Runner’s Itch: What It Is and How to Prevent It

Your operating playlist is ideal. You’ve hit a terrific 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 a poison ivy patch. What causes this “runner’s itch” — and must you be involved?

Right here’s what you have 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, nevertheless it’s most typical on the legs.

Fortuitously, it’s not normally 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 explanation why you may be itchy.

Nerves

One frequent reason for runner’s itch is elevated blood move. 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 ends up 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 change into stimulated. So what you’re feeling will not be technically an itch however somewhat fired-up nerves.

Allergic reactions

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 high 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 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.

When you assume this may be your challenge, your physician can assist you determine potential triggers and management your signs.

How Do You Forestall Runner’s Itch?

• Operating on a daily schedule can assist, 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 move.
• Switching to fragrance-free detergent and dryer sheets on your operating gear can assist as properly, Adelzadeh provides.
• Carrying moisture-wicking garments can assist reduce sweating, and compression socks can assist 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 might also wish to strive carrying a small bottle or baggie of unscented moisturizer with you, as a result of dry pores and skin can exacerbate the difficulty.

If potential, preserve operating. Getting your full exercise will enable you to regulate quicker and go away runner’s itch behind.

But when your signs are extreme or they don’t subside, speak to your physician about potential therapy choices.