Your operating playlist is ideal. You’ve hit a fantastic stride. You’re on tempo to beat your document time.
Then, abruptly, your pores and skin begins to really feel itchy and tingly, type of such as you handed by means of a poison ivy patch. What causes this “runner’s itch” — and do you have to be involved?
Right here’s what it’s essential 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, nevertheless it’s most typical on the legs.
Happily, it’s not often a priority, particularly if it goes away quickly after you cease operating. 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 here are two of the most typical the explanation why you is likely to be itchy.
Nerves
One widespread reason for runner’s itch is elevated blood circulate. This happens most with people who find themselves new to operating or haven’t run shortly.
The depth of the exercise boosts your coronary heart charge, which results in expanded arteries and capillaries, in addition to extra blood circulate to the muscle tissues.
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 quite fired-up nerves.
Allergy symptoms
One other attainable trigger — particularly if the itchy space is roofed by your clothes — is a gentle allergic response to a product you’re utilizing, equivalent 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 might make you extra more likely to have a response.
Some individuals can also expertise exercise-induced urticaria, a situation which causes allergic signs like hives or swelling throughout or after bodily exercise.
In the event you suppose this is likely to be your concern, your physician will help you establish potential triggers and management your signs.
How Do You Stop Runner’s Itch?
- Working on an everyday schedule will help, because the situation tends to be much less problematic as your physique — and your nervous system — will get used to operating, says Adelzadeh.
- Heat up earlier than operating, since that helps with blood circulate.
- Switching to fragrance-free detergent and dryer sheets to your operating gear will help as effectively, Adelzadeh provides.
- Sporting moisture-wicking garments will help decrease sweating, and compression socks will help with blood circulate.
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 might also 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 attainable, hold operating. Getting your full exercise will allow you to modify quicker and go away runner’s itch behind.
But when your signs are extreme or they don’t subside, speak to your physician about attainable remedy choices.
