Help! Skin issues from working out?

annahiven
annahiven Posts: 177 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
A few days ago, I started to do more intense work outs than previously. Basically I went from 20-30 minutes of moderate cardio, to more interval cardio for longer periods of time.

As a result, I've been sweating copiously during exercise.

Almost immediately after I changed my work out, I started to have skin issues on my lower legs and on my arms. My skin is covered with tiny bumps that itch like MAD.

I am thinking that this is related to the increased amount of sweating, but I am not sure. It's only happening on the arms and legs, and the parts which are exposed to air while I work out. It's like something is happening to the hair follicles. The itching is insane and lotions don't help.

Before I stop exercising so intensely, I wanted to see if this has happened to anybody else?

Replies

  • thebigcb
    thebigcb Posts: 2,210 Member
    Personally, I'd visit a GP. It could be anything, heat rash, a fungal infection, a reaction to something.

    Gyms aren;t usually the cleanest places in the world
  • TimWilkinson101
    TimWilkinson101 Posts: 163 Member
    Had a quick look at this on Google and for once its not cancer ;) . I think you need to see your doctor as although it could be one or two things, they will know for sure.

    You could have a heat rash (unlikely if its on the lower leg only) or an alergic reaction to something (again unlikely if its on exposed legs) and beleive it or not, you could be allergic to your own sweat (Cholinergic Urticaria).

    This link gives some insight, but bottom line is you need to see your doctor. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/skin-rashes-that-itch-and-burn.html

    Also another possible is Folliculitis (http://janmodric.hubpages.com/hub/10-Causes-of-Itchy-Legs) but its all guess work and needs an expert to look.
  • Mezzle13
    Mezzle13 Posts: 32 Member
    Eurgh, I know exactly what you are talking about, it's like I have leg acne and if it isn't itchy it hurts like mad. My friends joke that I must be allergic to my own sweat as it happens whenever I excersise and if I go anywhere hot! After several years of cutting out different foods, changing my washing power etc and not figuring it out I decided to go to the doctors. I did think it could be folliculitos (or however you spell it) but that is only a short-term infection. The doctor referred my onto a dermatologst who has put me on something called Tetralysal which seems to have helped, the only downside is that I may have to be on it for the rest of my life as there seems to be no permenant cure.

    Best thing to do is go and see a specialist, after all that's what they're they for :-)
  • swisspea
    swisspea Posts: 327 Member
    I've had a heat rash before, and it doesn't itch all that much. I've heard something about what you're describing before, it's best to go to your doctor to get it looked at. It may be that your skin is sensitive to your sweat, and releases histamine when you exercise hard. Your doctor may suggest taking a non-drowsy anti-histamine before workouts.
  • Mezzle13
    Mezzle13 Posts: 32 Member
    Had a quick look at this on Google and for once its not cancer ;) . I think you need to see your doctor as although it could be one or two things, they will know for sure.

    You could have a heat rash (unlikely if its on the lower leg only) or an alergic reaction to something (again unlikely if its on exposed legs) and beleive it or not, you could be allergic to your own sweat (Cholinergic Urticaria).

    This link gives some insight, but bottom line is you need to see your doctor. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/skin-rashes-that-itch-and-burn.html

    Also another possible is Folliculitis (http://janmodric.hubpages.com/hub/10-Causes-of-Itchy-Legs) but its all guess work and needs an expert to look.

    :noway: you actually can be allergic to sweat?! I swear this literally is me!!
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    A few days ago, I started to do more intense work outs than previously. Basically I went from 20-30 minutes of moderate cardio, to more interval cardio for longer periods of time.

    As a result, I've been sweating copiously during exercise.

    Almost immediately after I changed my work out, I started to have skin issues on my lower legs and on my arms. My skin is covered with tiny bumps that itch like MAD.

    I am thinking that this is related to the increased amount of sweating, but I am not sure. It's only happening on the arms and legs, and the parts which are exposed to air while I work out. It's like something is happening to the hair follicles. The itching is insane and lotions don't help.

    Before I stop exercising so intensely, I wanted to see if this has happened to anybody else?

    It's possible to gain some acne from weight lifting. Lifting weights, especially as you get heavier, triggers more production of Growth Hormone so you could see some acne that you didn't previously have.
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