Your working playlist is ideal. You’ve hit an incredible stride. You’re on tempo to beat your document time.
Then, out of the blue, your pores and skin begins to really feel itchy and tingly, sort of such as you handed by a poison ivy patch. What causes this “runner’s itch” — and must you be involved?
Right here’s what you might want to 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 anyplace in your physique, together with your abdomen and arms, however it’s commonest on the legs.
Happily, it’s not often 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 here are two of the commonest the reason why you is likely to be itchy.
Nerves
One frequent reason for 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 results in expanded arteries and capillaries, in addition to extra blood move to the muscle mass.
When that occurs, nerve cells all through the physique can turn into stimulated. So what you’re feeling just isn’t technically an itch however relatively fired-up nerves.
Allergy symptoms
One other potential trigger — particularly if the itchy space is roofed by your clothes — is a light allergic response to a product you’re utilizing, equivalent to laundry detergent or cleaning soap.
Fragrances amongst these merchandise are typically one of many prime culprits for contact dermatitis, which is an itch brought on by 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 prone to have a response.
Some folks may additionally expertise exercise-induced urticaria, a situation which causes allergic signs like hives or swelling throughout or after bodily exercise.
When you suppose this is likely to be your difficulty, your physician may also help you establish potential triggers and management your signs.
How Do You Forestall Runner’s Itch?
- Operating 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 on your working gear may also help as nicely, Adelzadeh provides.
- Sporting 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 problem.
If potential, preserve working. Getting your full exercise will allow you to modify quicker and depart runner’s itch behind.
But when your signs are extreme or they don’t subside, speak to your physician about potential remedy choices.
