Your operating playlist is ideal. You’ve hit a terrific stride. You’re on tempo to beat your report time.
Then, immediately, your pores and skin begins to really feel itchy and tingly, sort of such as you handed by means of 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 anyplace in your physique, together with your abdomen and arms, nevertheless it’s most typical on the legs.
Luckily, 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 below are two of the commonest the explanation why you could be itchy.
Nerves
One frequent explanation for runner’s itch is elevated blood stream. 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 fee, which results in expanded arteries and capillaries, in addition to extra blood stream to the muscular tissues.
When that occurs, nerve cells all through the physique can turn out to be stimulated. So what you’re feeling shouldn’t be technically an itch however moderately 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, comparable 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 may make you extra more likely to have a response.
Some individuals might also expertise exercise-induced urticaria, a situation which causes allergic signs like hives or swelling throughout or after bodily exercise.
For those who assume this could be your subject, your physician might help you determine potential triggers and management your signs.
How Do You Forestall Runner’s Itch?
- Operating on a daily schedule might 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 stream.
- Switching to fragrance-free detergent and dryer sheets to your operating gear might help as properly, Adelzadeh provides.
- Sporting moisture-wicking garments might help reduce sweating, and compression socks might help with blood stream.
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 an alternative of scratching, since scraping the pores and skin could make it extra irritated.
You might also wish 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 attainable, preserve operating. Getting your full exercise will enable 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 attainable remedy choices.