running outside. What worked best for me was using a body scrub to open the pores, then Oxyclean pads over the bumps after my shower. The body scrub is either something very mild from the drug store, or plain old baking soda.
    Thanks for the replies people.

    How often would you use the body scrub, as long as it took to clear up or every few days?

    I read to try an antibacterial soap which I have been using after my workout in the shower instead of shower gel. Been using for a couple of weeks but not certain it has made much difference other than drying out my skin a lot.
  • snsmyth
    snsmyth Posts: 35 Member
    I used the scrub as long as it took to clear up, and then made sure I didn't use any creams or oils on my trunk. My front was the worst area for some reason. I found that the cheapie St. Ives Apricot for sensitive skin worked well. The baking soda worked the best, but stings a bit when the redness is still there.
  • philthfc
    philthfc Posts: 4
    I used the scrub as long as it took to clear up, and then made sure I didn't use any creams or oils on my trunk. My front was the worst area for some reason. I found that the cheapie St. Ives Apricot for sensitive skin worked well. The baking soda worked the best, but stings a bit when the redness is still there.

    Thanks, found "St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Body Scrub" which sounds like the stuff. Might get some and give it a go, worth a shot.

    Not sure if mine is heat rash, as I would have thought I would have he spots in clusters rather than sporadic ones spread out all over me, but it's worth a shot. I'll try anything at the moment.
  • philthfc
    philthfc Posts: 4
    Has anyone here every suffered from pityriasis rosea?

    My symptoms aren't exactly like the ones described for this(ie. it says people usually get one larger bite type spot first before others appear which i don't think i have had) so it's probably not what I have but just interested if anyone has suffered from this and what symptoms they had.
  • SofaKingRad_II
    SofaKingRad_II Posts: 591
    Uuugggh...that sounds horrible!
  • Jamie23Durkin
    Jamie23Durkin Posts: 54
    I noticed this about myself too. I think that it is due to your body warming/heating up through out the workout and also from the sweat you produce. I could be wrong but the only time i notice it is when i'm sweating and my body is warm/hot
  • icyeyes317
    icyeyes317 Posts: 226 Member
    It could also be a type of allergy, or mast cell disorder. You could try an OTC Allegra or Claritin and see if it helps also.
  • Wilhellmina
    Wilhellmina Posts: 757 Member
    When I first started working out really hard, I would break out in hives on my chest and my armpits. I would get some hives elsewhere, but the chest and armpits were the worst. I started using fragrance free detergent and doing a second rinse when I did laundry. I also changed deodorants, from Suave to Sure. The hives went away and I've never had a problem since.

    About this! On the back also, but no problems with that anymore after going perfume and processed free.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    I thought I had folliculitis at one point. I went to a Dr I know. They looked at the pattern on the marks. Mine were down one leg in small separate clumps. It was zitty looking with the hairs in the middle.

    In the end they thought insect bites or just a allergic reaction. The pattern on the rash makes a difference, it if follows the nerve and if its on both sides of the body, etc. I don't know, I'm not a Dr.
    In either case the simplest answer is probably the correct one.
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    Has anyone here every suffered from pityriasis rosea?

    My symptoms aren't exactly like the ones described for this(ie. it says people usually get one larger bite type spot first before others appear which i don't think i have had) so it's probably not what I have but just interested if anyone has suffered from this and what symptoms they had.

    I had it for about a year on my back. Slight itching and looked much worse than it felt. Finally disappeared when I stopped drinking decaff coffee - there is a process it goes through that can aggravate skin problems.

    Spots could also be an allergic reaction especially when working out - could be your washing powder and as you work out sweat helps to release the chemicals and reaction arises. Best thing is to see a skin specialist.
  • jheald23
    jheald23 Posts: 2 Member
    My husband gets heat rash when he gets really sweaty working out and generally has some heat rash for most of the summer. Sounds similar to your rash- small red dots, not itchy. As previously mentioned, a body scrub helps a lot as well as a body wash that clears out pores and/or is antibacterial. Wearing fabrics that wick sweat away from your skin and are loose enough for air flow to get through also helps.
  • Fitburd
    Fitburd Posts: 92 Member
    I get this and while it's not normal it's apparently not uncommon - During exercise, histamines are released. Histamines are proteins involved in autoimmune responses like an allergic reaction to pollen or dust. People who are sensitive to histamines experience rashes, itching, and other allergic symptoms during exercise just like you are describing.

    I take an anti histamine every day, I still get hives, but nothing like it was when I first started working out
  • ccol4him
    ccol4him Posts: 79 Member
    I noticed it last night on my arms after working out on my treadmill. I've been exercising on it for a few months, but had increased time by 2 minutes each week. Started off @ 10 and am at 28- 3 times a week. My doctor didn't seem overly concerned about it. I had seen articles that recommended non-drowsy Benadryl.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Doctors keep reference photos for all kind of rashes. They are trained. Dermatologists even more so.
  • RadishEater
    RadishEater Posts: 470 Member
    My roommate gets these when she goes running especially if it has been a while. I don't think she ever found a reason though.
  • josette06
    josette06 Posts: 119 Member
    philthfc wrote: »
    Has anyone here every suffered from pityriasis rosea?

    My symptoms aren't exactly like the ones described for this(ie. it says people usually get one larger bite type spot first before others appear which i don't think i have had) so it's probably not what I have but just interested if anyone has suffered from this and what symptoms they had.

    Mine started with a large scaley patch on my side. At first I thought nothing of it since I will occasionally get something similar if I touch anything with nickel in it beyond my hands. After three weeks it was still there and I thought it was psoriasis. Then my coworker came in and announced his bed bugs (ew) and the next morning I woke up with a ton of little bumps from my shoulders to my legs on back and front. I started freaking out thinking I got my co-workers bugs and inspected my whole house. Turns out it was just pityriasis rosea. It lasted another 3 weeks, totalling 6 weeks of having it.
  • Sakura_Tree
    Sakura_Tree Posts: 142 Member
    This happens to me as well when I workout vigorously, My skin is very sensitive and it reacts to hot and cold. I also have to use fragrance free laundry soap and sensitive skin body wash. It kinda sucks but you get used to.
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