Allergic to jogging?

sarahlou1114
sarahlou1114 Posts: 17 Member
edited November 19 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok I know I can't really be allergic to exercise since I can do any other exercise routine I want, but, every time I try jogging for a period of time I break out in blotches and itch like crazy. My brother in law starting jogging when he was extremely overweight and never experienced this problem. Has anyone ever heard of this? Or experienced it? I would love to jog and complete a 5K as one of my fitness goals but this is crazy!!!
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Replies

  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Do you spend a lot of time outside otherwise? Is it possible that it's just general allergies, and when you're jogging outside you're exposed to the allergens longer than normal?
  • sarahlou1114
    sarahlou1114 Posts: 17 Member
    I spend a lot of time outdoors normally. I do all the yard work and gardening. This is only when I jog...
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    You can indeed actually be allergic to "exercise" and not even allergic to sweat- and it can often be tempered with a small dose of antihistamine (my doctor handed my a pile of Zurtec and said- try this while for a while)

    It could also be a circulation issue- it happens when you aren't in particularly good shape- when I used to come off seasons cross country- I was never in BAD shape- but I wasn't in running shape any more- and I had some VERY brutal runs till my body readjusted- it's painful- the itching.

    it was horrible. For me it got better- so you can try the antihistamine- or keep pressing through (dial back just a bit and just keep doing SOMETHING) and or go see a doctor- but no- you aren't crazy. It DOES happen.
  • Indigoblu1
    Indigoblu1 Posts: 127 Member
    sarahlou1114 wrote: »
    Ok I know I can't really be allergic to exercise since I can do any other exercise routine I want, but, every time I try jogging for a period of time I break out in blotches and itch like crazy. My brother in law starting jogging when he was extremely overweight and never experienced this problem. Has anyone ever heard of this? Or experienced it? I would love to jog and complete a 5K as one of my fitness goals but this is crazy!!!

    Hi, Sarahlou, please see my post-it is the same topic with many great replies and name to this!

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10180672/does-anybody-know-what-this-is/p1
  • dbomb76
    dbomb76 Posts: 171 Member
    You should ask a doctor, not random internet people.
  • sarahlou1114
    sarahlou1114 Posts: 17 Member
    Thank you! No one else seems to understand that I get crazy itchy when I run. I'm in decent shape because I've always worked out, just not consistently. Running or jogging is the one thing that is hard for me. Maybe I'll starting jogging a few minutes at a time and just work my way up. Thanks so much! :))
  • sarahlou1114
    sarahlou1114 Posts: 17 Member
    Yes, a doctor should be my first choice. Thanks;)
  • sarahlou1114
    sarahlou1114 Posts: 17 Member
    Great replies Indigoblu1, glad I'm not the only one.
  • moledew
    moledew Posts: 71 Member
    My friend is JUST like this and I thought she was making excuses for the longest time! after about a mile (maybe less) of just a brisk walk she'd always be behind me itching and really flustered. After about a year of this I realized she wasn't faking it... She was literally in tears and asked if I would walk back to my car and come pick her up because she couldn't go any further. Her mom is a nurse and said it was more than likely just poor circulation. She's overweight but only by maybe 15lbs, definitely not obese, and worked in a warehouse on her feet,sweating for 10 hours a day with no problems so we never understood why walking/jogging messed her up so badly.
  • sixxpoint
    sixxpoint Posts: 3,529 Member
    My vote is a Sunlight sensitivity. I've seen it before, but yeah... go to a Doctor.
  • slideaway1
    slideaway1 Posts: 1,006 Member
    Drop a non drowsy anti histamine before you run. During allergy season I take a one a day tablet of a morning to keep the wolf from the door.
  • slideaway1
    slideaway1 Posts: 1,006 Member
    slideaway1 wrote: »
    Drop a non drowsy anti histamine before you run. During allergy season I take a one a day tablet of a morning to keep the wolf from the door.

    In fact, ignore that. As others have said, maybe see a doctor first. :#
  • ercaface
    ercaface Posts: 45 Member
    This happens to me! I get what looks like almost hives sometimes! If I am at the gym or after i shower I will be red and splotchy, sometimes itchy....I have a Dr Appt in a couple weeks to discuss it!
  • JenAndSome
    JenAndSome Posts: 1,893 Member
    My co-worker breaks out like that whenever she sweats. She is allergic to pretty much everything so I tell her she must be3 allergic to herself, too. Poor thing.
  • sarahlou1114
    sarahlou1114 Posts: 17 Member
    Thanks guys! :D
  • JcMey3r
    JcMey3r Posts: 431 Member
    I find that my calves get super hard to the point where walking becomes sore, i've seen a doctor that didn't really help. so for that reason I don't jog. if anyone has a similar condition, I would love to hear from you.
  • jlahorn
    jlahorn Posts: 377 Member
    Here's an article on runner's itch: http://liverunloveyoga.com/2011/10/27/runners-itch-what-causes-those-itchy-legs/ If your blotches turn into itchy patches that last for up to a few days, it could be exercise-induced vasculitis.
  • sarahlou1114
    sarahlou1114 Posts: 17 Member
    Ok, pretty embarrassing to find out I'm just out of shape! Note to self, stay active to avoid the itch.... ;) lol
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    moledew wrote: »
    My friend is JUST like this and I thought she was making excuses for the longest time! after about a mile (maybe less) of just a brisk walk she'd always be behind me itching and really flustered. After about a year of this I realized she wasn't faking it... She was literally in tears and asked if I would walk back to my car and come pick her up because she couldn't go any further. Her mom is a nurse and said it was more than likely just poor circulation. She's overweight but only by maybe 15lbs, definitely not obese, and worked in a warehouse on her feet,sweating for 10 hours a day with no problems so we never understood why walking/jogging messed her up so badly.

