Itchy legs....help

[nalla]

About a month ago I started jogging/running. My problem is my legs start itching so bad that I have to stop. It starts at my ankles and then goes up my legs. My dh told me to start pushing through it and it will go away if I just keep going. So I did that today and it started going up my stomach, so I decided it was time to stop because it was just too much to handle, and I was afraid that my whole body would end up like that. I usually start out with a 5-10 min walk and then work my way up to running. After about 20 min of fast walking the itching starts. It doesn't matter if I'm outside or on my tredmill, wear shorts or loose pants. I have tried putting lotion w/ no purfume or anything in it before I exercise, but it's not working. I have also had my dh spray my legs with water to cool them off, but that isn't working either. I don't want to give this up, but I can't take this itching anymore. I walk and/or my tredmill everyday, sometimes several times a day, so I don't think just getting used to it is the problem. Does anybody have any idea how to make this stop? I will try anything!

[Mara006]

Some articles (like livestrong) claim it has to do with blood not knowing how to direct itself  when starting to excercise. I have not found this to be an issue that only happens to new exercisers, so I'm wondering if that article is half-right. It could have something to do with our blood... like low iron. Now, a full proper iron panel consists of 4 different blood test, but most doctors are only aware of one, so most of us that ARE low iron (because we're not absorbing it/binding it) don't get diagnosed as such (because we have plenty left over in our blood). Some tell-tale signs of low iron are ridges on nails and spooning of nails, low energy, brain fog, etc but they vary. I've realized this issue for me (which happens with any kind of repeated friction/movement of my skin in any part of my body) comes and goes, so I'm wondering if it has to do with my iron levels at that particular time. I haven't had that issue since I started increasing my stomach acid (ironically what most of us believe to be too much stomach acid is usually not enough stomach acid) so that I can better absorb nutrients like iron. Hope that helps someone!

[2Samz]

Thank you..great info!

[HawCreekFalls]

I went to a  specialist about this.  He didn't offer help.  I itch only in cool or cold weather and only on my thighs.  It is horrible.

[Ambslynn]

I have suffered with this my entire life as well. Since childhood. Debilitating, rip your pants off in the road. itchiness. Niacin and antihistamine is the only thing that works. It stinks to have to take an antihistamine all year long, but I take at night. If I forget it, I truly don't even bother exercising. It's never gotten better the more in shape I am, or with time. It's so not fair and really turns me off from exercising at all. Good luck all! It's nice to see some info on this finally.

[Anttay]

Im so glad this thread is still going. Im 24 years old and have been dealing with this since high school. I have always been athletic. I played tennis and ran in elementary and in high school i danced. Now I cant even speedwalk. This morning i went to the bus stop, forgot my pass, and went back home and my legs were killing. I couldn't get in my house fast enough. I ride my bike 4-5 times a week for about 30 mins to an hr and no itching. So today i decide to take the bus and bam itching. Im also a CNA so im constantly walking every where the only time i sit is for break if i even get one and i don't itch. Ive tried the benadryl, lotion, clothes temperatures nothing helps. Its really embarrassing i cant even jog with my partner if i wanted to. And while the itching consumes me my disgust for everything around me starts. the street, trees,  birds, its all gross and i feel like its closing in on me. I use to love running and now that i cant even walk it makes me want to forever ride my bike no more walking/running for me. Someone should really do like a clinal trial or something cuz i need answers!! Thanks for posting guys it helps knowing there are others that deal with this issue. =)

[SumitaSofat]

This is so me in the actual way that Nalla and SevenPlus described and I've been passing away to discover something to help because I would like to jog or run. This extreme itchiness even happens after just a quick move. If anyone discovers anything which enables please let me know.

[cuppycakesugarplum]

Yes, I have this problem, too!  I'm a young Asian woman.  I used to run cross country in high school and never had this problem.  It started in college.  At first I thought it was because of the cold air where I lived, but it happens when I'm on the treadmill in a warm gym.  I thought maybe dry skin was an issue, so I tried slathering lotion or body cream on before running or brisk walking, but that didn't help either.  I've wanted to run, but I've been afraid to do so for the last few years.

The itching and burning is painful, and no one else understands.  I can do half an hour of HIIT exercise and not have this problem.  I've tried to ignore the itching and burning and push on, but it only makes it worse.  I end up using all my willpower not to remove my pants until I get home and scratch.  Of course, I end up with raised bumps or welts and red skin from the intense scratching.  I usually break capillaries and have dots on my legs afterward as a result.  I think I will try taking an antihistamine stronger than Zyrtec and seeing if that helps.

I felt relieved reading all of your guys' experiences and being able to relate!