New FAQ: Why Do I Itch When I Run?
Wednesday December 28, 2005
Do you itch when you run? Whether your whole body starts to itch, or just your legs or arms, this new running FAQ tells you why and how to stop the itch.
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Comments
I experienced this to the point that I could not continue my run so I did a little reasearch. It usually occurs during exercise performed after a long period of inactivity. The itching is not on the skin, it’s inside the actual limbs. There are millions of tiny capillaries and arteries inside our muscles which expand rapidly due to the demand for more blood that is brought on by exercise. When fit, these capillaries remain open allowing maximum blood passage, but when unfit and inactive they tend to collapse, allowing only minimal blood passage (which is sufficient for a sedentary person however). The rapid expansion of these vessels causes adjacent nerves to send impulses back to the brain which are interpreted as an itch. That’s why after a few sessions the sensation tends to go away. Just another indication of increasing fitness levels.
so how do I make it go away. I used to be sooo active and have been inactive for 6 months…will the itch go away what can i do to make it go away faster?
Fhew!! So I’m not crazy. I was in the military for about 2 and 1/2 years when my runners itch started. I went to the doctor to find out what was going on but he just looked at me like I was nuts!! I thought a doctor, of all people, should know about this. I haven’t been running for 2 years because of it!! I love to run so what can I do to make this go away. It usually gets so intence that I have to quit running because it is like someone put itching powder all over me, especially on the more fatty places on my body such as my inner thighs, abdoman and love handles area. So again, what can I do to aleviate the symtoms?
I have also experienced this itching in my legs, butt and lower back. I have always felt that it was because of my muscels not being used. It usually goes away after a period of time. But you have to keep exercising. You can stop after you start itching but then go back to the walking or running after your legs stop itching or the next day. It worked for me.
Yes, I have the same problem too. I had to find out what is was, and finally today I see I am not alone and I found the answer. If any of you find any good ideas of how to take the mind off the itching or any remedies to make exercising more enjoyable please email me at Sweethrt8241@yahoo.com. Thanks!
I have the same problem. Every time it starts I think of the following sentence: “Warriors do not concentrate on what they are going through, but what they are going to”.
Believe me, it helps.
Hi I’ve just starting running and am currently doing 2 min walk followed by 1 min run 6 times, on monday I decided to try and push myself a bit further and ran for a bit longer. Since then the backs of my legs have been itching like mad, there is no rash but they just won’t stop. Is this normal?
I am relive to know it’s nothing major, I guess the trick is to persevere…and it will go away…I certainly wouldnt mind learning of ways to speed up the process…so is not so itchy!….what torture..my husband thought i was mad..
I am relieved to know it’s nothing major(clinically), I guess the trick is to persevere…and it will go away…I certainly wouldnt mind learning of ways to speed up the process…so is not so itchy!….what torture..my husband thought i was mad..
It’s been interesting reading the comments, because I;ve just started trainig last week and didn’t feel a thing, then today I went running and boy was it bad! I thought maybe because it was cold, but I’m glad to see there is a ’scientific’ explaination.
It’s just annoying!
Glad to see I’m not the only person. I have explained this to doctors when I was a kid and they just didn’t get it. As an adult I decided I was sick of being the “fat kid” so I started to jog on a treadmill. It was BAD! Really, really bad! So! I kept going and guess what ya’ll???? It went away! Since all my progress I stopped and am once again suffering the consequences! So let’s all just keep on going!
We can get over this! We gotta keep on going!