    I remember I almost sat down and cried once because it was THAT bad. Mine usually hits me about 1 mile in- almost like clock work. And it's HORRIBLY painful when it gets really bad.
  • ElizabethKalmbach
    ElizabethKalmbach Posts: 1,415 Member
    Interesting. Do see a doctor about this. I used to get histamine reactions to cold weather and especially hot weather. It may be as easy as taking an antihistamine before jogging, or it may be more serious.

    I don't get the reaction since my immune system has taken up other hobbies. Do not recommend. But I don't miss the itching or hives.
  • JayneJohnson49
    JayneJohnson49 Posts: 1 Member
    edited June 2015
    I also had this issue, very painful. The burning sensation is unreal and sucks. My roommate also thought I was making it up but after being in tears and having her jog back to pick me up she realized I wasn't. Plus it ONLY occurred outdoors, not in a gym or inside. The temperature also didn't matter. At first I suspected it was due to extreme lows or highs but nope, also happened on a comfortable 70 degree day.

    I saw an allergist and he said it was a reaction to something in the air and to take a daily over-the-counter 24 hour acting antihistamine such as Claritin or Zyrtec. I do the Sam's Club brand but sure enough, after a week of taking them I had no more reactions. All the burning, itching on my legs and torso was gone. That was in 2008 and I've taken them every morning since then with no further issues. I did try a one month period without the allergy pill as I couldn't get to Sam's Club. Sure enough the reaction returned.

  • killerqueen21
    killerqueen21 Posts: 157 Member
    It's typically Cholinergic Urticaria or Exercise Induced Urticaria. It is indeed an allergy. I suffer from this and Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis. I have to carry an epi pen. How wonderful and not lame at all.

    Sometimes if you work out consistently, your body will adjust to it (the urticaria) after a few days and it won't bother you. But if you have more than a few days in a break, it'll flare up all over again. Antihistamines don't work for mine.

    If you're just out of shape I got nothing for you lol. Except that it'll get better as you get more in shape :)
  • ryanbrowning115
    ryanbrowning115 Posts: 69 Member
    could be that you are allergic to something in the air
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    Yep this happened to me! It went away after exercising consistently for a few weeks.
  • sarahlou1114
    sarahlou1114 Posts: 17 Member
    Thanks everybody! I don't feel particularly out of shape, but I normally don't jog. I have a desk job at a local elementary school and as it's summer break I'm just now working out regularly again. All of the comments have been great! I need to make a doctors appointment but for now I'm going to push through. :)
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I call it my "skin disease"...happens when I sweat. I get super itchy on my chest and back, sometimes the hives sneak up my neck. I also take a Clariton or something non-drowsy, and make sure you have a shower after you sweat to wash it off. My doctor told me that people release histamines when they sweat, and I'm having an allergic reaction. My seasonal allergies are wicked anyways, but the hives drive me nuts.
  • sarahlou1114
    sarahlou1114 Posts: 17 Member
    Do you take the Clariton even when you're not working out. Or only on the days that you are?
  • MFD7576
    MFD7576 Posts: 271 Member
    sarahlou1114 wrote: »
    Ok I know I can't really be allergic to exercise since I can do any other exercise routine I want, but, every time I try jogging for a period of time I break out in blotches and itch like crazy. My brother in law starting jogging when he was extremely overweight and never experienced this problem. Has anyone ever heard of this? Or experienced it? I would love to jog and complete a 5K as one of my fitness goals but this is crazy!!!

    Im sure others have mentioned this since I kinda just skipped to the first answer I thought when I saw this. It could be a heat rash! Friend on mine would walk to work (roughly 2 or 3 miles) and in the summer months he would be itchy and rashy when he got to work. Also you could be having a reaction to the potential acidic quality of your sweat. I don't know how to fix that or if its a cause but I do know sweet can be acidic. Another friend of mine has gone through plenty of computer keyboard because his finger sweat would rub off the keys lol

  • MFD7576
    MFD7576 Posts: 271 Member
    Taking a Benadryl could help as well, even still it might not be an "allergy"!
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    when I know I'm going to be involved with anything that's going to cause allergies, I carry clariton with me. Working out, yard work, day drinking on the patio, hiking, sitting on the football field watching the boy child. Just to be prepared. Where I live, cotton flies around in the air, and it's terrible so I have a box of anti-histamines in my purse or gym bag at all times.
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