Your working playlist is ideal. You’ve hit an important stride. You’re on tempo to beat your report time.
Then, out of the blue, your pores and skin begins to really feel itchy and tingly, type of such as you handed via a poison ivy patch. What causes this “runner’s itch” — and must you be involved?
Right here’s what it is advisable know.
What Is Runner’s Itch?
Runner’s itch is an irritation of the pores and skin that may floor throughout strenuous train. The itch can happen wherever in your physique, together with your abdomen and arms, however it’s commonest on the legs.
Happily, it’s not normally a priority, particularly if it goes away quickly after you cease working. If the itchiness doesn’t subside — or it’s accompanied by signs like hives or dizziness — speak to your physician.
What Causes Runner’s Itch?
Listed below are two of the commonest explanation why you could be itchy.
Nerves
One frequent reason behind runner’s itch is elevated blood move. This happens most with people who find themselves new to working or haven’t run shortly.
The depth of the exercise boosts your coronary heart fee, which ends up in expanded arteries and capillaries, in addition to extra blood move to the muscle tissue.
When that occurs, nerve cells all through the physique can turn into stimulated. So what you’re feeling is just not technically an itch however fairly fired-up nerves.
Allergic reactions
One other doable trigger — particularly if the itchy space is roofed by your clothes — is a gentle allergic response to a product you’re utilizing, similar to laundry detergent or cleaning soap.
Fragrances amongst these merchandise are typically one of many high culprits for contact dermatitis, which is an itch attributable to contact with an allergen, says Lily Adelzadeh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California.
As you sweat, your pores open up extra, which may make you extra more likely to have a response.
Some individuals may expertise exercise-induced urticaria, a situation which causes allergic signs like hives or swelling throughout or after bodily exercise.
Should you suppose this could be your problem, your physician may also help you establish potential triggers and management your signs.
How Do You Stop Runner’s Itch?
- Working on an everyday schedule may also help, because the situation tends to be much less problematic as your physique — and your nervous system — will get used to working, says Adelzadeh.
- Heat up earlier than working, since that helps with blood move.
- Switching to fragrance-free detergent and dryer sheets to your working gear may also help as effectively, Adelzadeh provides.
- Carrying moisture-wicking garments may also help reduce sweating, and compression socks may also help with blood move.
Can You Cease Runner’s Itch?
Prevention steps are useful, however what are you able to do within the second for that tremendous itchy sensation?
Adelzadeh suggests rubbing your legs as a substitute of scratching, since scraping the pores and skin could make it extra irritated.
You may additionally need to attempt carrying a small bottle or baggie of unscented moisturizer with you, as a result of dry pores and skin can exacerbate the difficulty.
If doable, maintain working. Getting your full exercise will assist you alter quicker and go away runner’s itch behind.
But when your signs are extreme or they don’t subside, speak to your physician about doable remedy choices.
