Anyone else's legs itch when you run/walk?

KendraLoveless
KendraLoveless Posts: 51
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all, maybe this is just weird, but my legs itch when I run (or walk very briskly), especially if it is cool or cold out. Does it happen to any of you?

I've had many theories given to me: fat mobilization, fascia adhesions breaking down, allergies... But I'd love to know if anyone knows for sure, or just has guesses...

Thanks in advance! I look forward to hearing what you think!
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Replies

  • catshark209
    catshark209 Posts: 1,133 Member
    Bump.
    Cuz I want to know. Mine itch and turn red and it's horrible.
  • tmauck4472
    tmauck4472 Posts: 1,785 Member
    Mine used too. And the same in the cold cool. They've been known to do it after a bath, actually my whole body would itch after a bath, every single time. It's a horrible feeling and you just want to dig and dig and dig.
  • 33neenaj
    33neenaj Posts: 306
    Take an antihistamine before your walk.
  • BrianCrum
    BrianCrum Posts: 6 Member
    Yes me too. It reminds me of a niacin reaction or something. Running in the cold makes it worse!
  • canelly
    canelly Posts: 731 Member
    Wow I'm not alone on this!!!
  • lorihalsted
    lorihalsted Posts: 326 Member
    I haven't suffered with this in years but I did when I was a teenager and never knew the cause either. I wanna know too!!!!
  • wendyjo3
    wendyjo3 Posts: 52 Member
    ME too!!! Like everyone else said, especially in the cold. Also, worse if running at the track, I thought maybe because of the grass?
  • peasantgirly
    peasantgirly Posts: 173 Member
    I have always wondered about this, and I always thought it was just me! So annoying!
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    I don't have problems itching, but I have other related responses. My nose runs a lot when I do any kind of intense exercise, especially running. I'm pretty sure its just my body triggering an anti-inflammatory response in opposition to the inflammation in tissues that is caused by intense exercise. I don't worry about it, just carry tissues and blow my nose a lot.
  • going2befit4ever
    going2befit4ever Posts: 225 Member
    yep don't know why but its really uncomfortable
  • qristina
    qristina Posts: 16
    yes! my legs can get VERY itchy when I walk. But it only seems to happen when I am walking near water (like lakes).
  • cordianet
    cordianet Posts: 534 Member
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_urticaria
  • lorihalsted
    lorihalsted Posts: 326 Member
    I googled it...check out this link. http://www.wisegeek.com/why-do-my-legs-get-itchy-when-i-walk.htm
  • iluvmyhoneys
    iluvmyhoneys Posts: 21
    Mine do!!! Not sure why they either...
  • Jenn_10
    Jenn_10 Posts: 83
    bump, glad to see I am not the only one lol I'm curious as to why it happens
  • kvonjohn
    kvonjohn Posts: 569 Member
    YES! What a relief it is! I am so tired of when I tell people this they think that I am making it up! My son's old school is next to a park with a track that goes around the lake there. I tried to walk the track there once and about halfway around my legs were on FIRE! I wanted to scratch them so bad but it was right next to a busy street! Ugh I hate this. I can do it on the treadmill without and problems but outside is a big NO NO!
    The first time it happened it was cold but I've had it happen in every weather since then.
    I asked the doctor about it once and he told me it had something to do with lactic acid but he kinda just dismissed me too.
  • Curry0724
    Curry0724 Posts: 51 Member
    It was explained to me that when you are exercising, or say you come in from a snowy day... your legs may itch because your blood is pumping hard and rising to the surface. And apparently, that process makes a lot of people itch.
  • apeecaleb
    apeecaleb Posts: 58 Member
    This may be more for the girls...but I used to ich like crazy when I ran and I found that it helps if I don't have any lotion or body spray on...it seem to make it worse mixed in with the sweat! Not sure if that's the initial cause but it helped me not to itch as much.
  • pinchmynose28
    pinchmynose28 Posts: 1
    I've heard that it's because the small capillaries in your legs contract due to inactivity. Then when you exercise (which is most likely less frequent when it's cold) your blood rushes through the capillaries causing them to be forced open which causes the pain and itching. I find once I'm back in a routine of walking/running on a consistent basis, it does not happen anymore.
  • directorj
    directorj Posts: 537 Member
    I thought I was the only one! But mine is temporary and I scratch and it goes away.
  • toaster6
    toaster6 Posts: 703 Member
    Well I don't know if this is the case with anyone else, but my legs will do that if my skin is dry while I run so I try to moisturize once a day (it doesn't have to be before you work out, just at some point before you work out) and I haven't had it happen to me since. And try to use something for sensitive skin even if your skin isn't sensitive; stay away from perfumed lotions for this.
  • lizbennet
    lizbennet Posts: 8 Member
    i have the opposite issue--when my body temperature rises, it break out in a rash for at least an hour. it happens after a take showers or baths, during spring and summer esp as it gets hotter. i would even wake up in the middle of the night just ITCHING horribly--only ice and cortizon cream help. there actually is a name for it, which i have forgotten. i recently started taking zyrtec, which has helped a lot. doesn't make it go away completely, but it does lessen the reaction. totally sucks. i hope it helps you, though!
  • Aj722
    Aj722 Posts: 12
    I don't know why it happens, but when I started walking for exercise my legs would itch so bad after a half mile I would have to stop. Normally it was my upper leg. It would turn red and blotchy. I kept walking and after several months it didn't itch any more. Now I can run or walk as much as I want without any issues. I just kinda had to power through it. I know it's not the best advice and if you get hives or anything like that you should see a doctor, but otherwise keep building yourself up and see if it goes away after several months. Good luck!
  • lee3978
    lee3978 Posts: 274
    I hate it! Couple times almost passed out. It's an exercise allergy.

    I take allergy meds before running outside. I found drinking heavily the night before can affect my runs as well.

    http://allergies.about.com/od/anaphylaxis/a/eia.htm
  • momto1g1b
    momto1g1b Posts: 118 Member
    That used to happen to me a lot, and it would be almost unbearable. It's improved considerably - I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I stopped using body lotion and started using baby oil to moisturize my skin instead.
  • dreamsofsomeday
    dreamsofsomeday Posts: 62 Member
    That's happened to me numerous times, especially on a cold morning. I've also had it happen in the summer when I was on the treadmill and was not cold.
  • KendraLoveless
    KendraLoveless Posts: 51
    Wow, thanks for the great response everyone! At the very least it's nice to know I'm not alone, and that you know that now too!!! I'm going to go check out the links posted here and respond more specifically in the morning.... Thanks everyone!!!
  • KendraLoveless
    KendraLoveless Posts: 51
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise_urticaria

    Interesting! Thanks for the link!
  • vingogly
    vingogly Posts: 1,785 Member
    If it were me, I'd get a physical. It could also be a sign of chronic venous insufficiency. Depending on medical advice from these forums is never a good idea, since even a minor symptom like this may have multiple causes.
  • KendraLoveless
    KendraLoveless Posts: 51
    I googled it...check out this link. http://www.wisegeek.com/why-do-my-legs-get-itchy-when-i-walk.htm

    That's a good article... links to another on that's just about exercise urticaria... hives from exercise!!!

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